Can someone educate me on

[R1Elvis]

Whats the deal with going into the desert and doing target practice? Any do's or donts? Any cool spots south of Henderson?

Thanks in Advance!!!

[calmp9]

Well, to shoot on BLM land, the following applies:

When shooting pistols or rifles, you must be 5,000 feet from any dwelling occupied by another person or persons.
When shooting shotguns, BB Guns, or Air Rifles, you must be 1,000 feet from any dwelling occupied by another person or persons.

A friend of mine mentioned that he shot just north of the Indian Reservation off Highway 95. I don't know the area, so that's pretty much all I know.

[HellaGreen]

There are a few good places up north 95. If you take the Mt Charelston turn off about 7+ miles? I forget now, there is a dirt road to the south, take it around a few bends and you will see a dirt backstop set up and many spent targets. My ccw class went there to qualify. The teacher told us this was a perfectly legal place to shoot. There are a couple places up here.
The second place to go is between the Mt Charelston and Lee Canyon turn off. There will be a Corn Creek turn off to the east, but take the highway divider and go west. Follow the powerline road and you will come to the base of a mountain where plenty of people go. This is a BLM property, and plenty far off the highway.

[tattedupboy]

I realize that desert land is mostly uninhabited, but is it legal to shoot there if it's not an outdoor range?

[wuzfuz]

tatted, I used to live in Casa Grande, AZ, and I could drive ten minutes in any direction, and as long as I did not shoot within a quarter mile of a residence or across a road, then it is fine. That is the big advantage of a desert. If someone does report you, all that happens is that you may be asked to move somewhere else.

[ricbak]

Originally Posted by tattedupboy

I realize that desert land is mostly uninhabited, but is it legal to shoot there if it's not an outdoor range?

That's it... The whole outdoors is your range. Around every bend in the road is a new hill and back stop. Nice place to visit, but I'd miss the green and lakes like we have here.

[DarrellM5]

I live in central Nevada and we've always observed the 1 mile rule (which is probably the 5000' rule). I didn't know about the 1000' rule, but it makes sense.

[tattedupboy]

For those of you who do go out shooting in the desert, what do you use as a backstop?

[DarrellM5]

I live in a valley with North/South running mountain ranges on both sides. I use the mountains as a backstop. I'm just careful to pick a location with no mountain access roads behind it. Our local shooting range is set up the same way.

[ricbak]

Seriously, Tattedupboy, plan a long week end, fly into Phoenix, rent a car and drive to Vegas. Then Fly Home from Vegas. And I'll bet ya you'll see some peoples out plinkin' . You'll drive through some really cool country and ecosystems.
I have family out in the High Desert in Kallifornia. We just drove a few miles from the house, set up our targets on a old saw horse and practices. Gotta watch for the snakes though... As long as you can shoot them first....