Stay on target

By Jill Decker

A recent letter to the editor claimed that there were several target ranges in Napa that were open to the public. Where are they? I only know of the Napa Gun Club on Monticello and I think it is only open to members of the club.

Pickin’s are slim for target shooters in Napa County. There’s the Napa Gun Club and some land owned by the Bureau of Land Management where target shooting is permitted. Napa County Sheriff’s Capt. John Robertson also told me that you can target shoot on any private property in unincorporated Napa County with the permission of the property owner, provided that it is done safely.

Within Napa city limits, it’s illegal to shoot anything that fires a projectile — people are too close to one another and you could accidentally hurt someone, said Napa Police Sgt. Don Honey.

According to the BLM, target shooting is allowed on agency land. In Napa County there’s BLM land up in the Knoxville area, between Lake Berryessa and Lower Lake.

Shooters must bring their own targets and remove the debris when they leave. BLM Park Ranger Larry Ames said this rules out any glass targets, since you can’t clean up all of the glass and you’d be shattering if you left it behind. He said target shooters must clean up their used shells, too.

Robertson told me that shooters aren’t that diligent about picking up their debris and some of the sheriff’s staff cleans up the area from time to time.

In addition to the cleanup work after a session of taking down targets, you must be safe and prudent while target shooting there. The BLM says to be aware of other public land visitors using the area for camping, hiking, biking and other recreation. It’s illegal to shoot within 150 yards of a developed site — this includes campgrounds, said Ames. Shooting from or across any road or trail is prohibited too, as is shooting at trees, signs, outbuildings or other objects on federal lands that are there for public enjoyment.

Ames said that there’re other pieces of BLM land in the county, but they’re scattered properties that are all surrounded by private lands, which means you can’t lawfully get to them without the neighboring landowners’ permission.

Dan Orchid at R&D Training and Security Center said he takes people to Guns, Fishing and Other Stuff in Vacaville to train them on gun safety and other offerings from the center.

But there’s another option in the county: The private Napa Gun Club on Monticello Road.

Although it’s a private club, you can shoot there as a guest of a member, according to longtime member and board member of the club, Mary Rasmussen. She suggested sitting in on a club meeting and announcing to the group that you’re not a member but you’re interested in shooting. Often people are happy to sponsor you. She suggested waiting until March, because they’re ready to absorb this year’s new members at the beginning of the year. The meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at 2216 Monticello Road.

You can also get on the waiting list for membership. The club maxes out at 450 members, but it has attrition and took about 40 newbies last year. Rasmussen stressed that new members must attend an orientation, learn gun safety and shoot for the range officers so they know you’re not dangerous and have an idea of what you’re doing.

What is Glad You Asked?

Glad You Asked aims to answer readers’ questions. If something around the county triggers your curiosity or you’ve got a question in your sights, shoot your question to me at jdecker@napanews.com or 256-2215. I’ll target the answer before the dust has a chance to settle.

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