The place is an absolute zoo on most days when it's open to the public. Unfortunately if you live in the Frederick area, there are few alternatives unless you own a farm, or have legal access to a large enough area to shoot safely on private land. If you live in Fredrick County and are not a member of a private club or have access to private property, unfortunately Cresap is about the only option.
Go to the watershed. Shoot there all the time. Just dont be stupid and leave trash. Pisses me off to see the crap up there.
Go to the watershed. Shoot there all the time. Just dont be stupid and leave trash. Pisses me off to see the crap up there.
There's a place to shoot at the watershed. I live real close to it and didnt know I could go target shooting up there
There's a place to shoot at the watershed. I live real close to it and didnt know I could go target shooting up there
There are a lot of fields that have good natural back stops. Just drive/hike around and you will find one.
Is it a recognized/marked range?
You just have to keep an eye out for DNR police/Park police/Rangers. I think they would be highly upset if they caught you having play time with an AR or handgun, and you weren't on a marked range.
Watershed is not DNR and is open to public hunting as well. I have shot up there MANY MANY times and no one cares. Now if a ranger came up I am not sure what the "rulling" would be. But be respectful to the area and you should have no problems.
My father in law and I shoot shotgun, pistol and rifle.
I have also been seen by lots of people up there OC handgun and rifle slung over back while hiking.
I say hello and talk to people no one cares. The mountains are a different mindset. Its let it be.
This sounds like it could be a little bit careless advice....
When I search for "Frederick Watershed" I gete this website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Publiclands/western/fcw_cwma.asp & According to this website, the watershed is most definitely DNR.
If someone says "no it's ok, but watch out for the police" It sounds to me like it's probably NOT okay.
On the other hand, there ARE public DNR hunting areas here: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Publiclands/index.asp Which doesn't mean it's okay to use it as a shooting range.
And I MOST DEFINITELY would not drive around looking for an oipen field with a natural berm/backstop and just set up some cans and bottles and start popping off rounds.
Just my two cents....
This sounds like it could be a little bit careless advice....
When I search for "Frederick Watershed" I gete this website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Publiclands/western/fcw_cwma.asp & According to this website, the watershed is most definitely DNR.
If someone says "no it's ok, but watch out for the police" It sounds to me like it's probably NOT okay.
On the other hand, there ARE public DNR hunting areas here: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Publiclands/index.asp Which doesn't mean it's okay to use it as a shooting range.
And I MOST DEFINITELY would not drive around looking for an oipen field with a natural berm/backstop and just set up some cans and bottles and start popping off rounds.
Just my two cents....
When I say drive I mean get onto the road off of yellow spring that cuts across to mountaindale. There are several "fields" that you can park at that have safe zones of fire.
There are no no shooting signs and I have heard more then enough gun shots up in the area. I do not have any problem shooting in the area as long as you practice safe shooting. I can think of 3 areas you can drive and walk into a field with natural backstops that are very safe for shooting. Unless you have been up to the watershed, I am not sure you understand.
The gunfire you are hearing in that area is from a private gun club near there.
When I say drive I mean get onto the road off of yellow spring that cuts across to mountaindale. There are several "fields" that you can park at that have safe zones of fire.
There are no no shooting signs and I have heard more then enough gun shots up in the area. I do not have any problem shooting in the area as long as you practice safe shooting. I can think of 3 areas you can drive and walk into a field with natural backstops that are very safe for shooting. Unless you have been up to the watershed, I am not sure you understand.
The gunfire you are hearing in that area is from a private gun club near there. The guy that lives really close to it works down at Glade Valley Sporting Goods.