Safety Incident Prompts Closure of Target Shooting in Area of Elbe Hills State Forest

In response to a recent safety incident involving a [JC1] trail user, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is announcing an expanded recreational target shooting closure in Elbe Hills State Forest near Ashford, Wash.

Lands affected by this closure include all areas accessed from DNR Road 8 between its junction with Stoner Rd /278th Avenue East and DNR Rd 8-18. The public is required to comply with all posted signage related to this closure.

This closure will remain in effect until further notice. DNR is evaluating options to re-open portions of the area to recreational target shooting when it can be done in a manner that is consistent with public safety. Lawful hunting opportunities managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are not impacted by this closure.

DNR allows recreational target shooting on DNR managed land where it can be done safely as described in WAC 332-52-145, except where prohibited by local ordinance or where no-shooting signs are posted. Target shooting on DNR parcels is allowed 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset unless otherwise posted, requires manufactured[DR2] targets or similar, and an earthen backstop capable of stopping all projectiles including bullets, slugs, and shot. Incendiary devices - such as exploding targets, or tracer ammunition - are illegal to use on all DNR managed land. Violators of the shooting closure may be subject to fines.

Learn more about the rules for safe shooting at dnr.wa.gov/targetshooting. For frequently asked questions see amp_rec_targetshooting_faq.pdf, and for fire safety information see amp_rec_targetshooting_firesafety.pdf

DNR Recreation and Leadership

DNR manages 1,300 miles of trails and 200-plus recreation sites including 80 campgrounds across 3 million acres of working forest state trust lands, 2 community forests, and nearly 100 natural areas. DNR trust lands provide clean water and generate revenue for public services and school construction. DNR also oversees 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, rule administration for 12 million forested acres, the Washington Geological Survey, and wildland firefighting across 13 million acres of forestland. To learn more about recreation on DNR-managed lands, visit dnr.wa.gov/go

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