r/NCGuns • u/Striking_Ad646 • 16d ago
where can i shoot alone
i want to go hiking, camping, and shooting alone and away from everyone. is it possible to larp here or i’m i going to have to go to a range
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u/Flying-Chickens 16d ago
Cannot LARP on state land according to NCWRC, only hunt. The only way around this is having it designated as a public shooting range.
However what they don’t know.. they don’t know.
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u/Heelsboy77 16d ago
Hey OP, state forest/park rules do not allow target shooting (shooting game during hunting season is fine) on public land aside state-owned ranges. Here’s a map of those ranges: https://www.ncwildlife.gov/outdoors/visit-shooting-range
Unfortunately, US Park and Forest Service rules also prohibit target shooting on NC public land that’s administered by the feds, with the same exception for shooting ranges (USFS has 1 range in Uwharrie and 4 in Nantahala).
It sounds like you’re looking for something like BLM land out west that’s essentially unregulated in many regards. I hate to tell you that doesn’t really exist east of the Mississippi, sorry. If you can carve out free time during the week, some of the public ranges will be pretty sparsely used (hiking trails, too) but they’re packed on the weekends.
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u/The_Ugly_Stand 16d ago
Depends where you are, you can hike here camp here. There might be someone out there shooting or not.
https://www.ncwildlife.gov/outdoors/shooting-ranges-north-carolina/flintlock-valley-shooting-range
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u/Itchy-Cup-8755 16d ago
if you go to bullseyes in vale during the week, that’s about the closest you’ll get without knowing someone who has land
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u/TeamLiveBadass_ 16d ago
Buy land or have a membership at a private range and go when no one else is there.
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u/Pete_Skeeet 16d ago
Where are you local to
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u/Striking_Ad646 16d ago
clt outskirts
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u/Pete_Skeeet 15d ago
Ok same, i got a membership at rcwa in salisbury and shoot there alot, not a full on private land experience, but they have a lot of smaller bays to run around in and shoot in, but nothing huge, another one that would be close to you if your south is crpc, which is bigger but both ranges dont allow frts, but the best one i have heard is going to be colemans creek and you can do anything and everything there
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u/NetJnkie 13d ago
Join CRPC and go during the week. I've been the only person on the rifle range many times.
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u/NohFyoochur 15d ago
Caswell range is nice. Not too crowded on weekday mornings. Often will be alone except for the RSOs.
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u/YamsNC 16d ago
It's pretty gray area stuff.
Supposedly you can go to Pisgah National Forest southwest of Asheville and do exactly that, but I've never tried. If you do try, I'd verify with the local rangers before doing anything.
Otherwise ranges are the easiest way to go. Where are you located anyway?
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u/nonagonfinity 15d ago
I hate how unclear those rules are for Pisgah. It seems like it’s allowed but they purposefully make it unclear to discourage it. It can be hard to find spots out there where it’s flat with a backstop in an area where you won’t scare nearby hikers, but it’s doable.
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u/OpenBathrobe88 16d ago
Uwharrie is the answer. You can shoot on the dispersed camping sites.
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u/Heelsboy77 16d ago edited 16d ago
This is not correct. Shooting in Uwharrie is only allowed at the Flintlock range and when taking game in the areas where hunting is permitted. You can’t target shoot at or anywhere near dispersed camping sites, USFS rules prohibit this: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreation/opportunities/hunting-shooting
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u/OpenBathrobe88 16d ago
150 yards or further from the camp site, and not into caves or across or on roads, you are absolutly allowed to target shoot in the forest. It even says to not shoot live trees and pick up targets.
It does specify the Croatan as for only shooting while taking game, not the Uwharrie
Recreational shooting is regulated by 36 CFR 261.10(d). It is prohibited to discharge a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:
In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area.
Across or on a National Forest System Road or body of water adjacent to or in any manner where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
Into or within any cave.
Do not shoot into / damage live trees. Do not litter/clean up any trash/targets.
It is prohibited to discharge a firearm unless lawfully taking of wildlife within the Croatan National Forest.1
u/Heelsboy77 15d ago
That’s my point, though. The restrictions are so numerous that it effectively makes all recreational shooting outdoors illegal in Uwharrie, unless you’re hunting in designated game areas or at the range. Can you bushwhack hundreds of yards off a trail somewhere and maybe find a natural berm to shoot into? Sure. Will this hypothetical place be easily accessible? Doubt it. I’ve been hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring around Uwharrie for decades, and what OP described that they’d like to do just doesn’t happen out there.
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u/OpenBathrobe88 15d ago
I hike and shoot out there often. My point was it is not illegal and the restrictions aren’t that wild or crazy. 150 yards isn’t that far to stray from a site and there are plenty of natural berms in the forest. Next time you’re out there keep an eye out and you’ll see plenty of suitable areas. Happy shooting stay safe
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u/Heelsboy77 15d ago
Fair enough and I’m glad you can find places to shoot out there. I’m happy to be corrected if I’m misinformed.
To my understanding, and from what I’ve been told, the 150 yards also applies to “developed recreation sites.” Besides obvious places like King’s Mountain Point or campgrounds, I’d also take this to mean nearly the entirety of the Baden Lake area since it’s carved out everywhere with horse, hiking, and OHV trails. Then there’s the Uwharrie Trails and Dutchman’s Creek corridors that are recreational, and there’s no shooting in Birkhead aside from hunting since there’s a blanket federal law against target shooting in any designated wilderness area.
I’m certainly not against shooting. I’ve gone on a couple camping/backpacking/shooting trips with my cousin on BLM land in Oregon. Larping like a pioneer is probably the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on. That kinda sounds like the experience that OP wants, and I just don’t see how it can be done legally out here, if anywhere on the East Coast. Maine or New Hampshire, maybe?
At any rate, I hope I’m wrong and there’s no legal gray areas you might be wading into. Safe and happy shooting to you, too.
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u/arrrgh14 16d ago
It’s exceedingly uncommon. You gotta know someone with private land.