r/Eugene • u/BishSalad • 21d ago
Public places to target shoot Something to do
I know this is a question asked every so often here, but I think it is ok to ask again as some BLM areas get shut down and even gated from time-to-time.
I'm looking for spots less than 45 minutes drive from Eugene where I can legally set up targets and practice shooting. It seems unnecessarily difficult to find this information through BLM resources.
Thanks in advance, and know that I take the responsibility of gun ownership very seriously and always practice proper shooting ethics, including clean up of the site after use.
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u/themehkanik 21d ago
Get OnX Offroad maps. Shows all the public land.
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u/Proud_Cauliflower400 21d ago
I second OnX for mapping, they have multiple layers and map options for roads most people don't even know exist or hardly get used by common folk.
OnX has saved my ass a couple of times when I got turned around at a Y or roads crossing each other. I like to carry white paper plates and zip lock bags as back up road markers that I can stick to branches or trees for visual references but a lot of times people will grab them or take them thinking they're trash or because people are sadistic assholes that don't want other people "in their spots" if your worried about markers being removed, you can utilize sticks with unique shapes or attributes or lay them in certain ways as direction pointers. Getting out, familiarizing yourself with what everything around that area looks like while creating a directional aid saves people from time to time from getting lost.
Directional tools and familiarizing yourselves to your path of travel by noticing and remembering unique physical features can and will save your life or save you from having to be rescued. It could be as simple as a spent shell casing pressed into tree bark pointing towards the direction of travel you came from should you get turned around or unsure. Just clean up as you travel back out.
Nothing beats having a map of the area, including the roads and a compass and knowing how to use them. Pictures on your phone are helpful as long as you have a charger in your vehicle.
If you go into the woods or deep enough into the woods, you should have a couple packages of energy bars/granola bars or whatever long term storage and ready to eat food items, and 3 to 5 gallons of water.
The water, especially if you're unaware of creeks or streams can be a vehicle saver if your radiator overheats and or has a slow leak issue that might develop up in the mountains.
It's easy to have the long term storage food and water in a rubber/plastic tote in your vehicle, tire chains, bungee cords, 20+ feet of rope, a knife, dry tinder for fire starting and a couple unopened packs of Bic lighters and a basic mechanics tool kit/tire patch kit and a battery operated tire pump as well as a spare tire. FOR THE LOVE OF WHATEVER GOD YOU DO OR DO NOT PRAY TO, CHECK YOUR VEHICLES SPARE TIRE'S AIR PRESSURE PERIODICALLY AND BEFORE GOING OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS. A FLAT SPARE TIRE IS WORTHLESS IF YOU NEED IT. Normal vehicle issues on a public road can be a life or death situation on a forest road, especially during the fall and winter months.
Be smart, not dead, or spend money on going to open to the public shooting ranges. Be prepared or be dead.
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u/beeyitch 21d ago
Thanks Dad
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u/Proud_Cauliflower400 21d ago
Lol. I'll be reddit dad, as long I don't have to pay any child support lmao 😂 🤣
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u/beeyitch 21d ago
Don’t stress. I’m over 18 now. They might try to get you for back owed payments by garnishing your paycheck though. Mom says hi
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u/Proud_Cauliflower400 21d ago
Which mom is your mom? 🤣 🤣 🤣 this wouldn't be as funny if it weren't that each of my kids have different moms. 🤔
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21d ago
I want a new gun for Christmas. Dad
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u/Proud_Cauliflower400 21d ago
Nice exploding whale photo.
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u/beeyitch 21d ago
You’re the first one to recognize the image! Or, at least the first one to vocalize it. Hahaha
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u/Proud_Cauliflower400 21d ago
I'm an 80's kid. I grew up seeing videos and photos of exploding whale. One does not simply forget or ignore exploding whale. Lol 😆 😆
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u/Away_Intention_8433 21d ago
30-45min is the drive you’re going to have to make for most good spots. Shotgun creek is a fun place to do that though :)
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u/Bassnerdarrow 21d ago
Lots of spots Wolf Creek/ Panther Rd out of Veneta and Lone Creek / Rattlesnake Road out of Dexter.
Bring a shovel and fire extinguisher.
The best thing you can buy to pick up your range is a dog poop/scoop tray kit with a rake.
You wont really get anything at ranges over 50 yards. Most areas are going to be in that 20-50 yard range.
Dont be an asshole and shoot random stuff across canyons.
But seriously, invest in Onx maps... Its one of the best ways to ACTUALLY ENSURE that your shooting area is safe. So many people shoot into berms that are just not safe to shoot in.
Also there is a spot out of Marcola area that is not quite Shotgun Creek that is a good spot that is BLM and its really close to the legitimate shooting range but its always SO busy unless its a wet cold day.
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u/Spore-Gasm 21d ago
You only need a shovel and fire extinguisher during summer. Everything is soaked now.
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u/I_am_Wayne_King 21d ago
Its a good habit to get into to take them any time you are shooting. Both are cheap as shit and take up very little space in a trunk or truck bed.
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u/Bassnerdarrow 21d ago
- 6 months from now, someone may search this, or this thread will be posted by a bot.
- If you go out into the woods you should always have a shovel, fire extinguisher, a folding saw, sat communication device, first aid/tourniquet, food, water (water procurement) , blankets. (Cars catch on fire, cooking causes fires, etc etc)
- Shovels are not just fire extinguishing tools at the range, they are clean up tools, repair, etc. Especially during the winter, having a shovel in your vehicle is an invaluable tool to get you unstuck. You should also have a flat board and chains too...
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u/Spore-Gasm 21d ago
We’re talking about an afternoon plinking on a logging road, not a multi day camp excursion in the back country. No one needs all that for a couple hours in a recreational site.
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u/Bassnerdarrow 21d ago
The vast majority of search and rescue call outs are done so during recreational activities that are not in the back-country and are often due to the lack of preparedness, training and equipment during day trips to recreational areas, logging roads and state forests that are not exactly the back country.
Hell, just last week I helped a lady fix her car while I was out hunting and on the same trip I came across two girls who were completely lost outside of Fall Creek.
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u/Prestigious_View_211 21d ago
Battlecreek simonsen panther Creek... Quite a few spots in lane county if you can drive 30+ minutes...
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u/GingerMcBeardface 21d ago
Mary's peak up outside of Monroe has a really good old quarry. Great back stops and visibility.
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u/jmbfan 21d ago
There's a few decent spots in the Dexter/Lowell area.
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u/OffTopicBen95 21d ago
Go towards the end of simonsen road. I have seen and picked up plenty of shells people left behind around (43.8821569, -123.2992712)
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u/OffTopicBen95 21d ago
It’s more specifically BLM Rd 19-5-22.2
This is if you want to go down south of Eugene instead of north up to shotgun
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u/Leroy_LongBalls 21d ago
Blm land lots of gravel pull outs where people shoot. Creswell clay sports is an awesome clay sport club just south of us
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u/flintlockandfowler 21d ago
Low pass out hwy 36 and Fisk off poodle creek. Keep going down gravel rods and you will find multiple blm gravel stock piles that everyone uses for shooting.
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u/Any_Feature_9671 21d ago
Top of high pass road there is a turn and a redneck shooting lane it’s kept fairly clean considering
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u/Severe-Class6939 21d ago
The best thing you can do is call the BLM office in Springfield and ask to speak with law enforcement. They will give you the legalities straight. An argument "But Reddit said!" will not get you out of a citation. Best to start off doing things right.
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u/gingerjuice 21d ago
Most people go up past the gun range out Marcola road to shoot. McGowan Creek is the road I think. Don’t pull up on other people shooting. Find a hill to shoot into. There are lots of places up there, but keep track of where you turn as it’s like a maze.
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21d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Turbulent-Tour-5371 21d ago
Better check the FAA laws on that bub
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u/equinox_magick 21d ago
Cool fed handle bro
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u/Turbulent-Tour-5371 21d ago
Lmao, wut? You mean my generic reddit default username? Lookout! Feds are checking your search history!🥸🤡
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u/Eugene-ModTeam 21d ago
Your post was removed for violating Rule 3 - Do not post content that encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence or physical harm against an individual or a group of people.
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u/RealityShaper 21d ago
"including clean up of the site after use"
Are you going to pick up your lead?
Don't be a cheap-ass, just go to an indoor range like Northwest Arsenal.
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u/Turbulent-Tour-5371 21d ago
They sell synthetic range ammo for cheaper than regular ammo.
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u/RealityShaper 21d ago
I didn’t know that, that’ll be even better when I go to the indoor range. Thanks!
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u/Spore-Gasm 21d ago
Shotgun Creek or check out the public range at Emerald Empire gun club