HIGH CAL. RIFLE FIRE IN CASCADE LAKES

[deefly]

My nephew and I hiked into Buck Lake the other day and found a trio of "militia" garbed folks firing high power rifles into the lake (about 7 acres) The concussions were something else and we stayed only a short while and left, meeting our "friends" on the way out! They seemed normal enough, but I had this "funny feelin'" Is this just part of the scenerio these days? It is very intimidating to walk into an isolated fishing hole only to find "the rangers are loose!" What do you all think? images/icons/shocked.gif

[Hookset]

That stinks, that's how I feel. Shooting into water is unsafe and it's a good thing you left. Would have done the same thing and left. I also would have reported this to the sheriff and forestry department. Not sure if they broke any laws but it sounds criminal and a detruction of property, yours.

Better luck on your next trip,

hook

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Good thing you cleared out of there.

If not the main reason not to shoot into the water, but the safest reason is because of RICOCHETING bullets.

Remember, guns, rifles inparticular, can fire bullets that can travel miles before hitting something, and that these bullets can easily ricochet off of the surface of the water.

Very scary stuff, especially if you've seen what a .22 caliber infection looks like on a cow from people shooting at turtles that were infesting a pond and the bullet ricochets and hits the cow. Very Serious stuff.
And don't get me started about one of our neighbors whom lost his life when a 9mm bullet ricocheted off of water and hit him over a mile away in the head. People get stupid when they get car keys or guns in their hands. images/icons/rolleyes.gif

[ol tuna skipper]

Unfortunatly we have to share our public lands. However, any experianced shooter would not fire into water for the possibility of it skipping off the water. Also, could be arrested for shooting at fish if a game warden were present and there were fish in the hole. Personnally, I like to go shooting myself. I shoot pistols, rifles and machine guns. My friends are federally licensed and some of the fellow shooters are State, County and other feds. However, we shoot at a rock quarry or at an established range. I would imagine these guys are rookies and the law should talk to them about where it is legal and safe to shoot. My enforcement friends say get the licencse plates, report the incident to local authorities. If anyone can say anything, they might go pay them a visit and talk with them. I have had game wardens and state troopers show up at shooting sites because of the noise, but give their approval after seeing we were safe and shooting into a hillside. Not all agencies are willing to pay visits to potential lawbreakers, but many wouldn't mind having a plate to look up if signs are being shot and other public property damage is present.