The Good--The Bad

[ssc]

Spent the day at the range yesterday. Did a fair amount of shooting with the pistols and even hit the target. We had a large match going, so got to spend time with many of my shooting compadres and went to dinner. A good time.

Decided to make a run to the desert, Lucerne Valley. There is an area out there that I had found in the 70's and have spent alot of time there-shooting, camping and riding. Lots of good times. Have not been there for at least ten years and was curious to see if it still existed or was covered with homes. Loaded up the ford and was joined by a few friends and off we went. They had heard the stories. There were more homes in the area, but it was the same as years ago. We had various guns and in the box canyon, we could shoot at over 600 yards. A very good time.

Now for the bad. People have been shooting there and the amount of trash was incredible. I see targets and items left in shooting areas in the desert all the time. I don't like it, but understand leaving the propane canisters etc. They make good targets and the next bunch of shooters can shoot them, plus, they don't make a mess. They are easy to clean up as well. However, the plain trash was everywhere. Food wrappers, ammo boxes, books, cups, cans, bottles and broken glass. There was paper and plastic products and trash in the brush and blown about everywhere. Why are people such pigs and think the desert is a dumping ground. TV's and washing machines etc-tires. This was sad and bad. Had to rant.

Regards, Steve

PS-took out another of my semi auto shotguns and it jammed time and again. This is bad. I prefer and will be sticking to my pumps. Pumps are good.

[OLLIE]

I feel your pain Steve. We have had several areas closed down in SD as well. Private land owners let us run around on, shoot, and even camp on their properties and now it's all off limits due to peoples lack of respect. It is very disturbing to say the least.

[DaveK]

Steve:

How about an OAUSA BLM sanctioned clean up event. Great publicity, great result, and maybe even a chance to squeeze off a few rounds when it is cleaned up? With a couple of rent-a-trailers, we should be able to make up for a lot of stupidity!

[Willie H]

I was in Yuha last Sunday shooting. Same story. My buddy and I spent more time cleaning up other people trash than we did shooting. It sucks.

[ssc]

Dave,
That is a great thought. How is this arranged? What does it entail? I am all ears.

Regards, Steve

[DaveK]

Steve:

It probably could be done one of two different ways. The method I think would work out best would be a call to the BLM office in Barstow (as I assume they manage the area) and just start with a request.

I know only vaguely how the Calico clean up was organized but it did involve the BLM and that's where this should start as well.

When you get a chance give me a call. Parkers.

[OLLIE]

If you guys need help setting it up, I'm kind of familiar with the process. I had a lot of dealings with the guy (Mark Watkins) that got Calico Clean-Up started. We might not even need to go that big with it. Just contact the area BLM, tell them we're going to go out and do some clean up, and then go do it. That will let them know who's responsible and get us on their scopes. Good cause and good PR.

[Chazz Layne]

We'd be up for a clean-up... sounds like a good trip for the Ranger.

[DennisDawg]

I also dealt with Mark a little, and more so with many of the folks who were involved with him in the two successful and the last failed Calico Cleanup. It ended up being a large event, with a lot of personalities and entities involved that and that made for some drama (for lack of a better term).

So, my advice would be, if you want to plan a clean up, find a place that very much needs it, then contact the BLM or Forest Service, whomever it is that has jurisdiction and see what can be done on a small scale where insurance, paperwork, publicity and vendors are not an issue.

Do that one time, maybe having planning meetings with minutes and all so as to document how it was done and all, then try a second time and expand is some, inviting more people and all that, expanding on what you’d done.

There are plenty of areas that need picked up or fixed up and with the budgets as they are, I am sure most entities would welcome some help. Some have groups in them that might help, Friends of Last Chance Canyon in the EL Pasos for example.

I’d be happy to help as well/

[FishPOET]

You will want to contact Larry Blaine (760) 252-6041 Larry_Blaine@blm.gov