Minimizing Potential Fire Starts while Target Shooting

You’ve heard it in the news, this summer/wildfire season is on track to potentially be the worst season on record. With that in mind, Tread Lightly! wants to encourage all recreationists and specifically target shooters and hunters to do their part to help prevent wildfires.

The first step to responsible shooting is Educating Yourself. Here are a few tips on responsible target shooting to help keep you safe and prevent any potential wildfires starts in this dry and hot summer season environment.

Tips on Responsible Target Shooting

Know before you go! Many Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management areas are already under fire restrictions. Call your local land manager office or do a simple search online. Restrictions are easy to find by state.
Under fire restriction, discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt is prohibited.
Shooting of tracer rounds or exploding targets is prohibited on federal public lands in year-round.
Consider the type of ammunition and targets you are using. Minimize the risk of fires by not using steel jacketed ammunition, ammunition with steel-core components.
Remember that cars and ATVs can have extremely hot exhaust systems that could ignite dry vegetation so drive only on designated routes and park only in designated areas. Travel smart and use spark arrestors to minimize this risk.

As our friend Smokey Bear has been reminding us for years… “Only YOU can prevent Wildfires,” and being aware and vigilant is the first step.

Here are some additional resources for you to utilize this season. Make sure you spread the word!

National Resources:

http://www.smokeybear.com

www.nssf.org/education/PreventWildfires.cfm

About treadlightlyoutdoors

Tread Lightly!® is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible outdoor recreation through ethics education and stewardship. The organization was launched in 1985 by the US Forest Service and became a nonprofit organization in 1990. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its training and restoration initiatives, are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program’s goal is to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly!’s core focus is on supporting and encouraging stewardship from those engaged in outdoor recreation on America’s lands and waterways. The organization offers unique programs and services to help remedy growing recreation issues. The federal government officially recognizes the organization as a sole-source service provider of education and training on how to be environmentally and socially responsible while using motorized and mechanized vehicles.

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