Desert shooting spot closest to north Phoenix

[BananaHands]

I know it’s a question asked often in one form or another but my searches didn’t quite answer my question.

I’m in Gilbert and know of a couple shooting spots close to the East Valley. My brother is home on leave this week and my Dad would like to go out shooting with us. They’re going to be in the north Phoenix/Peoria area. Normally we go to Ben Avery but I wanted to take them out to the desert just to change it up a bit. With the holidays and time being tight it doesn’t make sense to have them meet me in the east valley. Can anyone share some of the closest desert shooting spots near the north Phoenix area?

To ease anyone’s concerns about sharing their spots, I always bring a rake and trash bags to clean up whatever mess I make and then some. I’m a reloader too so I pick up my brass and any other kind of casing/shell.

 

[Crippledtrigger]

It's going to be tough to get anyone to reveal shooting spots. Good luck.

 

[Harrier]

Although it was SW AZ,not Phoenix, one time I went to the local BLM office and they showed me on their map what areas they allowed shooting in... even gave me a map.

 

[OldGuysRule]

You might as well ask people for their favorite fishing spots while you're at it!

I live out west and can't help you in the east valley, but good luck!

BTW, does anyone know the status of the new ranges that BLM was planning on building in the valley? If I remember right, they were shooting for completion by year end 2019. I responded to a couple of calls for public comment, but then I kind of lost touch with the subject. Any updates?

 

[omegaman]

go up I-17 turn on that dirt road go 287yd turn right at big grey white rock go 1/4mi turn left into pit area watch out for other shooters the area is full of them. PS I left some ar500 plate out there please use it but don't take it.

 

[Bottom Gun]

It has been a long time since I was there but there used to be a few areas off Table Mesa Rd that people used.
However, the irresponsible shooters were trashing the area so badly, it may not still be open to shooting.
Back then, they would clean the spots up and post signs begging shooters not to leave trash behind but within a week it would again be full of broken glass, shot up appliances and even old vehicles.

So, as I said, it may not still be open to shooting but it might not hurt to take a look.

 

[XJThrottle]

Responses to these questions should always be via PM.

 

[OldGuysRule]

Responses to these questions should always be via PM.

Good advice!

 

[xerts1191]

pack out more than you brought in

 

[mallic]

Don't do Table Mesa. Last few times I have been out there have been pretty trash. We have people rolling up and threatening to shoot my group, people setting up steel plates at terrible angles that throw ricochet at us, and some dude who didn't even know how to put his weapon on safe. The areas immediately available off of the 17 with a standard vehicle are shrinking further.

 

[shooter444]

[glow=red]pack out more than you brought in[/glow]

Sadly, back woods morality is a dying, if not dead, concept. When I moved from Cave Creek and bought down here in the southern Az desert, the second thing I did was put in my own pistol and rifle range. I had enough of dealing with idiots on the Tonto, up north,.... no more!! That was decades ago,... I don't expect things have gotten any better.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

 

[redj]

There sure must be a lot of idiots with guns in the Phoenix area.
Every time one of these discussions shows up there are more posts about unsafe and dangerous practices around the Phoenix area than there are about the original subject.
I have been shooting in the deserts around Tucson and Southern Arizona for about 70 years and have never come across anyone that does the stuff you hear about in the Phoenix area.
I have seen where people leave trash but don't see the unsafe part.

 

[Jack Dupp]

There sure must be a lot of idiots with guns in the Phoenix area.
Every time one of these discussions shows up there are more posts about unsafe and dangerous practices around the Phoenix area than there are about the original subject.
I have been shooting in the deserts around Tucson and Southern Arizona for about 70 years and have never come across anyone that does the stuff you hear about in the Phoenix area.
I have seen where people leave trash but don't see the unsafe part.

Then you must not have been to Reddington Pass...

 

[redj]

Been there many times for many years.
I do work for one of the ranchers out there.
Never saw what people say they see in the Phoenix area.

 

[xerts1191]

I remember this same discussion happening several times on the old web site, still boils down to a lot of people buying firearms and a box of ammo and heading straight to the desert to see if they figure out how to operate what they’ve just purchased. (Dirt Shooting Comandos)

 

[shooter444]

xerts1191 "people buying firearms and a box of ammo and heading straight to the desert to see if they [glow=red]figure out how to operate what they’ve just purchased."[/glow]

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Yup,... back when,...I had a spot I frequented often up on the Tonto, only to find either a couple guys there who were more into showing off their pieces, or, guys coming in who seemed to be confused on their pieces operation.

Both scenarios led me to just pack up and head home.

 

[Crippledtrigger]

Are they on a different list?

 

[YNOTAZ]

Are they on a different list?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Buggydave]

What's kind of ironic is to hear people complain about 2nd Amendment rights and that ANYONE should be allowed to buy guns if they want, then complain about these "Assholes" going out into the desert to shoot them! Yes, a lot of gun buyers/owners are irresponsible people, but do you want a background check on their ability to pick up trash? I have a few places I go when I want to shoot, one not too far from east valley but can have a-holes but only go for a quick shoot, and favorite about 80 miles West of Phx, then 15 miles down a dirt road. Never anyone there! That's usually a weekend trip, and bowling ball mortor shooting spot!

 

[Crippledtrigger]

It has nothing to do with shooting or owning. It's the abdication of responsibility to the gun community and stewardship of resources that makes them an arshole.

Simply buying a couple cheap tarps and putting one under the shooting table and another under the target and simply pulling the corners together and tossing it as you leave is not too much to ask. It's less work than loading mags.

No one wants a background check. They want adults to act that way or they can go elsewhere because believe it or not, it's not gun people shutting down shooting spots. We would and do clean them up regularly. Its the anti gunners and enviro-nazis taking advantage of every opportunity to oppress gun people. Frankly they got something legit to bitch about here and it's our responsibility to self regulate or lose.

Much like we bitch about the literal dump sites illegals make out of pristine land we used to hunt and camp on, gun owners are responsible for doing the same to shooting sites.

So ya, you dont shit where you shoot. To paraphrase a cliche.