All I got from that is they aren't doing anything.

In Yacolt Burn State Forest, our local DNR is very supportive, welcoming and responsive to recreational shooters. They are, however, somewhat restricted as to the amount of involvement they can do. As an example, when I present ideas that may help lessen trash and promote responsible shooting, they are all in favor of the ideas but can't really authorize anything to be done until 'Olympia' says so.

So, I contact 'Olympia'. And I get no response. Zero. Not even a "We hear you and will get back to you soon" type of a response. Several emails later, I get rather frustrated trying to make contact with them. Yet, they say they want our ideas and want to listen to us. Hmmmm. Makes me wonder.

We were told, last year, they will consider our recommendations and get back to us after the fire season. At our meetings they had asked for ideas but didn't want to get into the details about those ideas. Eight months later they say they heard a lot of ideas but no details. So now they need more community meetings. Really? Will they really have the time at those new meetings to discuss the details?

I know there is no one solution to the trashed shooting sites problem. It is going to take a variety of programs and a lot of volunteer effort to raise enough awareness to do some good. Those discussions will take a lot more time than their public meetings can allow. I believe we don't have the time waiting for DNR to listen to us when we should get busy doing something right now like WaGuns has been doing for several years with cleanups and spreading the message. WaGuns is a group of gun owners who are 'spot on' with their efforts. Other groups are getting involved as well, though not as many as needed to have a bigger voice.

That's why I started Trash No Land. To represent responsible gun owners, from all organizations, who care about our kind of recreation. I'm putting together an organization to make that bigger voice to state and federal lands agencies. It's not an easy task but I believe it's well worth the effort.

Yes, MADrtcw, it is a good start. And it's really good they are starting to view target shooting as a viable recreational activity. I'm just a little frustrated with their lack of response when they say they are interested in our input. Makes me kind of doubt that. I suppose we'll see.

Bill