Target shooters sparked three fires in four days in the foothills west of Utah Lake. The grass in the area is extremely dry, so fire danger is high. Bullets casings left behind near Saratoga Springs on March 12, 2012.
Jared Hargrave, Deseret News
There have been over 350 wildfires this year. Naturally, some of the media chooses to focus on the 19 that were caused by target shooters. As this media focus will continue, I offer some suggestions to the shooting community — of which I am a part.
Experienced shooters know not to fire into dry grassy areas but to shoot toward sandy, rocky, bare areas. We also know to bring a blanket and fire extinguisher should the worst happen. We need to teach new shooters to practice safe shooting before hysteria closes down our shooting areas.
The BLM is doing an excellent job of posting signs in shooting areas warning of what can go wrong. If you see shooters doing something stupid, let them know.
Robert Luke
Riverton
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@Maple Don
I DID practice common sense. When I heard the shots and saw the discarded beer cans, I left promptly.
It wasn't hunting season though and there was no warning, but I left because I value my life. I point out More..
I see spent shells and beer cans littering some of our hills. Once or twice I have heard shots in some of those hills when attempting a pleasant stroll on mountain trails. This has nothing to do with the right to keep and bear arms.
Good letter. I agree with the writer's recommendations. Shooters need to be better prepared and more careful. But let's not start imposing bans on them.