Shooting Prohibitions Announced on Santa Lucia Ranger District
Date: Jan 11, 2010
Contact(s): Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759, Ken Kunert (805) 925-9538, x223

The West and East Cuesta area has been closed to the discharge of firearms, except for legal hunting, for over 20 years. This long-standing closure was implemented to provide a safe setting for recreation use and resource protection. The new closure expands the areas restricted to include all national forest lands from Highway 41 to the Garcia Wilderness.

Local Forest Service officials announced that effective December 18, 2009, and for the next 12 months, all national forest lands from Highway 41 to the Garcia Wilderness within the Santa Lucia Ranger District on Los Padres National Forest will be closed to all target shooting. Hunting will be allowed as per State laws. Public access to the affected area is not restricted by this closure order.

According to Santa Lucia District Ranger Kathleen Phelps, the purpose of the prohibition is to provide for public safety in areas of intense recreation use, protect homes adjacent to the national forest, and prevent harassment of California condor and nesting peregrine falcons.

The Los Padres National Forest land management plan encourages target shooting in designated areas, managed by partners. Ranger Phelps encourages further dialog with the public and assistance in identifying suitable areas of the forest that could provide for managed target shooting in a safe environment for both the public and the resources of public lands. Any group that is interested in helping to identify sites and manage public shooting areas should contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District in Santa Maria.

For further information about the shooting prohibition order, contact Ken Kunert at the Santa Lucia Ranger Station at (805) 925-9538.