Northern California camping with airgun shooting

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Raden1942

Raden1942

Member
Feb 15, 2018
1,757
92
California, United States
Hey guys I was just wondering if you knew of some camping spots anywhere in northern California where I could shoot my airguns and possibly kill some ground squirrels or jackrabbits. I dont have a 4 wheeler so everything must be accessible by car. I wouldn't mind a pay sight if i had to but im used to free camping with no bathrooms or people around and thats what i prefer. I tried looking online and its pretty hard to figure out. Any ideas mates? 
 
Lake Pillsbury up here near me! Surrounded by National forest. Hull Mountain, Mt. Sanhedrin, Snow Mountain, etc. The lake is beautiful and full as can be. I haven't been in the National Forest since the burn last year but there is usually a lot of squirrels around up there around the North end of the lake near the "airport".

Stoti
 
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The whole national Forest system in NorCal is open to air/ powder burner shooting for the most part.

Ground squirrels come in abundance, depending on the time of year, in many areas- they are bigger than the Bay Area squirrels by a fair piece. 

It is the luck if the draw if they are out and about; like fishing : " you should have been here last week"....

Target lakes below 6,500 ft, with a mix of rock and scrub bushes- Google satellite can help immensely. Explore! Remember to not shoot within 150 yards of an established campsite or over roads, common sense stuff. You can set up a primitive campsite in many spots, and enjoy hunting and shooting right from your setup.

Starting July 1st, it's non lead only for ALL powder burners during a hunting season ( which is pretty much whenever there isn't 3 feet of snow). That includes any firearm, unless you have CCW, and then just that 1 pistol is excepted.

.22's, shotguns- No lead ammo in possession. That includes your vehicle or trailer. I might have to sell my car, who knows if there is a .22 or .17 hmr lying around in there?

Airguns are allowed to shoot lead, thank gawd, but that backup .44 mag bear gun must have non lead ammo. 😝

Those California forests are amazing to explore!


 
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As much National forest that we have in the West slope Sierras and excellent camping / outdoor activities ... not many squirrels. If SQUIRREL shooting is what you want to do .. head up to Surprise Valley above an east of Alturas. Belding ground squirrels in the alfalfa fields by the 10's of thousands !! You can't camp in the valley but up in the Warner mountains flanking the valley many places to camp.
 
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Motorhead is correct, hunting vs shooting. Steve D just got back 3 weeks ago, using pb' s, only shot about a hundred for the weekend.

It was slow, but theres hope after the first mowing.

Starting July 1st though, it's non lead there.

Scott, I didn't have many in airgun range when I've been up there- have you seen differently?





For the Sierra's I go to the lake Bowman area and in my favorite spots, can get 5- 10 gs in a morning, but have to move on after that. Fortunately, the area goes on practically forever, and I've been lucky sometimes....
 
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Mendocino National Forest in Colusa County.

Take the Maxwell exit from I-5 west to Stonyford then enter the forest.

Many campgrounds and if the coyotes have not done their damage, squirrels will be in abundance..

Rattlesnakes too if it doesn’t to hot.

Early archery deer season in July-August so if you are going near there try and be quiet and maybe wear a bit of orange.


 
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