Does anyone else go there to shoot rimfire, shotguns or smoke poles? I go there to plink and test my .22's when i'm not going to Ft Dix to shoot centerfires. The nice thing about Colliers Mills is that since its a free public range you can shoot at pretty much anything. I personally like to shoot reactive targets such as paintballs, clays, golf balls, hockey pucks, cans, a steel plate gong at 100 yds, spent shells found lying around and the occasional dead computer component when im out plinking. I don't shoot glass and always clean up my junk but many folks do not leaving the place littered with trash. :x Sometimes you can reuse someone elses "targets" a bit more and some folks have even left target stands there so you can use them to put up paper targets if you wish. They have 3 covered shooting stations in the middle of the firing line and 4 open air stations flanking them. Its usually pretty empty in the spring and summer but come fall folks are sighting in thier hunting weapons and its gets filled up quite often.

Didn't realize these were in NJ - thanks for bringing this up.

 

Just checked the website and there seems to be a range pretty much in each county.

 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ranges.htm

 

The only restriction is that at least 1 member of the shooting party must have a NJ Current Hunter License in possession.

I didn't know they opened the range back up, it has been closed for a while. Good to know, thanks.

 

The one and only time I went there was about 11 yrs ago and the people shooting in the pit were scary. Piney scarey and unsafe scarey. they were gathered in a semi circle shooting in any direction except towards the vehicles and passing guns around like they were beers. Another truckload pulled up while we were watching this and they were scarrier than the ones in the pit.

 

We left in a hurry.

I've only been going to the rimfire range for the past couple years so i don't know the history of its availability, however, there is a dedicated trap range that is now closed for lead remediation. Its been closed for a year or two now and there is no work being done there currently for the remediation plans, nor is there any posted completion/reopening dates.

 

I've encountered some interesting folks there but nothing yet i would be concerned about (hopefully it stays this way). I do see people trying to shoot trap there since the dedicated trap range closed but trap isn't permitted at this range. I met a cop there once who brought his young son and his duty glock and mini-14 to shoot. he was nice enough and we chatted a bit even though centerfire rifles and handguns aren't permitted there either. He just claims to have been shooting these "for years without any problems". The most interesting thing i've seen though was some pineys that were absolutely filthy after digging around the firing line and the berm all morning for brass and copper. They weren't shooting so they had to stop thier "harvest" when i got there and wanted to use the range.

JonF, I was interested in going out their but I do not have a hunting license. Do you have a current hunting license or do the rangers not even check?

 

-Scott

There is no attending range master nor have I have never seen a ranger "checking in" on any of the activities there.

But if they do check, someone needs a liscence. This year the state is looking for money and looking to catch anyone they can. I have been fishing one lake for 14 yrs and never saw a Ranger, now they are setting up a camp on the boat launches checking for all paperwork, liscenses and safety courses.

 

I have been checked at Assunpink while shooting before. Now they do not allow lead shot for skeet, so I havn't been there in a while.

I used to shoot there back in the day. I never seen anyone else there. Only proof that they've been.

Im looking for a safe place to use up some target rounds I purchased for my shotguns but cant shoot at any indoor range. Anytime you guys plan to go the WMA in Colliers Mills let me know and I will try to meet up. I do not have a hunting license so I would like to meet up with people who do have one.

 

I purchased 100rds of target shot for my two shot guns thinking they would be range safe but found out the shot is too fine for indoor use.

 

-Scott

Scott,

There's also the place on 539 right off exit 58. The wife and I shoot skeet there from time to time. They have a back stop for slug work.

Which area is that Total. Do they still allow lead shot?

Which area is that Total. Do they still allow lead shot?

 

 

I don't know the name but it is posted. It's a fish and game shooting range. Shotguns, 22's and muzzle loaders only. Lead is fine.

 

Ex 58 make right and follow about two miles on the left.

thanks, I will check it out.

thanks, I will check it out.

 

 

LMK if your gonna do some skeet. It's been a while.

I will

Must be the Stafford Forge WMA, no?

 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ranges.htm

 

 

Hunterdon County

Clinton WMA

Route 173W

Clinton

Shotgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (100 yards)

NOTE: Clinton Rifle Range is Closed From 9-11am First & Third Thursdays of Every Month

 

Morris County

Black River WMA

Route 513 (Dover-Chester Road)

Chester

Shotgun, Archery

 

Note: Closed weekends from the third Saturday in May through the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, as well as on the Christmas and Easter holidays. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during this summer period, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the rest of the year. Hunter education classes will continue to be held at the range and will not be affected by these hours.

 

Sussex County

Flatbrook-Roy WMA

Route 615

Layton

Shotgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (75 yards)

 

Warren County

Pequest WMA

Pequest Road

Oxford

Archery

 

CENTRAL REGION

 

Monmouth County

Assunpink WMA

Imlaystown-Hightstown Road

Upper Freehold Twp.

Shotgun (lead-free shot only), Archery

 

Turkey Swamp

Georgia Road

Freehold Twp.

*special regulations apply call 908-842-4000

Archery

 

Ocean County

Colliers Mills WMA

Off Colliers Mills and Hawkins Roads

Colliers Mills

Archery, Muzzleloader (50 and 100 yards)

SHOTGUN RANGE CLOSED

 

Stafford Forge WMA

Off Route 539 south of Warren Grove

Little Egg Harbor Twp.

Shotgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (100 yards)

 

SOUTHERN REGION

 

Atlantic County

Makepeace Lake WMA

Elmwood-Weymouth Road

Weymouth

Shotgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (50 yards)

 

Gloucester County

Winslow WMA

Piney Hollow Road

Monroe Twp.

Archery (50 yards)

SHOTGUN and MUZZLELOADER RANGES CLOSED

 

Cape May County

Tuckahoe WMA

Off Tuckahoe Road (Route 631)

Tuckahoe

Archery

SHOTGUN RANGE CLOSED

 

Cumberland County

Millville WMA

Ackley Road (Route 718)

Millville

Shotgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (100 yards)

Yes, that's it. They have a few lakes I want to paddle in.

Im in for any place we can shoot shotguns....you guys let me know when and where and I will do all I can to get there. I have 50rds of "target" shot I want to use up since I cant shoot it indoors.

 

-Scott

What type of targets can I use at Colliers Mills WMA, metal? paper? spinners, cans? Any special sizing? 

Colliers is center file rifle so here is the link from the state website. Look at the range and target link.

NJDEP | New Jersey Fish and Wildlife | Hunter Training Areas Ranges