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Is target shooting allowed in Prescott National Forest right now?

Official source: Prescott National Forest →

Status signals we checked

• USFS Southwestern Region fire restrictions layer: no fire restrictions
• alerts page: no fire restrictions

Mapped ranges, closures and restriction zones

Shooting-related orders and alerts

• Prescott National Forest Lifts Restrictions: (Prescott, AZ, July 20, 2026) — The Prescott National Forest will lift Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and the Emergency Recreational Shooting Order effective July 21, 2026, at 8 a.m. This decision follows careful monitoring of fuel moisture, weather patterns, fire activity, and other factors.The…
• Target Type Shooting Restriction: Prohibition on shooting specific target types.  The purpose of Order #03-09-00-26-09 is to protect natural and cultural resources from sanitation impacts and protection of public health and safety. This Order shall be in effect from October 25, 2026, at 08:00 PM through October 24, 2028 at 08:00…
• Man vs. Horse Public Safety Prohibition: Prohibition on discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.  The purpose of Order #03-09-05-26-07 is to provide for public health and safety due to firearms discharge exposure during the Man Against Horse event for public attendance and the race participants (equine and foot runners). This Order…
• Prescott National Forest lifts Stage 1 fire restrictions and recreational shooting restrictions: The Prescott National Forest has lifted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and the Emergency Recreational Shooting order effective Sept. 5, 2025, at 8 a.m. This decision follows careful monitoring of fuel moisture, weather patterns, and fire activity. For the full News Release please visit: HERE
• Doce Pit area closure rescinded, fire and shooting restrictions still in place: With the completion of the mastication operation in the Doce Pit area, Closure Order #03-09-25-09 is rescinded effective July 25, 2025 at 0800 hrs. Press Release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/prescott/newsroom/releases/doce-pit-area-closure-rescinded-fire-and-shooting-restrictions-still
• Prescott National Forest announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions: PRESCOTT, Arizona, May 29, 2025 - Due to rapidly drying wildland fuels and above normal predicted fire potential for the month of June, the Prescott National Forest plans to enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, to include a recreational shooting prohibition, beginning Friday, May 30th at 8:00 a.m.…

General rules

• Target shooting is allowed on national forests unless an area is closed or restricted by order.
• No shooting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
• No shooting across or on a forest road or body of water, or into caves.
• No tracer or incendiary ammunition. Exploding targets are restricted or prohibited on many forests.
• Use a safe backstop, don't attach targets to trees or structures, and pack out all targets, cans, bottles and brass.

Notes

• Starts Oct 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM Arizona time: Forest-wide on Prescott NF: possessing refuse for target shooting is prohibited. Allowed targets only: cardboard or paper targets, non-metallic reactive targets, self-healing targets, and metal swing/spin/knock-down targets made for firearms (all removed after shooting), plus biodegradable clay targets. No cans, bottles, appliances or other trash as targets. Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/prescott/alerts/target-type-shooting-restriction-0 (verified 2026-10-19)