Hunting in SBNF

[8SteelTown]

If anyone can provide some ACCURATE insight, it would be appreciated. Heading up to SBNF this weekend to do some hunting. In contacting the Forest Service, I have an unanswered question that may deter my trip. I'm looking to hunt with my 308 and my buddy with his AR (223). They are lead rounds (his w/ polymer tips). I saw there are restrictions on other type rounds. I saw on another forum they restrict how late you can hunt based off the current fire level (level 3 = no shooting after 13:00). All of this info came from surfing the web and were from old dated posts. Nobody from the Forest Service / Discovery Center knew much on the topic.

Do you know? Can I hunt with a rifle? Can I hunt as long as I want?

 

[Matagi]

From the times that I hunted SBNF, there weren't gun restrictions that I know of unless you are near dwellings. I have heard of hunting restrictions during severe fire seasons but not sure if that's the case now. There is a small section of SB that's is part of the first lead ban zone so make sure you're out hunting with lead ammo in that section. Best bet is to call the SBNF ranger district for accurate hunting info (although I have heard more then once that the SBNF staff aren't too nice to hunters and shooters).

 

[TonyS]

Trust me as someone who tried four times. The rangers are going to be absolutely no help and this was with TWO in person visits. They delight in misdirection.

 

[Aeon]

http://www.specialdistricts.org/index.aspx?page=172

 

[SoCalGuidedHunts]

http://www.specialdistricts.org/index.aspx?page=172

you can pick up this map at Bass Pro Shop. It by the gun counter.

 

[8SteelTown]

Thanks fellas

 

[Jakhammer1]

Lead ban for condor stops at 15 FWY on the map I saw on the DFG site, so SBNF around Arrowhead and Big Bear has no lead ban as far as I can tell. Bass Pro map shows areas for rifle versus shotgun, its mostly shotgun around the lakes and rifle towards north side of the forest, the map shows all. Far as I know there is no time constraint.

 

[8SteelTown]

Lead ban for condor stops at 15 FWY on the map I saw on the DFG site, so SBNF around Arrowhead and Big Bear has no lead ban as far as I can tell. Bass Pro map shows areas for rifle versus shotgun, its mostly shotgun around the lakes and rifle towards north side of the forest, the map shows all. Far as I know there is no time constraint.

Thanks. I got a shotgun only map and it's the area surrounding the SBNF, not in the SBNF. I'll have to check out the maps at BPS to see if they show anything different. I know they were in a much smaller scale than my BLM maps so it pushed things a little out of proportion. Thanks for your input.

 

[Jakhammer1]

Be careful, the Bass Pro map is a collection of sources from the local SBNF and BLM, and it shows shotgun only around both Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear lakes, and the rifle areas are really just the areas north of both lakes, with some rifle areas around San Gorgonio Mtn to south of Big Bear. Of course bow is allowed in both shotgun and rifle areas. I've had friendly response from the rangers in Angeles, but I've never spoken with the rangers at SB. I am in SB almost every other weekend, and I'll see what they say next time I'm up.

 

[8SteelTown]

Be careful, the Bass Pro map is a collection of sources from the local SBNF and BLM, and it shows shotgun only around both Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear lakes, and the rifle areas are really just the areas north of both lakes, with some rifle areas around San Gorgonio Mtn to south of Big Bear. Of course bow is allowed in both shotgun and rifle areas. I've had friendly response from the rangers in Angeles, but I've never spoken with the rangers at SB. I am in SB almost every other weekend, and I'll see what they say next time I'm up.

Thank you sir!