Lake Mathews, Gavilan Hills mess

[Alex Breaux]

Hi All,

I just made this account just to post this..

I live up in Gavilan hills in the Lake Mathews area. If you shoot off Gavilan Springs Rd, you have probably seen me out there in my unimog. And you should probably read this.

Anyways, there has been an astronomical amount of problems where everyone shoots up here. For one, it is all private property. The people that own the properties, and surrounding neighbors are avidly working with the city and sheriffs to shut it down. There are sheriffs actively patrolling it siting anyone and everyone there. They are usually in unmarked SUV's. I have watched people shoot over the hills that are right in front of the 15fw and town, two people have been medivact in the last year from ricocheting rounds at the shooting area. Infact, some ******* was shooting his target 50 feet away from me when I was downrange doing a clean up of the area after I yelled "going down range" twice. It's cool, he got a hole in his steel target from my dragunov after that. I watched some moron almost shoot his wifes foot off with his 12ga because he didn't know the different between the safety and the trigger. It goes on..

This place is completely abused everyday. It's sad.

So if you still decide to come here, this is what you will need to bring-

At least level 3 armor

A rake and trash bags to pick up after yourself

One hell of an explanation to give a sheriff about why you are trespassing on private property with a firearm.

Good news, there is a very nice private range very close to this nightmare, that only costs $100 a year.

To all the scumbags that ruined this area for all of us- you are the reason our state no longer has land available like this. You are also the majority of the reason we all suffer from these socialist gun laws.

[fettonya]

I was at the Lake Mathews area yesterday shooting with a friend. We have been frequenting the spot for about 7 years. I always bring a rake, shovel and a few trash bags. We filled our bags but still didn't look like we made a dent. I know that one day this will all come to an end. People.

[anthem]

Sorry to hear about that. I saw shooters out there while I was on my way to the aforementioned private range. As far as I know that range is not accepting new applications, which is not an excuse for people to be shooting out there.

[chairmnofthboard]

The ranger told me that Steele Peak is probably going to get shut down for the same reasons.

Sucks, a few idiots ruin it for all of us.

[singhdrew an]

Your unimog is cool! I've seen you a few times. I try to clean up to the best of my abilities there. Sucks. I really hope it doesn't keep getting trashed.

[Corky43]

FYI They will be having a horse ride on the 1st and 2nd. Please do not shoot or ride motorcycles/atv's in that area those days. It would be the last straw for neighbors if a horse got spooked and someone got injured.

Thanks!

[Phat Daddy]

I know the spot and feel your (people that live there) pain, but unfortunately you're probably speaking to the wrong choir. I would figure most Calgunners would not do the things you guys are describing. The times I've been out there I've witnessed either young yahoo's not giving a sh#t or just plain newbies that don't know any better.

If you want a peaceful horse ride, I'm thinking you'd probably have to drive by there on those days and tell people its illegal to shoot there and just scare them away.

[Alex Breaux]

Originally Posted by Corky43

FYI They will be having a horse ride on the 1st and 2nd. Please do not shoot or ride motorcycles/atv's in that area those days. It would be the last straw for neighbors if a horse got spooked and someone got injured.

Thanks!

I think the last straw was quite a while ago. I would think anyone just looking at the mess up there would be enough.

I talked to a guy that pulls 200lbs of brass out of just one of the spots a week!!

[retired]

Originally Posted by Alex Breaux

I think the last straw was quite a while ago. I would think anyone just looking at the mess up there would be enough.

I talked to a guy that pulls 200lbs of brass out of just one of the spots a week!!

How do I get in touch with the guy that pulls out all that brass. I'm going to begin reloading soon and……

I joke, but I know the area and in fact, have shot on some private property of someone I know who owns 20 acres out there. This was over a decade ago. Since I don't live in Riverside anymore, I had not realized it had become a problem.

You mentioned Steele Peak and despite the clean ups we have done there and the Calguns signs posted about it and asking to keep it clean, it still is a mess judging by the many posts in the Steele Peak thread. I hope we don't lose that area or any area for that matter. As Phat Daddy said tho, it is the non Calgunners that are doing this I would surmise; we all know what is at stake and care. They do not.

[Rick McK]

Hey Alex, I've seen you out there, I'm in the yellow Ghia. I also have been run out of there by the sheriffs. The problem is there are to many irresponsibe shooters and off-roaders who don't care about the land. I have found car batteries, TV's, tires, couches all in the creek that wildlife depend on for survival. It's sad, it used to be a nice area.

[CoronaShooter]

I would like to plan a clean up at the Gaveling Hills BLM free area... is it called Steele Peak? The one next to the private range? I have two flatbed trailers and at least 20 guys that I PERSONALLY know who would go. I want to avoid a Saturday when we would have to interrupt a few dozen shooters and their kids / families. I am thinking a quick run through with 50 guys on a Monday after work. 4-6pm?? I don't want to organize something that somebody else is already organizing. I see multiple threads about cleanup, but I am not a veteran here on this message board. Please PM me if you have some information I should know about, or if you want to participate. Once I get a little more information, I will post a date and time.
Thanks guys!
New member,
Scott
CoronaShooter

[LMan57]

I spoke the the BLM people at there office they gave me maps and directions where to shoot and Steel Peak is a legal shooting area they are aware of the trash and are upset with the mess there. I was up there about a month ago and did not event stop to shoot there was some teens way back in there drinking and shooting.

[LMan57]

Originally Posted by CoronaShooter

I would like to plan a clean up at the Gaveling Hills BLM free area... is it called Steele Peak? The one next to the private range? I have two flatbed trailers and at least 20 guys that I PERSONALLY know who would go. I want to avoid a Saturday when we would have to interrupt a few dozen shooters and their kids / families. I am thinking a quick run through with 50 guys on a Monday after work. 4-6pm?? I don't want to organize something that somebody else is already organizing. I see multiple threads about cleanup, but I am not a veteran here on this message board. Please PM me if you have some information I should know about, or if you want to participate. Once I get a little more information, I will post a date and time.
Thanks guys!
New member,
Scott
CoronaShooter

there is a clean up the 29th.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...82&postcount=4

[Alex Breaux]

Steele peak is a different spot. I'm referring to the area just north east of Gavilan springs rd. which is right at the turn on lake mathews dr.

[LMan57]

Originally Posted by Alex Breaux

Steele peak is a different spot. I'm referring to the area just north east of Gavilan springs rd. which is right at the turn on lake mathews dr.

Never been there shooting or otherwise to bad a few screw it up for others.

[1badjack68]

I've lived in this area since 77. We used to go up to Gavilan all the time when I was in high school. It's WAS a great spot to go shooting or just meet up and do dumb kid stuff . But even back then we always cleaned up after we were done . But the more people that move in the area the worse it gets. If it's not some slob leaving all there trash behind its some moron doing a midnight dump run.

[1badjack68]

If you post something up at the lake mathews general store I know you'll get a response

[DRP]

Hey Alex. I know exactly where and what you're talking about. I was trying to get a crew together to do the same. It's a huge mess right now. I do some 4 wheeling out in the area from time to time and since i got back home in Dec it looks like the trash has doubled. My Jeep is down as right now but as soon as i get a new transfer case i'm willing to help. PM me and we'll set something up.

[fettonya]

Has anyone been out to the area lately? Thinking of going up next weekend, do a little cleaning.

[ElvenSoul]

I have said for years if you guys want to keep it! Get it set up like Lyle Creek.

[rysin]

Originally Posted by ElvenSoul

I have said for years if you guys want to keep it! Get it set up like Lyle Creek.

And how is that down btw?

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by rysin

And how is that down btw?

lytle creek shooting range leases the land from the Forest Service and runs it as a controlled range.

[Corky43]

The area where people are shooting is private property, not BLM land or even state land.

[ElvenSoul]

Originally Posted by Corky43

The area where people are shooting is private property, not BLM land or even state land.

Is it marked No Trespassing?

[fettonya]

Not that I recall. Good question though.

[FCbully]

Earlier the OP said there was a nice membership range for 100 a year. Anyone have more info on that? I would pay to have a nice outside place close to the March Air Base area.

[lowdive]

I dunno why all the hush hush regarding the shooting club out there. Their site is- http://www.coronasportsmensclub.com/...cmps_index.php

As far as I know, no new memberships but go through the forums. There is info about a regular meetup they have at a Denny's (i think) off the 15fwy.

As long as I got nothing going on Wednesday or Thursday I'll try getting over to this area and haul out some trash. Will update on that by Tuesday. Even with cleaning it up, this is still private property. I don't know it will last long if there are too many asshats abusing it.

[Rhyno24]

hello, I live off of weir canyon and the 91 and have been driving all the way out to barstow since I started shooting, is there a place closer that is legal to shoot shotguns, rifles, and pistols? I have been getting a lot of different answers and been told that everything close has been shut down. please help me out, I want to practice shooting and get some of my little cousins I to shootng but barstow is too dam far to go more than every few months. also we have a truck so will be able to take out trash/ spent shells and brass out when we leave!
thanks again for the help in advance

[lowdive]

I'm off the 91 near the 55. Closest legal to shoot is Steele Peak. The area we're talking about above is used as public land but is private. If it weren't for the mess I'd be more inclined to share details on how to get there (not that you can't find that by searching a little harder). You're probably best off with well planned trips past Barstow as you have been doing.

Unfortunately, I have meetings to attend at work so I'm not gonna make it out for some cleaning this week. Rather bummed about it. Shooting for next week now (unless I can get time off this weekend, then sooner).

[fettonya]

Can't make it this Saturday. Going to try for the following.,

[Alex Breaux]

Coronasportsman.com ?

[Spazstic]

Hi All, first post here. Registered just for this purpose.

Gavilan Hills is a complete mess right now. Shotgun shells, TVs, furniture, general crap dumped everywhere. I live right down the street and I see the influx of people coming every weekend. The number (and irresponsibility) of the masses that come out every weekend is astounding, and depressing at the same time.

I'm planning on organizing a clean up in late Jan. I've got a trailer I will bring to fill, along with the bed of my truck. I also have at least two others who will bring their trucks and possibly another trailer. The dump is only about 20 min away and $8 for up to 600 lbs.

If I'm hijacking a thread here, please point me in the right direction.

[ElvenSoul]

It was a mess back in 1987

Is there not a new range in Perris?

[ElvenSoul]

http://wrensranch.com

[fettonya]

Hey Nick G, have you come up with a date for planned cleanup? Im like to help if I can time permitting.