Target shooting rules
in conflict, says Vilas

By Ken Anderson
News Correspondent

Two county ordinances governing target shooting on Vilas County Forest lands and the county shooting range have different interpretations, the Vilas County Forestry and Land Committee learned last week.

Chapter 16 of the ordinance indicates target shooting on the Vilas County Forest is only allowed at an established shooting range, while Chapter 19 allows target shooting on county forestland.

An attempt to have both county ordinances read the same was defeated by a tie 10-10 vote by the county board at its last meeting.

“We’re in a quandary,” Vilas County Forest administrator Larry Stevens told the committee at a meeting last week. “It’s now prohibited in one chapter and permissible in another (to target shoot on county forestland).”

Supervisors said information from state and federal forests don’t prohibit target shooting on their lands. While NR 45 administrative code prohibits the discharge of firearms on many state properties, the state forestlands are not mentioned.

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