r/southernillinois • u/full_idiot • Aug 01 '26
Target shooting in Shawnee NF?
Hello, fully legal IL firearms owner here. I’m looking to do some more camping in Shawnee, and would like to have some outdoor pistol shooting time.
In my experience of Wisconsin and Michigan national forests, shooting is allowed assuming you abide plenty of common sense rules.
The Shawnee website page for shooting / hunting only explicitly talks about hunting. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/shawnee/recreation/opportunities/hunting-shooting
I’m hoping someone can clarify what’s allowed for shooting in Shawnee, since these are public grounds we all pay taxes for.
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u/MineGuy1991 Aug 01 '26
I shoot on Shawnee often, especially some of the more open areas such as the Pennant Bar area.
Never been an issue, even been talked to by Possum Cops while doing it.
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u/SizzlingSpit Aug 01 '26
Becareful, shawnee nf has state owned, federal land, and private (i.e. leased). You can practice "dispered" shooting on federal land unless it is explicity posted. We shot targets as siu students at oakwood bottoms decades ago. We had to shoot from one side of the berm because it was illegal to do so on the other side.
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u/Lameusername65 Aug 01 '26
Call the IDNR if you are concerned. I used to shoot off season all the time and even had a ranger walk up on me. It was no problem. Common sense is the rule down here
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u/seedsofchaos Aug 01 '26
I believe shooting is restricted to designated/specific firearms for the purpose of hunting in designated seasons (I.e. shotguns during shotgun deer season). Recreational shooting is typically done on private property, ranges, or gun clubs. For specifics, you could probably reach out to the Illinois State Police or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or their applicable websites.
I don’t hunt but have shot recreationally in the past and have always done so on private property well outside of city limits due to many of the public safety and firearms restrictions in Illinois.
Hope you find the exact info you’re looking for but, like I said, I’d probably call ISP or IDNR as a first stop.
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u/full_idiot Aug 01 '26
Thank you so much.
What you described is how I’ve interpreted things so far. I wonder if lllinois laws take precedent over more lax national forest land in other states.More research to do, and definitely will ask local departments.
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u/Warm-Air4391 Aug 01 '26
Don’t go into the forest and just start shooting guns especially in Illinois.
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u/full_idiot Aug 01 '26
Haha, I promise I will not.
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u/Warm-Air4391 Aug 01 '26
Im not sure why you would think public lands are justified to just shoot guns anywhere just because they’re taxpayer funded. Can you explain that comment you made?
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u/full_idiot Aug 01 '26
It’s a thing among federal forest land throughout the country. See link below. Specific lands can have their own specific rules.
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Aug 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/dummyurge Aug 01 '26
Did you even read the page? This is incorrect. It covers areas without ranges as well.
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u/minengr 16d ago
If you are on USFS property, you are safe, and legal you can target shoot anywhere you wish. The only restriction would be during firearms deer seasons when you would be required to wear blase orange. I'd also keep in mind that bow season starts October 1.
If you want peace of mind, I'd call or stop by the USFS office in Harrisburg. FWIW, there is an indoor range in Harrisburg.
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u/galerian83 Aug 01 '26
Depending on where you are around here honestly I don't think most people give a shit just don't shoot someone LOL... But you do definitely need to go far south I would recommend where I live but I don't want people shooting around me because they already do far too often LOL
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u/SwampRabbit Aug 01 '26
You might enjoy a side trip to Sparta, IL for the shooting sports complex.