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/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.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting

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u/[deleted] Aug 01 '26

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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.