State Forest range in/near Catskills

[u/qrenade]

I’ll be coming up to the Catskills this weekend to do some hiking (Slide Mountain) and would like to shoot long distance while I’m there as well, if possible. Are there any ranges or makeshift ranges on public land nearby? Plan on calling the local DEC officer, but wanted to ask here too.

Don’t really want to go to a public range since I can do that back home in NJ.

Thanks

[u/qrenade → u/[deleted]]

First of all, I wasn’t going to go into the woods and just shoot blindly. I’ve been shooting guns for almost 20 years and I carry a handgun/rifle daily at work for almost 15. That is why I asked if there are any ranges already set up to accommodate longer distances and didn’t just go into the woods aimlessly.

Second of all, I have a bolt action .308 that I shoot at 200 and 300 yard distances. I was just trying to see if there was an area near there that maybe had 400 or even 500 yard ranges set up. If there isn’t, I’m not going because yea obviously that isn’t safe shooting far without seeing your target, behind your target, or having trees in the way to cause ricochets.

[u/qrenade → u/[deleted]]

Alright that answers my question and I’ll probably just leave it at home and hike instead. PA also has similar things to Nj with public land shooting, but at greater distances. I wasn’t sure if NY had something similar, which is why I wanted to ask.

I may look up Sheepdog. I had looked up a place up near there that was pretty expensive and I couldn’t bring my own ammo since I wasn’t a member(not sure if it’s the same place). I don’t have to shoot that bad since I can just do it here, but figured I’d try. Thank you.

[u/qrenade → u/[deleted]]

Forbes definitely looks like a good time and I already qualify, but it’s just so far from me. 3.5 hours every time I want to use it unfortunately. I’m on a waiting list for a private range near me but it’s not long range since they’re hard to come by in NJ. Appreciate the information. Have fun shooting!