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The Ultimate 7-Point Guide To Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area: Rules, Status, And Must-Know Tips For 2025

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Planning a visit to the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area (BDDSA) in the Pawnee National Grassland? As of December 20, 2025, this popular public shooting location, managed by the USDA Forest Service, remains a vital resource for recreational shooters across the Northern Front Range of Colorado. However, the area is constantly monitored for safety, fire danger, and maintenance, meaning the rules and operational status are subject to frequent, unannounced changes. To ensure a safe, legal, and enjoyable experience, especially following recent improvement projects and ongoing fire restrictions, you must be fully informed on the specific regulations that govern this unique open-air range.

The Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area offers a rare, free-of-charge opportunity for shooters to practice, but its location within the fragile Pawnee National Grassland near Ault, Colorado, necessitates strict adherence to its specific guidelines, which differ significantly from dispersed shooting rules in other parts of the National Forest system. Ignoring these rules can lead to immediate closure, fines, and even injury. Here is the definitive, up-to-date guide covering everything you need to know about the BDDSA for your 2025 range day.

Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area: Essential Location and Operating Information

The Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area is a managed facility designed to consolidate shooting activities, reduce resource damage, and enhance public safety in a high-use section of the Pawnee National Grassland. It serves as a model for responsible recreational sport shooting management within the broader Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.

Official Location and Contact Details

  • Location: The BDDSA is situated in Weld County, Colorado, near the intersection of Weld County Roads 96 and 63, generally accessed via Ault, CO.
  • Management: USDA Forest Service, Pawnee National Grassland District.
  • Facilities: The area features multiple shooting bays with established dirt berms, which provide clear backstops and defined firing lines. These bays are specifically marked for different distances.
  • Range Distances: Shooters can utilize designated berms for 25-yard, 50-yard, and 100-yard shooting practice.
  • Current Status Check: Due to temporary closures for improvements, maintenance, or high fire danger, visitors are strongly encouraged to call the Pawnee District Office directly before traveling. The official phone number is 970-346-5000.

7 Non-Negotiable Rules and Safety Guidelines for Baker Draw (2025 Update)

The Forest Service has clearly defined rules for the BDDSA to protect the environment and maintain public safety. These rules are non-negotiable and strictly enforced. Failure to comply can result in citations, fines, and immediate removal from the area.

1. Firearm and Ammunition Restrictions: No Shotguns or Clay Pigeons

Unlike general dispersed shooting areas in the Pawnee National Grassland, the Baker Draw range has specific restrictions on the types of firearms allowed within the designated bays.

  • Allowed: Rifles and handguns only are permitted for use within the designated shooting bays.
  • Prohibited: Shotguns are not allowed in the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area. However, shotguns are still allowed for dispersed shooting elsewhere on the grassland, provided all general safety rules are followed.
  • Target Material: Clay pigeons are explicitly prohibited within the BDDSA.

2. Strict Firing Line and Discharge Requirements

The structure of the designated area is built around safety berms. This means your shooting position is highly regulated to ensure all projectiles safely impact the dirt backstops.

  • Firing Line Only: Firearms shall only be discharged from the designated firing line. This is a critical safety rule designed to keep all rounds within the established range infrastructure.
  • Backstop Rule: You must always shoot into the earthen backstops (berms). Shooting at targets on the ground, trees, or objects not backed by a berm is illegal and extremely dangerous.

3. Prohibited Items and Materials

The Forest Service has banned several items to prevent litter, environmental contamination, and fire hazards.

  • No Alcohol: The consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited within the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area.
  • Prohibited Targets: Do not use glass, metal, exploding targets (Tannerite, etc.), or any targets that create excessive litter or fire risk. Paper, cardboard, and biodegradable materials are the safest options.

4. Operating Hours and Fire Safety Alerts

While the range is generally open to the public, its hours and operational status are tied to environmental conditions.

  • Standard Hours: Target shooting on public lands is generally permitted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, unless otherwise posted.
  • Fire Danger Status: The Pawnee National Grassland is highly susceptible to grassfires. Crews have previously responded to fires near the BDDSA. Always check the current fire danger status and be prepared to cease all shooting if a fire ban is in effect. Hot projectiles and ricochets can easily ignite dry grass.

5. The "Pack It In, Pack It Out" Mandate

The BDDSA is a user-maintained facility. Maintaining its cleanliness is essential to prevent closures and ensure its long-term availability. This is a core tenet of responsible public land use.

  • Clean Your Brass: Collect all spent casings, whether brass or steel.
  • Remove All Targets: Take all target remnants, stands, paper, and debris with you. Do not leave anything behind.
  • Littering is Illegal: Leaving trash is a federal offense and is one of the primary reasons for temporary closures and negative public perception of recreational shooting.

6. Understanding the "Shade the Range" Project Impact

In recent years, a project known as "Shade the Range" was completed at Baker Draw through partnerships between organizations like Tread Lightly!, Noble Energy, Inc., and the U.S. Forest Service. This restoration and improvement project aimed to enhance the user experience and infrastructure.

  • Improvements: The completion of this project signifies a commitment to maintaining the BDDSA as a premier public shooting facility. Visitors should respect the new infrastructure and report any vandalism or damage to the Pawnee District Office.

7. Dispersed Shooting vs. Designated Area

It is crucial to understand the difference between the BDDSA and general dispersed shooting on the Pawnee National Grassland. The BDDSA is a small, managed area, but the vast majority of the Grassland is open to shooting, provided you follow general safety and distance rules (e.g., shooting into a safe backstop, being at least 150 yards from a dwelling, structure, or occupied area).

  • BDDSA: Managed, defined lanes, specific firearm/target restrictions (rifles/handguns only, no clay pigeons).
  • Dispersed Shooting: Less restrictive on firearm type (shotguns allowed), but requires much greater personal responsibility to find a safe, legal location away from roads, homes, and recreation sites. Always check a map to avoid shooting on intermixed private land.

The Future of Recreational Shooting on Public Lands

The Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area is a direct result of the Northern Front Range Sport Shooting Management Project, which sought to balance the public's desire for recreational shooting with the needs for safety and resource protection in the heavily-used Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.

The continued operation of facilities like Baker Draw depends entirely on user compliance. The area has faced temporary closures for improvements and is always at risk of closure due to misuse or high fire danger. By adhering to the specific rules—especially the restrictions on targets (no clay pigeons) and firearms (no shotguns)—shooters are actively participating in the long-term preservation of this valuable public resource. Always remember the four fundamental rules of firearm safety, and treat the Pawnee National Grassland with the respect it deserves.

baker draw designated shooting area
baker draw designated shooting area

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