Better safe than sorry

I would like to express concern over the use of state lands north of the Jewel Basin Road and east of Foothill Road as a shooting range. While this area has been a popular site for target practice in the past, it is now home to a network of ski trails maintained by the Bigfork Community Nordic Center (BCNC), and is no longer a safe (or ethical) place to shoot during wintertime months.

My friend and I encountered a small group of target shooters on Feb. 12, while we were skiing the trail network. Although the men stopped shooting as we approached, and even exchanged friendly words with us, we were alarmed to see that they had set up their target 10 feet from one fork of the trail, and were shooting across a second fork (the fork we were skiing on) to reach the target. Both forks of the trails were groomed, with ski tracks clearly visible. My concern was compounded by the fact that I was pulling my 2-year-old son behind me in a sled! I chose not to share my concerns with the men, as I surmised that what they were doing was probably legal. We continued along the trail, and in short order the men began shooting again.

In reflecting on the matter, I'd like to express that, while shooting across a ski trail may be legal, it's hardly polite. There are safer, more appropriate places to sight in one's gun, including the Bigfork Gun Club and other locations on state and Federal lands. The men we encountered had a boy of 6 or 7 years in their care; what kind of shooting ethics are they passing along to him?

The irony of the incident is that we had chosen the BCNC trails because we thought they would be "safest" for towing a child on. We were, of course, thinking of terrain rather than bullets. As it turns out, I think we'd have been safer in an avalanche chute!

Sincerely,

Rebekah Jensen