imported post
About 3 months ago, I was out plinking at the overflow area, northeast of the dam. A Pinal County Deputy (nice guy) came driving up and said that I wouldn't be allowed to shoot here any more. He said it wasn't the Forest service, but the Army Corp of Engineers that had asked the County to stop people from shooting in the area.
It seems the Corp still "takes care of" the dam and the surrounding area. The Deputy said that people were making a dump out of it, and that shooters were making targets out of the concrete pumphouse structure, signs, gate, fencing"....etc. So, if that's the case, the Corp probably won't be lifting that restriction anytime soon......'
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He did tell me though, that I could shoot on BLM land. The closest area from Queen Valley is to go South on 79 toward Florence. About 5 or 6 miles down is Cottonwood Canyon Rd ?? Turn left and drive East across tha National Guard Range...(make sure they aren't blowin' stuff up that day)...Before you get to the foothills ahead, you will cross into BLM property. There is a fence that runs North and South and even a sign (was a while back, anyway) that states the rules for shooting in the area.
I guess I can reveal my "secret" place to go. (until we get run off there too...) From Phoenix, take the El Camino Veijo exit off 60, it will be on your left side. I guess this was an old highway years ago. After turning onto El Camino, take the first right down a gravel road (smooth, well traveled) till you get to the Microwave tower that will be on your right. Turn left onto a not so smooth road. You stay on this dirt road for 10 or 15 minutes till it dead ends into a canyon like area. There was a mine here back in the fifties and sixties I'm told. This is a great place to shoot....canyon on both sides and no ATV's or hikers in front of you...