Montanans Aren’t Happy About New Shooting Restrictions

BUTTE, MT - In Montana, guns and open spaces go hand-in-hand.

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From competitive marksmen to casual plinkers sighting in a .22, Southwest Montana has long been a haven for recreational shooters.

But now, one of the most popular—and controversial—shooting areas west of Bozeman has been officially closed to recreational target shooting until at least 2027.

So where can Montanans still shoot? And what exactly happened out in Logan?

Montana’s Shooting Landscape

Most state and federal lands are open to lawful recreational use—including shooting—unless specifically closed.

Many Montanans take to national forests, BLM lands, and state trust lands to hone their skills.

But as the Southwest Montana population has grown, so has the demand for safe, accessible places to shoot.

That demand has run up against a new, troubling reality: as use increases, so do conflicts.

Nowhere is that more evident than on four sections of state trust land near Logan, a stretch just south of I-90 that for years has served as an informal shooting range.

With its easy access and wide-open feel, it became the go-to spot for Gallatin Valley shooters. But that popularity came at a cost.

Why the Logan Site Was Closed

After years of complaints and mounting concerns, three local landowners—Stephen and John McDonnell and Kelsey Valley Ranch—petitioned the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to permanently close the land to recreational shooting.

Their claims? Public safety was at risk, private property was being damaged, and the site was turning into a dump.

They weren’t alone in their concerns. Over the years, reports emerged of:

• Bullet-ridden solar panels and water troughs used by ranchers leasing the land

• Cut fences and shattered gates

• Trash piles made up of broken appliances and improvised targets

• Shooters firing in all directions, even allegedly toward neighboring homes

A formal public comment period saw more than 280 written statements and a packed hearing in Three Forks in June.

The responses were split.

Many advocated to keep the area open—arguing it’s one of the few remaining public places for shooting in the valley.

Others, including nearby landowners and lessees, described it as a chaotic, dangerous free-for-all.

The DNRC’s Decision: A Compromise, with Limits

On July 1, 2025, the DNRC issued its final decision: shooting is now prohibited in Sections 1, 2, and 12 of the trust lands until at least September 1, 2027.

These three parcels were determined to pose the highest risk for stray bullets, property damage, and conflicts with grazing leaseholders.

Section 36, however, remains open to recreational shooting, but under strict conditions:

• Seasonal closures from May 1 to September 15

• No long-range shooting over 300 yards

• No exploding targets

• Shooting only in daylight hours

• Mandatory sign-in for users

• No targeting fences, gates, or personal property

By 2027, the DNRC will reevaluate the restrictions based on feedback, impacts to other public lands, lease revenue, and whether Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) moves forward with plans for a formal range on the site.

What Comes Next for Gallatin Shooters?

This decision highlights a larger issue across Montana: the shrinking number of public places to shoot responsibly.

The Gallatin Valley currently lacks a free, dedicated public shooting range, and closures like this one—while grounded in safety and land management concerns—may unintentionally push shooters to less suitable, even more dangerous areas.

FWP had proposed building a managed range on the same land before the petition was filed, but with plans on pause and a separate NorthWestern Energy lease pending for a natural gas compressor station, the future of the area remains murky.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just a local issue—it’s a bellwether for land use tensions across Montana.

As more people move to areas once defined by solitude and open access, the challenge becomes finding a way to balance public recreation with private property rights, land stewardship, and public safety.

For now, Montanans looking to shoot will have to search for new locations—or head to the remaining section at Logan, if they’re willing to follow the rules.

But the clock is ticking.