Stafford Forge WMA

[Gus 33]

I just started shooting here and had a few questions for anyone who would know. The first 2 times I went to the site it was fairly kept up and clean of trash and debris. This was 3 weeks ago, and 2 weeks ago.

 

I went there this past Friday, and the place was a disaster. Mountains of shells all over the place, beer cans everywhere. Shot up trash all over the clay field. Looks like 8 to 10 different groups of shooters went there in the week and just did whatever they pleased.

 

Does anyone know if someone takes care of this place on a regular basis? The City, County, State? If so, how often? I heard from a local that there was a volunteer cleanup effort every so often, but couldn't find anything out about it. Is there a regular meet up for this?

 

I was in my work truck when I went there on Friday and just happened to have a rake, shovel, and a trash bag. For what its worth I raked out all of the trash and shells ( a whole 55 gallon trash bag of just used shells!), and took them to the dumpster at my shop. I just couldn't leave the place looking like that. Is this what the place is usually like?

 

 

[Carcano 14]

The WMA range in South Jersey (Weymouth) was torn down and re-built after people decided to start dropping off washing machines, fridges, stoves, hell even a chevy small block! plus computers,. tv's, etc. The wood shoot area was shot up with the roof falling down back in '09 or so...

 

The state (I assume the state) had it torn down and made it very easy to see from the road so the local/state PD could look for people dumping trash, shooting center fire rifles/pistols, etc.

 

It's a shame, the WMA ranges are free to use and open to the public yet people trash them. Last time I visited a kid showed up with a WASR in 7.62x39 and started blasting the shit out of the wooden shoot area and dumped and left the range filled with broken glass bottles, TV's, etc. Sad, our group told him to leave or we would call NJSP and he packed his stuff up and left...we cleaned up some of the junk and that was that.

 

Thanks for taking the time to clean up your WMA range, very few people would take the time to clean up the trash/junk others leave behind

 

EDIT: I know this post isn't on the Stafford Forge WMA but most WMA ranges have been abused like I described, the state (I could be wrong) comes out every so often to check on the ranges and clean them up. I've seen State trucks at the Weymouth WMA before FYI but the counties might also clean them not sure.

[Parker 213]

Gus,

 

Kudos to you for cleaning up the place. At times we humans are our own worst enemy. And it's always one or two clowns who ruin things for everyone. Years ago there would occasionally be a large trash can at the Walpack shotgun/muzzleloader range, only some would use them for target practice.

 

 

[dajonga 396]

I was at Stafford Forge on Wed or Thur last week and it looked ok. Yes, quite alot of shells on the ground, but overall, it was ok. The 100 yard range was cleaner than I have seen it in quite awhile. 

 

I was in communication with a guy at NJDEP in May of last year. Maybe it time to get in contact with him again...

 

Here is our conversation from last year......

 

 

---------------

SUBJECT: Stafford Forge WMA is a mess

I have not been to the Clinton WMA in a few years, but I remember the rimfire/muzzleloader range was very nice, with several covered benches. Also, there never seemed to be too much trash around.

I just learned that the WMA at Makepeace in Weymouth has been improved with concrete benches.

Why is Stafford Forge such a mess? 

2 bullet-ridden, crooked, oddly-sized tables for rimfire, 6 million shotgun shells on the ground and constantly overflowing, bullet-ridden garbage cans. Frankly, I am embarrassed by how some people treat it. I am a firm believer in pack in, pack out.

Is it that the parking lot is not right next to the tables, like at Clinton? I would imagine if we could park near tables, like at Clinton, people would be more inclined to clean up after themselves. Simply removing the pilings blocking the entry into the range would suffice. Adding new barricades to the shooting line would block vehicles from entering the actual range. I would also think that vehicle access to the shooting line would allow for more supervision from your wardens and local law enforcement.

I would love to see improved tables, more than 2 stations and much, much less trash. 2 small garbage cans seem insufficient for the needs of the range.

I would even be willing to volunteer for a cleanup day. Would the DEP bring in a dumpster for a volunteer cleanup day? I am a member of the NJGunForums.com group, and I know that several members shoot there often. I believe I could get a volunteer work crew together.

I also know that the Barnegat Bay Blitz is this week. Getting a Blitz crew out to the WMA is unlikely this close to the big day, but I would go if it could be arranged.

Thank you, and thank you for the WMA areas.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PS - I heard from Regional Superintendent Ray Porutski about the range.

He pointed out that the Stafford Forge Range is the only range in the Central Region where the public can use lead shot to trap shoot. The Colliers Mills Range is closed. The Assunpink Range is Steel Shot only. The result is that the use at Stafford Forge has tripled. The crews can't keep up with the trash. Stafford is also at least 30 to 45 minutes from the Colliers Mills office, which makes it difficult to maintain. 

Our volunteer coordinator, Linda DiPiano, is looking into using volunteers to help maintain the range.  Thanks. PT

Paul Tarlowe, Wildlife Education Specialist
NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: 908-637-4125
Fax: 908-637-6735
[email protected] 
[email protected]

http://www.NJFishandWildlife.com/

[Gus 33]

Guys, thanks for the praise, but it is not necessary. I just wish there were resources to have a conservation officer there at all times, to bust scumbags like this. I know, I know, this will never happen, but it would be nice.

 

Dajonga, I would be very interested in helping out as a volunteer. If something like this exists, or gets set up, please let me know.

 

I don't know about all of you, but it took me no more than 5  minutes to clean up all of my group's shells and trash when we went there. We just bring a yard rake, a snow shovel, and a trash bag. 5 minutes of "hard"   labor is well worth not having to pay to go to a private range.

[Jon 264]

I'll be down in that area the end of next week. I'm happy to do a little cleanup if anyone knows a good place to put full bags of refuse.

[JC_68Westy 1,024]

That range is 4 1/2 miles from my house and I stopped shooting there a long time ago.  People are pigs.  Why should the F&W be responsible for cleaning up crap that people leave?  I always cleaned up after shooting.  I have seen a whole group of people come shoot and leave their empty shell and boxes there.  What is so hard about taking your trash with you for some people?

[Carcano 14]

That range is 4 1/2 miles from my house and I stopped shooting there a long time ago.  People are pigs.  Why should the F&W be responsible for cleaning up crap that people leave?  I always cleaned up after shooting.  I have seen a whole group of people come shoot and leave their empty shell and boxes there.  What is so hard about taking your trash with you for some people?

 

 

Welcome to 2014, people think "well my tax dollars pay for it, I can do whatever I want" including leaving junk at the WMA ranges.

 

Take out whatever you bring in.

[Gus 33]

 Why should the F&W be responsible for cleaning up crap that people leave? 

 

They shouldn't. We should all be adults and pick up after ourselves.

 

I wish I had the time to organize a regular cleanup effort. I just know that with my schedule the way it currently is, I do not have the time to be an organizer, but would be more than able to be a participant.

[Gus 33]

Welcome to 2014, people think "well my tax dollars pay for it, I can do whatever I want" including leaving junk at the WMA ranges.

 

 

I am not disagreeing with you, because I am sure there are a lot of people who think that way.

 

But, I think the majority of these jerks just don't give a f**k at all. Tax dollars or not, they just don't care.

[Carcano 14]

I am not disagreeing with you, because I am sure there are a lot of people who think that way.

 

But, I think the majority of these jerks just don't give a f**k at all. Tax dollars or not, they just don't care.

 

Like the guy shooting the WASR or the guy with the XM15 blasting away at the WMA range, they just don't care.

[Gus 33]

I'll be down in that area the end of next week. I'm happy to do a little cleanup if anyone knows a good place to put full bags of refuse.

 

It looks like someone (County Public Works maybe?) is emptying the trash barrels there. I'm sure if you left the bags in a neat pile by the barrels, whoever is emptying the barrels would pick up the bags.

 

If not, I will stop by there the beginning of the following week with my work truck. If I see the bags I will take them to my dumpster.

[rtquig 45]

I was at the range on Wednesday and thought it looked better than I have seen in the past. Having said that, I haven't been there since last September.

[Burns 16]

I am pretty close to the Stafford forge and I do not have alot of time but would be willing to help with a cleanup effort. I would be able to take out at least one 50 gallon trash bag with me. Maybe we shoot then cleanup? 

[JC_68Westy 1,024]

Count me in.

[dajonga 396]

Ok,

 

I will reach out to the guy at DEP and see if he can facilitate a dumpster or at least a bag pickup.

[Burns 16]

Went to stafford forge for the first time today with a buddy of mine. We shot some clay's and the cleaned up about a garbage bag full. Not a bad place to shoot.

 

Sent from my ADR6350

 

 

[Gus 33]

I was there today as well. Seemed pretty clean except for the garbage cans overflowing.

 

I  saw some targets I put in one of the cans last Monday, still stuffed in there today, so no one has emptied the cans in at least a week.

 

I saw a couple of guys picking up after themselves (maybe you Burns?) which was nice.

[dajonga 396]

I have not heard back from the DEP, so I guess we are on our own.

 

Next time I go, I will try to bring a garbage bag and a rake and take a load out with me.

[Burns 16]

I was there today as well. Seemed pretty clean except for the garbage cans overflowing.

 

I saw some targets I put in one of the cans last Monday, still stuffed in there today, so no one has emptied the cans in at least a week.

 

I saw a couple of guys picking up after themselves (maybe you Burns?) which was nice.

Probably we got there around 0945 and we left about 1200. I tried out my new cheap thrower.

 

Sent from my ADR6350