There’s a public meeting on Wednesday (07/29/15) to discuss the temporary ban on target shooting in the Croatan National Forest, in portions of Jones, Craven, and Carteret counties. Jared Brumbaugh has more.
After receiving hundreds of complaints from locals, the U.S. Forest Service banned target shooting in the Croatan for 120 days. The closure took effect July 13th. District Ranger Jim Gumm says concerns about public safety prompted the ban.
“We’ve had numerous complaints from hikers and campers that they’ve had bullets coming close enough to them that they’ve been able to hear them. And there’s also been a home near the district and the bullet actually went into their window.”
Gumm says natural resource damage is also an issue, as trees and other vegetation are often used as targets. The Forest Service wants to hear from community members on how to address the long-term safety issues associated with target shooting. The public meeting takes place at 6pm at the Croatan Ranger Station, near Carolina Pines. I’m Jared Brumbaugh.
