I've heard of a couple places to sight in rifles here but I don't know exactly how to get to them.

While I'm waiting for the KPPSC to re-open membership... I'd still like to get my test loads dialed in.

Can anyone post or PM me how to get to the shooting area up off Saddle? I know about where it is but I don't know what to look for, where to pull off, etc. And I rather not be bumbling around up that way with firearms in my car if I can at all help it.

Thanks.

I do not know of any legal areas to shoot on saddle road except for the designated hunting areas. I overheard some guys in the kona PD talking about a place "behind waikoloa" they used to shoot. Also there is Manuka down by ocean view where alot of people go shoot at.

With all the open space on this island it is a shame  that there are not more public shooting areas.

With all the open space on this island it is a shame  that there are not more public shooting areas.

Agreed, I wish there was somewhere I could go to conveniently.

:shrug:

Looks like its all hunting areas, anyway, so I finally got my hunting license. Since that's the case I'll just see if I can go to one of the hunting areas closer to home. There are plenty just up the hill here.

I'd rather go to one of the commonly known unofficial shooting ranges instead of tromping around in the hunting grounds looking for a good backdrop, but... manawa. Some posted a really helpful youtube vid about how to get to the shooting area a Manuka. I looked for something like that for the 16 mile marker up Saddle or the one off Flume Rd. but nothing like that. Maybe next time I'm doing errands down in Hilo I'll go scouting sans rifle.

I can understand why there aren't any "official" ranges. Liability. At least with the hunting areas you know everyone (legally) shooting there has signed away their right to sue if they get hurt and are covered by DLNR hunting laws. If anyone were to say "This is an official target range" they'd be more liable for what happens there.

:shrug:

Looks like its all hunting areas, anyway, so I finally got my hunting license. Since that's the case I'll just see if I can go to one of the hunting areas closer to home. There are plenty just up the hill here.

I'd rather go to one of the commonly known unofficial shooting ranges instead of tromping around in the hunting grounds looking for a good backdrop, but... manawa. Some posted a really helpful youtube vid about how to get to the shooting area a Manuka. I looked for something like that for the 16 mile marker up Saddle or the one off Flume Rd. but nothing like that. Maybe next time I'm doing errands down in Hilo I'll go scouting sans rifle.

I can understand why there aren't any "official" ranges. Liability. At least with the hunting areas you know everyone (legally) shooting there has signed away their right to sue if they get hurt and are covered by DLNR hunting laws. If anyone were to say "This is an official target range" they'd be more liable for what happens there.

Well when I was doing some wheeling up on mauna kea a few years ago i found a place that would have been pretty good to shoot backdrop wise. You could shoot from up the hill down into a flat area at the base of a cinder cone and it was all bare at the bottom. If you look on google maps at mauna kea, go up the access road until you see the visitor center and its about 3000' to the left straight across. Dont know if this is a hunting area but that was my first thought when I was driving there a while back was.. "this would be a good place to shoot!"

Looks like too high up to be in the hunting area. Probably federal land up there. Yikes! Thanks for the suggestion, though.

KPPSC will be accepting new members soon.  Watch for applications at various gun stores.  And don't hesitate.

PS  New members are required to have taken at least one NRA safety course (the course to buy a pistol counts, but not the Hunter Safety course that the state teaches for free).

KPPSC will be accepting new members soon.  Watch for applications at various gun stores.  And don't hesitate.

PS  New members are required to have taken at least one NRA safety course (the course to buy a pistol counts, but not the Hunter Safety course that the state teaches for free).

Cool, I'll keep my eyes open for them

Thanks, crazy cat. 

Well when I was doing some wheeling up on mauna kea a few years ago i found a place that would have been pretty good to shoot backdrop wise. You could shoot from up the hill down into a flat area at the base of a cinder cone and it was all bare at the bottom. If you look on google maps at mauna kea, go up the access road until you see the visitor center and its about 3000' to the left straight across. Dont know if this is a hunting area but that was my first thought when I was driving there a while back was.. "this would be a good place to shoot!"

Did some digging around and found a Google Earth overlay for the Hawaii hunting areas.  If I understand where you are talking about, it is indeed within a hunting area.

If'n you use GE and want the KML overly, I got it here:  http://geocommons.com/overlays/3135

KPPSC will be accepting new members soon.  Watch for applications at various gun stores.  And don't hesitate.

PS  New members are required to have taken at least one NRA safety course (the course to buy a pistol counts, but not the Hunter Safety course that the state teaches for free).

Planning on sending any applications for us way out on the Kona side?

Heck of a long drive over there, but a range is a range.........

Did some digging around and found a Google Earth overlay for the Hawaii hunting areas.  If I understand where you are talking about, it is indeed within a hunting area.

If'n you use GE and want the KML overly, I got it here:  http://geocommons.com/overlays/3135

Yep it is in area "K", however what is not shown on the google overlay is the safety zone that is shown on the DLNR maps. I cannot find a high res image of the DLNR map to see where exactly this safety zone boundary is but according to a 2003 copy of the handbook, a safety zone is an area where you cannot possess a loaded weapon or discharge a weapon-

On the island of HAWAII, designated safety zones unless otherwise posted or announced are fifty yards from any paved road or building when hunting with rifle, shotgun or bow.

I am planning on heading up to set up some long range shooting on mauna kea in area A most likely, I will report back how it is. I have a hunting license so apparently all you have to do is check in at the kilohana check in station just off saddle road and head up and find a good place!  (Manuka maxes out at about 200yds)

Isn't there a range down passed the Hilo rubbish dump area? I swear my former coworker was talking about it when I used to live there a few years back. 

There used to be several ranges at the Keaukaha Military Reservation, but they've been closed for a bunch of years now.  Current rumor is that they'll never be replaced, and that all future training ranges will be for lasers, not projectiles.

Isn't there a range down passed the Hilo rubbish dump area? I swear my former coworker was talking about it when I used to live there a few years back. 

The range at the rubbish dump is trap and skeet only.  Keaukaha Military Res closed but would be so nice if they opened it again!

I am planning on heading up to set up some long range shooting on mauna kea in area A most likely, I will report back how it is. I have a hunting license so apparently all you have to do is check in at the kilohana check in station just off saddle road and head up and find a good place!  (Manuka maxes out at about 200yds)

Be great to hear how that works out.  Take me just about as long to get to Mauna Kea as Manuka, and as you say, got no long range shots.

Do need to get a hunting license to be legal.  Have to read up again on how and where to get one.

Be great to hear how that works out.  Take me just about as long to get to Mauna Kea as Manuka, and as you say, got no long range shots.

Do need to get a hunting license to be legal.  Have to read up again on how and where to get one.

You will need to have a current hunting license and have on an orange garment. You are also limited to what you can shoot depending on if you have dogs or not. If you do not have a dog you are limited to any rifle with 1200 ft-lbs muzzle energy minimum or shotgun with 00 buck or larger buckshot. That is what is lawful. My opinion- what you shoot out there off the beaten path for target practice is your business since you are not actually hunting goats at 600yds with a .22

I have heard that the DLNR guys can be a hassle however.  I would question the legality of them being able to search your vehicle, inspect your guns etc if they request it.

You will have to have a hunter education course (which are booked months out) to get a license, if you have one from another state that might also qualify you need to check on that one.

If you do not have a dog you are limited to any rifle with 1200 ft-lbs muzzle energy minimum or shotgun with 00 buck or larger buckshot.

No dog, and only shoot .308/7.62 NATO, hence my longing for long range shooting.  No energy lack there.

Too many years since going prone at the 500yd line with a M14 and iron sights.  I have never lost my love for the long shot, but am sadly out of practice.

Thanks for the license info.  May be more of an issue that I suspected to pick up.  Hell, I'd wear pink if no one would hassle me.

theres a little side street on the road off the main highway after you pass the zoo. My friends and i used to go there. Its a place where people dump their trash. 22lr and 9mm spent shell all over the ground. I cant remember what the road is called because i havent been on the big isle in a while, but im sure someone that still lives there could call it out to you

theres a little side street on the road off the main highway after you pass the zoo. My friends and i used to go there. Its a place where people dump their trash. 22lr and 9mm spent shell all over the ground. I cant remember what the road is called because i havent been on the big isle in a while, but im sure someone that still lives there could call it out to you

Was it Quarry Rd?