Yes, across most of the national forest. Target shooting on Mt. Hood is allowed anywhere that has not been closed by a signed Forest order. Federal rules still decide where you can set up and which way you can aim: no shooting near homes, camps or recreation sites, across or on Forest roads, into caves, or anywhere a stray round could hurt someone.
Answer each question for the exact spot where you plan to set up. One wrong answer means find another spot. This helper follows the federal rules in 36 CFR 261 and Mt. Hood National Forest guidance, but it cannot see the ground in front of you, and you are responsible for every shot you fire.
Question 1Is the area closed by a Forest order, such as a fire closure, a watershed closure, or a sign saying no shooting?
Not here. Forest orders can close an area to entry, or to shooting, and they apply to everyone. Check our alerts page for active closures, including current fire closures and the Bull Run and The Dalles watershed closures.
Question 2Are you on national forest land, and not private, tribal, state or county land?
Not here. These rules, and this helper, cover national forest land only. The Forest asks hunters to know property lines and respect private land next to the Forest, and the same goes for target shooters.
Question 3Are you within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area? Tents, trailers, campers and RVs count as residences.
Not here. Federal rule 36 CFR 261.10(d)(1) bans firing in or within 150 yards (450 feet) of these places. Someone's tent or trailer at a dispersed site counts, and so do developed sites such as campgrounds. Move well away and run through these questions again.
Question 4Would any shot cross or run along a road, trail, river, stream or lake?
Not here. 36 CFR 261.10(d)(2) bans firing across or on a National Forest System road, or a body of water next to one. The Forest's shooting flyer goes further and tells shooters never to fire along or across any road, trail, river or stream. Find a spot where none of these lie in your line of fire.
Question 5Would you be shooting into a cave, or from inside one?
Not here. 36 CFR 261.10(d)(3) bans firing into or within any cave.
Question 6Is there a solid backstop, such as an earth bank, with nobody and nothing a stray bullet could hit beyond it?
Not here. Federal rules ban shooting in any way or place that puts a person or property at risk, and the Forest asks shooters to fire only into a safe backstop, ideally a dirt bank or mound. Scout for other visitors and know what lies past your target before you fire.
Question 7Are you planning to use tracer or incendiary rounds, exploding targets or fireworks?
Leave them at home. 36 CFR 261.5 bans firing tracer or incendiary ammunition on national forest land, and bans having or using exploding targets, fireworks or other pyrotechnics. These bans apply every day of the year.
Question 8Will you shoot at glass, appliances, furniture, vehicles or targets hung on trees?
Swap them out. The Forest asks shooters not to use glass, appliances, furniture or vehicles as targets, and not to put targets on trees. Bring targets you can pack out, set them against your backstop, and take every target and casing home.
Based on your answers, this spot fits the federal shooting rules. Before you fire:
This helper is a planning aid, not legal advice or a Forest Service decision. It reflects federal rules for national forest land as of November 2026. Forest orders, state law and posted signs can add limits. When in doubt, call the local ranger district.
Federal regulation 36 CFR 261.10(d) bans firing a gun, or anything else that can kill, injure or damage property:
Under the same federal rules, a residence includes tents, campers, trailers and RVs, not just houses. Areas closed by a Forest order are off limits, and the Forest's flyer asks shooters to keep their line of fire clear of trails, rivers and streams as well.
In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area
Across or on a National Forest System road, or a body of water next to one
In any place or manner that puts a person or property at risk
Into or within a cave
Do
Don't
Careless shooting can start wildfires. Forest Service research traced hundreds of U.S. wildfires to target shooting and found that ordinary rifle bullets and exploding targets can both ignite fires. Tracer and incendiary rounds and exploding targets are banned on the Forest all year. In dry weather, check fire conditions and current restrictions before you go. To report a wildfire, call 911.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) sets hunting licenses, seasons, tags and bag limits, and state rules apply on national forest land. Mt. Hood National Forest lies in ODFW's Hood Unit 42, White River Unit 41 and Santiam Unit 16. Read ODFW's current big game or game bird regulations before every season.
The federal firing rules on this page apply while you hunt, too. Oregon requires hunter education for new hunters 17 and younger, with a few exceptions, and the Forest recommends hunter orange for everyone in the woods during big game season. Know where the national forest ends and private land begins.
Yes. Recreational target shooting is allowed on Mt. Hood National Forest unless an area has been closed by order and signed. Federal rules still limit where you can shoot: not within 150 yards of homes, buildings, campsites, developed recreation sites or occupied areas, not across or on a Forest road, not into a cave, and never in a way that puts people or property at risk.
No. Having or using exploding targets is banned on all national forest land under 36 CFR 261.5, along with fireworks and other pyrotechnics. The ban applies year round, not only in fire season. Tracer and incendiary ammunition are banned under the same rule.
Not within 150 yards. The federal rule covers developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, plus any campsite, residence or occupied area. Under federal definitions a residence includes tents, campers, trailers and RVs, so a dispersed camp counts. Measure your distance before you set up.
No. Federal rule 36 CFR 261.10(d)(2) bans firing across or on a National Forest System road, or across a body of water next to one. Mt. Hood's shooting flyer also tells shooters never to fire along or across any road, trail, river or stream. Set up well off the road and aim away from it.
Check before each trip. Mt. Hood's public use fire restrictions mainly cover campfires, smoking, off-road driving, engines and generators, and chainsaws. Closures to shooting are made by Forest order and signed, and the Forest lists its current orders on its alerts page. Tracers, incendiary rounds and exploding targets are banned all year. Because careless shooting can start wildfires, check fire conditions and alerts every time.
Yes. Hunting on Mt. Hood National Forest follows Oregon law, so you need the license, tags and validations ODFW requires for your hunt. Oregon hunting licenses are good from January 1 to December 31. Federal firing rules on the Forest, such as the 150-yard buffer, apply to hunters as well.
Rules change. These pages are the source of truth.