News

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is reminding residents that target shooting on the Eel River bar near Fernbridge is illegal under county code after fielding a rash of reports about shooting activity in the area with the potential to harm people and livestock.

Back in July of 2018, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance banning target shooting on unincorporated land that does not meet certain safety standards, including a 20-foot berm behind the target.

The action was taken in response to local residents' concerns about having to dodge bullets while working in fields in the Fernbridge area and dairy owners who reported having to put down cattle struck by stray rounds. (Read more here.)

"The Eel River bar near Fernbridge is within one-half mile of a state highway and does not have the required safe shooting backdrop, therefore, it is unlawful under county code to conduct target shooting in that area," a news release from the sheriff's office states.

Target shooting in that area and others in the region (find a list here) are misdemeanors punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment or both.

Read the HCSO release below:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has received an increased number of reports regarding unsafe target shooting on the Eel River bar near Fernbridge putting residents and livestock at risk.  

The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that pursuant to Humboldt County Code Section 915.5, target shooting with firearms is prohibited on the Eel River bar at/near Fernbridge.

Humboldt County Code prohibits target shooting with firearms in a public place within one-half mile of any state highway (915.5-6). Additionally, areas utilized for target shooting must have a 20-foot-tall backdrop of earth behind the target (915.5-8).

The Eel River bar near Fernbridge is within one-half mile of a state highway and does not have the required safe shooting backdrop, therefore, it is unlawful under County Code to conduct target shooting in that area. Violation of this code is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment, or both (915.5-9).  

Additional locations prohibiting the discharge of firearms can be reviewed here: https://humboldt.county.codes/Code/915 Anyone witnessing illegal target shooting is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.