National Forest Shooters Damaging Trees

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - National Forest rangers are trying to limit damage to trees splintered by thousands of bullets by people using them for target practice.

U.S. Forest Service ranger Frank Landis says about two acres of trees have been cleared by bullets in the Pike National Forest, leaving a meadow covered in shell casings, beer bottles, cups, and ammo boxes.

The forest service can fine shooters or give them a court summons for not following regulations. Rangers say they hand out dozens of citations each weekend, but they tell the Colorado Springs Gazette they are unable to keep up.

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