Boise Foothills Shooting Range Proposal

An unpermitted commercial shooting range has been operating less than a mile from the Hidden Springs development since 2024. Only after Ada County threatened legal action against the owners did they begin the permitting process. Starting the permitting process does not mean they are allowed to operate, but rather than stop, the activity is increasing.

2250 W. Ourada Ranch Rd. (GPS: 43.7353, -116.2211). The range sits in the open foothills area just north of Rolling Hills in Hidden Springs.

• The operator of the firearms training business is Valiance Firearms Training (Facebook | Instagram)
• The property belongs to the Forsythe family and is indirectly connected to the 1,4 Group.

  ... documents obtained by BoiseDev show Brian D. Ware of Meridian was also listed on documents for Seven Gates Properties. Ware is the CFO of 1,4Group, Inc., which shares an address on Commercial St. in Meridian associated with Seven Gates Investments and Seven Gates Properties, Ada County Treasurer filings show. The 1,4Group was founded by Darol Forsythe according to its website. Darol Forsythe was formerly listed alongside John Forsythe on Idaho Secretary of State filings for Seven Gates Investments, and died in 2017. (BoiseDev, 9/11/24)

The Ada County Prosecutor documented that people "sign up and pay to attend" organized training courses and purchase monthly memberships. This is not a case of using private land for personal shooting activity. This is a commericial enterprise with advertising, memberships and pay-to-play events.

The operation violates Ada County code by operating without required permits. The prosecutor sent a formal enforcement letter in May 2025 requiring compliance within 30 days. Instead of stopping, the owners are now seeking permits through the conditional use process. Learn about the permit they submitted here. Attend the public hearing on August 14th, 2025 @ 6:00pm to speak in person or online.

Enhanced fire risk, depressed property values, increased traffic on our quiet residential roads, and the end of peace and quiet on some of our favorite trails. If a shooting range can be approved less than a mile from Hidden Springs, what is to stop it from happening in your neighborhood?

Shooting ranges start fires from sparks when bullets hit rocks or metal targets, and hot ammunition casings ignite dry vegetation. In the permit application, the applicant specifically mentions AR550 steel targets. Even with copper or brass jackets, sparks can and will be generated at impact. Even the BLM understands this and has a prevention order in place at this very moment.
 
The 1996 Boise foothills fire started at a police range and burned 14,000 acres, destroying homes across the area.

According to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate: "While having a gun range nearby can be beneficial to some people because they can take part in such a hobby, a shooting range right next door can actually drag down your home's value by 3.7%." The article notes concerns about "noise of gunfire, especially from outdoor gun ranges" and "environmental and safety concerns since the lead that leached out of spent shells might poison the soil and water." (Source: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate)

Not at all. This is about fire safety, protecting property values, managing traffic on residential roads, and controlling noise in our quiet community. Many of us are gun owners who support shooting sports - we just believe this is too close to where we live and recreate.

Planning and Zoning is holding a meeting on August 14, 2025 and will choose to approve or reject the proposal.

You can speak at the hearing, submit written comments, and contact Ada County Commissioners to express concerns about fire safety and community impact. Sign up for updates using our contact information below.

"It is difficult for this Court to imagine an alleged zoning violation that could be the source of more significant irreparable harm than an unpermitted shooting range."

This quote comes from Vermont Superior Court Judge Thomas Durkin in 2021 regarding the Slate Ridge case. The town of Pawlet, VT was involved in a multi-year legal battle with a landowner who was operating an unpermitted shooting range on his property. The saga has been well documented and demonstrates how difficult unpermitted shooting ranges are to shut down once established. The Slate Ridge case took years of litigation and escalated to federal involvement before resolution.

Concerned residents of Hidden Springs and neighboring foothills communities who are worried about fire safety, property values, and quality of life impacts. We're working together to ensure our voices are heard in the county permitting process. We believe that a well informed community will always make better decisions than a poorly informed one.