Camp Pendleton Rattlesnake Canyon Archery Range

[Bud B.]

#5784

I was introduced to this site by a Navy medic, Chris Peters. My son-in-law and I met him while shooting at the Rattlesnake Canyon Archery Range, Camp Pendleton, Ca., on Wednesday. Pendleton has a real nice panoramic view of the nearby mountains.

Nice shooting with you Chris. Have a safe transfer to Va.

I’ll be shipping out my daughter’s bow to her today. The range will have two new shooters soon.

A shout out to retired Marine Chris Massari (sp?) for allowing us to use the range on short notice. Thank you Chris, if you happen to read this.

I’m now back in good ol’ humid and hot NC.

[David Petersen]

#44940

Welcome to tradbow.com, Bud. There was no archery range there at the time, so far as I knew, but I spent a fair amount of time at Pendleton in the late ’60s and early ’70s and know the general area you’re talking about. Again, things may have changed in the ensuing 40+ years (Oh my gosh!) since I was there, but what I remember most vividly were the rattlesnakes and a type of desert willow, maybe seep willow, that had a strong urine smell so we called it “piss willow.” Even today, if I’m someplace and smell that I’m transported very emotionally back to Pendleton. It wasn’t the happiest time in my life but there sure was a lot of unspoiled background to roam around in, even some trout fishing. Dave

[Raymond Coffman]

#45846

I don’t recall when the range was built –but I shot on it in the mid 70s –good range at the time. I don’t recall many people using it very often then. Havn’t been back in many yrs, I hope the base kepted it up –maybe even made improvements!

Scout.

[Ralph]

#45873

Neither do I recall a Camp Rattlesnake but I definitely recall night compass training at Camp Horno in early ’67’. I went to boot camp in Dec. of ’66’. I don’t remember the number of rattlers we came across that night but it was plenty enough to put the spook in a bunch of young Marines. The luminous dial on a compass is for sure a poor excuse for a flashlight!

Welcome!!!!

[Raymond Coffman]

#45895

R2

I also spent a little time at “Horno”in the 70s.

“Rattlesnake canyon” is on the road to Mainside if you went to 1st Mar Div HQ { main PX is over that way} Although just about any canyon on Pendleton could be called Rattlesnake –Haha

and Welcome Bud B !

Scout

[Raymond Coffman]

#45982

PS

David — I know the willow you speak of very well —

Scout

PSS – Bud B — we have the ” Highest Respect” for our Navy Corpsmen –and all other Naval medical personel who take wonderful care of us at great personal sacrifice of their time and part of their soul– of course they would say “It is just their Job”

[Author]

Posts