I live out in the country. A few years ago I loaded up 5 rounds for my recently arrived CMP M1 Garand to try it out. I have a 4' cubed box, 50 yards off my deck,filled with sand that is my impact zone. I have to replace the plywood over the target attach point periodically but this box stops rounds reliably.
Then there is another 700 feet to leave the property which goes up hill, and is backed by the rest of the section that isn't inhabited. IOW, a fairly safe shooting situation.
Well I touched off my 5 rounds, retrieved my target, put the rifle in the safe and was working on the computer when I saw deputy driving up my driveway.
So I go out to see what he wants, not really connecting shooting my rifle with his appearance, it isn't like touching something off is a unusual.
He asks me if I've been shooting, I ask why? He indicated he received a complaint from someone local that thought they were being shot at.
I told the officer that I have been shooting but I'm done for now. Rifle is put away in the safe. Would you like to see what I'm shooting at?
Officers indicates he would like to see it so I take him out to the box, show him the back side that doesn't have any holes in it and he starts talking about how he was first in his class shooting his pistol.
He tells me who called in on me and suggests I let the guy know where I'm shooting and that I'm not a threat and heads off.
So I stop by the guys house, older guy, I inform him where I'm shooting and he never gave me grief again. The guy had just moved in so he wasn't aware of me and my neighbors yet.
Clutch