Shooting alone in the desert, woods, wherever.

.455_Hunter said:

More likely just normal young Americans out target shooting with .22s and maybe a shotgun. They had no reason to think the man was not LE like he indicated- simpler times.

Click to expand...

I agree completely. I didn't mean to imply that the victims did anything wrong or were somehow at fault for what happened to them. I was 7 years old when that happened btw, so I don't have any personal recollection of it. I was just pointing out that sometimes bad things happen to good people, even groups of them.

Im adding this rather than edit my existing post: When I commented and assumed that perhaps they even felt invincible I was thinking back on my personal views and attitude. Back when I was old enough to go out there alone but not old enough to know better about my "bulletproof" mentality. I'd go out there feeling like "well nobody would be crazy enough to mess with me, I have a gun."

Comes down to situational awareness and observation. Doesn't matter if you are shooting out in the woods, driving down the road or playing with your kids/grandkids in the back yard. On your own private land? Anyone approaching you there that you do not know, is a possible threat. Public land, anyone approaching you is a possible threat. One needs to assume the worst case scenario, not assume they are there by chance. Don't make yourself an easy mark.....do not fall for a con line. Ask questions the person would not know if they were conning you. Read body language. If you are not sure.....walk away, without turning your back on them or watch them walk away with their backs to you. Anytime you are confronted, don't think it's over just, because they walk away.

When I lived in Moab, most, but not all, of my shooting was alone in the desert. Moab alone is surrounded by 3.6 million acres of desert land controlled by the BLM Canyon country district so beaucoup places to shoot safely since there are mesas reaching over 600+ feet into the air to use as backstops. Needless to say, some of those areas I used to shoot in were so far out from civilization I could have did my shooting in the nude. Now, living in ID, I still shoot on Federal lands, some BLM, some NFS and most is done alone. But like anything we all should do is KNOW THE AREA and be situationally aware.
Yes, someone could arrive shoot me and take my guns, but I am more likely to be run over by a drunken politician in a Fred Meyer parking lot. So, not worried and this old fart will continue to go shoot by myself whenever I feel like it.

I also do a lot of hiking in the National forests (did a lot in the desert) with my two large dogs and more likely to run across an illegal pot field actively being cultivated by some people I don't want to meet up with on a peaceful walk. So, should we all stop, hide and emerge only in groups?

Bad things can happen when shooting alone at isolated shooting ranges, too.

When I lived in NW Florida years ago, I was a member of the Escambia River Muzzleloaders range (awesome range, BTW). It's in an extremely isolated area, and at least back then, if you went on a weekday, you'd often have the entire range to yourself.

Someone was once there by himself, went downrange to put up targets, and a van pulled up to the empty firing line and tried to steal his guns (which were still locked in his car, fortunately), and they took off when the would-be victim realized what was going on. It could've turned out much worse, if they had brought a rifle and shot him while he was downrange...

After that, I always CCW'd at the range, and when I was alone, I'd take a loaded carbine WITH ME when I went downrange to check targets, slung muzzle down on the off shoulder.

That's not a problem at my current range here in NC (always crowded, I miss ERML), but I am careful not to be followed home, and the car goes into the garage before the gun cases come out of the trunk.

BigBore44 said:

I don’t enjoying shooting by myself. Not because I’m scared. I’m just a social person. I will run out to verify zero on a rifle if I have to. But that’s about it. I prefer to share the joy of firearms and outdoor sports like hunting and fishing.

Edit to add: I’d have to drive about 9 hours to reach a desert. So that’s not something I have to contend with.

Click to expand...

I actually do enjoy shooting by myself. Hunting as well. I used to have no problem spending hours at the range in total solitude and go hiking through unfamiliar woods during hunting season and finding my way back out in the dark, etc. Something in the last year changed and I don't like being alone, heart starts pounding and the sense of being completely alone bothers me. I'm hoping it doesn't continue on like this, I've had to cut a few range/hunting trips short because of it......

A bit to add about Matix and Platt... They were real predators - doing not only robberies for weapons but also their victim's vehicles... and killing their victims as part of the deal...

Then they'd use the stolen vehicles to do their bank robbing... That's how they were finally spotted by the FBI's big net surveillance which spotted them in one of their victim's stolen cars... The rest went downhill and will always remain a great story about how not to try to take down armed shooters...

I was working as a uniform sergeant the day that occurred about 30 miles north in one of Dade's northern cities so it left quite an impression. For years afterword in my area that incident was used for training purposes by every outfit that I knew of... It might be helpful to know that Dade county (now Metro-dade county) is big, big place with numerous local police departments (and lots of "unincorporated areas" right in the middle and fringes of all of it, not counting state and federal types. The day I graduated from the Academy in March of 1974 there were 27 different police outfits in the county - there are a few more all these years later - and it's still a very patchwork jurisdiction type place to this day...

The closer you are to a large urban area where there are well known places for locals to shoot informally the more likely I figure that you might have a problem. In the years that followed not much has changed. Those same well known areas are still likely to have locals doing a bit of informal shooting (and here I'm not including any militia types or those planning a return, armed, to whatever country they fled from years before..). South Florida has always been "interesting"....

lemaymiami said:

A bit to add about Matix and Platt... They were real predators - doing not only robberies for weapons but also their victim's vehicles... and killing their victims as part of the deal...

Click to expand...

They were also Sicko. Platt forced his wife, using the threat of death, to sleep with his buddy Matix. She died of a shotgun blast to her mouth on Xmas Eve, 1984. It was originally thought to have been a suicide, but later the case was reopened as a homicide investigation, with Platt as the primary person of interest. Platt was also suspected in the stabbing death of Matix's wife and another woman, a year earlier. These types are not your standard "smash and grab" criminals. These guys led a double life and had no previous criminal history. Their crimes for the most part, were well thought out and planned. While animals like them are harder for the average citizen to feel out and/or defeat, the knowledge of what is going on around you and being observant as to what is normal and what is not, may very well be the small difference that does not makes us a victim of chance. Even the most experienced criminals seek victims that offer the least path of resistance and are prone to follow orders and not fight back.

Few years back I was alone shooting at my local Sportsman Club range. Just a simple club house with a 100 yard berm and two trap houses. I liked to go there during the week because I almost always had the place to myself for the whole day. Thus I liked to take several guns and would set up my own bench at handgun range of 50-60 yards instead of back by the clubhouse. One day I had been at the berm rearranging unbroken clay pigeons on the berm when I happened to look back and saw two strangers looking at my firearms on the bench. I quickly yelled to them to get away and raised the .357 lever I had taken to the berm with me, just to show them I was armed. Didn't [point it at them or threaten them with it, just displayed it so they knew I could shoot back. They backed off and then later after a little conversation, it turned out they were local Guardsmen stationed at the local base for two weeks and just looking for a place to shoot. They had been intrigued with the assortment of guns I had out and apologized for getting too close to them without my consent. Later on I let them shoot whatever they wanted to show my appreciation for their service, but to this day(20 some years later), I still think back on hjow things could have been much different. While I did have a gun on me that day at the berm, many had been the time in the past I didn't. Let me tell ya, since that day, anytime I'm alone at the range anywhere, I have a loaded gun on me.

I don’t miss south Florida one bit.

Meeks36 said:

Someone could already be near by watching. I mean its probably one in a million. But possible. Just throwing it out here.

Click to expand...

We lived in the Phx Az area thirty years ago. We'd go out into the desert and shoot at a dug out pit a couple of miles past a real range.
One morning we were out there alone, no other vehicles around or in sight.
The wife and son were shooting and I had that feeling of being watched and spun around and looked behind us.
Up above us was guy looking at us. No joke, he was wearing a feather boa. He looked like he had just woken up to the sound of gunfire. It seemed to suddenly dawn on him that I was looking at him and he faded back from the edge and out of view.
We packed up and went home.

MrChicken said:

We lived in the Phx Az area thirty years ago. We'd go out into the desert and shoot at a dug out pit a couple of miles past a real range.
One morning we were out there alone, no other vehicles around or in sight.
The wife and son were shooting and I had that feeling of being watched and spun around and looked behind us.
Up above us was guy looking at us. No joke, he was wearing a feather boa. He looked like he had just woken up to the sound of gunfire. It seemed to suddenly dawn on him that I was looking at him and he faded back from the edge and out of view.
We packed up and went home.

Click to expand...

Good on you for listening to your gut. Been teaching my son to always listen to his gut. If something feels off then it is. Bunch of strange folks out here. Never know who you'll run into out in the sticks or desert.

At one time...jeez, that would be about thirty five years ago now, we used to do most of our shooting on public land. Usually it would be a rock cut, or a gravel pit. Since then that has been severely frowned upon in our local, and I understand it. No question, I would prefer to shoot on a range anyway. Usually I prefer to by myself just so I dont have to worry about others, but when other folks show up invariably we enjoy the socializing over common interests. That said, I tend to keep my presence when I am out low key. I dont really worry about others, but by sublte avoidance I have no concern, and usually I am out for the peace and quiet anyway.

A good size group of us went out to the desert to shoot the day after Thanksgiving. We had set up targets out to 400 yds. After a session we all went to check the damage first hand. I glanced back towards our trucks as I was the last guy. I had a gun on my hip but stayed back within 100 yds in case someone rolled into our position. We had a good field of view but if someone rolled in fast they could have snatched gear at best, or we would have had to take cover. 20 years ago I might have just carried on but you never know with all the tweekers in our neck of the woods.

I shoot at a private outdoor range the county over, always by myself. Like some of you I go mid-week and am often the only one there, fortunately I don't have any scary stories to tell. I'll usually do a lap in my vehicle across all the bays before stopping in the bay I choose, it only takes a minute and I can at least verify who is where before I start to unpack. I too am always carrying something loaded on my side. I read an article on this forum years ago, something about a pastor in PA who was shooting by himself on public land, the guy was murdered only so they could steal his firearms. Since reading that I'm always aware of my surroundings at the range, even my 'private' range.

I don’t hunt but I like to shoot outdoors. What I dislike is the cost and aggravation of my local outdoor shooting range. I’d love to own enough land out in the country just so I can shoot on my own time. Maybe one day.

DustyGmt said:

Something in the last year changed and I don't like being alone, heart starts pounding and the sense of being completely alone bothers me. I'm hoping it doesn't continue on like this, I've had to cut a few range/hunting trips short because of it......

Click to expand...

The only Te I really felt uncomfortable hunting alone was last season, carrying my m11 223, when I came acrossed a set of bear tracks. That heightens the senses teal quick. I didn't like only having a 223 bolt gum that particular day. Took the same rifle out with @Highland Lofts and his brother Jim later that season and scored a small doe.

carrying my m11 223, when I came acrossed a set of bear tracks. That heightens the senses teal quick.

Click to expand...

It's probably been 15 years ago or so. I'm a retired teacher and football coach. I got home at about 2 AM after an away game we should have won, but lost. I got in bed and tried to sleep but couldn't. It was archery season and I needed to clear my head so I just got up at 5AM, grabbed my recurve bow and drove to a remote hunting area. Mainly to hike a favorite trail.

Shortly after sun up, and about a mile from the parking lot I spotted a roughly 250 lb bear on the same trail ahead of me, moving in the same direction. Yea, that heightens the senses real quick when your holding a sharp stick in your hands. I hesitated for a few seconds but decided to try to stalk close enough for a shot. He was about 50 yards ahead of me with a gusting wind in my face. An easy shot with a rifle, but too far for me with my recurve.

When the wind blew I walked fast trying to close the gap, when the wind stopped I stopped. After about 5 minutes or so he moved off the trail to the left. I decided to move parallel and just find a spot to sit and see if he moved back toward me. I never saw him again and I'm satisfied he never knew I was behind him.

At the time it would have been illegal for me to also have a handgun where, and when I was hunting. The law has since changed and as stated earlier I would have a pistol on me now. In most places one of my 9mm's. In bear country the 10mm.

MrChicken said:

No joke, he was wearing a feather boa.

Click to expand...

Oh cripes!!!
That was just Nature Boy wanting to join in the fun..........

All kidding aside, no matter where I am, (mostly alone) armed and on alert!

benEzra said:

After that, I always CCW'd at the range, and when I was alone, I'd take a loaded carbine WITH ME when I went downrange to check targets, slung muzzle down on the off shoulder.

Click to expand...

Most of the time I'm alone when shooting and I've been at least mildly concerned about leaving my rifle on the bench while I'm changing targets. I always have my carry gun on me but that's not going to be effective if I'm several hundred yards away and I might not even see someone stealing my gun while I'm walking down range. I don't want to have to lock it in the vehicle all the time and that's only a broken window away from insecure anyways.

So I'm thinking about buying a sling and taking the AR with me when I change targets. Seems like the easiest solution.

mmb617 said:

So I'm thinking about buying a sling and taking the AR with me when I change targets. Seems like the easiest solution

Click to expand...

That's really only going to help if they start shooting at you, which probably doesn't hurt to plan for. If they're just intent on theiving you may need a different approach. Especially if you're several hundred yards away checking targets or hunting.

I'd thought about one of those flat safes that slide into a truck bed and can be bolted or cabled in. But I don't own a truck and itwon't fit in a Cherokee, so I'm still looking.

On the land where I deer hunted in Sullivan County, PA the land owner came upon a man dressed in a suit who had been shot in the head with a .22. We think he was driven down from NYC and executed. He was very close to my usual stand. Of course this was not during hunting season as there would have been too many hunters afield to risk doing this. Nonetheless, it was a frightening scenario. The PA State Police were all over this but we never did find out how the investigation concluded.

Regarding shooting alone vs. it as a social event, I enjoy both. My gun club is in the country and very seldom is anybody else at the range when I go. I enjoy the solitude, taking my time, and will drink Coke and just not hurry. I also especially enjoy hunting alone but usually there is a companion a few hundred yards away. Still, I spend most of the day alone and enjoy it. I also like very much to shoot with friends. It does, of course, required thoughtful safety consideration, but it is great fun and we often follow it with a meal out somewhere.

Caplock said:

I get a little paranoid when shooting on public land.

Always have my G22 on my side.

When I head out to change targets I LOCK the guns into my trucks tool box. ( really purchased it to hold guns)

I shoot a few rounds and look around. I think it's overkill but can't help it.

Click to expand...

Not overkill in todays world. One must stay vigilant to survive.

TomJ said:

I belong to a private gun club located in a somewhat remote area, at least by my standards. There are almost always other members there on the weekends, but there have been a number of times I was there alone late in the day during the week. While it has an electronic gate for which you need a key card, nothing stops someone from walking around the gate. Being there alone is uncomfortable. I don't let it stop me from going during times I'm likely to be alone, but while I always pay attention to my surroundings I am extra vigilant when there alone.

Click to expand...

The situation at my range is exactly like yours almost to a T. At the pistol pit that I favor most I'm probably 300 yards from the road but when I'm shooting my back is against a stand of trees that provides cover if someone wanted to take advantage of that. I'm usually looking back from time to time and always have something loaded with me when I check my targets. I'm sure there was a time when I wouldn't have thought about my safety like I do now but times have changed and we can't be too careful.