Casual Shooting in New York State

[Plainview]

(Just to be clear, these questions are about gun laws in NYS, not New York City)

Let me begin by saying that I am relatively uneducated about the gun laws in New York State; I've gone shooting (but never hunting) on many occasions, both up here and in the southwest, but as for NY laws my knowledge goes about as far as one must be 21 to own a firearm, 18 to own a long gun, and a permit is required for CC.

I'm a college student in New York home for the break and I've decided that since I've been given over a month without school, this would be the perfect time to finally purchase a small caliber rifle. I intend to use it for informal target shooting, and maybe some small game hunting.

My questions are:

(1) What are the laws concerning plinking in NYS?
(2) Can I simply walk into the woods until I am a specific distance from properties and roads and just start shooting, or do I need to be shooting at a gun club or other designated area?
(3) Do these laws vary state-to-state, or town-to-town?
(4) IF it is the latter, where do I go to obtain more information about the laws? Town hall? Police station?
(5) If an area is open for hunting, is it okay to plink there?
(6) Finally, if there is anyone here who also hails from Dutchess County and knows of any good places for casual shooting?

My dad's friend is a carpenter and has made a single lane range in his backyard, so I can shoot there for the time being, but I'd really like to go out and shoot on my own as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[MilsurpShooter]

http://www.westchestergov.com/parks/Directions/Individual/bluemtndir.htm

If it's not too far out of the way go to that place. Small bore, large bore, trap and skeet, county run range. Kind of strict on the rules though, 1 round loaded at a time on the Large bore range, can fully load on the small bore but no rapid fire. Open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, holidays that fall on Mondays.

I used to try to find a plinking spot here and there, too much hassle in the long run.

 

[Plainview]

That's only about an hour from my house, not bad. Don't think I'll be getting a large bore rifle; I'm almost certain I'll be picking up a Marlin lever action .22 .

Thanks for the info.

 

[Speedo66]

Pricey range, it's like $8+ or so per HOUR.

There is a state range near Danbury, CT, Wooster Mt., that's open on weekends and charges about $15 for the day.

Much more user friendly also. The range personel at Blue Mt. are all over you and take the pleasure out of shooting there. Also infrequent target changes at the large bore range.

I've given up on Blue Mt.

 

[Plainview]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

Well I read up some more on the subject, talked to my dad's friend, and spoke to a local police officer.

It seems as though plinking is alright as long as hunting season is over, and from what I've read, it ended here on the 7th of December.

I also discovered that any shooting must take place 500 feet from any roads, and 500 feet from any properties, dwellings, farms, etc. So it seems like I'm in the clear as long as I find a spot with a desolate 500 ft. radius.