How Often to Shoot on Small Farm?

[Swifty Morgan]

I moved to a 34-acre farm, which is a dream come true. The law says I can shoot all I want, but I don't want the neighbors to lose their minds. Wondering what other shooters think is a reasonable schedule. I'm thinking maybe 3 weekly sessions, max.

For me, 75 rounds would be a long session.

I'm not asking the neighbors because they could get the idea I have to ask permission.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I would shoot all I want

 

[Old Shooter]

How far away are the neighbors? Are you shooting into a solid, safe berm or other backstop? Are you going to be shooting some hellacious, earth shattering, ground shaking ultra-ultra magnum ear-splitting magnum? If something "reasonable" I would just shoot all I want and see if any response from the neighbors

 

[somethingbenign]

I give my neighbors a call and let them know whenever I have a bonfire at my place. It isn't as much about asking permission but giving them notice in case they want to close windows on their house. I'd take a similar approach to shooting if I had the land. Just in case they wanted to bring the dog or kids in. Never saw a reason to get on bad terms with the people who know where I sleep.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I would shoot all I want

This is what you should do and maybe invite the neighbors to join you.

 

[Louca]

... I would just shoot all I want and see if any response from the neighbors

And I'm thinking if they call to complain, just invite them over to shoot a few times and they will likely not bother you much after that.

I'm thinking maybe 3 weekly sessions, max.

I am confused as to what you mean by that: a) three times a week?; or b) once a week for 3 weeks, and that's it?; c) once every week for 3 weeks, then take a week off?

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

If it is legal and safe just shoot. Maybe start with the 22 to get them used to it.
I live in a rural area and folks shoot all the time out here. Heck, once after a session the phone rang and it was the "next door",( 1/8 mile), neighbor. She said she knew I'd be home to call because she heard me shooting...

 

[rskent]

Maybe you could just have a chat with them. I would think they would appreciate a heads up. And if you were willing to tone it down if they had company or some family gathering I would think they would like it. I know I would.

 

[reddog81]

As long the hours are reasonable I wouldn't be too concerned. An hour after sunrise until an hour before the sun sets would be more than reasonable in my book.

You might want to touch base with them and ask if they have any livestock or pets that are outside and might try to run away. This lets them know you have some concern while not asking for permission.

What you are shooting kind of makes a difference. 75 rounds from a .22 might not even be noticed. 75 rounds from an AR-15 pistol fired in a quick succession might be obnoxious to even the most understanding neighbor.

 

[Milt1]

Although it may be, I don't call 34 acres small. Personally, I would find a location on my land that is furthest from any neighbor and put my shooting range there. I'm sure you'll have inquiries from your neighbors as to what you are doing and as someone have already suggested, invite them over to see your shooting range and perhaps let them shoot some. Another thing you could do, say to sweeten the pot, would be to offer gun handling lessons to neighbors that might be interested.

 

[Swifty Morgan]

Someone was asking for details.

I would guess the closest I would be to the nearest home would be around 200 yards. I am planning to start shooting from another area (in the shade!) which would put me around 1000 feet away.

I am blessed with a large berm, and that's what I shoot into. I would say it's around 100' long and up to 10' high. Additionally, the farm has a dip in it, so if I shot over the berm by a few inches, the rounds would still land on my property. Past that, there would be a 16-acre tract full of trees, so if I shot over my farm, the rounds would have to get through a lot of trees before they could emerge and hit a house.

I could get a round to an area with houses on it, but it would take a freak shot. Like 15 degrees above horizontal.

There is an 85-foot-wide dead zone between my land and the nearest neighbor to my shooting area. There are some flag parcels near me, and they had to have long strips of land for driveways, next to each other. The driveways were never built, and no one wants the land, so it's full of trees and brush. The dead strips run the length of my property, which is pretty neat.

I shoot .22's, a 10mm Glock, a .17 HMR, a .204 Ruger, and some other pistols. I am planning to get the .308 out.

 

[Kingcreek]

I only have 1 neighbor southwest and we can't see each other for the trees and hills. I shoot whenever I want to, so does he. Sometimes his adult son or somebody else shoots at his place and it never bothers us.
My pistol range is behind the barn With a berm to the east and then 1/2 mile to a house owned by a man/wife team OTR truck drivers i.e. almost never home. My rifle range is from my driveway up to 250 yards west, my shotgun trap setup is behind the house to the north. I'm on 40 acres.

 

[nettlle]

The neighbors on both my right and left shoot. The neighbor across the street doesn't shoot but doesn't mind. Neighbor's house on the right is closest and is about 100 yards from my range. Although we don't have an agreed upon time to shoot we generally shoot early to late afternoon. Shooting an hour after daylight might be a little early around here and I like to finish up early enough that if the neighbors want to sit on their porches and watch the sunset (like me) it will not disturb.

I shoot mostly 45acp and 9mm pistol but occasionally shoot a 12 gauge and .223.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I picture this. Neighbors call to complain. In response you stand in your yard, staring at their house while you give them the finger with one hand, and with the other hand you shoot blindly in the direction of your target. Don't even look at the target, just stare at them.

Ok don't do that because it's totally unsafe, and your neighbors could take it as a threat. I just find the imagery funny for its absurdity.

I'd just shoot and if they complain, ask them if they'd like to join you. It's a good time to ask what they think is reasonable.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I have one neighbor next door, maybe 50yds away. I talked to her when we first moved in and she said "Hun when you live out in the country like this you just expect to hear shots." Her son also used to shoot when he lived there.

If you really live rural you'll hear everyone else shooting too.

That being said I still try to be aware and courteous. My next closest neighbor is about an 1/8 mile away. I was planning on shooting this past Sunday afternoon. On my way back from the dump I pasted their house and noticed balloons on the mailbox and a bunch of cars out front. When I got home and walked to the back yard I could hear the kids through the woods. Mind you, there were no safety concerns, I just didn't want to disturb their birthday party, so I passed on that day.


Do what you want but it would probably be nice to try and be aware and agreeable when possible.

 

[rayatphonix]

We’ve got about 100 acres in the mountains. Nearest neighbor is probably 500 yards or so. I live in the rural south and don’t shoot on Sunday mornings. I also rarely shoot after about 6 pm as I like to enjoy a peaceful evening and know my neighbors do also. In 4 years I’ve never had a complaint. Treat those around you as you’d like to be treated and I bet you’ll do fine.

 

[Walkalong]

Timing is as important, if not more so, than total amount.

We’ve got about 100 acres in the mountains. Nearest neighbor is probably 500 yards or so. I live in the rural south and don’t shoot on Sunday mornings. I also rarely shoot after about 6 pm as I like to enjoy a peaceful evening and know my neighbors do also. In 4 years I’ve never had a complaint. Treat those around you as you’d like to be treated and I bet you’ll do fine.

Yep.

I have a neighbor (I don't actually live there yet) that shoots more than I do, so far no complaints. I also keep shooting to a bare minimum during deer season, keeps neighbors happy.

 

[MikeInOr]

Just be respectful of your neighbors and don't piss them off. If you piss them off then they will not have any qualms about pissing you off.

Let them know you are a target shooter and you will be shooting on your property before you start shooting. Like it was said above you don't have to ask permission just be respectful and let them know what is going on. If your shooting causes an issue your neighbors will feel comfortable telling you their baby takes a nap from 1 to 2 every day and it would be appreciated if you could avoid shooting at that time.

If you just start shooting away without introducing yourself and giving them a heads up first they will start to resent you if there is an issue and that is how neighbor feuds start.

If there is an issue with the noise there are some easy ways to reduce the noise from carrying as far. Old tires piled up are a great sound dampener.

 

[SharpDog]

I moved to a 34-acre farm, which is a dream come true. The law says I can shoot all I want, but I don't want the neighbors to lose their minds. Wondering what other shooters think is a reasonable schedule. I'm thinking maybe 3 weekly sessions, max.

For me, 75 rounds would be a long session.

I'm not asking the neighbors because they could get the idea I have to ask permission.

As long as you are being safe and not breaking any laws I wouldn't worry about it. I used to shoot into a purpose-built berm on my 3 acres in TX and no one ever complained.

 

[Jackal]

I do my shooting in the afternoon, my neighbors dont mind. Then again, I only shoot a couple days per month and usually only 50-100 rounds. Also, my silencer helps keep neighbors happy.

 

[3Crows]

New here, howdy all. I live on 6 acres, nothing behind me for about a mile. Houses spaced pretty good. I shoot 22 subsonics and CCI Quiet as much as I want. HV LR or CF rounds I usually will only pop of enough to test a new rifle for function or get my scope close before going to a range. I have targets at 25/50/100 yards. I have a berm behind them and a slight rise to the ground from my position on my deck and I am shooting slightly downward as well. No complaints over the years but it is possible. The lay of the land, most direct noise is blocked by my house and filtered by trees.

3C

 

[SamT1]

I live in town, only shoot things that need to die bad at the house. Neighbor lady asked what I was shooting one morning I told her skunks. She told me if I hear her shooting she is shooting squirls stealing her pecans.
We have an agreement she reports any skunks to me and I kill all the squirls I see.

We live about 100 yards apart on acre lots.

 

[Mn Fats]

My range on my farm is 400 yards from one house. And roughly 300 yards from a lake that has many homes and cabins. Sound travels well on a lake so if I were to inform my neighbors or be conscious of their gatherings, I'd have about 40 or 50 homes I'd have to cover. Not going to happen. I shoot safely and legally in reasonable daylight hours whenever I choose to do so.

I've had one "weekend lake person" blame me for their dog running off (wasn't even shooting that day) and another pair drive up on atvs and just plain tell me to "stop shooting and go find a gun range".

Can't appease every neighbor so shoot legally and safely when you so choose and enjoy your new range.

 

[Armored farmer]

We are fortunate. No nearby neighbors.
I host an annual shooting event, and shoot pretty regularly from the lean-to on the shed. We have a permanent target stand at 50yds, and gongs at 25yds and 265yds.
One neighbor hosts an annual chowder/ trapshoot.
The other neighbor never complains.

 

[9mmfan]

Why not talk to them about it?
“I like to target shoot, I would like to do it at times.”
Should get the point across.
It’s not “asking permission”, it’s being a good neighbor as well as being a decent human being.
As has been said, you could end up with new shooting friend(s).
At the least, it is opening a dialog with the neighbors.
Could lead to good bbqs, lookin’ out for each other, and many other things.
It’s about respect, not suspicion and antagonism.