Is there ANY public place in Texas to shoot for free?

[Big Boomer]

There are a lot of folks here in Texas so someone has to know some little patch of somewhere even in the middle of the friggin desert.

I have the dying urge to shoot something that will move when I hit it, even a gallon jug of water! I'm tired of paper targets and am quickly losing my love of pulling the trigger. Guns were meant for so much more than just putting little holes in paper!

In addition, what about non-game animals, like rabbits, rats, or any nuisance that can be taken without a season or a draw tag.

I would have put this in hunting but I'm not talking about hunting any game animal.

Where can I find any info? I have searched the internet, read the outdoor almanac, asked around and it seems that unless you have a lease, a friend, or go to a range there is no hope for us in Texas.

Prove me wrong! PLEASE!

 

[peyton]

Nope, only if you have friends that own land or if you can find a friendly landowner. Also, it you shot it pick it up and dispose of properly afterwards. This habit will go a long way to ensure the next guy gets the approval also.

 

[eliphalet]

move West where there is public land.

 

[Big Boomer]

I came from Oregon...so I know how the West is. I just really miss it.

There is not a crying smiley or I'd put one of those here.

Hey I see a little red dot above Austin! What is that?!

 

[Euclidean]

Texas is over 95% privately owned I read somewhere. Find a range, it's all I can tell you.

But don't feel too bad about it, the fact Texas is mostly privately owned is blocking the cursed TTC.

 

[Fire1]

I think thast red dot above Austin is Ft Hood. I don't think you want to try any target practice there, lol. There is some National Forest land in east TX where you can shoot. I have done some shooting on a few occasions in the Davy Crocket forest. If you get an Annual Public Hunting permit, it gives you access to some areas of land where you can shoot rabbits and squirrels, but there may still be a season on them, depending on the county. Other then that, yes you need to have a friend, or a lease, or a range. If you are near Austin, join the Austin Rifle Club. They have a plinking range where you can shoot cans and such. I love that place. It keeps me sane.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Texas Parks and Wildlife has some public hunting land, but it's not really "shooting range" kind of stuff and it's not convenient to anywhere.

You might check their webpage but it's difficult to find what you are looking for. As mentioned above you have to buy some kind of hunting pass but I don't know how it works exactly.

 

[camonympho]

depends where you are in texas..lets face it ..its a big state. Friends of mine have private range i shoot at regular.. nice to have friends! nicer to have friends who love guns!!!!

 

[joe4702]

I love Texas, but one thing I disliked about Dallas was none of the outdoor ranges would let you shoot anything other than paper and they all had ammo restrictions of one sort or another (at least thats the way it was when I lived there many years ago). The range I shoot at now allows any safe target (as long as you clean up any pieces), and has no ammo restrictions at all.

 

[Josh Aston]

I can tell you about several places, but it all depends on where in TX you are.

 

[Fast Frank]

See, here's the problem...

There are a few choice locations scattered around the state.

And there are a few people that know of these places.

The problem is if they post up about these choice places on the internet, there will be ten thousand people there this weekend trying to shoot and "No Trespassing" signs all over the place next weekend.

Like you, I want to find a place where I can take the grandkids and a .22 for some good clean fun.

I even live just a few short miles from the Sam Houston National Forrest.

I've driven all over that place looking for a good spot.

No luck so far.

If you find a place, keep your mouth shut and consider yourself lucky.

The rest of us will keep shooting paper and searching.

 

[jhco50]

National forest and highlines is were we used to go.