Moving to Texas; Enlighten Me!

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JoeMal

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I'm moving from Illinois to Texas in about 3 weeks. Moving to the Lewisville area. I know things are going to be seriously different for me going from an anti-state of Illinois to a friendly Texas.

I guess the first of my questions would be can anyone recommend a good range that's in the North Dallas area? I'm sure there are several of them...can anyone comment on the pros/cons of the different ranges? I have found a few online but wouldn't mind hearing some first hand experience from those who live there.

My second question would be regarding a conceal class; can anyone recommend a good class to attend? I'm sure most ranges will hold these classes but I'm not sure if some ranges have 'better' classes than others, and for what reasons?

What else can I look forward to, or should I be made aware of before my departure to Texas?

Thanks in advance! I'm really looking forward to my move. :D
 
I don't know about lewisville ranges. I am sure someone else can help you. I just wanted to say howdy and welcome to Texas.
 
Joe--
I live in Lewisville and moved here from the Nothwest suburbs of Chicago, seven and a half years ago. Still have my FOID card, although it has long expired. I traded it in on a CHL and can't help but laugh every time I think about it. Hope Daley and Blago are spinning in their graves (or prison cells).
Welcome to North Texas, and please email or pm me.
Rich
orionengnr at yahoo dot com
 
Howdy and welcome

I am sure that you will most enjoy your new residence in Texas. You have to be a Texas resident for 6 months before applying for a Texas CHL. Here is a link to Texas online and actually has the entire CHL handbook online: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/InternetForms/Forms/CHL-16.pdf

As far as ranges go, outdoor you have Elm Fork in Dallas and Garland Public Shooting range and indoor there is Bullet Trap in Plano and TargetMaster in Garland. There is a nice 500 yard outdoor range up in Leonard, about an hour drive from the Lewisville area. Hope this helps
 
There are no ranges in Lewisville itself. The closest is probably Quail Creek Shooting Range which is at the West end of Main Street (FM 1171) where it dead ends into I-35W. It's a somewhat nice range but has lots of restrictions such as no FMJ rifle ammo, rifles must be shot from the bench, no other positions allowed, no rapid fire allowed with at least 2 seconds between shots IIRC no buckshot or slugs allowed from shotguns and on and on.
 
This ain't back home and we don't do things like they did back home, we do things like they do in Texas.

That was the first piece of advice I received when I moved here 12 years ago so I pass it along to you :)

I can't help you on ranges, but if you come to Austin I can name a few.
 
Welcome to Texas !

I live about 7 miles from Lewisville.

There are several places to shoot

I drive 35 miles (for me) probably 15 miles from Lewisville to Magnum sports in Sanger, (out in the country place for rifles and pistols but for pistols shooting only the closest place would probably be Bass Pro shops near the airport. I go there regularly.

(Its about 9 miles from Lewisville)


PM me if you want further info

Texas is a GREAT place to live, great place to raise a family, great place to be a gun owner....... I am from Ohio, but got down here as fast as I could
 
Thanks everyone. I read up on Quail Creek and it sounds like a decent place I guess to shoot a bit. One range I found was like $5,000 to join and another $85 per month!? My previous range here in IL cost a little more than $85 per year! I hope all the ranges aren't that expensive!

I drive 35 miles (for me) probably 15 miles from Lewisville to Magnum sports in Sanger, (out in the country place for rifles and pistols but for pistols shooting only the closest place would probably be Bass Pro shops near the airport.
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Nice...shooting at a Bass Pro shop.

I will have to check into some of these locations
 
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Welcome to Texas - I found this link http://www.texasgunrange.com/ has a lot of local ranges listed. Also http://gunshowminute.com/tx/#tiptop has a list of all gunshows in Texas. I personally have been enjoying Shootsmarttx.com range as of late in Fort worth - good folks, nicely lite, clean range.

Lewisville is going to put you near some ranges but not walking distance to any. Check the link or lmk if you need any assistance. I am also a CHL Instructor - so if you need help there as well. I have other CHL instructors closer to you that I can refer you to when you are ready. See for Tx CHL information: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/crime_records/chl/chlsindex.htm

I served in the USN and did a lot of travel - born and raised in Ohio before my time in the USN. The two things that kept me here in Texas for the past 17 years are the people... and the food. I can not even blame this on the mrs - she is from here - but Im the one that did not want to move lol.

Welcome to Texas!

Doc
 
My in-laws moved to Texas about 20 years ago. I became aggravated w/ them because within a few months after they moved all we heard about was how awesome Texas was, they were Texans now, we should move, Texas! Texas! Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please.

Knock it off, you are acting silly, Texas may have some things that are marginally better, but it's just another state in the union.....


I moved to Texas about 4 years ago and within a few months of moving had to admit they were right. I have become just as big a Texas cheerleader as they were! It's awesome here, welcome!

Texas! Texas! Texas!

David
 
/Thanks everyone. I read up on Quail Creek and it sounds like a decent place I guess to shoot a bit. One range I found was like $5,000 to join and another $85 per month!?
Welcome, I live in Highland Village, which is just north of Lewisville.

I believe you're referring to the Dallas Gun Club, which is like a country club, only instead of golf, the focus is on clay. There's also a rifle (50 & 100 yd.) and pistol range. Targets are outdoors, but benches are in aircondtioned building.
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You have to be born in Texas to be a Texan.

The Haltom City Rifle & Pistol club is a great place to shoot. The safest range I have ever shot at. It is a private club so you have to join. The cost to join is around 400 bucks and the dues are 75 bucks a year. Their web site has all the info. The only restriction that pops to mind is rifles are limited to 5 rounds at a time. No shotguns. They have a CHL class available to members. The ranges are 15, 50, 100 and 200 yards....chris3
 
I lived in Garland and shot at the Garland Shooting Range. It is a bit of a drive for you. I have also lived in Houston. In my opinion, Dallas/Forth Worth area is much better for living.

I left Texas because I just felt I would be happier long term in a place like KY or TN. I love the mountains. I love the country. I am happier, I think. All that said, I spent a great deal of time in South Texas and at first I hated it. It grows on you. The same applies to North Texas if you can bear the Dallas traffic. My favorite area of Texas is the Hill Country.
 
Welcome to Texas, fellow ex-Illinoisan.

Some other useful things to know (in no particular order):

Don't ask Texans for advice on pizza. When you get a taste for real Chicago-style pizza, PM me. There's a place in Arlington that has great pizza. It's run by two brothers from Melrose Park.

It's not the wild west here--a lot has changed since I first got here, 26 years ago. It used to be common to see gun racks (with rifles in them) in pickup trucks; that's long gone.

A lot of people have a lot of guns, but don't expect them to volunteer a lot of information. It's not considered anybody's business. Those who do talk very openly about guns usually don't know what they're talking about.

"We don't care how you did it up north" is the unofficial slogan of the South, with good reason. Take heed.

In Chicago, summer ends on Labor Day. Here, it's more like Thanksgiving Day.

Fort Worth is vastly superior to Dallas. (You may hear alternate opinions; they are sincere, but wrong.)

If you're interested in doing some hunting, be aware that in Texas, hunting is a business, not a sport, no matter how many feral pigs are on the loose.

Get used to the idea that turn signals are hardly ever used. I swear, some of these people would disconnect their brake lights if they thought they could get away with it. But that doesn't stop them from using bumper stickers to let you know their opinion on every other thing under the sun.

It is legal to keep a loaded firearm in the glove compartment.

Remember to have fun. Life's too short to worry about everything.
 
I believe you're referring to the Dallas Gun Club, which is like a country club, only instead of golf, the focus is on clay. There's also a rifle (50 & 100 yd.) and pistol range. Targets are outdoors, but benches are in aircondtioned building.
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Yes, that's what I saw. Glad to know they all won't be like that
 
What else can I look forward to, or should I be made aware of before my departure to Texas?
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well in about 3 weeks you will think you died and went to hell....

Yes, its that hot right now...

If you happen to own a vehicle without AC dont bring it...

I am a few hours south of you, so I cannot recommend any ranges. Welcome to Texas
 
Get that DL changed ASAP. Then you can walk into a gun store, buy a weapon and walk out with it.
 
Don't ask Texans for advice on pizza. When you get a taste for real Chicago-style pizza, PM me. There's a place in Arlington that has great pizza. It's run by two brothers from Melrose Park.

It's not the wild west here--a lot has changed since I first got here, 26 years ago. It used to be common to see gun racks (with rifles in them) in pickup trucks; that's long gone.

A lot of people have a lot of guns, but don't expect them to volunteer a lot of information. It's not considered anybody's business. Those who do talk very openly about guns usually don't know what they're talking about.

"We don't care how you did it up north" is the unofficial slogan of the South, with good reason. Take heed.

In Chicago, summer ends on Labor Day. Here, it's more like Thanksgiving Day.

Fort Worth is vastly superior to Dallas. (You may hear alternate opinions; they are sincere, but wrong.)

If you're interested in doing some hunting, be aware that in Texas, hunting is a business, not a sport, no matter how many feral pigs are on the loose.

Get used to the idea that turn signals are hardly ever used. I swear, some of these people would disconnect their brake lights if they thought they could get away with it. But that doesn't stop them from using bumper stickers to let you know their opinion on every other thing under the sun.

It is legal to keep a loaded firearm in the glove compartment.
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Thanks for this.

I was about to ask about pizza when were there visiting there this past weekend but I wasn't sure we'd be successful in fulfilling the craving I was looking for. Any other places other than Arlington? I'm a deep dish guy, but my wife is more of a thin/pan lady.

I'll have to watch my mouth when bringing up that I'm from the North...doesn't help that I'm a Bears fan either and have all sorts of Bears clothes and license plate covers for our vehicles! :) My uncle has lived in TX for about 40 years and he says there are a lot of people from the Midwest that live there so I know I won't be alone.

I am interested in doing hunting; what did you mean by your comment about it being a business?

Get that DL changed ASAP. Then you can walk into a gun store, buy a weapon and walk out with it.
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This is in the top 3 things I want to do when we get there....can't wait for that day
 
The hunting thing in Texas is one of the things that bugged me. It is a business and many of the ranches make a significant amount of money from their hunting leases. I was just an average guy trying to make a living and when I discovered that you often had to have a lease on a property to hunt there, I simply stopped hunting. $1000... are you kidding? That is the way it is.

Unfortunately, this trend is also happening in TN and eastern states now and if you want to hunt, you often have to find a property and lease or be part of a lease to hunt there. It is one of the things that is really hurting hunting as a sport. It is becoming a money game. Not everyone can play.
 
That's really unfortunate...I was looking forward to hunting a bit when I got there. Definitely don't have that kind of money to throw around just to hunt :cuss:
 
I can't help out on the range but just wanted welcome u to Texas one the best places to live for a gun loving american
 
Well there is always the National Forest in east Texas.
Not my favorite place but the cost is cheap compared to a hunting lease.
 
Some companies will have hunting leases and as an employee you may be able to hunt the property.

One of the things to get used to in Texas... almost all land is privately owned and the owner does not have to post "no trespassing" signs to keep people out. I had one land owner get mad at me for turning my truck around on his property. I suspect he has had some bad experiences however. This example is not typical however.

All that said, if you like wild flowers and nature stuff, you will seldom run into any problems stopping you vehicle and crossing a fence (carefully I might add) to check out something. But the trespassing thing does exist. It is a state law.

Creeks and rivers (water) are property of the state and you can walk within the flood plain. Same goes for kayaking. Access is sometimes difficult, but once you are on the water, you can go where you want to.

Added: As far as hunting goes, I would suggest you start with hogs as many land owners want you to hunt them. Turkey might be an option too. You may or may not have to pay something. Then after you get some contacts, move to deer hunting opportunities. South Texas (South of San Antonio) is THE place to hunt trophy deer. There is a lot of deer hunting in the Hill Country, north of San Antonio and west of Austin. The deer are smaller than you are probably used to, but the antlers can be large. Never really explored West Texas much, but there are hunting opportunities there too. Most of the hunting you see on TV shows in Texas are on "high fence" properties and it costs to hunt there. They essentially raise deer for horns and to make money. Baiting deer is legal in Texas.

Most of the folks you will meet in the country are very nice. You need to get a straw cowboy hat re...al quick and a pickup. :)

Texas really is a great state. The geography is quite varied and interesting. We used to camp a lot in Eastern OK and Arkansas however. It felt more like home for us. That is one of the reasons I left Texas. When you want to go camping,hiking, or exploring the outdoors and you automatically think about a location 6-8 hours away, it was time to re-evaluate priorites. I did. Trout fishing in Northern Arkansas can be a great yearly diversion however.
 
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