Need tips for owning land for shooting recreation

[GBExpat]

Hanzo581, please be aware of and sensitive to any potential (too) close neighbors while you are looking at sites.

My cousin (I think it was) told me of a meathead that bought a Lot somewhere over to the east of here (also Rural) with the intention of only using it for shooting with his buddies. Apparently, there are homes on either side of this lot and all of that close gunfire is creating a serious problem in the neighborhood.

 

[txblackout]

I bought 100 acres in a major texas city. Texas has preemption laws which override the municipality laws so I can legally shoot (> 50 acres annexed after 1981). The property is very hilly (300 ft from lowest point to top of hills) so there are great natural berms. There are expensive houses (all 1M+) surrounding the entire property. I shoot but in order to not annoy my rich neighbors, I shoot suppressed and subsonic.

the benefit is that I dont have to own a separate property for recreation and actually living on. The downside is I have to be much more cognizant of my neighbors.

The thing I worry about is the neighbors entering the property to hike. I have setup game cameras to monitor people coming onto the property. At some point I may have to put up no trespassing signs which will make everyone mad.

The short of it is that even if you are rural you will have neighbors unless you can afford a *lot* of land. It will be the luck of the draw how your neighbors react to shooting.

 

[gary0529]

Hanzo,
Couple of thoughts to toss in for you--first off, as others replied-be cognizant of the neighbors-I have a 15 acre parcel surrounded by a few thousand acres of pasture land . I can and do take deer but I must pick my shots so as not to shoot in the general direction of any of the 3 houses that are within 1/2 mile of me. There were no neighbors 40 years ago but time marches on so don't think that you are good forever UNLESS you own it.

Second, a front end loader will not be enough to handle the thick underbrush -I have a BIG 4 WD tractor with bucket, brush cutter, mowers, etc and it is not nearly enough. I have hired a dozer on occasion to clean out dense understory.
The loader will lift and carry but is poor at digging and clearing.

Would I like more land--YUP. Can I take care of more land-probably not anymore at 68 and slowing down. You may not appreciate it now but you will not be able to work 8 to 10 hours of hard physical labor like felling and splitting trees and pulling stumps when you approach 70.

My suggestion is this, if you can afford a large parcel of land that is not in need of a massive intervention, do it.
Many pitfalls and legal considerations to consider--ALWAYS consult and be ready to pay for a good attorney to research the legal end of things for you in advance of purchase.

Laws change, boards of supervisors change and what is allowable today may not be in 5 or 10 years,so protect yourself as best as possible before you buy.

Gary

 

[herkyguy]

Not trying to dissuade from buying land...... It was a daunting process, but like I said before, i'll sell my house before I sell that land, unless we end up settling clear across the country.

I have too many great memories to part with it, and that's just over the past 4 years. No doubt you'll have some great memories as well if you do end up buying. I distinctly recall waking up in the middle of the night in this rig to coyotes howling in the distance...... nothing can beat that.