No class friends

[clutch]

When your "friend" brought his buddies on your property did he pre-clear it with you?

Considering you are the one with the name on the deed and where a bullet gone wrong would be considered yours, that isn't a small matter.

It sounds like you made a mistake with the first guy. His 'friends' are just like him.

The comment on the same 10 people is an apt one. I took up creating and maintaining the clubs website since it was the only give back that fit into my work schedule and distance from the club.

Outside of sight in days where we open the range for a fee to hunters to sight in and that I schedule vacation time to make sure I'm available, it is hard to fit my schedule and distance into the clubs needs.

Most members never do anything other than pay their dues. 250 members < 20 doers.

I am so thankful that our retired guys keep the club going. Thirteen more years and I'll be free for any work day and any event.

Clutch

 

[Wes B]

OP.

What you described is the exact same thing that happened to me; but instead of friends it was brothers and friends.

I got used to spending time with just my kids at my own private range.

 

[Maia007]

"Uptight".....really? You need to ask? This is Your Property, right? And they want something from You, right? Something you can refuse, right?

Hey....anyone who wants something you have that they don't have and that they can't get from anyone but you....they need to pay your price....and adhere to your terms.

Work first, shoot when the work is complete to your satisfaction (you get to define what that is after the work is done). Don't like it? Hit the road and a better deal elsewhere. Show up late? Deal's off. Get off my land.

Unless.........they wish to counter-offer with a better deal, like lots of additional work to make up for the bad faith as thus far demonstrated.

Life is negotiation. Don't get bummed, don't get frustrated....learn to negotiate. Fair is fair....right?

 

[Hardtarget]

Yep! I know exactly how you feel. It's hard to deal with. Put the skids under these guys quick and tell them why. Don't let them cry on your shoulder about the public ranges, either. Let them back in and they will continue to treat you the same.

My experience. My brother let a friend move onto our parents place. (I said OK because of his bad situation) It was for 6 months...MAX. We are now approaching 18 months. He shoots on our range....and leaves his trash. he barely lifts a hand to help with anything. My brother put his food down...gone by April! We'll see.

Good luck with trying to change them...if that's what you're thinking.

Mark

 

[BobOfTheFuture]

Ive had "friends" and family do exactly this kind of thing, but auto-racing related. Whats worse, is this kind of free loader will almost certianly trash-talk you as a pre-emptive strike due to what he has done, and how people are bound to talk. Its a crap situation, and makes you feel like the bad guy, but be strong, find new friends.


Hell, dont know where you live, but If I had a chance to shoot on public property like so, I'd offer up the work up front.

Life is more fun when you only deal with straight up and square people.

 

[Dulvarian]

I chewed on this one for a few days, and I haven't read from about the tenth post until here.

If the guy was a good friend, he wouldn't have done that. If it was a mistake, he would have gone out of his way to make it right. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have enough friends that I just let them go with no thoughts on the matter. If you think the guy is worth working it out with, work it out. But set the 'you do the things you said you were going to' out, right from the beginning. If he hems and haws and backpedals and gives you nothing but excuses, you are wasting your time. In that case, I would say that your relationship had been one of convenience for him, with little regard to you.

If the guy already trash talked you, or was doing things outside of what you had agreed (other than not showing up to help), I would call it a day and be done. Life is too short to waste on people that aren't worth <decomposing piles of defecation>.

'I see no problems between us that could not be solved by your departure.' -Mark Twain. Sums it up pretty well if the second is the case.

If it is a guy that you have other social interactions, make sure that you let your side of the story get some air time. You might make some other acquaintances that would be both more appreciative of the offer and more willing to lend a hand. Just don't let yourself get painted as a bad guy out of all of it. Because you aren't. If you had a deal and he didn't stick to it, then he has the short end of the stick, no matter how rumor spreads it. And if you have any social or work interaction with him, it will be an issue to some degree if you tell him that he and his are no longer welcome on your land.

And if you do remove permission, post the land, and send him a notarized letter that he is no longer welcome on the land and that his presence will be considered trespassing. My biggest concern at that point would be that he would go and do something stupid, like go start a fire or something. I'm not a real trusting fellow, with ample reason. Don't forget that whole liability thing in either case. If him and his friends go out there and something happens, even if you aren't there, I'm not sure what your liability is.

Regardless of how the issue pans out, I would look into that liability angle. Especially if he is taking other people that you may not know out there.

 

[ObsidianOne]

Thanks everyone for all the input and perspective.

I think that when they call to see if they can go shoot, I will simply say that it isn't a good time, I have too much work do do on the place, and I cannot get much done when folks are shooting. This will open up a huge chance for them to make an effort, or allow them to close the door completely for future shooting at my place.

I have a feeling they have done their last shooting on my place. No skin off my back, and I walk away a little smarter for the experience.

I'd be up front and honest with them. Maybe give them another chance if they seem apologetic and tell them if they want to use it, they better contribute, as you're not maintaining a range just for them.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // It sounds like you gave them a chance to prove their friendship.

More than fair, on your part, as it was not even a stipulation for shooting more of a gesture of thanks for letting them shoot.

I target shoot where we hunt, and definately put in my share of work with a smile.

Often I drop off targets, boxes of clays, ammo, cleaning supplies ... things we will always need, that I find on sale. The others guys do the same without prompting.

12:00 instead of 8:00, unless they had two flat tires, got detoured by a stopped train and had a wreck, I'd be wondering about the friend/user equation. At least your "friend" should have shown up/called if not the other two.

As for the clothes, if you get the job done I don't care what you are wearing.

OTOH I choose to wear boots and depending on the time of year brush pants when running a chainsaw or swinging a brush axe. Without them it is kind of hard to jump right in there and get er done. Here in S.C. we have snakes and yellow jackets, briars and cats claw to think about.

 

[sonick808]

a true friend would have shown up on time, if not early.

 

[armoredman]

I have had two people come to shoot with me in the last 5 years. Gotta have friends first to have this issue come up - the few I had backstabbed me pretty good, and were cut loose.
Hope it works out well for ya!