Shooting on private land etiquette

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nutty7462

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I will be moving onto some property that my parents own very soon and I would like to be able to shoot there. It is 5.5 acres, and there is one area that would be a good place to shoot. There is a spot where the land slopes down to a dry creek bed (dry right now anyway) and I was thinking of setting up some targets down there and shooting down into the creek area. Two concerns:

1) The property ends right next to this creek (about 20 ft away where the land then slopes back up). I could shoot down and not worry about anything going into the neighbor's area, but it is awfully close and I don't want to upset anyone. I've never seen the neighbor anywhere near the creek, but I don't want to scare/upset anyone.

2) Noise is a concern. I don't want to be a nuisence.

I was thinking that if I just shot my 22 then it would be fine.

Thoughts?
 
Why not ask the neighbor what he or she thinks? You might also consider inviting him/her to shoot with you.
 
Yeah, I plan on asking, but I haven't me them yet and I'm anxious to shoot. I've only been able to shoot on private land once before and it was great. Just excited to do it again.
 
depending on the location, in the country i wouldn't worry so much. around here, right before hunting season it can sound like WWIII with all the good ol' boys out sighting in their scoops.
talk to the folks who own the land thats in the direction were you shoot. make sure they know whats up. if there is a lot of foot traffic across the property, post signs.
and as for the noise, unless its a really crowded area, as long as your not going out at the crack of dawn (and waking folks up) or shooting after dark, you should be find.
check local ordnances first to make sure that they don't have some rules, but if your in a rural area, they shouldn't.
 
First, I'd go over, introduce myself and get acquainted with the neighbors. Find out where their bulidings, pets and/or livestock are in relation to your planned shooting area. Do whatever is necessary to avoid compromising their safety in any way. People are much more tolerant of new things when they know the "who, what, why and when" beforehand. They're also more likely to contact you directly, and first, if any problem crops up instead of having the LEOs do it for them. Very much to be desired, as it would save you and your parents worlds of grief.

Secondly, NEVER use glass of any sort for a target and ALWAYS haul your litter away from the site when you're finished for the day. This will go a looong way towards keeping your relationships with everyone in the area cordial and positive.

Harsh as it may sound, never allow "friends" and/or acquaintances access to your range without your presence. You are responsible both ethically (to show due consideration and respect for your neighbors interests) and legally for the safety of all concerned. One moronic action on their part can literally ruin your life. Don't take that chance - it's a sucker bet.
 
Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Dress nicely for the circumstance. Don't show up in a t-shirt which says, "Kill them all. Let God sort them out."
Or some such.

And simply inform them that you want to do some informal shooting with a 22 and that no one else would be allowed to use the facility.
 
You might consider using sub-sonic rounds in your .22....With my boltguns, the report is a bit louder then a airgun, but significantly under a high-velocity round. Figure out the best way to shoot and lessen the sound. In heavily wooded areas, shooting into a uphill embankment seems to drive the sound back and up. My neighbors have never complained about noise from my little range out back. And I honestly believe they rarely hear much...

Giz
 
Live stock

Make sure they don't have live stock across the creek when shooting.
I lived in northern N.M. for several years. And was allowed to hunt and shoot on several peoples property. I was polite , respectfull, and because I asked.
One fellow had NO HUNTING signs all over because people would hunt his land without permisson and did killed some of his stock.
When I asked I was told where I cold go and when. So his stock and I did not meet. Several times he gave me ammo to shoot cyotes for him.
Just be polite and respectful.
 
The first and foremost thing on your list should be no rounds go over the property line...There is nothing that trumps this.. noise is just a nuisance, but bullets flying thru neighbors walls are a treat.
 
Do whatever you can to become friendly with the neighbor - even if they don't care for the shooting - they'll see you as a responsible person - not just some guy shooting....it's all about the perception....

I live in an area that sounds similar. We own 5 acres in a rural area where it is legal to shoot. However, I've got houses on all sides of my property so I'm careful to think of my neighbors when shooting.

There is nothing better than a good neighbor when living in a rural area like that. On the flip side, there is nothing worse than a bad neighbor when living in an area like that.

PS: Don't come across like you are asking permission to shoot or even what they think about it - just that you're a resonsible person (shooter) and not some idiot goofing off........
 
Thanks for the advice. I will definitely mention something before I start doing this. Will look into subsonic rounds also. I would never let anything go over the property line. I try to treat people the way I'd want to be treated and having bullets flying into my property is not something I would appreciate.
 
Hey CDignition, are you affiliated with Take Aim, or are you separate?

For the OP, perhaps looking into a suppressor isn't a bad idea. Check with the neighbors though, they just might be interested in shooting with you!
 
CDignition said:
The first and foremost thing on your list should be no rounds go over the property line...There is nothing that trumps this.. noise is just a nuisance, but bullets flying thru neighbors walls are a treat.
Click to expand...


Especially if you really dislike your neighbors....

:)
 
Oh, gotcha. I was just wondering, since when I looked at your website, the address is basically right near them.

Also, for the OP, one thing I learned is that even though .22 has a sharp crack, it doesn't really carry that far. I grew up in the woods, my closest neighbor was maybe 600 yards away. One day he was complaining about the noise of another neighbor and was shocked to learn we'd been shooting guns for years. He'd never heard a thing.
 
Also, for the OP, one thing I learned is that even though .22 has a sharp crack, it doesn't really carry that far. I grew up in the woods, my closest neighbor was maybe 600 yards away. One day he was complaining about the noise of another neighbor and was shocked to learn we'd been shooting guns for years. He'd never heard a thing.
Click to expand...

Very true. My closest neighbor is about 300 yards away and he rarely hears me shooting - I'll occasionally ask him if he heard me shooting at ___ time just because I like to know how much noise I'm making. I'm always surprised that he doesnt hear me much and often had no idea I was shooting - I shoot a lot....
 
nutty7462 a good way to approach the neighbors is when you tell them what you intend doing say something like,
"I also wanted to ask you if there's a time that the noise might bother you, for instance if someone sleeps late Saturday morning. I don't want to bother you, so I wouldn't shoot at that time."

A little bit of consideration goes a long way.;)
 
In addition to what the other posters have said (all good advice) you should ask the neighbor if the currently dry creek bed is seasonal. It's not an especially good idea to be pumping a concentrated amount of lead into a watershed. I've taken to using a trap for my .22 target practice. You'd be surprised how many pounds of lead routine practice generates.
 
I can't believe the suggestions you have gotten. Just go shoot the biggest, loudest gun you can find. My only other suggestion would be to shoot before 6 am. And don't worry about stray rounds. Much like a golf course will have a stray ball from time to time, so you will also have a stray bullet or two during any one shooting session.
 
Get to know your neighbor. I shoot a lot on my 20 acres and have no problem with my neighbors, but I do take some care with the timing of my shooting. I don't shoot early, late, or when I can tell they have outdoor company. Even though my closest neighbor is fine with my shooting, I often wait until I they are away in town before I do much 'heavy,' large caliber shooting. This can be be once or twice a week. Common courtesy can go a long way, I believe.
 
Some very interesting suggestions in this thread.

I don't know where the OP is located, which may make a big difference (in some states you can't shoot on just 5 acres).

in my experience, moving to private acreage last summer, I started shooting around August. In February, my only neighbor came around to my place seeing if I could help him clear a spring (which I did). I asked if he minded my shooting, and he said he didn't really hear it much :)

Since then, I continue to shoot almost daily. Everything from .22 up to .308. Keep in mind, I live on 20 acres and I don't shoot after dark. That's about it.

I guess if you're in a 5 acre subdivision and have neighbors on all sides, introducing yourself can't hurt. BUT at the same time, if it's legal to shoot on your acreage and any of your neighbors have a problem "guns kill things", that's tough luck for them. This is america, if they want to live in the country but not hear guns tell them to move to Canada :neener:
 
I'm pretty sure we have the smallest parcel on the road. It seems like everyone else it at the very least 10 acres. I guess I should look into a supressor. I don't know much about them. What kind of prices am I looking at in addition to the 200 tax stamp?

Can I put one on my 22? Ruger 10/22. I assume that if I were to shoot my sks I would need another one in addition to the one for the 22? I bet that would get expensive...
 
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