shooting..and neighbors

badlander · #61 09/27/12, 07:34 AM

For us, the sound of gunfire, either hunting or target shooting is just another one of those natural forest sounds that we are going to hear along with the owls and yotes whether it's originating from our house or the neighbors house or woods. We've been known to fire off a few rounds into a berm in reply to a neighbor when he is target shooting. I call it the gun owners love call.

If you really wanted to make your neighbor paranoid if she calls again and complains and asks you WHY your husband was shooting, tell her that you've seen a few stray goats on your property and your husband was trying to get rid of them. LOL. Sorry, just joking. But seriously, I probably would have responded with the fact that it really isn't any of her business why there was shooting going on on your property, and leave it at that.

You may never be cozy friends with this lady and that's ok too. Can't please everyone. Hopefully, she and her goats will get used to the sounds of gunfire around her place. If she doesn't with hunting season coming around she will probably be a nervous wreck as will her goats if she doesn't.

**Cabin Fever** · #62 09/27/12, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxHorseMom

I just read in our paper today that the local vet got shot in the back while he was riding his 4 wheeler on his property by his neighbors while they were target shooting. It was ruled an accident, but that doesn't make him any less shot. Just sayin. A bullet can stray.

As GREENCOUNTYPETE mentioned, even tho you have 40 acres to shoot on it is irresponsible - IMHO - to do so without some kind of backstop or berm immediately behind your target to stop the bullets.

fantasymaker · #63 09/27/12, 11:26 AM

LOL I get a kick out of all you saying I will do what I want on my land.
Dont you get it that the sound dont stay on your land?
yes other things are loud but not as scary as the sound of gunfire. my neighbors VERY loud trctor wont likley run over my house!

hiddensprings · #64 09/27/12, 11:38 AM

I would not worry about the neighbor complaining about the shooting. From your description, you are safe, not shooting in the dark, not shooting towards your neighbors, not crazy-gun-totting-crazy people :>) There is always someone who isn't happy about something. Do not let her bully you into feeling bad about doing something legal on your own property.
I would be more concerned with the folks that think it is OK to trespass. Get those signs put up. We put cameras in the woods of our property that date and time-stamp. When we found pictures of our neighbors trespassing (and they ONLY did it after they'd see us leave.), we printed the photos, sent them a copy and said "this is our warning to stay off the property. The next set of photos goes to the Sheriff". End of trespass problem.

Molly Mckee · #65 09/27/12, 11:54 AM

When you buy land that is rural and unrestricted, you can do things you can not do in other places. Unfortunately, so can your neighbors. If you object to other peoples hobbies or the way they make a living, you need to stay in an area with covenants, or buy enough land to keep others from bothering you. When you live in the county for a few years you adjust or move back to the city. You do not expect the neighbors to conform to your standards. If there is a good reason to ask your neighbor not to do something at a special time ask. If you don't want them to do it at all, I think you are going to be unhappy.

Do I like hearing shooting? Not really, but I tune it out and so will the animals. I also don't want my neighbor getting shot on the job because it bothers me that he practices. I also prefer that if you are going to hunt you kill what you are hunting not hurt it and leave it to die.

If you are looking at country property to buy, you might want to go and look at it at different times of the day and week to see what is going on around you. That will help keep you from any surprises.

Mike in Ohio · #66 09/27/12, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

I would not like you to be my neighbor. I enjoy the quiet. If I bought property next to a train track that had a train going by 20 times a day, I'd see the train tracks and trains and avoid that property. But if I select a place far from neighbors and the neighboring property turns out to be an amateur shooting range I'd be upset.

This really isn't an issue of rights. yup, you have the right. But in most interactions like this, a more important law of nature should be remembered, "Push comes to shove." If you think you can aggravate your neighbor, or increase the aggravation as some suggest, you don't know diddly about human nature.
Exersize your rights to shoot into the woods. But then you may have to start locking every gate and door on the place. You might notice your tires getting slow leaks. Eventually the "Push comes to shove" kicks in, so you and your spouse might need to take turns watching your stuff. Forget about leaving your property unguarded. When pushed far enough, people get back at enemies. Yours may be bold and confront you or cowardly poison your hunting dog.

If you don't want us as a neighbor then don't move into the area. It's a rural area where pretty much everyone shoots and hunts. Why would you move into an area if you don't like the way it is? It's not a push comes to shove thing it's a this has how it has been in the area for centuries. My wifes family has been here since Western Reserve times and so have many of the neighbors. Without even trying I can think of a half dozen properties in my immediate area that have shooting ranges laid out.

For someone to move into an area and decide that the folks that are already there shouldn't shoot, shouldn't hunt, shouldn't keep animals because there might be a smell, shouldn't run tractors early/late during planting and harvest season is just a tad unrealistic - some folks might even call it downright stupid.

And the feeling is mutual - I wouldn't want you as a neighbor either - so don't move into the area and everything will be peaches and cream.

salmonslayer · #67 09/27/12, 01:03 PM

I have to add I do completely agree that you need to think safety and have a backstop for target shooting. We have a dedicated range set up with a berm but I dont shoot high powered rifles on our range because its not safely set up for that. As for sound trespassing...on planet earth sound trespasses all the time and big bad scary sounds like gunfire are no more onerous than heavy machinery, a rooster, a donkey or any of the other myriad country sounds.

oregon woodsmok · #68 09/27/12, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren

You need a much louder firearm. Something that rattles your neighbor's windows.

This is why communication often doesn't work well out in the country. You have to SSS when the neighbor's dog gets into your poultry, because if you go over and ask the neighbor to keep the dog home, you might find you have a neighbor like Darren or Heelspur, who will come over and poison your stock to teach you a lesson about complaining or expecting them to take some responsibility.

There is absolutely no reason to start making even more noise because a neighbor has complained. If you punish the neighbor for talking to you, next time, they won't talk. Next time, they might just retaliate without giving you the chance to remedy the problem.

Many problems with neighbors can be worked out, as long as your neighbor isn't Darren. It's not going to hurt the OP to show the neighbor where the bullets are landing, and maybe not shoot as the sun is just coming up and waking everyone around. That's a very small concession, doesn't cost anything, and avoids a feud with the neighbors.

ArmyDoc · #69 09/27/12, 02:40 PM

is your range directed towards their property? Sometimes even an effort to accommodate such as changing the direction of the range can go a long way to smoothing ruffled feathers.

When I was young, we had land and shot on it regularly. Then someone build directly behind us. They objected to our shooting towards their home...understandably, even though we had been shooting there for years. We compromised by changing the orientation of the range away (90 degrees) from their home, but didnt' stop shooting. They thanked us and commented how much quieter it was.

janetn · #70 09/27/12, 02:56 PM

In the city you have sirens,cars,trucks, horns, lawn movers leaf blowers , boomboxes ect. The sound of the cities cross over property lines all the time. Why do people who move into the country think they deserve absolute quiet! The sounds of the country are guns, tractors, chickens cows ect.. Its a trade off.

We have some teen boys next door who have lots of extra money and they enjoy spending some of that money on ammo of which they then blow off for hours at a time - annoying yeah, but they are doing what country boys do. They also hunt coyotes -of which I am grateful

You dont want to get into a war with these people so I would invite them over for coffee and explain that in the country shooting is part of the livestyle just as sirens cars and all the assorted noises of the city are just part of living in a area. I would make every effort to assure them that you are safely using the guns and you will not be shooting either in the early morning or late night. Let them know you understand their concerns and will be respectful.

haypoint · #71 09/27/12, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike in Ohio

If you don't want us as a neighbor then don't move into the area. It's a rural area where pretty much everyone shoots and hunts. Why would you move into an area if you don't like the way it is? It's not a push comes to shove thing it's a this has how it has been in the area for centuries. My wifes family has been here since Western Reserve times and so have many of the neighbors. Without even trying I can think of a half dozen properties in my immediate area that have shooting ranges laid out.

For someone to move into an area and decide that the folks that are already there shouldn't shoot, shouldn't hunt, shouldn't keep animals because there might be a smell, shouldn't run tractors early/late during planting and harvest season is just a tad unrealistic - some folks might even call it downright stupid.

And the feeling is mutual - I wouldn't want you as a neighbor either - so don't move into the area and everything will be peaches and cream.

I don't think you get it. If, as I stated, there was a RR track and trains, I'd not move there. But no one has any idea that there is a private rifle range next door. What I'm saying is that if there is a known nuisance and I move there, I'm foolish. But if there is a nuisance that pops up after I’ve bought it, I wouldn't like it one bit.
Seniority counts in a Union Shop, but doesn't mean much between neighbors. Just because your family has lived there longer, don't think you get a pass to aggravate the neighbors.
A few years ago, in a nearby community, a few city folks bought in the country, 1/4 mile fom a family farm. When the farm expanded from 20 sows to 3000 with a 5 acre lagoon, they were angry. Its rural and there was no zoning, so the farmer got his way. However, they took him to court and he had to spend a lot of time and money defending what he has a right to do.
It's folly to think you can anger your neighbors and they'll put up with your BS. These issues are emotionally charged and vandalism or arson can be the result.

I know of a guy that hated poachers, night time deer hunters. He'd go out on his back porch and shoot his rifle in their direction. He was proud that he had skeered them off. Until in the middle of the night someone shot his horse. Push comes to shove.
A guy from the city moved up and built a fancy new house. made to look like the Old Mission Lighthouse, complete with a tower. Didn't matter that he was a mile from the shore. You could go up the spiral stairs from the second floor and stand in the octagon area where the light would have been. So, he installed a light that came on at dusk and off at dawn. Wasn't a huge light, but you could see it for awhile. With no other outside lights for miles, this was real noticable. It was a vacation home, he was there 3-4 weeks a year, but the light was always on. His closest neighbor asked him to please turn it off. He refused, it was his right. So, the next three times he came to enjoy his home, someone had shot out the window and the light. Push came to shove. He stopped running the light.
I bought 400 acres so I didn't have such problems. But I'm not blind to the issue nor do I believe because you have the right that you should do it..

You want to talk about animal smells, tractor noises or whatever, we can start a second thread. This is about a private rifle range that's close enough to startle the neighbors.

Work it out with neighbors or be ready to go to war.

Molly Mckee · #72 09/27/12, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

I don't think you get it. If, as I stated, there was a RR track and trains, I'd not move there. But no one has any idea that there is a private rifle range next door. What I'm saying is that if there is a known nuisance and I move there, I'm foolish. But if there is a nuisance that pops up after I’ve bought it, I wouldn't like it one bit.
Seniority counts in a Union Shop, but doesn't mean much between neighbors. Just because your family has lived there longer, don't think you get a pass to aggravate the neighbors.
A few years ago, in a nearby community, a few city folks bought in the country, 1/4 mile fom a family farm. When the farm expanded from 20 sows to 3000 with a 5 acre lagoon, they were angry. Its rural and there was no zoning, so the farmer got his way. However, they took him to court and he had to spend a lot of time and money defending what he has a right to do.
It's folly to think you can anger your neighbors and they'll put up with your BS. These issues are emotionally charged and vandalism or arson can be the result.

I know of a guy that hated poachers, night time deer hunters. He'd go out on his back porch and shoot his rifle in their direction. He was proud that he had skeered them off. Until in the middle of the night someone shot his horse. Push comes to shove.
A guy from the city moved up and built a fancy new house. made to look like the Old Mission Lighthouse, complete with a tower. Didn't matter that he was a mile from the shore. You could go up the spiral stairs from the second floor and stand in the octagon area where the light would have been. So, he installed a light that came on at dusk and off at dawn. Wasn't a huge light, but you could see it for awhile. With no other outside lights for miles, this was real noticable. It was a vacation home, he was there 3-4 weeks a year, but the light was always on. His closest neighbor asked him to please turn it off. He refused, it was his right. So, the next three times he came to enjoy his home, someone had shot out the window and the light. Push came to shove. He stopped running the light.
I bought 400 acres so I didn't have such problems. But I'm not blind to the issue nor do I believe because you have the right that you should do it..

You want to talk about animal smells, tractor noises or whatever, we can start a second thread. This is about a private rifle range that's close enough to startle the neighbors.

Work it out with neighbors or be ready to go to war.

A private rifle range? She said that her DH shot 14-16 times.

coolrunnin · #73 09/27/12, 06:12 PM

Thats why it's so sad to see these places broken up into 3,5, and 10 acres plots you are still intruding on your neighbors with everything. and they are intruding on you. Just City on steroids...lol

Calhoon · #74 09/27/12, 07:06 PM

yep , Haypoint , I hear what your saying , and thank you for your reply . .

this new neighbor was an ok sort of man , but he'd never worked shifts , he didn't understand what is is to work all night and try and sleep during the day . .

Now , like I said , we came to an understanding , but when he came out his door that night , he'd already called the Law , and while we was coming to the understanding , the Law got there , and was ready to throw us both in Jail , , but I pointed out that as I was on my property , out in the country , being out in a rural area , here in WNC , a man can do whatever he wants , no city law here . . .

and I told the Deputy Sherriff that he needed to move his car to where his headlights could shine on a part of the lawn I couldn't see very well , , , so I could finish mowing . .

LOL , it was then we all had a good laugh about how very stupid the whole thing was , , his wife came over and helped my wife fry up eggs & hash browns & pancakes & sausages and a pot of stout coffee . . the Sherriffs Deputy as well . . .

We worked it out , and he's no longer a neighbor , but he and his wife & Family are good folks and good friends , we still laugh at my yard mowing escapade at 2:am ...

Now , on a related matter , years ago , I had a drug dealer move in close-by , my kids were being cat-called & harrassed by the drunks & crack heads that were buying their drugs .they was as sorry a bunch as you ever saw , mean and reprobates every one . . it got to where my kids .they were afraid to ride their bicycles down our driveway because they were being harrassed . .

it got so bad I had to pick my 3 daughters up at the bus stop to keep the drug dealers kids from rocking my kids , that's how bad it got . . .to make it even worse , he was kin to most of the Law in my area , , so I know how it is to have bad neighbors ...

they even killed my dog , and caught my kids pet cat , and threw it into their mangy rotweillers pen for sport , and even bragged about it on the school bus . .

I won't say how I took care of this situation , but there is a time when a Father has had enough , and I took care of it , in my own way , and in my own time , and when I was through with that sorry bunch , they never bothered me or mine again . . .

and that's all I'm gonna say.

The main thing I'm trying to say here is that neighbors should try and get along , a good neighbor is a good friend that can help you out , and you can help them out as well . . a good neighbor is a blessing in many ways .

But , a man just can't run away from a bad neighbor , a man what is a man will stand-up and fight for his-self and his Family , and sometimes , it's not what we ever wanted to do , but maybe , sometimes , it's most likely what we have to do . Amen ? ...

lamoncha lover · #75 09/27/12, 07:45 PM

We have a regular pistol area that has a rough berm behind it near the house we normally shoot at. We have a lot of woods so finding a little bit longer area to shoot in means heading up towards the field. The longer area is for husbands rifle reload checks,. neither are aimed their direction. I would hope to not be that stupid. There is not a berm yet behind where he shot the rifle. There is woods, then my house, more woods , a field then more woods. We will get a mini range set up once we get settled out there. Although we do see the need for a berm,I wonder how hunters take any game if there must be a berm behind every shot?
they obviously don't like shooting. I suspect it is the goats getting scared. It wasn't early. It wasn't late, it wasn't excessive, it wasn't in their direction, it wasn't on their land..or really near their land.Her goats ran a little because they heard the shots. I peed her off I got a call. When I didn't tell her what she wanted to hear..as in oh my so sorry..we wont shoot anymore it really made her mad. I suspect the damage is done and I really don;t feel responsible for it.

badlander · #76 09/27/12, 08:04 PM

We shoot into our berm 3-4x per week. Sometimes just one magazine sometimes for 2 hours.

In some countries it is required to have a silencer on your gun just like your car muffler. Here it thought to be odd and barely legal. If you pay a tax of 200 dollars and pay 800 for the supressor you can have one. I don't think a silencer is legal in most states. Try making your own and you become a felon.

Problem would be solved in many instances with one. Pretty stupid huh

**Cabin Fever** · #77 09/27/12, 08:08 PM

Once you get your berm set up, I suggest you get some Tannerite targets in the 1 or 2 pound size.

lamoncha lover · #78 09/27/12, 08:13 PM

CF hubby is the shooter I am just a plunker. what is that?

lamoncha lover · #79 09/27/12, 08:19 PM

ummmm just looked it up,,2# vs tree.....tree loses..
hubby would love it..me not so much

haypoint · #80 09/27/12, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calhoon

yep , Haypoint , I hear what your saying , and thank you for your reply . .

this new neighbor was an ok sort of man , but he'd never worked shifts , he didn't understand what is is to work all night and try and sleep during the day . .

Now , like I said , we came to an understanding , but when he came out his door that night , he'd already called the Law , and while we was coming to the understanding , the Law got there , and was ready to throw us both in Jail , , but I pointed out that as I was on my property , out in the country , being out in a rural area , here in WNC , a man can do whatever he wants , no city law here . . .

and I told the Deputy Sherriff that he needed to move his car to where his headlights could shine on a part of the lawn I couldn't see very well , , , so I could finish mowing . .

LOL , it was then we all had a good laugh about how very stupid the whole thing was , , his wife came over and helped my wife fry up eggs & hash browns & pancakes & sausages and a pot of stout coffee . . the Sherriffs Deputy as well . . .

We worked it out , and he's no longer a neighbor , but he and his wife & Family are good folks and good friends , we still laugh at my yard mowing escapade at 2:am ...

Now , on a related matter , years ago , I had a drug dealer move in close-by , my kids were being cat-called & harrassed by the drunks & crack heads that were buying their drugs .they was as sorry a bunch as you ever saw , mean and reprobates every one . . it got to where my kids .they were afraid to ride their bicycles down our driveway because they were being harrassed . .

it got so bad I had to pick my 3 daughters up at the bus stop to keep the drug dealers kids from rocking my kids , that's how bad it got . . .to make it even worse , he was kin to most of the Law in my area , , so I know how it is to have bad neighbors ...

they even killed my dog , and caught my kids pet cat , and threw it into their mangy rotweillers pen for sport , and even bragged about it on the school bus . .

I won't say how I took care of this situation , but there is a time when a Father has had enough , and I took care of it , in my own way , and in my own time , and when I was through with that sorry bunch , they never bothered me or mine again . . .

and that's all I'm gonna say.

The main thing I'm trying to say here is that neighbors should try and get along , a good neighbor is a good friend that can help you out , and you can help them out as well . . a good neighbor is a blessing in many ways .

But , a man just can't run away from a bad neighbor , a man what is a man will stand-up and fight for his-self and his Family , and sometimes , it's not what we ever wanted to do , but maybe , sometimes , it's most likely what we have to do . Amen ? ...

Sounds like you understand "Push comes to Shove" and that when you start in on something, there isn't any turning back. You dont bring a fist to a knife fight. You don't bring a knife to a gun fight. You don't start a gun fight until you are ready to take a hit.