Backyard gun range

[Farrier-1]

I'm located on 21 acres in the foothills of Cen Ca (Tulare Co) and want build my own range.

The only concern I have is that for a few short weeks, I literaly have lake front property, so I have a few boats, inner tubers and such that could come within 50 yards or so from where I want to target shoot. Basicaly, I would be shooting parallel to the lake.

I'm pretty sure that once they knew I was shooting, everyone would steer clear of my land but I can't help to wonder if it's going to cause some problems for me.

Any advise?

[Branden967]

Easy, dont shoot on those weeks.

[JagerDog]

Does it become a navigable waterway (connected to water connected to sea) when flooded?

[fizux]

I had the same idea, except I'm on a .0001 acre parcel in San Francisco. Maybe the shotspotter won't pick up a .22.

Seriously, I'm jealous of anyone that has enough space to plink in their backyard.

[JAGACIDA]

I would consult a lawyer or local Sheriff. Get it straight from the horses mouth.

[Chunker]

I'd consult a lawyer...LEO's are not always well informed.

[Farrier-1]

Does it become a navigable waterway (connected to water connected to sea) when flooded?

No it dosen't. This is a man made inland lake on the west side of the Sierra Nevada Mtn range.

[Farrier-1]

I'm will certainly do some more homework before I start my gun range.

The only 2 ways possible for someone to be in my shooting path, #1 tresspassing and #2, bullets that can make 90 degree turn out of the barrel.

[MrExel17]

+1 for a Lawyer. When you get this all square away what time can I come over and shoot?

[fighterpilot562]

+2 to lawyer

[50BMGBOB]

Really, DON'T be "pretty sure" that people will steer clear and this is why... My husband and son use the archery range at a local park(park is ran by the county) and there is a dog park, jogging trail etc. Well on the archery shooting part of the park, there is a flag, a BIG RED ONE, that is raised to indicate to people that the range is in use. The range is off the beaten path and nowhere near the jogging trail but joggers still jog through the weeds and roughage, right THROUGH the archery range. Our 4-H group shoots out there too and we constantly have to stop shooting because people just don't pay attention. Don't count on someone else's common sense. Not all people have it.

We where shooting at Coalinga this weekend and some of the local ranch hands in the area decided to ride their quads across the range while we where shooting. Mind you it was a 50BMG match so it isn't like they couldn't hear us! Common sense isn't really all that common.

[Chaos47]

Rent a backhoe and make a U shape berm?

Then you will know you have a good backstop and wont have to worry as much about what is beyond your target. Also the side walls of the berm will help with keeping noise down besides making it harder for someone to wander into it.

[SilverTauron]

In South Dakota, we don't have any legal complications regarding shooting on one's property. As long as the local area the property is located doesn't have a "no firearms discharge in city limits" law in place and its safe, we can shoot on our own land.

My thoughts are thisne, put some kind of fence or physical barrier on your land.It could be trees, bushes, hedgerows, but there has to be some kind of barrier. As others have stated above, common sense ain't common anymore. Not only do physical barriers keep dumb people out, it also keeps animals from wandering into the range. It sucks to have to pause shooting on account of risking fines for killing an animal without a license.

Two, check your backstop. And then add a foot on top of it for error . What if you get a newbie on the line and they wind up shooting high on recoil? Will the errant bullet land on the head of someone tilling their land 2 miles away downrange?

Not saying shooting on your own land isn't fun-cause its a blast not having to drive to a range-but some extra steps are advised to ensure safety for everyone around.