Hello! I am looking to buy a parcel of land in either Durham, Wake, or Granville County in NC. I am trying to figure out how to investigate if I would be able to shoot on my own land. Any assistance would be most appreciated.
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Is there a county gun club to ask? What’s the size of the property? Are there any specific deed restrictions?
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You might check with the county sheriffs office to see if they can give any guidance.
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And be careful. If it is close to an areas where you can’t shoot, you could get annexed. Best to keep some distance.
Exactly what happen to me. Shoot on 10 acres behind my house, developer buy 90 acres behind me, build houses and my property is annexed.
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In general I have found if you are within “incorporated city limits” then you are under the jurisdiction of the city which of course has all manner or ordinances and rules to keep you from shooting in your 20’ x 30’ back yard in suburbia. The simplest question to ask is “Can I hunt on my own property (or my perspective property)?” The local Game Warden will have that answer which by proxy tells you if you can shoot on your property. That said the local Sheriff or PD may have some restrictions for a private range such as an improved backstop (big pile of dirt) or directional restrictions (don’t shoot this way because of houses here and there). Others I have run across require the use of a shooting platform to ensure you are pointing “down” at the ground. I’ve dealt with many county sheriffs/PD and game wardens and some are more amenable to things than others. Your neighbors will have a great deal to do with your interactions, this includes the local church. My FIL’s farm is a mile and a half down the road from a Baptist church, out of consideration we don’t range shoot on Sundays from 0800 to 1200 just because we want no issues and in talking with the pastor we have come to an understanding. The occasional one shot on Bambi or a ground hog or pig or coyote or some other such critter is OK. Country folk are mostly polite and understanding if you let them know “Hey, we’ll be doing a bunch of shooting today, your welcome to join us if you need range time, just wanted to let you know.” they are generally good with it.
Cheers,
Craig6
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Thanks for all of the replies folks! It would be 15 acres far away from the city limits. It is a very wooded tract of land. I would have berm constructed. I will pursue these resources.
If you are in a heavily wooded location getting a dump truck full of dirt to the middle of your property may be an issue. May I suggest you invest in AR-500 steel plates as targets. I have more than a dozen of them that I use for rifle training from 25 yards to 1 mile and beyond. They work great for hand guns too but you probably need to stay 15’+ away from them as frags happen. If I am doing 3 - 7 yard shooting I will line the paper target up with the steel well behind it. It doesn’t catch all the rounds but it reduces the cutting down of trees by gun fire. A buddy and I were practicing 200 yard awful hand shooting for NM Highpower with no steel and just before lunch a 12" thick pine tree swayed and fell over behind our target. I have to admit I felt bad for the tree.
Cheers,
Craig6
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Awesome! Thanks so much Craig! I really appreciate it my friend! I will look into the plates. I was planning on getting several steel targets able to handle rifle rounds. I was hoping to get the berm as added protection. I will have to survey the grade of the land as it may have some natural hills that do the trick. I am imagining a Hickock45 set up. Then again, don’t we all!
Thank you all for your advice!
Thought if private property you could. We shoot at my mother in laws with no problem and neighbors know it’s us.
Both of them? They don’t mind?
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No she doesn’t!!! Of course it’s winter but usually we don’t to often either. She has a neighbor that even hunts in the property!!
My joke…fell…flat.
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LOL! I got it . . .
Check with any surrounding cities to see if there are any significant developments that would cause its annexation. Be aware that this happens under the hat (behind closed doors sometimes to protect developers from block busting). I was a city planner. Look for any other developments that may trigger a ban on firearms being fired near any vulnerable or dangerous material. It’s kind of a craps shoot. Good luck
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LOL! Well played my friend!
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Thanks so much mdstanzel!
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