Who do I call to verify if hunting is allowed on property?

[Carlos Hathcock]

My neighbor comes over to "borrow" some 9mm cartridges for his old ass Zastava pistol when he hears me shooting.
Hes the only guy I know that apparently has ZERO rounds for his gun in his home.

Enabler.

 

[Justincase]

All good recommendations, thanks! I'm going to stop out at the Boston town hall today and the sheriff's barracks to inquire about it there too.

 

[Justincase]

My neighbors ( anti-gun) would complain to the sheriff regularly when we were shooting. The sheriff would come out to " investigate ", never tell me who complained and then say " have fun " and leave. After a few years the neighbors stopped calling. I suppose they figured out I wasn't going away...
My advice is to have a nice tall berm to shoot into, even if it cost you a little $$. IMO about 8 ft. tall is the minimum. You don't want the sheriff to shut you down because he thinks your not safe. My berm is at least 10ft. tall.

The law is 500' from an OCCUPIED dwelling.

If you don't mind me asking about how much did it run you and how wide is it? I was anticipating making one but have no idea how much all that dirt would cost and how the hell to truck it where it needs to go.

 

[camper4lyfe]

If you don't mind me asking about how much did it run you and how wide is it? I was anticipating making one but have no idea how much all that dirt would cost and how the hell to truck it where it needs to go.

Got a shovel?

 

[Justincase]

Got a shovel?

I've got loads of shovels. But I also have wonky L4 and L5 vertebrae, so yeah, it's power equipment or it ain't getting done, lol

 

[stokes]

Fine! You don't seem to be getting what I am suggesting about being pro-active! Maybe or maybe not the DEC will sign off. but they will familiar with your lay out when they respond to a call. It is always better to be the first one to call!

I get what you are trying to say,but its not going to happen for a number of reasons.First of all no law enforcement agency is going to "sign off" on such a matter.That would open their agency up to liabilities.Second,when a call is made about " shots fired",the DEC is absolutely not going to respond,it will be the Troopers or the local LEO,neither of whom will call any DEC officer who "gave you a GTG" which isnt going to happen anyways.There are only two factors that apply,no town ordinances about discharging a firearm and the 500' law.Even if you are clear in both regards there is always the posibility that a neighbor will call if it disturbs him and LE will respond.My main point is that 500' isnt that far and they could have a legit noise complaint.

 

[camper4lyfe]

I get what you are trying to say,but its not going to happen for a number of reasons.First of all no law enforcement agency is going to "sign off" on such a matter.That would open their agency up to liabilities.Second,when a call is made about " shots fired",the DEC is absolutely not going to respond,it will be the Troopers or the local LEO,neither of whom will call any DEC officer who "gave you a GTG" which isnt going to happen anyways.There are only two factors that apply,no town ordinances about discharging a firearm and the 500' law.Even if you are clear in both regards there is always the posibility that a neighbor will call if it disturbs him and LE will respond.My main point is that 500' isnt that far and they could have a legit noise complaint.

As long as there are no noise ordinances, the noise complaint is a waste of time as well.

 

[stokes]

If you don't mind me asking about how much did it run you and how wide is it? I was anticipating making one but have no idea how much all that dirt would cost and how the hell to truck it where it needs to go.

Just go to a tool rental and rent a small front loader/back hoe.I got one from Taylor Rental for about $200 for the day.I dont know what rental places you have out that way,but another place I rented one from was Handy Rent-All.

 

[stokes]

As long as there are no noise ordinances, the noise complaint is a waste of time as well.

Its pretty much all a waste of time,but they have to respond anyway.When they responded to our location,they never even approached or asked about the area we were shooting at.They didnt even seem to interested in talking to us,most times they would drive up the hill.sit for a while and then leave.When we were aware they were there,I'd go over and talk to them,offer them a coffee.Told me they'd just make an entry that it was a "non incident", just target shooting.Didnt even want names.At some point he asked us if we could shoot on Saturday so he didnt have to respond to the nuisance calls.We did and it stopped,the only problem the guy had was that it was Sunday,a day of rest for some,I guess.But complaining neighbors can become a big problem in a lot of ways.I think a good way to avoid it,if you want to be proactive,as someone stated,would be to talk to and get to know the neighbors before shooting up the neighborhood,lol.

 

[camper4lyfe]

Its pretty much all a waste of time,but they have to respond anyway.When they responded to our location,they never even approached or asked about the area we were shooting at.They didnt even seem to interested in talking to us,most times they would drive up the hill.sit for a while and then leave.When we were aware they were there,I'd go over and talk to them,offer them a coffee.Told me they'd just make an entry that it was a "non incident", just target shooting.Didnt even want names.At some point he asked us if we could shoot on Saturday so he didnt have to respond to the nuisance calls.We did and it stopped,the only problem the guy had was that it was Sunday,a day of rest for some,I guess.But complaining neighbors can become a big problem in a lot of ways.I think a good way to avoid it,if you want to be proactive,as someone stated,would be to talk to and get to know the neighbors before shooting up the neighborhood,lol.

I absolutely agree it's a waste of time, but the goal is to stay within the lines to avoid getting jacked up, or keeping it to a minimum.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

All good recommendations, thanks! I'm going to stop out at the Boston town hall today and the sheriff's barracks to inquire about it there too.

I believe those barracks are now closed.

 

[CzechFan]

@Carlos: he meant the Troopers barracks. It moved across the road but it's still there.
@Justin: I've hunted in the town for 25+ years. No firearms ordinance here that I know of.
But let me know if you find otherwise!

 

[Saltwater60]

Wow. I guess I haven't been to the Niagara in awhile. Things have changed.

Auto correct. It was supposed to say duck.

 

[Saltwater60]

My neighbor comes over to "borrow" some 9mm cartridges for his old ass Zastava pistol when he hears me shooting.
Hes the only guy I know that apparently has ZERO rounds for his gun in his home.

Tell him to F off and buy his own.

 

[Criticalt]

Tell him to F off and buy his own.

He has done more for me than I can even think of.
Hes one of those guys that has everything you could ever need.
He has all kinds of equipment.....dozer, chipper, baler.....
He also lends me his team of Belgians for dragging logs every year.
He is an electrician, a plummer and a carpenter.
He is always home and always willing to lend a hand.
A few bullets is the least I can do for the old mooch.

 

[Justincase]

Talked to the town code enforcer and he said you're good to go no matter what anyone likes our doesn't like. Seemed like a real cool guy. Stopped by the Trooper barracks and didn't even get in the building and one of them was pulling out and asked if I needed help, I told him the scenario and he said if someone calls 911 about gunshots the sheriff deputies will likely respond and just check things out quick then be on their way. So long as everything is on the up and up you're all good no matter how often people call. He said he used to shoot a lot himself and he'd get called on, so he recommended I let the local police know it may be me shooting periodically at a certain address and they will likely just drive by, and call it all good. Super nice guy. He was real nice to my little guy too, which made the interaction that much better.

 

[livingston]

Could always have the DEC or local leo to come and give their recommendation on how to lay out a shooting range . IF something comes up ... Just say it is in specs according to xxxxx ....

 

[stokes]

Could always have the DEC or local leo to come and give their recommendation on how to lay out a shooting range . IF something comes up ... Just say it is in specs according to xxxxx ....

So when an accident of some sort occurs,the DEC or LEO will be liable.Exactly why the DEC or local LEO is not going to get involved in this kind of thing.If you call either and they come and give you any advice,its gonna be strictly off the record.I suspect all they would say is its your land,do what you want,dont break any laws,have a good day.

 

[Justincase]

I'll just make sure the direction of fire isn't pointing toward any dwellings, I'll have a backstop of some sort, and we should be all good... provided this purchase goes through. Need the timing for selling our house to be just right to be able to buy this one. Ours is under contract with a non continent buyer, but i think they know they got us by the balls so I'm not liking this whole process