[Jay21]

I own 130 acres in a PA township and the nearest house is at least a mile away. On Sat. I bought a new pistol and went to try it out. I set up a target and over the next 1/2 hour shot 50 rounds through it. I ran into the farmer who owns the property next to me yesterday and he told me that I had disturbed the Red Tag hunters that he had on his property Sat. and that they were very angryat me for scaring all the deer away. I told him I was sorry, that I did not know they where there and that I was at least 1000 yards away from his fields and the hunters. He then tried to tell me I was not allowed to target shoot on my property without the Game Commission first inspecting the "range" to see that it was conforming to law. He said I had to dig a pit and make a bulletproof backstop etc. etc. I told him he was full of it and he said "we'll see". I know he is pretty good friends with the WCO. So I am half expecting a visit and even though I believe I am correct I want to be positive. I have looked everywhere I can think of and can not find anything on law pertaining to target shooting on your own private property. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Stetam]

A public range has restrictions and requirements. You as a land owner do not if your doing in safely. Tell your neighbor to pound sand.

 

[Double Lung 20]

If you're shooting safely, it should be fine.

 

[grouse & britt]

If You arntd displaying a hunting lic, shooting at wildlife or on pgc property , you need to research Your municipal codes to ensure compliance with the law

however a person autta have a sutiable back stop where ever thay shoot law or not its just the smart thing to do

 

[jayd4wg]

and his crybaby red taggers need to get a life. would they get mad at the race track for holding a race on the day of your hunt? Bloodhound and I went to one of the Christmas Tree farms in Indiana county last year for a hunt...i was supposed to christen my new rifle with a nice fat doe that day. The whole time we were out there, the race track was roaring and such...it's just another one of the variables you have to deal with. If the farmers son was out back shooting cans with the .22 would he whoop him for disturbing the hunters? Hmm...Prove that he (or you) were setting off explosions for the sole purpose of disturbing the hunt...Now he's on to something LOL...

You should be in the clear provided you were shooting in a safe manner.

 

[Dogtrnr]

There are restrictions on target shooting, on any property, during a big game season. Check your digest.

 

[308Havoc]

if you or a friend (if you are a guest) owns the land, you may shoot whenever you wish (during any season). ofcourse you have to abide by normal rules and city codes.
just remember "safety first".

 

[Dogface]

I shoot at a local rifle range at least 2 or 3 times a month. I almost always have to chase deer off the range while I shoot. Gunfire does not scare deer. Your neighbor needs a reality check.

 

[brubincam]

a gun club I used to shoot at would have the deer standing and just watching you shoot

 

[DennyF]

To the best of my knowledge, PGC has no jurisdiction over ranges on private property. Their only interest is expressed in the reg about shooting within certain areas around a camp, during a hunting season.

Many townships and other municipalities have ordinances about private shooting ranges. Doubt many would apply in most rural areas, on 130 acres?

 

[RobOz]

gets better every day

 

[Hiamovi]

May be he has been in red tag so long they can't have any fun anymore.They shot most of "his" deer.

 

[Pa-Plinker]

There are restrictions on target shooting, on any property, during a big game season. Check your digest.

Sec. 2507. Restrictions on shooting.

(a) General rule. - It is unlawful for any person during the open season for the taking of any big game other than turkey to:

(1) Shoot at any mark or target other than legal game or wildlife with a firearm of any kind or a bow and arrow.

(2) Discharge at any time any firearm or release an arrow at random in the general direction of any game or wildlife not plainly visible for the purpose of routing or frightening them.

(3) Discharge at any time any firearm or release an arrow at random or in any other manner contrary to this section.

(b) Exceptions. - This section shall not be construed to apply in any manner to:

(1) The discharge of any firearm for the sole purpose of signaling for aid or assistance while in distress.

(2) The use of rifle, pistol or archery ranges owned, leased or maintained by a State or Federal military or police organization or by any regularly organized rifle, pistol, shotgun or archery range, shooting association or club while shooting at a regularly established and properly safeguarded range or to any public shooting exhibition properly safeguarded and conducted under the direction of any organization for the promotion of marksmanship.

(3) The discharge of a muzzle-loading firearm at a proper target for the purpose of safe transportation of the muzzle-loaded firearm.

(4) Shooting at a properly constructed target or mark or a dead tree protected by a natural or artificial barrier so that the ball, bullet or arrow cannot travel more than 15 yards beyond the target aimed at, after making due allowance for deflection in any direction not to exceed an angle of 45 degrees. Target shooting shall only be lawful when it is done:

(i) Upon property owned by the shooter or by a guest of the property owner.

(ii) Within 200 yards of the camp or other headquarters where the person shooting is quartered or is an invited guest or visitor.

(c) Penalty. - A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fourth degree.

 

[Bluetick]

Just an aside, All the bold you did in that post relies on this portion of the code:

Sec. 2507. Restrictions on shooting.

(a) General rule. - It is unlawful for any person during the open season for the taking of any big game other than turkey to:


Shooting on private land outside a big game season is lawful, other than municipality restrictions, and not covered by the GC.

 

[Pa-Plinker]

Correct. The "Exceptions" apply to the "General Rule" wording of 2507(a). Without reading the entire section, interpretation of the meaning of the law is impossible.

 

[ChoochCharlie]

Your neighbor is out of line, and the red taggers are wining.
What if you shot a deer on your property, would that be disturbing the hunters? No.
Building your house using a nail gun? Hammering? Loading firewood into a truck? Blasting rocks? Having a party with 100 people and a band? Cutting firewood with a chainsaw? Running a chipper? Making corn? Working on a hot rod with no muffler?
What if someone was hunting next to any of the State Game Land Ranges ? Should I stop sighting in my rifle because there is a hunter nearby?

You were a gentleman and kudos for that. But in the future, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot away.

 

[gunwalker]

Here's an idea: instead of going to Internet, why not call the local PGC office?

 

[DennyF]

I did not pose the original question, merely answered it.

Figure he posted it here and had hoped one of the WCOs would have responded?

 

[gunwalker]

Sorry Denny, wasn't referring to you. I need to pay more attention to this "reply to" stuff. ALso, I heard that WCOs were told to stop answering questions here. All further info is supposed to come from the Fortress of Darkness, not from field officers.

 

[R.W.J]

the law was posted so no need for a WCO to respond. I have not been told to quit posting on here