Target practice on private property.

[builder]

New guy here. Nice forum.

Got a question....Last weekeend I went to my Uncle's farm in SW Minnesota. We shot off about 80-90 rounds with handgun and my 30-30. We shot low targets into a wide hill. All of our bullets hit dirt well within 20 yards behind our target.

My Uncle told me that later that day, one of his neighbors told him that it was illegal to shoot a deer rifle out there. He said a shotgun and handgun was OK. I guess I wasn't aware of any laws that prohibited rifle discharge on rural private property in Minnesota that doesn't include river and stream banks, and protected areas.

Can you guys give me some input in this matter? Thanks.

Builder

[Washing Lures]

I believe that you are legal to shoot high power rifles on your own property. You can legally shoot high power rifles statewide for varmits.

[Jameson]

The neighbors wrong. You were in the right.

I too thought the "shotgun" law was a 365 day, any animal law. Not so.

It may help to keep everyone friendly if you have the local CO contact the neighbor, or find the law in writing.

[mrklean]

that neighbor was probably mad you guys were making noise so they were making stuff up, or they have no clue what they are saying

[builder]

I have been searching for the law that specifically addresses high power rifle usage on private property, but have not found it yet.

[Jameson]

If there isn't one, it may be hard to find. Ya might be better off finding the shotgun law.

[thedeadsea]

that neighbor was probably mad you guys were making noise so they were making stuff up, or they have no clue what they are saying

Agreed. It's amazing what people will do and/or say.

Steve

[builder]

I called the Sheriff and he told me we were OK. I told him we would call the neighbors before we do it again just so they are aware of what we are doing.

Thanks.

Builder

[BobT]

That's a good idea and neighborly. Maybe you could invite them over to give it a try too.

[crothmeier]

We've always sighted in our High Powereds down in Southern MN. Never had a problem, just cant use them for deer hunting!

[DuckDog]

I ran into a guy hunting coyotes last year with a .223 while deer hunting in S. MN.

[landscaper]

Builder

where in SW MN was it?

[Powerstroke]

The only time rifle use is prohibited on private property is when you are using it for deer hunting in a shotgun zone.

The only other thing to consider is how close you may have been to the neighbors dwelling because proximity laws still apply. It sounds like you were being safe in your shooting so I think the best thing would be to talk to your neighbor about it.

[catman71]

I always find it depressing that people can engage in speculation about laws but still present them as fact.

gun laws are complex enough without ignorant people spreading lies.

[mrklean]

its almost as bad as people telling other to get off their property when they dont own it but claim they do

[lichen fox]

I think the only law on this is the 500 foot law...that states that you may not discharge a firearm within 500 feet of a residence...(occupied building)...without permission... So, that means that if someone lives right next to your property or public property where you may be hunting or shooting, you better make sure you have permission or are at least 500 feet from whatever the "legal" description is of "where" that distance is measured...from the edge of the yard? from the edge of the property?....Best to just get the permission...

[JakeJ_Mn]

I know of no such law except that you may not take wild game within 500 feet of a building.

I believe you can shoot to your hearts content on your own property safely if you live out of city limits.

[Jameson]

Page 12, 2008 Regs

• On another person’s private land or a public right-of-way, a person

may not take a wild animal with a firearm within 500 feet of a

building occupied by humans or livestock without written permission.

• A person may not take a wild animal with a firearm within 500 feet

of a corral containing

livestock without permission.

Notice the first point being "another person's" and the second point being any land.

[lichen fox]

Yes, your right Jake...I knew I'd read it somewhere and it was in the MN trespass law....That being said...I still think it would be "wise" to ask permission before you set up a target and started shooting within 500 feet of either of these situations...

[JakeJ_Mn]

I agree - my closest neighbor is over a 1/4 mile away, but I always give them a call if I am going the blast up more than just a couple rounds.

[Tom7227]

Minn. Stat. §97B.001 TRESPASS.

Subd. 7.Taking with firearms in certain areas.(a) A person may not take a wild animal with a firearm within 500 feet of a building occupied by a human or livestock without the written permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee:

(1) on another person's private land; or

(2) on a public right-of-way.

( A person may not take a wild animal with a firearm without the permission of the owner, occupant, or lessee, within 500 feet of a stockade or corral containing livestock.

© A person may not take a wild animal on any land where the person is prohibited from entering by this section.

Note that this statute prohibits taking game, not discharging a firearm. There are a lot of local laws about discharging firearms and so it isn't easy to answer the simple question about where you can/can't target practice.

[CAJ]

If it were my land, I would shoot if I want to. You have to respect the neighbors land from shots going off of your land. We don't have very many close farms where I live, so never had a problem with that. Hunting here within 440 yards of somebodys house is not legal.