How much land do you need (in Idaho) to safely shoot on?

August 20, 2017, 08:33 PM

4x5

I realize this differs by locality, but generally, if you wanted to shoot on your own property, into a berm or backstop, how much land would you need? This would be a few miles outside city limits.

August 20, 2017, 08:47 PM

ZSMICHAEL

In Mississippi it is legal to discharge firearms outside of city limits. It is pretty frequent. If we are talking a 25 yard pistol range, that is one thing, rifles quite another.

Usage of a proper backstop and berm is a good idea, as well as good relations with the adjoining property owner. Not too many people here complain about the noise since gunfire is common. Even a 22lr can travel over a mile.

August 20, 2017, 08:53 PM

bigpond73

The land shape will really matter. I have two 36 acre parcels, adjoining. They are fairly square (+/- a hundred feet). From one corner, diagonally to the other, I was able to squeeze out a 600 yard range.

August 20, 2017, 09:17 PM

Sigfest

Around here, even in a township, you need to be 500' from another house.

August 20, 2017, 11:48 PM

SapperSteel

4x5, this is the applicable state law:

quote:
TITLE 18
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER 33
FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND OTHER DEADLY WEAPONS
18-3302J. PREEMPTION OF FIREARMS REGULATION. (1) The legislature finds that uniform laws regulating firearms are necessary to protect the individual citizen’s right to bear arms guaranteed by amendment 2 of the United States Constitution and section 11, article I of the constitution of the state of Idaho. It is the legislature’s intent to wholly occupy the field of firearms regulation within this state.
(2) Except as expressly authorized by state statute, no county, city, agency, board or any other political subdivision of this state may adopt or enforce any law, rule, regulation, or ordinance which regulates in any manner the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, transportation, carrying or storage of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition.
(3) A county may adopt ordinances to regulate, restrict or prohibit the discharge of firearms within its boundaries. Ordinances adopted under this subsection may not apply to or affect:
(a) A person discharging a firearm in the lawful defense of person or persons or property;
(b) A person discharging a firearm in the course of lawful hunting;
(c) A landowner and guests of the landowner discharging a firearm, when the discharge will not endanger persons or property;
(d) A person lawfully discharging a firearm on a sport shooting range as defined in section 55-2604, Idaho Code; or
(e) A person discharging a firearm in the course of target shooting on public land if the discharge will not endanger persons or property.
(4) A city may adopt ordinances to regulate, restrict or prohibit the discharge of firearms within its boundaries. Ordinances adopted under this subsection may not apply to or affect:
(a) A person discharging a firearm in the lawful defense of person or persons or property; or
(b) A person lawfully discharging a firearm on a sport shooting range as defined in section 55-2604, Idaho Code.
(5) This section shall not be construed to affect:
(a) The authority of the department of fish and game to make rules or regulations concerning the management of any wildlife of this state, as set forth in section 36-104, Idaho Code; and
(b) The authority of counties and cities to regulate the location and construction of sport shooting ranges, subject to the limitations contained in chapter 26, title 55, Idaho Code.
(6) The provisions of this section are hereby declared to be severable. And if any provision is declared invalid for any reason, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this section.
History:
[18-3302J, added 2008, ch. 304, sec. 2, p. 845; am. 2014, ch. 73, sec. 3, p. 189.]

So, to answer your question, the size of a shooting area on private property isn't regulated by state law. The only restriction pertinent to shooting on private property is that it cannot "endanger persons or property".

My ranch is in Bannock County, Idaho. I shoot on it often, in many different places, sometimes just plinking, sometimes shooting varmints, sometimes hunting small and large game and birds (with a license, of course) and have never had a problem.

August 21, 2017, 12:08 AM

4x5

Thanks for finding that information, SapperSteele - it's very good to know. We're looking at homes & land in the Shelly/IF/Rexburg area. Coming from a 1/5 acre lot, the thought of a little land really appeals to me.

August 21, 2017, 12:12 AM

PorterN

quote:
Originally posted by 4x5:
Thanks for finding that information, SapperSteele - it's very good to know. We're looking at homes & land in the Shelly/IF/Rexburg area. Coming from a 1/5 acre lot, the thought of a little land really appeals to me.

there's a lot of little towns around Rexburg with a LOT of land. When I was in college up there, a room mate of mine had a bonfire on his parents property out in the middle of nowhere out there, so a few of us and our girlfriends spent the night out at the bonfire. I asked how much land his family had; he said "we own the property out to that power pole, down the hill that way, and over the hill that way. it's really more than you can see from here..."

It was fun.

August 21, 2017, 12:14 AM

4x5

quote:
Originally posted by PorterN:
quote:
Originally posted by 4x5:
Thanks for finding that information, SapperSteele - it's very good to know. We're looking at homes & land in the Shelly/IF/Rexburg area. Coming from a 1/5 acre lot, the thought of a little land really appeals to me.

there's a lot of little towns around Rexburg with a LOT of land. When I was in college up there, a room mate of mine had a bonfire on his parents property out in the middle of nowhere out there, so a few of us and our girlfriends spent the night out at the bonfire. I asked how much land his family had; he said "we own the property out to that power pole, down the hill that way, and over the hill that way. it's really more than you can see from here..."

It was fun.

Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.

August 21, 2017, 06:43 AM

mcrimm

When we lived in Central Montana, we were a mile from town on 10 acres. We didn't have a home within 1/2 mile and were surrounded by hills.

Spring was a great time to come home for a balongna sandwich and a half hour on the deck shouting gophers before heading back to work.

Kinda took the edge off.
Mike

August 21, 2017, 07:29 AM

selogic

The problem most people have is not a lack of space , but the noise complaints by their neighbors . Some of those tree hugging , city transplants get really freaked out by gunfire .

August 21, 2017, 11:54 AM

gpbst3

I guess it really depends on your neighbors.

August 21, 2017, 01:08 PM

RaiseHal

That's why God let man invent suppressors, so we don't bother our neighbors, and the fact that he loves us.

August 21, 2017, 01:11 PM

deepocean

Are there good hospitals and specialists in the areas 4x5 and SAP mentioned?

August 21, 2017, 01:12 PM

selogic

quote:
Originally posted by gpbst3:
I guess it really depends on your neighbors.

Yeah , the one part of the equation that is out of your control .

August 22, 2017, 09:57 AM

Crom

It's Idaho.
You want to be far enough from the neighbors that they can't hear you shootin', or they will come over and ask if they can shoot too and pick up your brass. Then they'll leave a bunch of empty beer cans!