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Why did they shoot it up?
dheffley
Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
I have a few acres of land just outside Dallas. I go out there and do a little shooting when they are having competition shoots out at the club. I used a tractor to push up some burms and built four covered shooting benches. I set up 25, 50, 100 and 300 yard targets. I built the covers opened on three sides and roofed them. I put a table under each cover, and set out two 55 gallon trash barrels. I also kept a skeet thrower on the 300 yard range and had it mounted to the edge of the table. I keep it mowed and it makes a nice range.
On several trips, I have noticed that someone has been on the land using the range. The gate is always locked, and there are "No Trespassing" signs on the fence. But, they always cleaned up after themselves, and I really had no complaint. I do wish they had asked for permission, but no real complaints.
Today I went out do test out a new M1 Garand I picked up. The gate was pushed in, and there were tire tracks everywhere. The skeet thrower was removed and missing, and there were bullet holes everywhere. Each table had been shot to heck. The sheds had multiple holes shot through the roofs (each and every one of them), and one of the 4 x 4's that served as a front support had been shot though and the roof partially collapsed. There were beer bottles everywhere, and a pick neck table was missing.
I called the Sheriff, who told me that he would do what he could. He did gather the bottles and took pictures. He thinks he might be able to get some prints off of the glass bottles. He also said he would try to patrol the area a little more and keep and eye out.
Now for my complaint. Who ever has been using the area has done a good job in keeping it clean and picking up their mess. If they come back, they might get arrested, and it may or may not have been them. I'm thinking of just tearing it all down, and carrying a portable canopy when I go. Why would a jerk do something like that?
Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
On several trips, I have noticed that someone has been on the land using the range. The gate is always locked, and there are "No Trespassing" signs on the fence. But, they always cleaned up after themselves, and I really had no complaint. I do wish they had asked for permission, but no real complaints.
Today I went out do test out a new M1 Garand I picked up. The gate was pushed in, and there were tire tracks everywhere. The skeet thrower was removed and missing, and there were bullet holes everywhere. Each table had been shot to heck. The sheds had multiple holes shot through the roofs (each and every one of them), and one of the 4 x 4's that served as a front support had been shot though and the roof partially collapsed. There were beer bottles everywhere, and a pick neck table was missing.
I called the Sheriff, who told me that he would do what he could. He did gather the bottles and took pictures. He thinks he might be able to get some prints off of the glass bottles. He also said he would try to patrol the area a little more and keep and eye out.
Now for my complaint. Who ever has been using the area has done a good job in keeping it clean and picking up their mess. If they come back, they might get arrested, and it may or may not have been them. I'm thinking of just tearing it all down, and carrying a portable canopy when I go. Why would a jerk do something like that?
Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
Comments
STUPIDITY
Don't send flowers when I die. Send money now, I can buy more ammo.
"Not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but it is enough."
Rebuild it, don't let them win. I'm not an expert on security, but I'd say try to setup more security. Maybe keep a rabid dog on the property. But a main thing is have it insured. So next time something like this happens, it will be paid for.
I really hate it when punk kids do stuff like that. Some friends of mine and myself spent countless hours and days finding scrap wood, and biulding a paintball field, we had it all nice only to arrive one day to find everything torn down, stuff stolen, ect. It was rather depressing to find some of the stuff show on a local commercial field not a week later when I played there. Everyone know who did it, and though some butts were kicked, nothing ever happened.
If I'm wrong please correct me, I won't be offended.
The sound of a 12 gauge pump clears a house fatser than Rosie O eats a Big Mac !
Rameleni1
Eric S. Williams
Why does man kill? He kills for food. But not only for food; frequently, he must have a beverage.
Really, really, sorry to see this happen - good luck!!!!!!
Rameleni1
I agree with some of the other posts, if you can afford it, rebuild. When you do rebuild, don't mow it so often and put in some 2x4's with nails through them or some other contraption to puncture some tires and cost them some money if nothing else. Maybe you'll get lucky and they will have to leave the vehicle there until they can get four spare tires out there. Maybe by then you'll have found the vehicle and a plate number. Good luck, and sorry.
Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
IALEFI, ASLET, NRA, and proud owner of a pair of S&W revolvers.
Give your kids roots and wings. and dont forget the guns!!
Do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
IALEFI, ASLET, NRA, and proud owner of a pair of S&W revolvers.
if they didn't have to build it they don't care about it
mark this one up to jelousy and take precautions for next time
with the missing equipment you can at least get them for theft if found
SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO
The co-owners of the land did much the same as you did regarding
structures,pavillions even Port-a potties.
Yep,you guessed it,some stupid A--HOLES went in there and just shot the stuff all to hell.They even managed to cut down some very old growth trees by just constantly shooting them 'til they fell.
I feel for ya bud.Rebuild it and don't let'em get the best of you!
If you need help running a tractor or backhoe out there sometime,
give me a shout.I could probably lend you a hand.
Later Amigo
I think I will look into rebuilding with two steel sheds. I'll make one range to the nort and one range to the south of each shed. That will give me all four ranges only using two sheds. I will build some steel tables set in concrete with 2 x 6 tops. I'll set up a game camera and do a little recording. I may even give someone a free lot to park a trailer on to keep an eye out.
It just makes me so angy that they would tear everything up.
Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
"Not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but it is enough."
If you will blame gun makers for every shooting then blame car maker for every car accident.
Rugster
Toujours Pret
Why does man kill? He kills for food. But not only for food; frequently, he must have a beverage.
carl
Blame the diabolical collective for the dammage and GOD from being an absentee landlord.....
We creative minds are on our own ....untill the day of retribution..
JD
400 million cows can't be wrong ( EAT GRASS !!! )
**It is your right to posess a firearm. In case of questions, please refer to amendment 2, United States Constitution.**
The REALLY nice part is that the Dept. of Natural Resources sends out a convict crew, either work release or very minimum security inmates, out 2 to 3 times a years to clean, rake and hual off the trash.
DHeffley- Be very careful how you set up any boobytraps, especially in your State! I ain't sayin' I wouldn't, but be very careful. Ask Nunn (or any other TX LEO)about tresspass law there in TX, and see about whether or not you need to post the property or not, and if there are any other options availible.
I kinda like the idea of renting a space to someone to watch over everything- In exchange for a reduced rent you might be able to give a young family a good start, and get the security you need. Just be very careful in your screening process that you do not create another headache by way of a lousy rentor.
Good Luck!!!!!
Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!