Possible to do "BLM-style" shooting in Central TX? (Public land)

[para_bellum]

In many Western states there is BLM land. You can drive out to the desert, set up a tent and have your own range. 100yd, 200yd, 600yd, 1000yd, handgun, steel targets, shoot pumpkins, clays - whatever! Clean up after you're done and then go home. (Theoretically anyway, many people shoot TVs and leave a bunch of trash.)

Here in TX it seems all land is privately owned! Is there a range or other area that offers shooting at your own targets while not imposing tons of rules?

Or is the only alternative to buy 20 acres of desert in West TX and have your own range? I'm in the Austin area and cheap land doesn't seem to be available around here.

TIA

 

[FireInTheWire]

In many Western states there is BLM land. You can drive out to the desert, set up a tent and have your own range. 100yd, 200yd, 600yd, 1000yd, handgun, steel targets, shoot pumpkins, clays - whatever! Clean up after you're done and then go home. (Theoretically anyway, many people shoot TVs and leave a bunch of trash.)

Here in TX it seems all land is privately owned! Is there a range or other area that offers shooting at your own targets while not imposing tons of rules?

Or is the only alternative to buy 20 acres of desert in West TX and have your own range? I'm in the Austin area and cheap land doesn't seem to be available around here.

TIA

In short, not really. Basically gotta own land, go to a range or know someone with land.

That is one nice thing about BLM land.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Dang, is it just me, or could that title be misconstrued?

 

[V-Tach]

What I thought is was, isn't what it turned out to be.....

 

[Byrd666]

All I gotta say is "Whew, thought a chitstorm had just shown up."

Happy I was wrong.

 

[FireInTheWire]

 

[Mowingmaniac 24/7]

ZX9,

Yes, I too was doing the 'wth' frown until...

 

[Younggun]

Dang, is it just me, or could that title be misconstrued?

It wasn’t what I expected.


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[para_bellum]

Ok so how to find land?
- Don't want a ranch
- Don't want utilities
- Should be far enough from any town to avoid future regulations

How many acres is enough? 10? 20? 50? Must be able to safely shoot an AR15.

 

[Hoji]

Ok so how to find land?
- Don't want a ranch
- Don't want utilities
- Should be far enough from any town to avoid future regulations

How many acres is enough? 10? 20? 50? Must be able to safely shoot an AR15.

Depends on a lot of factors,cheaper to join Austin Rifle Club and just keep renewing until you die.

 

[baboon]

Ok so how to find land?
- Don't want a ranch
- Don't want utilities
- Should be far enough from any town to avoid future regulations

How many acres is enough? 10? 20? 50? Must be able to safely shoot an AR15.

Hell lots of indoor & outdoor ranges can now handle your AR15 pattern rifle simply because there is not public land in Texas for you to do so on. Then again range fees might be something else you don't want.

 

[oldag]

Dang, is it just me, or could that title be misconstrued?

The OP's now on the FBI watchlist...

Good thing the red flag laws haven't reached Texas.

 

[pronstar]

Dang, is it just me, or could that title be misconstrued?

Yeah I was thinking Bundy stand-off when I read it.


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[ZX9RCAM]

Yeah I was thinking Bundy stand-off when I read it.


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That too....

 

[toddnjoyce]

Ok so how to find land?
- Don't want a ranch
- Don't want utilities
- Should be far enough from any town to avoid future regulations

You go back to a place where the state gave up rights to its land to pay off debts to join the union.

Or you buy land in the county not subject to a HoA, ETJ, or or county restrictions.

 

[Charlie]

Ok so how to find land?
- Don't want a ranch
- Don't want utilities
- Should be far enough from any town to avoid future regulations

How many acres is enough? 10? 20? 50? Must be able to safely shoot an AR15.

The restrictions (if any) are based on where it is and what (if any) municipality controls it. What county it's in, etc. Don't believe it when someone tells you that you must have at least 10 acres to shoot on your land in Texas ............ not true.

 

[Charlie]

Edit to above post. I live on an acre and one half. I'm in a subdivision in the county. We have a good homeowners association, in my opinion. We have restrictions that we cannot hunt and they ask not to shoot firearms if at all possible. Occasionally someone will shoot a snake, skunk, etc. but very rarely. It's a very workable situation. Actually, even in the city limits of Kerrville it is not illegal to shoot a gun (bullet cannot leave the property).

 

[Fishkiller]

I guess it depends how far you want to drive and how much you are willing to pay. But as someone said it is probably cheaper to join a club. I bought 25 acres for 70k. Even at $2,000 per year that is 35 years of range fees, not to mention annual taxes etc. So monetarily you are better off joining a club or going to a range.

 

[roadkill]

I guess it depends how far you want to drive and how much you are willing to pay. But as someone said it is probably cheaper to join a club. I bought 25 acres for 70k. Even at $2,000 per year that is 35 years of range fees, not to mention annual taxes etc. So monetarily you are better off joining a club or going to a range.

But what is that land worth 35 yrs from now?

 

[avvidclif]

The restrictions (if any) are based on where it is and what (if any) municipality controls it. What county it's in, etc. Don't believe it when someone tells you that you must have at least 10 acres to shoot on your land in Texas ............ not true.

There you go with the absolutes again. Kaufman County passed an ordinance that you must own 10AC min to shoot on your land. Because one nutcake that liked to shot all the time only had 8AC. I don't think they enforce it as it hasn't slowed him down.