Where to shoot?

[zodiii]

I kind of had 2 questions.

First: Anyone know the laws of shooting on public land? I've been trying to get some information on it, but I can't seem to find any. I know of people who shoot on public land, but it seems sketchy to me. Not to mention other, let's say less than desirable gun handlers, also use the area. I wouldn't mind shooting on public land if it was both Legal, and there was some way for me to insure myself that some pyscho with his twelve adult children weren't going to bother me with their activities.

Second: Does anyone know of a cheap, but decent, range to shoot at in the Tulsa area? I will mostly be shooting my new pistol (SA XD40), but I wouldn't mind plinking a bit with my 10/22 and maybe putting some lead down range with an AR15.

This is only coming up now because my garden has grown and now resides in front of the dirt-stop on my land, otherwise I would just continue to shoot at my home, where I make the rules.

Thanks!

 

[buckeye]

Happy Hollow outside Sapulpa:

http://www.happyhollowgunrange.com/

 

[okiebertt]

Howdy and welcome to the forum. I'm not sure what public land you are talking about, but if you are shooting on a Dept of Wildlife range you will need a valid hunting license or be exempt. There is a range in Wagoner and Okmulgee you can use. You can go http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/ here for more info.

 

[zodiii]

Thanks for the info!

The land I'm talking about borders the Arkansas River out by Keystone Lake (If you're not familiar with the area, it's West of Tulsa).

I forgot all about Happy Hollow, I've only been there once though. I may give them a call and go check it out again.

 

[cinman14]

Where is this land located.. I was gonna head out to the Wagoner range this weekend but the Keystone area would be a lot closer....

 

[zodiii]

If you're familiar with the area, then it's off the old highway that runs along the south side of river between Sand Springs and the Keystone Dam.

If you're not familiar with the area, I have no clue what the road is called. But, basically, you drive like you are going to "Swift Park" and pull off the side of the road.

I'm not sure of the legality of the place, which is why I do not shoot there, ever. If you want precise directions, PM me and I will get it out to you. I don't really want to publish it, again, since I am not 100% sure about the legality of shooting there. It is NOT a range. It is simply public land, which I can't seem to find the precise law on.

I would love to find a nice, free area to shoot, but it's not looking to good for me. Especially since I am going to be going to be spending most of my time in Stillwater working on my Master's.

 

[cinman14]

If you're familiar with the area, then it's off the old highway that runs along the south side of river between Sand Springs and the Keystone Dam.

If you're not familiar with the area, I have no clue what the road is called. But, basically, you drive like you are going to "Swift Park" and pull off the side of the road.

I'm not sure of the legality of the place, which is why I do not shoot there, ever. If you want precise directions, PM me and I will get it out to you. I don't really want to publish it, again, since I am not 100% sure about the legality of shooting there. It is NOT a range. It is simply public land, which I can't seem to find the precise law on.

I would love to find a nice, free area to shoot, but it's not looking to good for me. Especially since I am going to be going to be spending most of my time in Stillwater working on my Master's.

I have talked with both Rogers county as well as Wagoner county and they both said as long as you're outside the city limit and not infringing on personal property there is little they can do... They both reminded me that you will be held responsible for any damage caused if you do not have a proper backstop for your rounds..

I called them in reference to the story of the BA woman who had a couple of rounds fired though her window from people shooting on the river bordering Bixby and BA... Tulsa county said it was legal to shoot on the river bank..



I have read that to shoot on WMA you need a hunting license...

 

[mr ed]

I have talked with both Rogers county as well as Wagoner county and they both said as long as you're outside the city limit and not infringing on personal property there is little they can do... They both reminded me that you will be held responsible for any damage caused if you do not have a proper backstop for your rounds..

I called them in reference to the story of the BA woman who had a couple of rounds fired though her window from people shooting on the river bordering Bixby and BA... Tulsa county said it was legal to shoot on the river bank..



I have read that to shoot on WMA you need a hunting license...

Most places along the arkansas river are either private land or is posted no shooting by order of tulsa county sheriff dept. Due to people not realizing there's houses on the other side of the river.
Guess they never heard of the safety rule- Beware of you target and beware of your backstop.

If you go on public hunting land that is not designated a range your likely to be arrested for 1. no hunting license 2. hunting out of season 3 anything the ranger wants to dream up.
Like right now where nothing is in season I believe the manual says to take a gun afield (which you would be doing) requires a hunting license.

 

[cinman14]

Most places along the arkansas river are either private land or is posted no shooting by order of tulsa county sheriff dept. Due to people not realizing there's houses on the other side of the river.
Guess they never heard of the safety rule- Beware of you target and beware of your backstop.

If you go on public hunting land that is not designated a range your likely to be arrested for 1. no hunting license 2. hunting out of season 3 anything the ranger wants to dream up.
Like right now where nothing is in season I believe the manual says to take a gun afield (which you would be doing) requires a hunting license.

This was the story I read.. Never could pin point where it was.. I guess I could just call Tulsa county and ask...

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- A Broken Arrow woman is furious after a bullet flies through her home for the second time in a year.

She says the Arkansas River draws shooters, but they clearly don't realize how far their bullets travel or where they can end up.

It's a miracle no one was hit Sunday when a high powered rifle shot crashed into a family's front dining room window, went through their kitchen and out the back of their house.

The first time Vickie had this problem, she was doing laundry. The bullet came in through the laundry room, and an officer found it imbedded in a pillow. Vickie could have easily been in the bullet's path.

On Sunday, she heard the shooting going on at the river across from her home, but figured the bullet last year was a fluke, but it happened again.

This time, it came in her dining room window. The real shock came when she and the officer tried to find where the bullet landed.

"We were looking up here, but then he asked if I checked the back of the house, so we walked through here and you can see how big that hole is and that's where it went out of my house, into the backyard where I was working," said Vickie.

Vickie lives on a golf course and says there was a golf tournament there Sunday afternoon and anyone could've been hit.

The officer told her it came from a high powered rifle, which can travel a mile.

Vickie says if the weather is nice, people are out shooting.

"It's not the single pops, it's the pop, pop, pop, the automatic fire, that scares me to death," said Vickie.

Vickie was told it's legal for people to shoot on the side of the river that's county property, but not the side that's in the Bixby city limits.

She says it's a no-brainer that something should be done since people are in danger.

"Stop the shooting or manage the shooting or re-direct the shooting or put signs up that say ‘don't shoot past here' or educate them, something can be done. It can be fixed," said Vickie.

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says if they get a complaint about shooting on the river, they can go check it out, but it is legal.

Vickie feels like the law should be re-evaluated now that so many developments have popped up along the river or steps should be taken to make sure these shooters know where their bullets end up.

 

[zodiii]

Most places along the arkansas river are either private land or is posted no shooting by order of tulsa county sheriff dept. Due to people not realizing there's houses on the other side of the river.
Guess they never heard of the safety rule- Beware of you target and beware of your backstop.

If you go on public hunting land that is not designated a range your likely to be arrested for 1. no hunting license 2. hunting out of season 3 anything the ranger wants to dream up.
Like right now where nothing is in season I believe the manual says to take a gun afield (which you would be doing) requires a hunting license.

I'm kind of with Mr Ed here.

The law is so gray, I don't care to push my luck with it. I have nothing on my criminal record, and intend to keep it that way, don't need a little hiccup because of gray laws.

Though I have never noticed a "No Shooting" sign at this particular place, it doesn't mean it's not there. But it's honestly not a bad spot, there is a really nice dirt/sand burm that you can fire into on the same side of the river.

I've heard of people getting in trouble out there for shooting skeet over the water and shooting across the river, but i've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for just shooting at that spot, but that doesn't mean it has never happened.

Since I am just going to be shooting occasionally in the Tulsa area, does anyone know if Happy Hollow or Red Castle allow non-members to shoot there? And if so, what's the fee?

Thanks!