Looking for a new place

[Guest cdb]

Hi folks!  We're looking to relocate out of Maryland and Tennessee is on the short list so I thought I'd stop by to get a feel for the shooting community out here.

 

We're looking for a good bit of land out in the country.  We're passing through Nashvile today and going to drive out in the county a bit to scout some locations.  I work from home mostly so am open to pretty much anywhere in the state so long as I can get a decent internet connection.

 

So, anyplace in particular you guys (and gals) would recommend checking out?  Anything I should know about shooting in Tennessee?  I've collected a few stamps (the $200 kind) but so far as I've been able to find out there shouldn't be any problems with that stuff, right?

 

Thanks!

Edited July 25, 2013 by cdb

[peejman]

Since you started in Nashville, I'd recommend you head east.  There's plenty of small towns and plenty of land (small farms) for sale.  Personally, the further east you go, the better it gets. 

 

TN, the patron state of shootin' stuff.  Generally discharge of a firearm is illegal within city limits, though I don't expect you'll have to worry about that.  Lots of public and some private ranges do not permit full auto fire or .50 BMG.  That's definitely something to check on. 

 

The decent internet connection may cause some difficulty if you're really out in the sticks.  High speed broadband access is growing, but there's still lots of places where it's not available.  And the fact that you have to get it from the cable company make it worse.  Satellite internet is an option. 

[Guest cdb]

Thanks for the info!  East would be better too since it's closer to family back in MD.  Won't be able to get over there this trip, but I think we'll drive back out and stay a few days to check out the areas farther to the east in the next couple of months.

I'm hoping to find enough land that I can do some shooting on the property.  Mostly shoot suppressed so I don't figure it'd bother anyone, but will of course want to follow whatever the local/county ordinances are with regards to distance from neighbors and roads.  Apart from that I shoot service rifle so will be looking for clubs/ranges that compete in high power.  Any of that out your way?

[Vistar]

This brings up an interesting issue. I've had two experiences with deer being injured by the roadside and one trapped skunk that needed to be put down. Figured deputies would take care of that because TWRA hasn't the manpower. One was called into Knox County and two to Loudon County and all brought the exact same response - almost word for word- from dispatch. "You're in the county. Don't you have a gun?" In all cases, the animals were in developed areas with plenty of homes nearby. When explained, the response was, "Well, be careful." In the case of the skunk, instructions were more specific. "You'll need to shoot it between the eyes and be at least 40 ft away. That's how far they can getcha." I declined euthanizing the skunk because 1) I'm not that sure of my marksmanship 2) It was entangled in wire mesh right by my back porch. My question is - how would TWRA view this? Even for mercy purposes, I don't think non LEOs can go around putting down wild game - even if it is legal to discharge the firearm.

Edited July 25, 2013 by Vistar

[Vistar]

Re HP rifle range, Oak Ridge Sportsman Association is set up for less than 50 cal. http://www.orsaonline.org/ifacilities.asp?id=2 (look for property in northwest Loudon County - near's plenty available).

[austin7.62]

Welcome!
I've spent many a summers up in MD in Hebron, Salisbury, and of course ocean city. It's beautiful up there, but I'm sure you find that the hills of TN are a great place to be. Good luck wherever you land!

[HOGNUT]

Welcome to the forum and hope your move to TN is pleasant.

[peejman]

Thanks for the info!  East would be better too since it's closer to family back in MD.  Won't be able to get over there this trip, but I think we'll drive back out and stay a few days to check out the areas farther to the east in the next couple of months.

I'm hoping to find enough land that I can do some shooting on the property.  Mostly shoot suppressed so I don't figure it'd bother anyone, but will of course want to follow whatever the local/county ordinances are with regards to distance from neighbors and roads.  Apart from that I shoot service rifle so will be looking for clubs/ranges that compete in high power.  Any of that out your way?

 

 

ORSA is the place for high power.  http://www.orsahp.com/   I'm sure there's a few folks here that participate.  I'd like to but minor things like time and money are a problem for the moment. 

 

Shooting on your own property is pretty easy.  As long as you're using an acceptable back stop, it's not a big deal.  I believe the law only addresses hunting within a specific distance of a dwelling, it doesn't say anything about just target shooting that I recall.  Most people who live out in the country are used to hearing gun fire.  I'm less than a mile from the city limits and I hear it regularly.  I've called the cops about it too, but that's another story (see my "acceptable back stop" comment above). 

 

 

 

This brings up an interesting issue. I've had two experiences with deer being injured by the roadside and one trapped skunk that needed to be put down. Figured deputies would take care of that because TWRA hasn't the manpower. One was called into Knox County and two to Loudon County and all brought the exact same response - almost word for word- from dispatch. "You're in the county. Don't you have a gun?" In all cases, the animals were in developed areas with plenty of homes nearby. When explained, the response was, "Well, be careful." In the case of the skunk, instructions were more specific. "You'll need to shoot it between the eyes and be at least 40 ft away. That's how far they can getcha." I declined euthanizing the skunk because 1) I'm not that sure of my marksmanship 2) It was entangled in wire mesh right by my back porch. My question is - how would TWRA view this? Even for mercy purposes, I don't think non LEOs can go around putting down wild game - even if it is legal to discharge the firearm.

 

 

Its it technically against the law?  Yes, unless it's hunting season and you have a license. 

 

Are you likely to be prosecuted for it?  Assuming you're not a total idiot about it, no.  I believe the response you'd get from most LEO's is ... "thank you."

 

A former co-worker hit a deer one night with his family in the car.  The deer was loudly suffering in the ditch and was further upsetting his wife and young daughters.  A passerby stopped to see they needed help.  Seeing/hearing the deer and my friend's kids, he shot the deer to end its suffering.  When the cop arrived a few minutes later and saw the deer, he asked who shot it.  The man said he did and the cop said thanks, have a nice evening.  Never asked for ID or anything.

 

When in doubt, remember the 3 S's.... shoot, shovel, shut up.

[Guest cdb]

Thanks again for the great info.  Of course it goes without saying that safety is my first concern and that I'd never target practice without a proper backstop.  Bet you've got an interesting story to tell about that.  Sounds like it may be similar to a friend of mine who has twice been peppered with buckshot from hunters in the woods behind his house.  It's amazing how little some folks think through their actions!

[2Alpha]

I concur that East Tennessee is where you want to look.  ORSA is a great facility with lots of opportunity for some competitive shooting, including monthly USPSA, Steel Challenge, 3-Gun, IDPA and SASS matches.  As an aside, if you are a golfer, the golf in Knoxville/East TN is much better than in Nashville.

[Ugly]

I concur with East TN, the website "Landwatch" is quite the useful tool, that's how we found our place and there are many great places available. Good luck!

 

http://www.landwatch.com/Tennessee_land_for_sale

[Guest cdb]

Hey, thanks for all the great info.  I'll definitely check out landwatch.  We're looking for just the right place so I expect the search is going to take a while.

[whitewolf001]

I like where I'm at. About 30k people and we're about an hour away between Nashville or Knoxville and about an hour and a half from Chattanooga. If I wanna get away to somewhere more quiet, where I'm at it's VERY possible but then, this is TN, you can do that at just about most places. Good luck in your move cousin, hope that you can get outta commie territory and into the third most free state in the union.

[whitewolf001]

 

TN, the patron state of shootin' stuff. 

 

Lol, okay Bob Lee Swagger. I LOVED that movie!

[Guest thebeast09]

I am over in East Tennessee near the mountains and I have loved growing up out here. Plenty of country land for target practice as well as hiking and mountain biking. Many good gun dealers out here as well...

 

Good luck with the relocating! 

[Monkeyman2500]

Welcome. Look around there are some great places here. Just a little west of Nashville all the way to the east boarder is great. I hear the Far East top corner is really nice.