Shooting near homes?

[ReaptheHeat]

Gents,

Can't find anything on this but want your opinion.

Had a nice rutting buck at <200 yards for 2 hours. Issue is, there are homes nearby even though I am on BLM land. We had an adequate backstop, but still were "aiming" in the general direction of homes. Any passthrough would result in the bullet hitting the ground due to the elevation difference from shooter to animal. Did not take the shot tonight. What would you have done?

CPW doesn't call out any specified distance from homes. This seems open to interpretation for sure.

 

[cnelk]

I think the distance is 500’ from a dwelling.
It might be listed in the Small Game Regs.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I think the distance is 500’ from a dwelling.
It might be listed in the Small Game Regs.

I was going to say 400’ but it is listed in the regs. Seems like you were hunting safely. Using a suppressor in that situation would likely help. Most people in the homes wouldn’t notice it or know where it came from

 

[Tmac]

Being on BLM has nothing to do with the decision. Should the answer change if you were in private land? Nope.

Know your target and what’s in front and behind it, answers your query. Not a shot I’d ever take.

 

[Lawnboi]

Where that bullet ends up is your responsibility. Know your target and what’s beyond it. You made the right choice.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

I was going to say 400’ but it is listed in the regs. Seems like you were hunting safely. Using a suppressor in that situation would likely help. Most people in the homes wouldn’t notice it or know where it came from

Yeah was suppressed. Just bad optics IMO to aim in the general direction of a home. I know some people would take the shot but it felt ethically wrong.

 

[cnelk]

I personally wouldn’t hunt that area. But that’s me

 

[Hnthrdr]

Yeah was suppressed. Just bad optics IMO to aim in the general direction of a home. I know some people would take the shot but it felt ethically wrong.

Then if you didn’t feel comfortable you make the right choice. Did seem like there wasn’t a great lane in there, 3rd season tag or do you have more time?

 

[ReaptheHeat]

I personally wouldn’t hunt that area. But that’s me

Fair enough, I live 1/4 mile from that spot so its easy.

Then if you didn’t feel comfortable you make the right choice. Did seem like there wasn’t a great lane in there, 3rd season tag or do you have more time?

3rd season, but also have a 4th tag. We could of put a shot in the head when he was bedded in a much safer spot when they were on the other side of the ridge, but passed hoping he would pop up broadside. They ended up topping that small ridge to the current spot I posted so no go for me.


Thanks guys, just wanted a second opinion since everything here is legal but some unspoken rules still exist and wanted to know if my gut check was right. Sucks to pass up since its my GF's first big game animal and she has been working hard this week. We will try and catch em in a better spot tomorrow.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Never been so hard up as to have to hunt that close to houses. Must suck.

 

[WTFJohn]

Yeah was suppressed. Just bad optics IMO to aim in the general direction of a home. I know some people would take the shot but it felt ethically wrong.

In that spot, I think you did the right thing.

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Never been so hard up as to have to hunt that close to houses. Must suck.

glassed him from the deck and headed over. 3 bucks fighting, so worth the watch anyway.

lol not a town buck...this is my rural "neighborhood" in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Reburn]

Never been so hard up as to have to hunt that close to houses. Must suck.

Town bucks.........always good for a booze cruise.

 

[fngTony]

My opinion is that this is a perfect example of “can but shouldn’t”

 

[jimh406]

That seems really close if that map is accurate. What's your plan if it goes into private ... you will likely need one.

 

[feanor]

Are you able to hunt it with a bow? Yes, extremely difficult stalk, but you never know?

 

[Shortschaf]

No tag is worth a ricochet through a human

Risk is tiny but there

 

[Steve300xcw]

lol not a town buck...this is my rural "neighborhood" in the middle of nowhere.

Posts up a field surrounded by houses but its the middle of nowhere

Please stay in the east

 

[Hnthrdr]

Posts up a field surrounded by houses but its the middle of nowhere

Please stay in the east

Pretty sure this blm is in a Rocky Mountain west, check the sage and the fact he is hunting MD

 

[Lvthntitall]

I think you made the right decision