Page 40 - Kansas Sportsman

most likely not an issue. The sound of shots fired will ultimately
be swallowed up by the surrounding landscape or fade into
the vastness of such immense acreage. But if you’re building
a private gun range on less acreage and closer to neighbors,
it’s important to understand—and mitigate—the impact of
shooting range noise.

Start by understanding the potential noise impact on neigh-
bors, and communicating with them your intent for the range,
your frequency and hours of use, and then address any con-
Building a shooting range on your property to practice
for hunting—Hayden Outdoors agent Clay Owens cerns they might have. Taking a few minutes to talk with your
guides Allen Treadwell on a predator hunt filmed neighbors now can save you countless angry phone calls and
for Life on the Land TV Show. complaints later. Also research sound-dampening techniques
and materials and acoustical barriers.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR HOME GUN RANGE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Again, Clay emphasizes the importance of implementing
proper backdrops, bulletproof barriers, and safety berms to The environmental impact of a home gun range is something
mitigate ricochet or stray bullets. It’s also key to establish clear to consider from the very beginning of the process. It can
safety protocols and range rules. “It’s important to let people influence the design of target retrieval roads and trails, and all
know when you are having active fire on the range. For dude ranges should consider soil contamination from lead but espe-
ranches, hunting properties, or family plots where people are cially those built near natural water sources, such as streams
doing other activities, put up a sign that designates the range and creeks flowing through the property.
is active.”

“In regards to lead, there are companies that will come and
retrieve the lead out of banks and shooting ranges,” says Clay.
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY
“For folks who are really concerned about lead contamination,
you can shoot copper bullets exclusively.”
Clay points out that building a gun range on your property
typically doesn’t require insurance riders, but it’s important
Additionally, be mindful of target retrieval roads and trails,
to check with your insurance agent to make sure. “If you have
making sure they don’t disrupt wildlife habitat such as bedding,
gun range courses or start charging for use, then you’ll need to
roosting, and resting areas. This is particularly important if the
explore liability insurance and waivers.”
land doubles as a hunting property.
Whether private or part of your property’s larger revenue
Dr. Peddicord of Environmental Range Protection has years of
generation activities, understanding the risks associated with
experience consulting private land owners and public entities
operating a gun range is imperative to its success and the
on proper range environmental practices. “A fundamental
safety of its users. If you’re not sure what these risks might be,
objective is to keep bullets and shot off neighboring proper-
talk with a gun range expert to learn more or reach out to Evan
ties. For rifle/pistol ranges this requires appropriate space and
Anderson, the Hayden Outdoors’ Insurance Representative.
terrain to place adequate backstops far enough from property
boundaries that bullets ricocheted or flipped off the backstop
PRIVATE GUN RANGE NOISE MANAGEMENT will not reach the property boundary.” For shotgun clay target

venues, recognize that shot deposits much farther downrange
If you’re lucky enough to shoot on a 1,500-acre gun range like than often expected, especially when shooting downslope. As
the one Clay is building at the Hayden Outdoors Ranch, noise is an initial generalization, recognize that shot may fall 300 yards

40 THE KANSAS SPORTSMAN | SPRING 2024