Hunting & Fishing Was just enlightened...

[TanktheFrank]

So I have lived in a sub division of sorts for the past 2 years, have a 1 acre bavk yard, and regularly see deer back there throughout the year. I just found out, from 3 local le officers ,proving my assumptions wrong, that we do in fact live in the county, and that said county has no restrictions on hunting or firearm discharges. The only regulations would come from an HOA which thankfully we do not have. So legally speaking, when times are tough and season is in, I can harvest deer in my back yard so long as the bullet does not cross the property line.
My thought process here is what would I use? Maybe make a subsonic 6.5 cm? Or a .300 blk? I can set up a really solid backstop and arrange the shot in theory. My suppressor is on its way, and I have seen some really really quiet loads accurate enough for the headshot I'll have to take. I am very competent in hunting, shooting and practicing, so yes, it would be a 30 yard headshot. Can't recover a deer from my neighbors' yard.
My question to you guys is, am I just being ridiculous? Safety is a concern, and reasonableness is too. I'm not looking to tag out, just get a deer if the season is tight. Also, because I am thinking of using an nfa item and want to refrain from breaking any laws, I will try to get written confirmation from my professor that is a leo captain in town stating that I am not breaking the law.

It does seem really interesting, and we honestly have way to many deer in our neighborhood.

 

[Threadcutter308]

So I have lived in a sub division of sorts for the past 2 years, have a 1 acre bavk yard, and regularly see deer back there throughout the year. I just found out, from 3 local le officers ,proving my assumptions wrong, that we do in fact live in the county, and that said county has no restrictions on hunting or firearm discharges. The only regulations would come from an HOA which thankfully we do not have. So legally speaking, when times are tough and season is in, I can harvest deer in my back yard so long as the bullet does not cross the property line.
My thought process here is what would I use? Maybe make a subsonic 6.5 cm? Or a .300 blk? I can set up a really solid backstop and arrange the shot in theory. My suppressor is on its way, and I have seen some really really quiet loads accurate enough for the headshot I'll have to take. I am very competent in hunting, shooting and practicing, so yes, it would be a 30 yard headshot. Can't recover a deer from my neighbors' yard.
My question to you guys is, am I just being ridiculous? Safety is a concern, and reasonableness is too. I'm not looking to tag out, just get a deer if the season is tight. Also, because I am thinking of using an nfa item and want to refrain from breaking any laws, I will try to get written confirmation from my professor that is a leo captain in town stating that I am not breaking the law.

It does seem really interesting, and we honestly have way to many deer in our neighborhood.

I would also subtly check out my neighbors to see if any of them are anti's, or anything along those lines. If not, then maybe suggest the possibility of a "quiet harvest". I dunno, see what they have to say. They are likely to be the last (or the first) to call LEO.

 

[J McGriddle]

Subs might still ruffle some feathers in the neighborhood. I would ask neighbors get a feel for their opinions on the matter. A crossbow would probably be my pick.

 

[natdscott]

If you aren't breaking a law, then asking neighbors their opinion is like stirring the shitbowl with your hand: any way you do it, you still end up covered in shit.

One shot of frangible to the head from a suppressed rifle, followed by silence and inactivity for the remainder of the afternoon if possible. Hard to get pissed at nobody.

I assume I do not need to go into the ramifications of a wounded animal in this kind of area?

And no crossbows for chrissake. The animal has to go DOWN drt, and there can be no chance of a projectile escaping the propery. No crossbow bolt can satisfy those requirements.

 

[TanktheFrank]

Thanks fellas. On one side my neighbors would be fine with it, they are retired and the last time I was butchering a doe they came by and said they'd pay me for some venison. They're good people, I just gave them some the last time I brought their garbage cans in. Im not looking to make a dollar. Anyway, theyd be okay with an ethical harvest. Other side has a few kids, but they are gone every weekend, with that said, if they ain't home I wont say a damn thing. What about a handi rifle in say, 300 with some heavy 220's? I like the idea of a single shot .44 mag, but my can is a .30 cal.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

A long time friend used to own a tree farm. He got depredation permits yearly. You couldn't fit all the deer he has killed with a 22LR into the back of a dump truck. 40 grains to the skull and they flop down and go stiff legged. Deer don't need much killin'.

 

[Rerun7]

To my knowledge, taking deer in most states with a .22 is illegal so I wouldn’t go that route.

When you say the “season is tight” do you mean you need to feed your family or you just want to get a deer during season?

Personally, unless my family needed food I would not go into that can of worms. You can plan all you want but if Murphy steps in you might find yourself with a lot of headache over some venison.

Now if I lived away from neighbors, different story.

 

[TanktheFrank]

Yeah keeping everyone fed is the big thing. We dont really buy beef, and the deer I harvest feed a few families. Once I'm not on a college budget, it'll be different but thats not the point I guess. I do harvest a lot of hogs every year, mid 30s for the past 4 years with last year being the exception with 45. Those go to other college kids, my folks, my lady's folks and some gets used for dog food (cooked of course.) So there is usually plenty of meat in the freezer. Last deer season was very lean with me taking only one doe, so if future seasons yeild similar results it would be nice to have a fall-back. But yeah, its a damn can of worms lol.

 

[OH58DViper]

I live in a subdivision right off a fairway on the nicest public course in my state. I will be hunting off a “porch blind” (screened in two story deck) and will only hunt near sunset, so I can drag em at night. I use a bow but wouldn’t worry about it one bit if my 300 blk had a can on it.

 

[niteshooter]

Natdscott summed it up best.
My opinions.
If you have to ask. Even when your being a good little saint minding your own others can still give you drama and bs.
Now if the freezers empty and only thing in the pantry is a box of water mix pancake batter then do what you gotta do. That’s also when you might ask all those you’ve fed to return the favor.
Or see if those nice neighbors or friends want to be the trigger puller. Maybe while your gone to the store. Just leave you half the meat.
If times are really tight, cottontail rabbits are ok if you have them around. Easier to deal with. Less drama, people don’t worship them like they do deer in some places.

 

[W54/XM-388]

If times are really that tough, don't forget about the rats....

 

[Greg Langelius *]

We tried a special course of fire using downloaded .223's at one time; 7gr of Unique with a 52SMK, 9gr of Unique in a .22-250. Our goal was to allow rapid fire without overheating the barrels, and for that part they worked like a charm. We shot it at 100yd and it was pretty quiet(...er...), but couldn't buck the wind worth diddly. For locales that do not permit RF, this might be an out since it's technically a CF system. Otherwise, I'd use the .22LR.

Unique has been specifically marketed, among other purposes, for fractional charges in rifle chamberings.

I'd up the charges somewhat for better terminal performance. This or this could be viable projectiles, since you're talking short distance headshots. Nobody eats the brains, to my knowledge; unless, oh, well...; "BRAINZ!!!"

Head Cheese was a 'poverty dish' in our house when I was growing up. It was made from ham hocks by my Swedish (professional chef) Grandmother, Sigrid Selina Langelius (AKA Lovely 'Lina); she called it Sylta, and it used precisely the same spices and vinegar as the Wiki article mentions. She rose to become the Head Chef (no pun intended) for Schraffts Restaurants in NYC, and was forced into retirement at age 80 in the late 1960's when the firm was taken over by Pet, Inc.

Schrafft's 1964 New York World's Fair Menu.

..A different day and age, then... When I was five, 63 years ago, she would fix me the Supreme of Fresh Grapefruit and Oranges for my Breakfast.

Greg

 

[jrhtx]

You may want to discuss this with your local Game Warden and be sure there are no state issues with hunting in your backyard.
Here in TX some counties have an ordinance/law requiring XX acres to shoot firearms or hunt. One county I know requires 14ac minimum. Your local LE may or may not be aware of this law, not many are.
Cover your bases.

 

[Baron85]

Most places have laws stating no discharging firearms within so many feet of roads or dwellings. I would do a TON of research before moving forward. I would try to set up a meeting with the game warden and the local sheriff and make sure they say it's ok and then get it in writing. Remember breaking the law is 1 thing, breaking the law with a firearm is a whole other, and then breaking the law with a NFA item is almost certain prison.

Not worth the risk to me......

 

[kraigWY]

I have 29 acres in the Wyoming part of the Black Hills. No covenents, no zoneing. There just about isn't anything I cant do on my property. Surrounded by hills so shooting if perfectly safe.

Its nothing to look out the window and see a dozzen or more deer, (and turkeys) in my wife's flowers. Even caught her beating on a doe with a broom that was cleaning out her bird feeders (that was some fun watching).

Having said that, I dont hunt on my property. I do on occasions start my grand kids out hunting deer or turkeys here though.

I do hunt, between wife and I we average 2 deer, 4 antelope and an elk per year. At season's end, to make room for the fresh meat we donate last years to the food bank.

If I cant find a deer, antelope or elk, I still dont shoot these critters in the yard. Instead, I hunt harder, or smarter. I dont consider it "fair chase" to stand on my deck and wack a deer at the bottom of the steps, 4-6 feet away.

 

[BullGear]

See if you can get something in writing from the police in your area. Having 1 officer tell you it's okay may not be accurate information. I'm not saying you can't, I'd just prefer that you CYA with something more than a verbal understanding. Also, check your Department of Natural Resource and make sure there's not a minimal distance you can fire a gun from a dwelling. My state has I believe a 150 yard minimum distance.

Good Luck!

 

[TanktheFrank]

Yep, Texas is weird like that. I'm in Hays county, so its virtually zero land requirement to hunt on or discharge a firearm. I'm just going to play it safe and not. Like kraig said I'll just try and hunt harder. I graduated the 11th, so hopefully I can get on a good lease. Grandad invited me up to Colorado this fall for an elk hunt, so I may get lucky and stock the freezer for a while.

 

[flyer]

Take a look at your parcel map to see if you are in unincorporated county land, then read the codes. If hunting and shooting aren't prohibited by code, you should be good.

I wouldn't ask questions or ask for letters, just print out the relevant sections of code and keep them in your pocket while you're hunting.

As for how to do it, I think a tree stand would be good, you can get a downward angle shot so you don't have to worry about the backdrop so much.

A subsonic .308 with a heavy bullet would be my choice and a can would make it quiet enough that your neighbors will never know unless they are looking right at you while you do it.

 

[Fig]

I dont consider it "fair chase" to stand on my deck and wack a deer at the bottom of the steps, 4-6 feet away.

I'm certainly not criticizing or contradicting you, but fair chase means squat if you are hunting to eat. If you're trophy hunting, just doing it as a hobby/diversion, or just supplementing the meat you would buy in the store anyway with wild game, the concept of "fair chase" is a valid one.
When you're relying on it to feed people who wouldn't have meat otherwise...fuck a fair fight.

 

[coldboremiracle]

I'm certainly not criticizing or contradicting you, but fair chase means squat if you are hunting to eat. If you're trophy hunting, just doing it as a hobby/diversion, or just supplementing the meat you would buy in the store anyway with wild game, the concept of "fair chase" is a valid one.
When you're relying on it to feed people who wouldn't have meat otherwise...fuck a fair fight.

Agreed, clearly Kraig is not hunting just for the meat (since he is donating lasts years). But I agree, when it comes to filling up the freezer, even roadkill is fair game

 

[davsco]

i've popped a couple of deer in my yard (5 acres) just to have some venison in the freezer. definitely almost zero sport involved and not the same experience as the real deal (camping, hiking, scouting, etc). but they sure taste as good. obviously for close headshots, make sure you have your dope, scope offset, taken care of.

 

[steve123]

Inquire about the use of large caliber PCP air rifles for hunting. Head shot's with no pass through's at 30Y would be cake with a 70-to 80 ftlb rifle in 30 or 35 cal. Usually they come with what's called a moderator which makes the rifle reasonably quiet and typical accuracy is sub 1" at 50Y.

 

[Howland]

You need to use the Vermont Apple Trick. Bury a deep sea fishing hook into an apple with about 30 lb. test line tied to a tree and in the morning it will be standing there waiting for you. .22 is enough but even a .380 if ordinances prohibit .22s.

For the record, I've heard of this but don't have first hand knowledge.

 

[Caveman0101]

22Lr go for it if it's legal. As far as neighbors, it's always easier to get forgiveness than permission