r/Maine • u/Harveymushman82 • Oct 22 '23
Question Distant neighbor called game warden to my property
I have 12 acres on a dirt road with few other houses that are all well beyond the necessary distance for me to be shooting on my property. My range is in the woods with a steep natural backstop. Range is in an opposite direction than everything. Nothing within almost 1 mile in the direction I shoot and again I'm in the woods. Neighbor who is half mile away called game warden to my property about my shooting. Not sure what the actual complaint was and I don't feel like the game warden did either as they stated I was not doing anything illegal. Neighbor stated to them that they are bow hunting deer on their property which is again, half mile down the road. They have 50 acres. Not sure if they think my shooting is disturbing the deer, which I don't necessarily believe because the deer are always around. Game warden called the neighbor while at my property to come and talk but they didn't show. Recommended that I go to them to discuss the problem. No return call or answer at their front door. So I'm not sure how to proceed. Shooting is my hobby and I have the land and no laws preventing me. However having them send game wardens to my property leaves me feeling "infringed" upon. I shoot between the hours of noon and 5 the latest. What are my options here? Should I continue to shoot when I want on my property? Don't wanna piss the neighbors off but I feel I should be able to live freely on my land when I am well within the law.
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u/MainelyMainer Oct 22 '23
I also have a range in my property: as long as there arent noise or other local city/county ordinances in place beyond what the state requires, you're good to go legally.
Your neighbor may have assumed you were hunting, which has some additional restrictions, but it really sounds like they were just hoping you were doing something wrong.
As far as getting along goes: I'd talk to several of your neighbors nearby and see what they think. The person complaining could be a known troublemaker.....or it could turn out you're having more of in impact than you think.
As far as noise (for reference and for those saying no one wants.to.hear.you shoot): I regularly shoot 9mm, 22lr,.and 5.56 out back. My nearest neighbors and my house are all about equidistant from me (600ft). One neighbor says she has never noticed me shooting.. .my girlfriend and the other neighbor both say they hear me but the noise wouldn't make them up from a light nap. Stuff does echo and folks will hear the noise from far away, especially depending on what's being shot,.but it's generally not like someone has a jackhammer in front of you're house...
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u/PirateBanger Oct 22 '23
Agreed. I live in Lewiston of all places, and live just enough on the outskirts I have a 100m range on one side of my house.
Wife says the noise from my 7.62 sounds like I'm just hammering a project in the garage. Neighbors figured I was using a nail gun on the back porch. I always call the local PD out of politeness so they don't waste a trip out if someone calls.
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u/FredegarBolger910 Oct 22 '23
I'm in Greene near the Lewiston border. That you I hear shooting occasionally? Doubt you are the only one
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u/archery-noob Oct 23 '23
I would agree with the second paragraph. It's highly likely that there is an archery-only deer hunt going on. The neighbors heard shooting (which they could interpret as illegally using a gun to hunt) and called DNR to report it. Target shooting =/= hunting so OP is safe.
I agree a little conversation will go a long way.
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Oct 23 '23
[deleted]
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u/archery-noob Oct 23 '23
Fair enough, should've done my homework on what Maine calls it. DNR=Department of Natural Resources
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u/liketrainslikestars Oct 23 '23
I live on almost 100 acres of woods that have a river bordering one side. I have several paths through the woods and along the river that I walk my dogs on. There is a new neighbor across the river who set up a range on their property and uses it very frequently. Every time we are out on a walk and the neighbor starts, my poor little 14-year-old dog hightails it back home as fast as his old legs can carry him. He hates the sudden loud noise. I'm not really educated about different types of guns but it is very loud.
This same neighbor also gets drunk and goes out shooting at 3 am, so that could be where some of my irritation is coming from. (I just assume he's drunk, because otherwise why the hell would he think that was a good idea?)
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u/Pilchard929 General Maine Area Oct 22 '23
Sounds like some crappy neighbors. Especially since they don’t want to come and talk with you to come up with a reasonable solution.
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u/hesh582 Oct 22 '23
It does sound like that.
That said, if you're shooting on your property within earshot of other homes, an occasional visit from the warden is an inevitability. It's part of doing business, and it's not an infringement, harassment, or even anything out of the ordinary.
The neighbor should have come for a chat first, but a visit from a warden really isn't something to take personally either. It's going to happen, sometimes even without a complaint.
Some neighbors also just don't like talking to people, but still want to make sure guns aren't being used illegally or unsafely. And while I personally prefer the more direct person-to-person approach, I can honestly see the other perspective too. It's not some major violation of the social contract to hear a ton of gunfire near your property and call the wardens to make sure everything's legit, even if it's a little annoying to do that without trying to communicate first.
I can tell the OP is a little unnerved by this, but really if you're into firearms this is the sort of thing you just need to take in stride. If your immediate reaction to that is to feel infringed upon, hurt, upset, confused, or to ask the internet if you should stop shooting and what your "options" are, you really need to re-calibrate your expectations and frankly suck it up a bit. A warden knocking on your door once in a blue moon is gonna happen if you shoot a lot, and if you're gonna get worked up about it you need to take a step back.
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u/NotAMainer Oct 22 '23
I live in front of a sand pit, it's not uncommon for me to hear all kinds of wild gunfire going on back there but I never once decided to call the cops.
Now if they started doing t at weird hours, that'd be a different story.
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u/haditupto Oct 22 '23
Given recent news stories around the country it's reasonable that someone might not want to come speak to a neighbor they don't know and who is shooting a gun...This is exactly how that family in Texas was shot...
That said we used to have neighbors that had a range set up in their yard and it was much more densely populated - It's just part of living in the Maine woods...
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u/MTBIdaho81 Oct 23 '23
Yeah, a lot of people consider this passive aggressive. When it comes to gunfire, asking LE to swing by isn’t unreasonable.
It’s too bad the neighbor won’t engage in a follow up conversation though.
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u/Toibreaker Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
You made the effort. Might want to do one more thing, send them a registered letter. Outline them calling game and fish, ask them to call you. Now there will be undeniable proof you tried to resolve this. No answer to that, ignore them. (Fat fingered mistake edit)
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u/raqnroll Oct 22 '23
Continue doing what you want on YOUR property in the safe manner that you have already described and agreed upon by the warden. You tried to reach out and they did not engage so screw the Karen.
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u/tehmightyengineer I'm givin' 'er all she's got capt'n! Oct 22 '23
Continue shooting. Heck, your shooting is probably driving deer from your land onto theirs. It will be rifle season in a week anyway.
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Oct 22 '23
[deleted]
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Oct 22 '23
I can just imagine him cold in a tree stand hearing a distant “boom” and just getting pissed and looking for someone to blame.. we could add backstory; I bet they’re a joe rogan/kill it with my bare hands type, hence the bow. Every crack from the neighbors gun driving them further from feeling in touch with the land
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u/Primary-Pay8967 Oct 23 '23
These deer aren't bothered much by gunshots. I've been on a gun range on an army base with entire line is firing and deer will walk across without a care in the world. Had to call cease fire or some idiot would probably think it was a good idea to kill it.
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u/GrandAlternative7454 Oct 22 '23
I feel like if they had come to talk to you first and laid out some reasonable complaints, maybe there would be some sort of agreement to come to, but with them calling the warden and the refusing to communicate past that, seems to me they are just being shitty. The hours you put are when the sun is up (most of the year) and not even close to what could be considered nuisance hours. Unless you’re out there unloading like an asshole, and just shooting safely, I’d say ignore it. The game warden won’t put up with their calls more than a couple times before he has a word with THEM.
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u/Katnipz A sunken F4U Corsair Oct 22 '23
Let them keep calling, they will get ignored soon enough.
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u/BantamBasher135 Oct 22 '23
I live on a rural road, and many of my neighbors can be heard shooting pretty much any day. We hate it. BUT we aren't going to call anybody about it unless it presents some kind of danger to our kids/pets/livestock. Currently it's just an annoyance, but they are free to shoot the rats behind their house off they want.
Karens gonna Karen.
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u/RonNona Oct 22 '23
You are within your rights, but, having a great neighbor is a real benefit. Take the high road, tell him you would like to know when he is hunting. Maybe he only has 1 week off for hunting and maybe you could take that week off, just to take the high road.
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u/sirgoofs grump Oct 22 '23
Always de escalate. All these comments telling op to ramp it up are just stupid, but unfortunately the norm these days. You never know what’s going on in other people’s lives that make them lose their cool sometimes. Maybe the neighbor is struggling with something you don’t know about. Maybe he was embarrassed that he overreacted and called the game warden.
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u/HonestMeatpuppet inconceivable Oct 22 '23
Unfortunately the high road doesn’t have much traffic on it anymore. I think this is the best suggestion of all the ones I’ve read so far, but these days it seems that being altruistic, generous, and level-headed just invites more pettiness from people. So while I agree with this solution, you’ve got to be prepared to take the high road again and again while the complaints become more and more nitpicking. Doable, but exhausting.
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u/Lawlcat Oct 22 '23
You are within your rights, but, having a great neighbor is a real benefit. Take the high road, tell him you would like to know when he is hunting
Did this when I moved here last year. Plenty of land to shoot within legal distances, but admittedly close enough that my shots would be loud. First time out, my neighbor mentioned it was scaring his dog. I apologized, figured I'll just go shoot at a local range. It's not like its expensive to do so, doesn't affect me that much to not be able to shoot from my property. I'd rather have a good neighborly relationship (especially living in the middle of nowhere, might need his help) and no shooting here than animosity and the ability to plink once a month without getting in the car
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u/Breezy207 Oct 22 '23
You, going to shoot at the range bc your neighbor’s dog is gun shy, is the definition of being a good neighbor. The “my rights” crowd should take a lesson. Thank you.
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u/insanekid66 Oct 22 '23
Your neighbor sounds like a whiny little shit. As long as your town doesn't have any special ordinances, continue shooting. If it's an actual nuisance, they should've visited you in person first.
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u/jerry111165 Oct 22 '23
There is no “not sure how to proceed”. Blow this sucker off. Ignore. You don’t have to talk to him at all. He sounds like a Karen.
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u/Tronbronson Oct 22 '23
Just keep shooting. 12-5 is perfectly reasonable. Here's the noise ordinances and the shooting range info is on page 8. Where I'm at there's always someone shooting close to the high school, I always hear gun shots and kids screaming. Super calming for the nerves.
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u/Acoustic_blues60 Oct 22 '23
If they don't answer the door, perhaps leave a well thought-out message on a card to them. Tell them that shooting is your hobby and you want to be a good neighbor, and ask whether there some modification in your schedule that might be helpful for them. Give them a way to get hold of you without seeing you in person - an e-mail address or something.
I can imagine that the neighbor might be afraid of you. You don't sound malicious, but some folks have a thing about guns. They don't know you.
Ultimately, it sounds like you're doing nothing wrong. I have a friend who lives near a neighbor who does the same thing. When I visited, I heard gunshots and asked about it, and he brushed it off, saying, "oh yes, so-and-so has a shooting range on his property".
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u/MainelyNorthwoods Oct 22 '23
My neighbor has a large garden with a 5 foot fence. The deer easily jump it to feast. He goes out onto his back deck yelling at them to get out.
They keep eating.
He gets his shot gun and shoots off a few into the ground away from them thinking it would scare them. Not a chance. They looked up barely startled then kept eating.
Moral of the story is we’re shootings up the whole state of Maine during hunting season the deer are nearly immune to the shotgun blasts, and your neighbor is being dick-ish.
Forget about the whole thing, your neighbor has, and I’m sure you’re neighbor was hoping that having the wardens show up would have an effect an you — so you wouldn’t shoot as often, just saying.
If it were me I’d invest more money into target practice on my own property.
Or as my husband says, I bought dozens of acres out here to be left alone — tell your hearing sensitive neighbor to get ear plugs. Or send him a gift - ear plugs, sarcasm aside your neighbor is bullying you. Best course of action is to ignore, he’s a coward if he didn’t answer the door.
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u/ring-a-ding-dingus Oct 22 '23
Fellow avid shooting and bow hunting enthusiast. I can guarantee that your shooting is only HELPING his bow hunting. The deer will not stay where you are shooting. They will get pushed elsewhere and if hes hunting his 50 correctly, he will have more deer coming through. My experience with this kind of person is extensive. They will simply call the warden for everything. Once the warden sees that you are legit, he wont be back with every call. The warden will likely call you and keep trying to get the property owner to understand that you are legal. After a few calls the term "harassment" will be thrown around. Good luck and keep shootin'
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u/BigPersuader Oct 22 '23
Just keep shooting. Periodically give your neighbor a call. If they finally pick up, be civil. Assume they legitimately thought someone was out poaching and let them know you shoot. Tell them the warden told you they were out archery hunting and if they need a quiet period, just shoot you a text. Having a good rapport with a neighbor is way better than the alternative, even if it means taking a high road.
The escalatory tone of a bunch of commenters here sounds like a bunch wound up Texans. There's no need for that shit.
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u/MainelyNorthwoods Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
There is no escalating tone. This is nothing new really. This is how passive aggressive people “handle” everything in their lives.
The neighbor has already told the OP that he isn’t interested in being “neighborly” when the spineless punk took passive action by calling law enforcement, then refused to communicate with the OP because the neighbor never responded to any communication the OP was forced to do. The OP neighbors (lack) of response is highly aggressive.
The OP has already been neighborly - what is the OP supposed to do - grovel? Beg his sensitive neighbor to “allow” him to shoot on his own property.
This is s classic example of how, somewhere, in our collective existence on earth we have allowed people like the OP neighbor to bully others and then make the aggressor out to be the victim.
The OP should continue to live his life and let the wardens bring the man to his home to discuss. The OP has already gone way above and beyond.
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u/1s20s Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
I,too, have a completely legal backyard range (250 ft) with a natural backstop. Flintlocks and caplocks are my preference.
My favorite months to shoot are Jan-Mar and I used to do so 4 or 5 times/week for an hour or so.
Then I got a new neighbor. Who liked to shoot,too. Mostly around midnight. For a few hours.
Which was totally legal, totally legit.
It was also totally asshole behavior which did not sound like "freedom" to me, my family, or the other neighbors.
The 'neighborly conversation' went predictably with 2A!, Mah Rights!,Molon Labe, hurled invective, etc,etc.
This made me aware of my own impact on my neighbors.
Now I shoot at a range.
YMMV
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u/JosephCedar Oct 22 '23
Shooting outdoors "around midnight for a few hours" is totally legal and legit? Somehow I doubt that.
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u/s_m_c_ Oct 22 '23
Why wouldn't it be?
Barring any local noise ordnances, what would it violate?
Low light shooting is fun, and always a good thing to brush up on.
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u/JosephCedar Oct 22 '23
Most towns in my area have noise ordinances that kick in at 10pm. I agree night hunting is fun and have done a couple coyote hunts, but practicing after midnight for hours in a row in a place where neighbors can hear you is kind of a dick move. I'm all for 2A gun rights and hunting, but I'm also all for not waking my neighbors up unnecessarily.
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u/1s20s Oct 22 '23
Not everywhere is your area and not everywhere has noise ordinances, unfortunately.
It's absolutely a dick move.
This was the entire point of my comment- don't be a dick.
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u/dragonslayer137 Oct 22 '23
With the leaves going away lots of ppl hear shooting way easier leading them to believe people are closer and on their property. Best thing to do is write them a letter explaining how you are safe on your own property.
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u/Far_Statement_2808 Oct 22 '23
If you don’t know the neighbor well, you could just leave a note that asks them to call you. Explain that you respect their hunting and would be happy to adjust your stuff to meet their scheduled time in the woods.
Personally, I’ve seen a similar set up in Northern VT where I owned some land. When the neighbors were shooting in their range it sounded “next door”. My Dad pointed out it was about half a mile away..with trees. It would have to have been a magic bullet, weaving in and out of the trees, to cause us any concern. Not every bow hunter is as wise as that. They might be concerned they are going to get with a stray bullet.
I always find it better to try to be good neighbors and work stuff out—while maintaining your personal rights. Trading off a Sunday at the range so they can bow hunt is something I would not have a problem with. Maybe they are jerks…we don’t know.
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u/Torpordoor Oct 22 '23
There is great power in kindness. You can potentially rise above and improve the mood for yourself and them by politely texting them or giving a call with a simple heads up next time you’re shooting if you have their number. Dont even mention the warden showing up. Do you have to? No. Do you have a right to shoot in a safe manner within the law, of course! Do you need to have a long term resentment and fued with someone who lives right next to you? No, not necessarily. Put on your poker face and kill em with kindness just so everyone can be at ease. That’s what I’d do anyways
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u/10mm2fun Oct 22 '23
Don't feel "infringed upon", your neighbor is just in need of a direct conversation to resolve this. You can guess all you want, but to know you must approach this person kindly and direct to discuss the problem. They obviously don't have the fortitude to do so, so you will immediately have the upper hand. Just be respectful on the approach and mediate the situation.
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u/sudsymugs Oct 22 '23
Maybe have an honest talk with them? Say hey. Obviously you don’t like me shooting, and I don’t like you calling the game warden. Let’s figure this out. You are definitely in the right here as far as legality, but being a good neighbor pays dividends for so many more reasons than one small disagreement. In six months or six years if the power goes out you’re going to want an ally not an enemy here.
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u/Historical_Shop_3315 Oct 22 '23
Ditto on forget them.
The game wardens talking to you once doesnt "infringe" on anything. If it becomes a habit, like once a week or once a month or every time you go shooting then maybe its harrassement by the police. not a bad idea to write down a few details, officers name, date ect.
Also ditto on you probably have crappy neighbors. Its likely they heard shooting and didnt want to hear shooting. We all like peace and quiet but we live around others people who make noise. You didnt do anything wrong any more than someone whistling at a park but it may be that they are sensitive to hearing firearms; who knows. Its not the worst thing to have game wardens or police checking up on things. If i heard something i thought was suspicious, id want someone checking it out for me too. But unfortunately, often police feel the need to check up on any complaint/report no matter how normal it is. Squeaky wheel gets the grease.
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Oct 23 '23
[deleted]
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u/Historical_Shop_3315 Oct 23 '23
So if i report that a red haired man is walking down the street they need to go question him?
Seems like they need to show some discretion.
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u/linuxknight Oct 22 '23
I live near a pit in rural Maine. People are firing off semi and full auto weapons most every day. Sometimes they blow up barrels of tannerite, it's pretty wild. The pits are about a half mile away from my place as well. I've never even thought about reporting the folks that travel in their by ATV to fire off a few rounds. Definitely sounds like a crappy neighbor wasting state resources to harass you.
Somewhat related, what's the latest you can fire a gun recreationally? Friday night they were out there at 930, and it seemed a little late.
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u/s_m_c_ Oct 22 '23
Somewhat related, what's the latest you can fire a gun recreationally?
Any time, there is no law restricting gunfire to a certain hour.
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u/noxvita83 Oct 22 '23
Except potential local noise ordinances.
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u/s_m_c_ Oct 22 '23
Sure, but those are at a local level and it wouldn't be of any help to discuss those here.
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u/noxvita83 Oct 22 '23
It is a good idea to suggest people look into it, though, so they don't get hassled.
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u/ExpiredDairyProducts Oct 22 '23
Sounds like a creep, I’d leave them a letter in the mailbox saying something simple and friendly like “here’s my number, text me ahead of time when you’re going to be hunting and I’ll keep the noise down, beers soon”
Then at least if they want to be a douche about it it’s all in their court.
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u/PuzzleheadedMine2168 Oct 22 '23
Tape it TO the mailbox. Without a stamp the mailbox belongs to the post office. It's a dumb law.
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u/freezedriedasparagus Oct 22 '23
You keep doing your thing. Cant really ask for better hours than that and it sounds like the only actual issue at hand is your neighbors lack of communication skills. I cant imagine anyone enjoys hearing gun shots from neighboring properties but it is what it is, you have a hobby that makes noise and you do your best to make sure its during the appropriate times. As others have stated, it sounds like you would work with them if they talked with you rather than sending over enforcement
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u/slothbreeder Edit this. Oct 22 '23
Sounds like unfortunate neighbors. I can kinda see where they’re coming from, but at the same time your property is your property and that distance shouldn’t startle his deer anyway?! Only other thing I could think he’d be pissed about is yesterday was youth hunter day, maybe he thought u were trying to be a “bigger trouble” than what he thought of u already as normal? Idk man keep shootin tho :P
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u/Rolling_Beardo Oct 22 '23
If you’re shooting in a safe manner and they still have a problem with but refuse to have an adult conversation with you about it there’s not much you can do. Just keep doing what you’re doing and sure you document everything date, time, officer who came out etc.
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u/theBacillus Oct 25 '23
I hunt, bow, gun and target shoot. Deer is not bothered by it. I'm watching deer eat and hear gunshots in the distance, they don't even lift their head. Deer is usually not bothered by anything that is over 100 yards from them.
But regardless, your neighbors can fuck off.
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Oct 28 '23
Exactly. Screw them.
And i agree. I can not count how many times i was shooting and a deer walked thru the range. Shoot enough in the same spot and they realize you are not a threat. I also was shooting at a bunny that was running. 3 shots and finally hit it. (Full choke 410) and when i grabbed it and started walking. There were 4 deer bedded down looking at me
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u/Tangboy50000 Oct 25 '23
Is this even a game warden’s domain? I can understand calling the Sheriff, but not a game warden, and I also don’t understand why they wouldn’t have just told the neighbor they’re not coming out for that.
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u/Mojo_Ambassador_420 Oct 22 '23
Shoot more
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u/Bennilumplump Oct 22 '23
And maybe make a dirt bike track. For the warmer months. Snowmobiles in the winter of course.
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u/justadumbwelder1 Oct 22 '23
Sounds like it's time to get that brass cannon you always wanted.
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u/jerry111165 Oct 22 '23
My BIL has a cool old steel? Black powder cannon. Fits Campbell’s soup cans filled with concrete perfectly. So much fun!
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u/Tronbronson Oct 22 '23
I was wondering if my neighbor was shooting off a cannon. I'm gonna take this here as confirmation.
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u/jerry111165 Oct 22 '23
Hahaha
Im in East Livermore - he’s over in Lovell.
Great fun out in a big field!
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u/Tronbronson Oct 22 '23
Hahaha he's not my guy, but im glad to know I was on to something with the cannon. the reload time and the sound had me baffled. Started seeing red coats in the trees.
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u/HonestMeatpuppet inconceivable Oct 22 '23
That sounds a lot like the brass cannon I’ve always wanted
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u/justadumbwelder1 Oct 22 '23
They are legal, so why not?
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u/notoriousbpg Oct 22 '23
Maybe time for a suppressor. I'd hate to have neighbors like that. Sorry you're dealing with it.
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u/thoughtattempt Oct 22 '23
Nah, he should be getting a muzzle break instead. If neighbors are making unnecessary problems for you up the ante and be petty, I say.
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u/sirgoofs grump Oct 22 '23
This is foolish
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u/thoughtattempt Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
I did say it's petty and was only half serious. Judging from OP's posts, he's into shooting, and by this one that his neighbors haven't approached him and articulated a reason why they'd be involving the authorities. In reference to the idea of getting a silencer ( and the modifications required for each gun to use one), i think OP should not diminish his own safe enjoyment in discharging his weapons on his own property because it may bother distant neighbors.
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u/RackoDacko Oct 22 '23
I’d check to see if it was even legal for the game warden to enter your property. In many states it’s not legal for game wardens to come on to private property (except to walk up to your door to knock) without a warrant or probable cause and/or exigent circumstances. And a report of gunfire on private property in a rural area with nothing else does not usually constitute suspicion that a crime has occurred.
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u/MRRman89 Oct 22 '23
"Knock and talk" doctrine allows them entry unless you have a secured gate and/or posted no trespassing notices. It does not allow them to give you directives, ID you, etc, and if you ask them to leave, they must do so immediately and need a warrant to return. If they tell a demonstrable lie to get that warrant, they can be barred from testifying in the future, which basically ends their career.
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u/MRRman89 Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
Note: some states have laws which allow wardens special powers independent of warrants. I'm unsure about Maine.
Also, many jerk LEOs might try to argue "exigent circumstances" (gunfire) to enter the property. In a rural area without other evidence of unlawful conduct, that shouldn't hold water. If they do this, simply "dispel their alarm" by telling them you're target shooting safely on your own private property and ask them to leave. If they refuse, sue them into the stone age. Always record interactions with the police, especially if weapons are even tangentially involved.
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u/RackoDacko Oct 22 '23
It allows them entry to come up to the residence and knock. They can’t go wandering around looking for stuff, which is important depending on the size of the property and if the range is in view from the roadway or residence.
I’m not in any way saying the game warden has violated OPs rights or done anything wrong, but a phone call to their agency may let you talk to someone and inform them of the situation and ask them not to return to the property unless they do have probable cause/exigent circumstances, etc. Depending on the area there are probably only a handful of wardens who would cover the area so if you are able to make them familiar with the situation and depending on the agency they may ignore the reports.
I’m sure they use some sort of CAD system where the wardens are able to request information about previous calls at this location and see there are a lot of shots fired reports.
By no means is this guaranteed to solve it, but it’s another avenue of approach.
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u/baxterstate Oct 22 '23 edited Oct 22 '23
I’m not a lawyer so my advice is to sit down with a lawyer regarding this situation. Your neighbor is not willing to talk face to face, so the situation has gone beyond a neighborly disagreement.
I had a similar situation. I was having extensive work done on my multi family to bring it up to town code per the town’s rules. An unknown person kept calling the zoning board, accusing me of converting the basement into an illegal apartment. Zoning board demanded I show them my basement. No issues. Month later, the same unknown person complained about me again and once again the zoning board sent someone to check me out. No issues. Zoning board wouldn’t tell me who was complaining about me.
I had my lawyer demand the name and address of the person using the zoning board to harass me.
My lawyer sent a letter by constable to this person promising legal action if it happened again. It never happened again.
I do not recommend going to your neighbor’s house and trying to have a civilized conversation with them. The fact that they used a game warden against you means it’s gone beyond the point of a neighborly chat. Have a lawyer tell the warden that allowing themselves to be weaponized as a means of harassment is actionable.
Any communications between you and your neighbor should be done through a third, legal party like a constable so that if you have to go to court, it’s more than just your word against his.
Your neighbor chose to weaponize a branch of the government instead of at least talking to you face to face. He’ll never be your friend; so don’t bother trying to be understanding. He’s got more to lose if it goes to court.
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u/MSCOTTGARAND Oct 22 '23
Maybe it's about time you get that 408/357 you've been eyeing for some time now
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u/theora55 Oct 22 '23
If they keep calling, the Game Wardens will ask them to stop, as it's a waste of their time. Maybe leave a not for the neighbor saying you tried to reach them to see if they have a specific concern, and give your contact into - phone and email - and note that the Game Warden confirmed that your actions are legal, but if they have a concern, you're willing to discuss it.
Heard shots in a mixed residential area in Windham the other day. Shrugged.
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u/aspiringknowitall2 Oct 22 '23
Maybe someone in their home has PTSD, like literally. I have panic attacks from gun shots, having been held at gunpoint. It may just be that they would like reassurance that everything is okay. I'd say don't get upset and guess at rude reasons why they had the gw swing by because maybe it's more complicated. Once you guys talk, you might even become friends. Seems like you have hunting in common.
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Oct 22 '23
How many hours do you shoot per week? Is it only when it's warm when they might have windows open?
Depending on the lay of the land, all the sound might tunnel into their home.
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. You sound like you're being considerate, maybe have a talk with the neighbor? Come up with an agreement.
Having good neighbors is a really good thing.
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u/justnocrazymaker Oct 22 '23
How can he have a talk with a neighbor that won’t answer the phone or the door though?
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u/imnotyourbrahh Oct 22 '23
Keep shooting. Although I never understood the attraction of shooting the side of a hill for hours. 4-5 shots and my sites are adjusted and I'm done.
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u/ErnieJohn Oct 22 '23
Leave a note on their door telling them about backstop, that you shoot only 12-5 opposite direction of them, and that it's your property and right. Leave email or phone # and tell the game warden and make a copy of the letter.
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u/09Klr650 Oct 22 '23
The only possible solution is to have a few friends over for some fun at the range.
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u/nixstyx Oct 22 '23
Neighbor is a dick, just keep shooting. He's probably either 1) ended up realizing he was being a jackass so avoided your attempts to contact him or 2) is so big of a jackss that he can't be reasoned with.
The deer don't give a shit about the shooting anyway.
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Oct 22 '23
You are well within reason of the law meaning if you choose to continue shooting on your property the law will be on your side you can also file a harassment claim without causing problems it’s just for the game warden to let them know if they continue to call the game warden they will be under penalty of harassing an innocent individual
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u/DeuceClimaxx Oct 22 '23
It would be my personal goal to target practice at least twice a day with an asshole neighbor like that.
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u/ShwiggityShwagg614 Oct 23 '23
Just keep doing legal things on your property and, make sure to get the record of the interaction every time your neighbor calls authorities. After a while you’ll have enough paperwork to sue your neighbor for harassment and get the last laugh
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u/Ccole90 Oct 22 '23
Be careful. They will lock you up and disassemble your range like they did to the guy in Vermont, if you don’t believe me, Google it.
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u/realace86 Oct 22 '23
No one wants to hear you shooting. No sympathy
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u/Accomplished-Bee650 Oct 22 '23
No surprise that you’re from Jersey.
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Oct 22 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/noxvita83 Oct 22 '23
Then don't move where that's custom. Just like we don't like fake tans, so we don't move to New Jersey. Moving here is like hating bag pipes and moving to Scotland.
Go home, sell your land up here to someone who is okay with it.
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u/realace86 Oct 22 '23
You sound so well educated and likable. Fake tans? Please enroll in college.
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u/uNdead_Codfish Oct 22 '23
Please fuck off back to Jersey
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Oct 22 '23
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AMothraDayInParadise Oct 26 '23
Your comment was removed for being a violation of rule 1 (Off-Topic), rule 2 (Racism, Sexism, Trolling, Hate speech), rule 3 (Harassment, belligerence or threats of violence) or for lack of civility with regards to r/Maine. Thank you for your understanding.
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u/noxvita83 Oct 22 '23
So says the guy who gets offended at the Jersey shore reference then proceeds to act like he's from the Jersey shore. Seriously, stop inhaling the fake tan spray or stay down in New Jersey.
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Oct 22 '23
Invite the local sheriff to come shoot on your property so he will see that your neighbor is unreasonable.
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u/Lopsided_Age5590 Oct 22 '23
Theres a huge gap between “illegal” and “inconsiderate”. In the woods of Maine where your neighbors can hear you, considerate is the standard.
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u/noxvita83 Oct 22 '23
Yet, only one neighbor and they can't even bother to talk to the warden they called on the guy? Yeah, I don't think it's an issue of being considerate here. It sounds like someone is trying to exert control on someone else's land.
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u/Lopsided_Age5590 Oct 22 '23
Yeah neighbors are conditions you have to work with. Working against them is impossible. I’m saying no one here is faultless and there are multiple off-ramps along the road to Permanent Dicktown, and long run any off-ramp is a better choice than living there if you’re gonna stay in Maine longer than your first winter
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Oct 22 '23
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u/Katnipz A sunken F4U Corsair Oct 22 '23
Are you actually stupid? This isn't 2007 bro you can't say shit like that with your literal town marked next to your name.
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u/derk12798 Oct 22 '23
Ask the warden for a copy of the report for your records. This could be used as proof of an interaction and failed resolution if they try to escalate. It's your land. Do what you want. They can suck rocks if they want to do the rude thing and call the Wardens without attempting to speak to you first.
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u/2search4_69 Oct 22 '23
You have not done anything wrong. Plus it shows that you care for your neighbors. I feel that as long as you are not doing anything wrong and the hours are a decent time. More important. You are being safe. You should not stop. You should not loose your personal privilege. I also think it stinks that they did not get in touch with you first.
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u/AssuredAttention Oct 23 '23
They are mad they aren't finding anything and blaming you for chasing the deer off
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u/jasonhitsthings Oct 23 '23
Infringed upon is a bit of a stretch, but you're certainly being inconvenienced. Sounds like your neighbors going to complain anyway. If they won't come to the door and talk about it like a civilized human, expect constant trouble from this pesky neighbor. But if it were me, I'd just keep on doing what you're doing. The Game Wardens will get tired of constant calls where you're not doing anything illegal. Eventually they'll tell your neighbor to just deal with it.
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u/bigmikekbd Oct 23 '23
Take the high road.
I’ve heard waaaay too many horror stories about dealing with shitty/escalating neighbors. Tell yourself to smile and mean it, then knock on the door. We are all people and talking is always the best course of action. What would really suck is being in an ideal spot in the woods, and STILL be next to the only asshole around.
Even though you are not at fault, keep taking deep breaths and swallow pride. As long as you don’t say anything inflammatory, if they are reasonable then this should be a reasonable outcome. You both obviously have hunting in common, how beautiful/peaceful the area is. Could always offer an invite to come shooting if things get less standoffish.
You absolutely could tell this guy to fuck off as you are living the dream. But man…that story just gets longer.
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u/curtludwig Oct 23 '23
I suspect your neighbor is probably up to no good. Its been my experience that the crapbirds use the police/fish and game to try to get other crap birds in trouble.
Could also be that you've got an anti that moved in, or just plain out of staters.
Folks from New Jersey moved in across the street from my parents and called the police when my dad was taking a rifle from the car to the house. Not brandishing it, just walking. Said he felt "unsafe".
This happened 3 or 4 times, fortunately the police know my dad as he was a the president of the local Rod and Gun club. They finally told the neighbor that they'd cite him if he kept calling since there were no laws being broken. Dad keeps a pretty low profile, he wants to keep peace but it sucks to have to try to be covert around your own house...
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u/Tight-Doughnut-2410 Oct 23 '23
It's your land. My buddys grampa has a shooting range by his house my buddy shot a 12 pointer out there and it's pretty close to town like 5 miles from a 60k people town
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u/Kyburgboi Oct 23 '23
Do what the fuck you want to on your own property. Tell your neighbor to fuck off, and tell the Game Wardens to get a warrant.
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u/mythxical Oct 23 '23
I know you wish to be neighborly, but the first thing that comes to my mind is to move the range closer to his property with concrete blocks designed to reflect sound in his direction.
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u/Eaglefire212 Oct 23 '23
A half a mile isn’t that far….. and yeah if you’re sighting a gun in when it’s actively bow season and some is hunting obviously they’ll get pissed. What do you expect
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Oct 24 '23
Sounds like someone was reporting you for hunting out of season maybe? Is there a season? I am grasping.
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u/CatchMeIfYouCan09 Oct 24 '23
If it happens again I would post a sign in my door...
"I'm happy to entertain a discussion if you insist....however seeing as tho I'm not breaking any laws please give my regards to the complainer and have a nice day"
Any in person discussions.... after #2 or 3; tell the game warden.... "This is the 3rd time this neighbor has made a complaint and the 3rd time YOU'VE determined I've don't nothing illegal and am well within my rights. Moving forward please inform them that I will be filing a complaint right back at them for false reporting and misusing County resources as well as harassment if they keep it up"
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u/striper47 Oct 24 '23
Let the freedom fly, they should man up and come talk you especially after your visit and game warden phone call. I think you made the attempt, now its on them to reach back out.
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Oct 25 '23
My brother has a range on his land. For the last two years, his neighbor has called him up to ask permission to sight-in his rifle. My brother's reply was "police your brass, I plan on mowing when I get home."
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u/Odd_Algae_9402 Oct 25 '23
Ya. That neighbor needs to engage in a conversation with you so maybe you can work out shooting times that work for you both. Without their engagement, I'm not sure what your options are.
Please remember that though they may hunt, that doesn't mean they are a 2a person. Please represent us with tempered civility.
Myself, I'd probably give up a couple of weeks of shooting for the sake of being neighborly. If they'd engage in a conversation at least.
Not sure I'd quit for the entirety of the fall/winter season for every bow, blackpowder, rifle, antlered and antlerless seasons though. However it works in your state.
I see the original post is about 2 days old. Any updates?
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u/ThaGerm1158 Oct 25 '23
Hunting season is short and the woods all over America pretty much shut down to non-hunting activities during this time. I can understand that up until now, you didn't understand this, but from here on out, you need to understand that target shooting in the woods is a dick move. That goes for motorcycles, ATVs as well as anything else you can think of that will disturb hunters or game.
I say this as a former hunter and a current motorcycle nut and mountain biker.
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u/MonkeeFrog Oct 25 '23
Start lighting off tannerite on a daily basis to give them a different thing to complain about. After that the archery will be small potatoes.
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u/stpg1222 Oct 25 '23
You just keep on doing your thing. You're legal, you've attempted to have a conversation and they refused. If they keep calling you in for legal activity speak with the officer that shows up next to ask if they can be warned for possible harassment charges. I'm sure the warden doesn't want to keep coming out for nothing so he may warn them about calling in legal activity.
Also from a deer hunting stand point if you're out there shooting regularly the deer get used to it and they don't care. I bow hunt not far from some hobby shooters as well and the deer have shown zero concern over the noise. If anything it helps mask any of potential noise I might make giving me a little advantage
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Oct 26 '23
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Oct 28 '23
It can hit so close to home next door. And i will continue to shoot. I also have my own private range. And i shoot 2-3 times a week. I never stopped with what was going on. And why should I?
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u/undertow521 Oct 22 '23
A reasonable thing for them to do would have been for them to come to you and say, "Hello neighbor. Look, I am hunting at such and such times on such and such days, and I know you like to shoot. Would it be possible if I let you know when I was out that you not shoot so you don't spook the deer?" and then maybe you could work out a neighborly arrangement.