Sight Gauge

Upstate ny target practice laws?

I live in upstate NY (Onondaga county) I want to shoot my 12 gauge but I don't like going to the range. What are the laws involved? I want to go off into the woods and target practice, sight in my scope etc... to get ready for deer season this fall. Is it illegal to shoot a 12 gauge in the woods at paper targets, cans etc.. outside?

Public Comments

1. As long as you are not endangering anyone, stay at least 500 ft. from any occupied dwelling and have permission to be on the property as far as I know there is no law against it. Probably to be on the safe side you would want to have a valid hunting license and be wearing your back tag as you are actually afield. Just to be absolutely sure you have the green light I would contact a State of N.Y. Environmental Conservation Office in your area. The numbers are in the phone directory. I also live in upstate N.Y.
2. I also live in Onondaga county..... Its perfectly legal to shoot in the woods. Just get permission from the property owner to do so - dont trespass.... Paper targets, cans are ok just cleanup before you leave. You must also be 500 yards away from a house..... As the previous poster mentioned - contact the encon office in this area... If I remember they are right on Erie Blvd west in the city (syracuse)...... Dont like the range?? Join another range..... I'm not going to name names here but some of the local ranges have there share of jerks.... I go to Pompey Rod and Gun -- usualy in the mornings and early afternoons during the week and theres not too many folks there and the few that show up pretty cool......