Unbelievably stupid

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stillquietvoice

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I picked up my grandson today to get him some trigger time and to continue teaching gun safety. We went to cascade valley state game forest, set up targets loaded our rifles and started shooting. We had been there about a half an hour when a man walked up behind us. He didn't stop. Clearly he heard gunfire saw us shooting knew we had loaded firearms and walked directly in front of our position, down range twards our targets. Then out of sight. I couldn't believe he would do something so stupid. First had grandson point gun in safe direction had him drop his mag and clear his gun. Then cleared mine. Told him that was the dumbest thing I'd ever seen but in a way I'm glad he did it, because it the perfect example of what not to do.

Seriously this man could have been killed from his own idiocy but he wouldn't have been blamed for it. It would have been the shooters fault.
We packed up and left that place and I took him to more state game land in Afton. There were no problems there and he had a blast.
 
We went to cascade valley state game forest ...
While it did afford a good teaching moment I avoid all state land whenever possible. State lands are open to the public as they well should be. Unfortunately "the public" includes candidates for Darwin Awards. The few times I have been on state land ranges here in Ohio I have seen some pretty dumb people do some really dumb things. You can't fix stupid.

Ron
 
Seriously this man could have been killed from his own idiocy but he wouldn't have been blamed for it. It would have been the shooters fault.

Lots of people get killed doing something stupid. Lawyers make livings on placing blame elsewhere than the deceased but yeah, if you shoot someone, it’s your fault. Even if you didn’t intend to.
 
I am glad you are a safe and responsible shooter.

The public Atterbury range near Indy came close to being shutdonw due to the stupidity happening there. It was totally unmanaged and had been having major problems with the stupids up to a breaking point. I don't know the whole story but it was saved, $4.1 million acquired and improved to the point that it is very safe now and very nice. It is no longer free and is run by either private contractor or Dept Natural Resources depending on when the contractor goes away or bankrupt.
 
The few times I have been on state land ranges here in Ohio I have seen some pretty dumb people do some really dumb things.

I understand what you're saying and I think the "answer" is the state making sure that there are competent range officers manning the ranges at all times. There is simply no substitute for safety when firearms are involved. I applaud Ohio and other states that are trying to make shooting (and hunting and fishing, for that matter) available to everyone (i.e., the "public"). If we don't afford availability and access for shooting and other outdoors activities and sports to the public, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and our own parochial interests. There's no reason why safe ranges and citizens who want a place to enjoy shooting can't be compatible. Monitoring the ranges and providing education can go a long way in averting tragedy.
 
The first thing that came to my mind was it was an attempt to get you to stop shooting. And he knew that you were being a responsible shooter so you would do just that. Even got you to go away. He won that battle. What an idiot to just assume you would not hurt him. I bet if it had been a biker gang shooting it up instead of you two he would have moved on without being seen.;)
 
Kinda like people that stare at their feet, and walk in front of moving cars.(WalMart)o_O

Good on you for being responsible, and not taking the bait.
 
I would more suspect he was drugged up and had no clue which planet he was on

I have a friend that was at a party back in the 60’s. It was at an ocean beach in California. Lots of LSD being consumed. He spent the evening keeping party goers from swimming off into the sunset.
 
Well theres plenty of stupid out there. 6-7 years ago my son and I went to the range i've belonges to sinc 1975.. 2 other guys were there and we settled in shooting hi power rifles at 100yds. We did see a large model Mercedes parked along the private entrance road but didn't think much of it. Theres a small rental property back by the club house. While we were shooting 2 dogs come trotting out around one side of the 100yd berm where theres a 2 track grass road to go down behind it. We stopped shooting and called the dogs over. Then a very large, overweight man with a English style hunting get up comes walking out from behind it with 2, 20 something girl and boy. Luckily I had a smart phone and took pics of them. Then we went over and asked what they were doing down on a live range. The pompous English dressed guy said walking and he had permission to be on club property and walk where he wants. And if we were "good shots" we wouldn't hit him if he was walking on the range! Well I won't go into what we all told him of his "walking rights". But I sent pics of him, the 2 other's and his car and plate to the club board. Within a day he was picked up and charged with trespassing and several other charges for endangering the others with him. Apparently he'd been on club property before doing things he shouldn't. Why I gave so much detail is our club was founded in the 1920s in a rural farming town 12 miles from what is now a good size city. The town now is a high dollar bedroom community to the city and the houses around us are into the millions. Everyone who purchases any home or property anywhere near the club is made aware there is a active gun club and it's off limits. Plus sign a waiver when buying real estate. But they think it's a park they can do as they please. So the Chief of police and officers who are club members are happy to arrest any trespassers. It helps many town officials are also members and we allow the surrounding town and village PDs to use the ranges for training. This good will has kept our club safe and open. I,ve got a couple other Unbelievable Stupid stories I'll save.
 
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Know your target and what's behind it. You're responsible for every round. So yeah, you'd be liable for that guy.

By that logic it shouldn't be dangerous walking across a range. We used to have cows cross our improvised range all the time. We'd just let them pass. Heck in PA, they hunt between houses. And in your case, they might zing one right over this guys shoulder.

Nothing you can do but wait on public grounds. Just because you have a gun doesn't mean you own all the land directly in front of you. You still have to share it.

Even on private ranges, you have to keep an eye out for someone walking down range to set up targets at the wrong time.
 
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I must admit that scaring him crossed my mind but would have sent the wrong message to an impressionable young man, as well as a legal issue.
Wether intentional or not finding a new place worked out best for both of us.

He got to see a first year deer at about 30 yards and learned how to distinguish a young deer from a mature one.
 
I am glad you are a safe and responsible shooter.

The public Atterbury range near Indy came close to being shutdonw due to the stupidity happening there. It was totally unmanaged and had been having major problems with the stupids up to a breaking point. I don't know the whole story but it was saved, $4.1 million acquired and improved to the point that it is very safe now and very nice. It is no longer free and is run by either private contractor or Dept Natural Resources depending on when the contractor goes away or bankrupt.

And this is what happens. Either things get shut down, or "managed" to within an inch of their life. I have never shot at the Atterbury public range (across the road from Atterbury-Muscatatuck Training Center) because its' no draw from holsters, no fire more than once every second or maybe even slower, very short range, no place to shoot shotguns but the trap/skeet ranges (no patterning available) etc etc.
 
That's the bad side of hunting public land or using it for recreational shooting. It happens to me just about every season. Either that or some dipstick will pull up while I'm getting my gear together to inform me that this particular section of public hunting land was recently closed to hunting.....as I'm parked next to the sign that says "open to public hunting". I just say thanks for the heads up and go about my business.
 
I think that the OP had a Close Encounter Of The Troll Kind. A gutsy troll , but a troll nonetheless. Probably wished you had tried to scare him off , but his mission was not a total loss - he got you to cease fire and leave.
There was really nothing else for you to do under the circumstances.
 
I side with the people here who postulate that the OP's intruder was playing a game of "chicken", because he could see that the OP had a younger person with him, and therefore was probably teaching responsibility.

The intruder was probably 100% anti-gun, except for celebrities or California Senators who live behind high walls, and have armed bodyguards. Hasta la vista (as in "wall...").
 
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I only shoot private land or my private rifle club. I realize that everyone may not have the access that I enjoy, but try to find it if you can. i quit hunting/shooting on public land about 20 years ago. Too many yahoos wandering into my shooting lane and a friend had his car burglarized when parked on public land. If you look hard enough and network with friends, you may be able to find accessible private property. Be careful out there.
 
I suspect one of two things, either an anti gunner wanted to stop you from shooting knowinf his action would frustrate your endeavour OR he was a vagrent full of dope who wanted you to end his life. Either way you were correct to stop.
 
And this is what happens. Either things get shut down, or "managed" to within an inch of their life. I have never shot at the Atterbury public range (across the road from Atterbury-Muscatatuck Training Center) because its' no draw from holsters, no fire more than once every second or maybe even slower, very short range, no place to shoot shotguns but the trap/skeet ranges (no patterning available) etc etc.
Well yea but it's close to home. :) If I want a smattering of freedom I can go to my parents or go to the Jennings county range. If you can get to the Jennings County range you might be a 4 wheeler and pass a land navigation course with a hand made sextant. :p It's either that or get pie shoved in your face from every granny you ask directions, but still take the larger 4x4.
 
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