A New Neighbor

I live in what is known here in TX as the Hill Country. Out west of Austin 100 miles or so. About a year ago, some rich guy from Houston bought a 630 acre package close by, about a quarter mile up the highway. Been watching with interest as the land was cleared of cedar and undesirable scrub and underbrush, and a big-ass fancy gate went up, roads were cut and large capacity electrical going in. And I've wondered what the master plan is. No one in the area seemed to have a clue who the guy was or what he was up to. This past month, a tower went up. It's about a 15'x15' square platform, covered and erected about 25' high, obviously an observation tower of some sort. Started wondering (fretting) if it could be some sort of racetrack or something. I don't want that kind of thing nearby. I bought my 20 acres way out here to get away from all that noise.

Well, found out today what's going on. I have mixed feelings about it.... but it's intriguing. Any long range shooters out there? I have a Springfield M-21 sniper rifle that I haven't even sighted in yet, but would like to find a range where I could try my hand at 1000 yards. This dude from Houston is putting in a one mile rifle range. Don't know anythng more about it yet, but it will be a one mile range for sure.

 

That's pretty neat. I can't imagine a place like that being busy often. I hope it doesn't become a nuisance for you!

 

They have a long range place somewhat close around here and it stays fairly busy. Long range shooting is really taking off.

 

Yeah, I've heard it's the latest "thing."

 

Hope everything works out for you. I live in the country and the last thing I want is a ton of people around.

 

Thanks, man. I hope so, too. I'm too damned old to move. I built here 17 years ago. That's the longest I've lived in one place in my 70 years. Never planned on leaving till they bury me.

 

I feel the same way about leaving.

 

You could always try the direct approach. The next time you are out and about go introduce yourself and ask what's going on that this is what it appears to be to you and are you correct. Who knows you might get an invite to try your hand.

 

Ugh! that can be irritating....I'm sorry. Maybe it's just a private range for him? I agree about talking to him whenever you see him....introduce yourself and such too do the neighborly Texan thing

 

Lmao y'all are crazy down there. Next thing you know he'll be putting up a big ole fence and loading the property with tigers and shit.

 

What's wrong with that ? And don't forget the warning signage "Trespasser's will be eaten !"

 

Nothing! I think Texas is awesome and am keeping it in my back pocket of places to grow old. That was more of a Joe Rogan joke than anything...

 

Welcome from TN!

 

I would love to get into long range shooting. Don't know if I would like the range in my backyard, unless it was my personal range. Maybe it will be a private range and will only have a small group using it. Go talk to him, he might let you use it.

 

Well, if ...WHEN he shows up from Houston, I'll be more than happy to be neighborly. Haven't had any such opportunity yet. But some of these big city folks (usually lawyers) who show up out here, buy huge properties for cash, and put up huge iron ("HEY, LOOK AT MY MONEY!) gates, don't tend to open those gates to us local peons.