Ability to shoot on property within a city

[texasnative]

Seems I read some time ago that (per State Law) one could shoot on their own property if 1)they owned 10 acres or more 2) the bullets did not cross a property line and 3) the discharge was at least 100 feet from the nearest neighbor's dwelling. This may or may not be correct, but I seem to remember it that way.

Anyway, here's my issue. I own 10 acres within a small city..actually semi suburban, semi rural. The city ordinance says you can not discharge a firearm within the city limits, however, I find that skunks have made a home on my property at various times and I would like to extract them via a 12 guage. Last year, one got under the house and it took about 2 months before he left....Needless to say it was a stinky mess when the dogs found out about it.

So...can I or can I not shoot a skunk on my own property.

Any advice or direction would be greatly appeciated. Thanks.

[seamusTX]

You have to look at the exact wording of the ordinance. Some of them prohibit the discharge of a firearm within so many feet of a habitation, including your own. Some make exemptions for pest control and putting down livestock.

You might want to look into traps. Don't ask me how you handle a trap with a live skunk in it.

- Jim

[mred]

Check out senate bill 734 done in 2005.

[mred]

Also talk to your city attorney for the correct advice. That's what I had to do and the answer was fully in my favor with documentation. My problem was with annexation.

[Beiruty]

In many cities, we can not discharge an air gun, a BB rifle. How do yo take care of pesky rabbits eating your backyard vegetables?

[TheArmedFarmer]

How do yo take care of pesky rabbits eating your backyard vegetables?

A 3' tall fence using thin welded wire fencing material. You can get it at Tractor Supply and similar types of places.

[Keith B]

How do yo take care of pesky rabbits eating your backyard vegetables?

Or call this guy to get rid of those 'Wascally Wabbits'. I hear he is approved by the cities as an 'extoyminator'!

[boomerang]

TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
Sec. 229.002. REGULATION OF DISCHARGE OF WEAPON. A municipality may not apply a regulation relating to the discharge of firearms or other weapons in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the municipality or in an area annexed by the municipality after September 1, 1981, if the firearm or other weapon is:
(1) a shotgun, air rifle or pistol, BB gun, or bow and arrow discharged:
(A) on a tract of land of 10 acres or more and more than 150 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property; and
(B) in a manner not reasonably expected to cause a projectile to cross the boundary of the tract; or
(2) a center fire or rim fire rifle or pistol of any caliber discharged:
(A) on a tract of land of 50 acres or more and more than 300 feet from a residence or occupied building located on another property; and
(B) in a manner not reasonably expected to cause a projectile to cross the boundary of the tract.

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

[seamusTX]

... an area annexed by the municipality after September 1, 1981 ...

The OP would have to figure out whether this is the case.

- Jim

[Trinitite]

In many cities, we can not discharge an air gun, a BB rifle. How do yo take care of pesky rabbits eating your backyard vegetables?

[Oldgringo]

I've never shot a skunk but if i was a'gonna, I think I'd back off a ways, say er,..uh... beyond shotgun range.

[TheArmedFarmer]

If you shoot a skunk in the head with a .22LR, nine times out of ten it'll die without spraying. Wait long enough thereafter, however, and the muscles will finally relax, relieving the carcass of that green stink. So wrap it multiple times in wal-mart type bags, and then bury it quickly.

We used to deal with skunks constantly when I lived in Tennessee. I tell ya, you haven't lived until you've been woken in the middle of the night by your barn cats fighting with the skunks under your house in the crawlspace.

[Oldgringo]

If you shoot a skunk in the head with a .22LR, nine times out of ten it'll die without spraying. Wait long enough thereafter, however, and the muscles will finally relax, relieving the carcass of that green stink. So wrap it multiple times in wal-mart type bags, and then bury it quickly.

We used to deal with skunks constantly when I lived in Tennessee. I tell ya, you haven't lived until you've been woken in the middle of the night by your barn cats fighting with the skunks under your house in the crawlspace.

When I lived in middle Tennessee many moons ago, foxes and skunks were dreaded rabies carriers from the bats in the caves with which they cohabited.

[USA1]

If you shoot a skunk in the head with a .22LR, nine times out of ten it'll die without spraying. Wait long enough thereafter, however, and the muscles will finally relax, relieving the carcass of that green stink. So wrap it multiple times in wal-mart type bags, and then bury it quickly.

thats a little more info than i needed to know

[texasnative]

Thanks to all for the great information. I truly appreciate it.

I got a copy of the city ordinance and it actually said (paraphrasing here), as an exception, that one could discharge a firearm to stop a "wild" animal.

Also, I am checking with the City Attorney and the Chief (both are acquaintances).

So, I think I am good, as long as I don't make a habit of blasting away on a daily basis.

And yes, Oldgringo, I did give the skunks a very wide birth. While I haven't been sprayed directly, I have been within a few feet of my dog getting sprayed. Not pleasant.