I am new to the forum so I hope I am asking in the right place. I have a problem. I recently acquired my grandfathers camp. He built it about 40 years ago and it borders the Alleghany National Forest. It has always been used for hunting and target shooting. It is very private and extremely secluded. Because someone heard us shooting down over the hill we were reported to the township that informed us that they have had an ordinance on the books for 14 years saying you cannot do that unless you have an approved backstop by the township. The complainer is a relative of one of the supervisors so I am concerned about getting approval. We have a large mound that serves as a backstop an it complies with the requirements of the ordinance. I am further concerned about the writing of the ordinance because it just says required backstop and says nothing about needing to be approved. Should I seek approval of should I just wait until the fine me so that I can prove a required backstop in court, instead of risking them telling me no. This area is all hunting camps and in all these years only 1 backstop has been approved, and there has only been 2 applications. I have heard gun shots on many occassions so I know the neighbors are shooting but I have to wonder if we are just getting picked on because of the relative. Does anyone have any advise? The township meeting is in a week and I am not sure where to look for good information to help. According to the zoning officer my husband is not even allowed to discharge his muzzleloader.Thank you.

I would call Rep. Kathy Rapp at 814-723-5203 and Sen. JosephScarnati at 814-726-7201. Both a pro-gun and pro-hunter. They should be more than happy to help you out.

sadly, gun sighting is getting out of hand at camps..its the noise not backstop..

people come to woods for peace and quite..then guns are going off, i know, i shoot a lot and camps hate me..again, we are losing hunters and camps are being replaced with HIKERS AND BIRD WATCHERS..

its going to get worst,heck, you cant take a rock home with you from stateland ,not even flower,nothing..

..you can say that again, if the wrong people(anti-gun) keep getting elected.... more people DON'T have guns,than do... I'd say

I believe atleast in the part of Pa. that I live in.There is definetly a good ole boy way of doing things and nepitism is a big part of it.I believe in your case and many like it ,they are nothing more than bullies and we all know theres only 1 way to deal with bullies.Unfortunitly if you dont have a big enough wallet theres not alot you can.One thing you could do is take photos of other backstops and present them at the meeting.The down side to that is nobody likes a cry baby.However that dos'nt make you a cry baby atleast in my eyes.It makes you a person that looks out for yourself.Afterall its not right for you to get singled out while others dont and if you dont stick up for your rights who will?

I've found it's the squeeky wheel that gets the grease......

Maybe so.......but who can afford grease these days.