I have mentioned before that I obtained permission to target shoot at a large stone quarry near my home. This is in Iowa close to the Mississippi River. The local police department paid the quarry owners to build a shooting range on their property. The quarry owners told me I could use the shooting range. Nothing there except a dirt berm and some cement walk ways at 10 yard intervals from the berm. I have been shooting out there all summer 2 or more times every week and never ran into into anyone while shooting, until last week. I noticed a couple weeks ago the police were building a 6 station system to rotate targets for a target identification practice. i stayed away from there project but at the same time thought it was poor judgement to leave the apparatus at the stone quarry that is not in a secure area.
Last Thursday evening I was shooting at my ricochet project when i could hear a vehicle approaching. Next, I could see it was a local police car, I thought, must be some kind of trouble. The officer stepped out and said, this range is not open to the public. i told him I was aware of that but had permission from the quarry owners to shoot there. Next the officer told me, "you have been shooting up my project". I said, "no I haven't". He says, "yes you have". I replied, "let's go look, you show me what is going on". Sure enough, there were numerous bullet splatters on steel surfaces and dents in conduit tubing. Someone had shot up his project. I told him it was terrible and I was sorry it happened and offered to help him repair the damage. I pointed out my targets were stapled to plywood leaning against the berm and away from his project. Far enough away so not even a stray bullet would contact his project.
We visited for a long time, 30-45 minutes. i told him a little about myself and informed him that I was the person mowing the grass all summer because i thought it was the least i could do for the privelege of shooting there.
Finally, the officer changed his story and said they know who shot up his project. I asked him, "so are you and i okay"? He said, "as long as you have permission to be there we are okay". I never heard from the stone quarry owners, they have my cell phone number. I guess I should contact them to see how I stand with continued shooting at the quarry.
Okay, I know nothing about police work, never been in jail. I thought it was odd he investigated an unknown person shooting in the quarry
but shows up alone? A similar case In Illinois the state police would have the quarry surrounded and survelance and news media circling the area in helicopters. The officer never looked at my guns or asked for any ID. The officer changed his story a couple of times. Is this how the police trick people into confessing?
My wife says i'm reading to much into this. My wife felt the vandalism was likely directed towards the police officer.
Any thoughts on this? Jim
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