bow shooting laws

rickyp · August 17th, 2011, 07:34 PM

are there any laws that restrict the use of a bow in residental aeras?

I live in a neighborhood off RT6 but I am surrounded by farm land. I have an 1/2 acre lot. My son is just getting into archery and i want to take him out in the back yard and use his 25# bow, is there any laws in MD, charles county that would prohibit us form shooting in the back yard.

I am using an old wooded shead for a back stop so no danger of going into someone's yard

Pale Ryder · August 17th, 2011, 09:48 PM

I think its the same as hunting, 150 yds from an occupied structure without occupants permission. Should be good to go unless neighbor is near. Have fun, be safe.

itsslow98 · August 18th, 2011, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pale Ryder

I think its the same as hunting, 150 yds from an occupied structure without occupants permission. Should be good to go unless neighbor is near. Have fun, be safe.

I dont know of any laws regarding archery. As long as your are at a safe distance shooting at a safe area with a safe backstop i wouldnt worry. Call DNR but im 99.9% sure there is no distance laws.

gtodave · August 18th, 2011, 12:23 PM

150 yards from occupied dwelling unless you have permission from the owner of the dwelling. Do you have anyone behind you? If not, just go for it, and if your neighbors have a problem then stop. With a kid learning you will need a good back stop.

VNVGUNNER · August 18th, 2011, 03:02 PM

I would check with local Law Enforcement, DNR should have no say in practicing archery in your yard. As long as you are not hunting.

lx1x · August 18th, 2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNVGUNNER

I would check with local Law Enforcement, DNR should have no say in practicing archery in your yard. As long as you are not hunting.

This.

Biggie313 · August 18th, 2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VNVGUNNER

I would check with local Law Enforcement, DNR should have no say in practicing archery in your yard. As long as you are not hunting.

Too bad most local law enforement dont know the laws either...

rickyp · August 18th, 2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggie313

Too bad most local law enforcement don't know the laws either...

Sorry to say it but I have found most L.E.O. are short on brains and long on Ego. They think they know everything and have to be in charge of everything even when they have no business even in the area and no clue ( I see this almost every day)

Several years ago I was talking about hand guns and hunting, a young LEO spoke up and said If I saw you with a handgun i the woods I would arrest you for illegal possession of a handgun. This started another conversation and he started to get upset and saying he is a police officer and he knows the laws. TO that I went to my truck and pulled out my copy of the MD hunting regs and showed him the laws regarding handguns and hunting. he just walked out of the station pissed off and proven wrong.

at work, a few weeks ago we ran a toxic gas alarm. this is an alarm that goes off in a building if it detects a toxoc gas sort of like a special smoke detector (to simplfy it) when we got to the guilding we got out our meeters and went in the building and I see two LEO standing right beside the room that had the toxic gas alarm going off in with nothing but there ego to protect them.

Gordon · August 21st, 2011, 09:28 AM

Back yard B-city

llkoolkeg · August 23rd, 2011, 08:13 PM

I guess I'll have to be a bit more careful of who is out-n-about the next time I shoot my bow. I only have a 2/3 acre lot and shoot from my elevated deck into a bungee-secured bag target so even a miss(next to impossible from 20 yards) would only end up buried in my own yard. Before this past Winter, I had living 12' privacy bushes all around my property which the dang snow & ice flattened beyond survival and necessitated chainsaw surgery. Complete privacy has been reduced to perhaps 85% privacy.

Minuteman · August 23rd, 2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggie313

Too bad most local law enforement dont know the laws either...

Maybe a year or so ago, I was at BassPro looking at bows and crossbows; when a very nice guy struck up a conversation. I related that I didn't know much about bows, but had always been interested in shooting, not so much into bow hunting. I asked about using a crossbow for target shooting, and he advised against it, saying shooting a crossbow a lot put. Undue stress on it and wouldn't be a good idea. I asked if if was legal to shoot bow or crossbow immediately by my house at one of those archery targets? I did explain I lived in a typical burb neighborhood. He said sure, just be safe and he recommended I buy a good quality target (big block type), and to not use broadheads for target shooting, etc. We had a great, very helpful conversation, I forget exactly how it came up, but he did mention he was LEO.

This is just one of hundreds of positive encounters I've had with police.

rickyp · August 23rd, 2011, 08:43 PM

"I asked about using a crossbow for target shooting, and he advised against it, saying shooting a crossbow a lot put. Undue stress on it and wouldn't be a good idea" This is jut not true, they are made to be shot and not just looked at

Minuteman · August 24th, 2011, 05:07 AM

Target shooting hundreds or thousands of times. Hunting not so much.

I'm not into archery, so I don't know; was he not right?

VNVGUNNER · August 24th, 2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyp

"I asked about using a crossbow for target shooting, and he advised against it, saying shooting a crossbow a lot put. Undue stress on it and wouldn't be a good idea" This is jut not true, they are made to be shot and not just looked at

This.

Minuteman · August 24th, 2011, 06:37 AM

Thx! I might reconsider buying a crossbow for a little target shooting in the yard.

I think the LEO may have been misinformed. Found this post on a bow forum:

You'll be happy with it Crowhunter. It will probably last you the rest of your life too.

Do not worry about wearing out that crossbow.lol They will take an amazing number of shots. I've talked to crossbow shooters who have shot for many, many years with almost zero problems (especially the Excalibur shooters!). If you do have problems, then go back to the manufacturer and most of them are pretty good except for the cheap bows.

One more thing. Would you rather wear out that bow of have it sit around gathering dust and rust? Shoot it and have fun! You are in for a real treat.

blackthorne · August 29th, 2011, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyp

Sorry to say it but I have found most L.E.O. are short on brains and long on Ego. They think they know everything and have to be in charge of everything even when they have no business even in the area and no clue ( I see this almost every day)

Several years ago I was talking about hand guns and hunting, a young LEO spoke up and said If I saw you with a handgun i the woods I would arrest you for illegal possession of a handgun. This started another conversation and he started to get upset and saying he is a police officer and he knows the laws. TO that I went to my truck and pulled out my copy of the MD hunting regs and showed him the laws regarding handguns and hunting. he just walked out of the station pissed off and proven wrong.

at work, a few weeks ago we ran a toxic gas alarm. this is an alarm that goes off in a building if it detects a toxoc gas sort of like a special smoke detector (to simplfy it) when we got to the guilding we got out our meeters and went in the building and I see two LEO standing right beside the room that had the toxic gas alarm going off in with nothing but there ego to protect them.

I'll bet those cops can spell.

rickyp · August 29th, 2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackthorne

I'll bet those cops can spell.

Don't count on it.

Maryland_Pinz · September 20th, 2011, 06:45 AM

I got this off the DNR website for hunting regulations--here's the link:

http://www.eregulations.com/maryland...g-regulations/

But here's what you were asking about. And I quote...

"In addition to the regulations listed elsewhere in this guide, it is unlawful to:

•Hunt, trap or shoot at wildlife within 150 yards of an occupied structure or camp without permission of the owner or occupant. This distance is 50 yards for archery hunters on private land in Frederick County only."

Hope this helps!

VNVGUNNER · September 20th, 2011, 07:07 AM

There is a big difference between target shooting with a bow and hunting with a bow in reference to distance from a dwelling.

~Trigger~ · September 21st, 2011, 03:57 PM

In Mt. Airy, I was told that one needs a permit in order to shoot bow in their back yard.

But definitely reference all local ordinances just to make sure.

August 17th, 2011, 07:34 PM	#1
rickyp Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,013	bow shooting laws are there any laws that restrict the use of a bow in residental aeras? I live in a neighborhood off RT6 but I am surrounded by farm land. I have an 1/2 acre lot. My son is just getting into archery and i want to take him out in the back yard and use his 25# bow, is there any laws in MD, charles county that would prohibit us form shooting in the back yard. I am using an old wooded shead for a back stop so no danger of going into someone's yard

August 17th, 2011, 09:48 PM	#2
Pale Ryder Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Millersville Posts: 897	I think its the same as hunting, 150 yds from an occupied structure without occupants permission. Should be good to go unless neighbor is near. Have fun, be safe. __________________ "Nothing is more dangerous than a friend without discretion; even a prudent enemy is perferable." Jean De La Fontaine

August 23rd, 2011, 08:13 PM	#10
llkoolkeg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fredneck Posts: 1,197	I guess I'll have to be a bit more careful of who is out-n-about the next time I shoot my bow. I only have a 2/3 acre lot and shoot from my elevated deck into a bungee-secured bag target so even a miss(next to impossible from 20 yards) would only end up buried in my own yard. Before this past Winter, I had living 12' privacy bushes all around my property which the dang snow & ice flattened beyond survival and necessitated chainsaw surgery. Complete privacy has been reduced to perhaps 85% privacy. __________________ "Any nation that draws too great a distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools." -Thucydides in The History of the Peloponnesian War

August 24th, 2011, 05:07 AM	#13
Minuteman NRA Life Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maryland, let's make it a better place. Posts: 7,297	Target shooting hundreds or thousands of times. Hunting not so much. I'm not into archery, so I don't know; was he not right? __________________ "If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." - Benjamin Franklin

August 24th, 2011, 06:37 AM	#15
Minuteman NRA Life Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maryland, let's make it a better place. Posts: 7,297	Thx! I might reconsider buying a crossbow for a little target shooting in the yard. I think the LEO may have been misinformed. Found this post on a bow forum: You'll be happy with it Crowhunter. It will probably last you the rest of your life too. Do not worry about wearing out that crossbow.lol They will take an amazing number of shots. I've talked to crossbow shooters who have shot for many, many years with almost zero problems (especially the Excalibur shooters!). If you do have problems, then go back to the manufacturer and most of them are pretty good except for the cheap bows. One more thing. Would you rather wear out that bow of have it sit around gathering dust and rust? Shoot it and have fun! You are in for a real treat. __________________ "If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." - Benjamin Franklin

August 18th, 2011, 12:23 PM	#4
gtodave Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mt Airy Posts: 4,280	150 yards from occupied dwelling unless you have permission from the owner of the dwelling. Do you have anyone behind you? If not, just go for it, and if your neighbors have a problem then stop. With a kid learning you will need a good back stop.

August 18th, 2011, 03:02 PM	#5
VNVGUNNER Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: EasternShore, Md. Posts: 2,625	I would check with local Law Enforcement, DNR should have no say in practicing archery in your yard. As long as you are not hunting.

August 21st, 2011, 09:28 AM	#9
Gordon Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Baltimore Posts: 234	Back yard B-city

August 23rd, 2011, 08:43 PM	#12
rickyp Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,013	"I asked about using a crossbow for target shooting, and he advised against it, saying shooting a crossbow a lot put. Undue stress on it and wouldn't be a good idea" This is jut not true, they are made to be shot and not just looked at

September 20th, 2011, 06:45 AM	#18
Maryland_Pinz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 5	I got this off the DNR website for hunting regulations--here's the link: http://www.eregulations.com/maryland...g-regulations/ But here's what you were asking about. And I quote... "In addition to the regulations listed elsewhere in this guide, it is unlawful to: •Hunt, trap or shoot at wildlife within 150 yards of an occupied structure or camp without permission of the owner or occupant. This distance is 50 yards for archery hunters on private land in Frederick County only." Hope this helps!

September 20th, 2011, 07:07 AM	#19
VNVGUNNER Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: EasternShore, Md. Posts: 2,625	There is a big difference between target shooting with a bow and hunting with a bow in reference to distance from a dwelling.

September 21st, 2011, 03:57 PM	#20
~Trigger~ Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: AZ Transplant Posts: 173	In Mt. Airy, I was told that one needs a permit in order to shoot bow in their back yard. But definitely reference all local ordinances just to make sure. __________________ "Go ahead, skin that smokewagon." "When seconds matter, the cops are just minutes away."

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