Legal issues of Stump shooting/target pratice..?

[MikeW]

Am not sure what the laws are in my new state of CA. but I know in other states legally you can't walk around in the woods or public land and claim you are stump shooting or just target practicing you have to claim you are hunting something legal that is in season, and then in some states that gets you into the whole "What's on the end of my arrow" dilemma.

Where are you from and what's the deal in your state?

[rastaman]

i've never been bothered in Georgia, but hogs are in season year round on private land.

[last arrow]

In Michigan you must have a valid license for what is in season to stump shoot.  A small game license fits this requirement as there is always some season open.  Make sure you know what is in season when you are out just in case you are asked.

[wtpops]

Most if not all public lands in this state do not allow target shooting. As to whats on the end of your arrow is a different story. Here is the reg. as you see for big game you must have a broad head that will not fit through a 7/8" hole. For small game you can use any arrow (blunts, ect... ect...)except for whats listed in (d).

Just so you know Jack Rabbit season is open all year with no limit. So as long as you have a lic. and are hunting Jack Rabbits it doesn't matter what you have on the end of the arrow (see sec (d))or how many times you take a shot and miss        

I always have a pig tag with me. Broadheads and blunts in my quiver. I am hunting pigs and Jack Rabbits.


(c) For the taking of big game, hunting arrows and crossbow bolts with a broad head type blade which will not pass through a hole seven-eighths inch in diameter shall be used. Mechanical/retractable broad heads shall be measured in the open position. For the taking of migratory game birds, resident small game, furbearers and nongame mammals and birds any arrow or crossbow bolt may be used except as prohibited by subsection (d) below.
(d) No arrows or crossbow bolt with an explosive head or with any substance which would tranquilize or poison any animal may be used. No arrows or crossbow bolt without flu-flu fletching may be used for the take of pheasants and migratory game birds, except for provisions of section 507(a)(2).

[Zbearclaw]

What wtpops said!

[Ragnarok Forge]

Here in Washington you can shoot bows all year round on public lands.  If you are not hunting don't have any broadheads on your arrows or person.   If you hunt, Coyote is open all year round so you can carry broadheads so long as you have your license.   There are regulations on rifle shooting on public lands due to to many idiots not picking up their garbage and shooting across roads, etc....

[Possum Head]

In Mississippi no target practice on management aeas. Broadheads are only allowed during an open deer or turkey season. Somewhat of a bad call because small game and hogs cant always be effectively killed with other heads.

[ronp]

In NY we can hunt unprotected wildlfe, including red squirrels, porcupines, woodchucks and a few different birds anytime with bow or firearm.  We need a license, though.  And feral swine can be hunted anytime with any weapon.  So when I am out stumping I can say I am hunting some of these critters.

[jsweka]

Coyotes are always in season in PA and there's no stipulation on what you need on the end of your arrow.

[Al Dente]

Within the 5 boroughs of NYC and adjacent Nassau County, you cannot practice ay any place other than a range or your basement.  Firing your bow is considered discharge of a firearm, even from your driveway into your garage, and in your backyard into a backstop/target pit.  Also, carrying a broadhead tipped arrow, not safely cased, violates the "4 finger" rule of a knife.  You cannot have in your possession any knife over the length of four fingers.  The law considers the entire arrow, from nock to tip, not just the broadhead in this measurement.

[Thumper Dunker]

We have Trillions of ground squirrels and is open all year. Any thing except explosives on the arrow.And tons of coyotes no need to go stumping just go hunting.Knock on some doors to get on some private property to shoot squirrels. You can stump while chassing squirrels. Jacks are a blast and are smarter than the bunnies.Your in a great spot for yotes.

[jax]

In we you can't be in the woods unless their is a game animal in seaon

[jax]

I meant wv

[BowHuntingFool]

Totally legal here in Wisconsin to walk around the woods stump shootin, year round!

[OS]

Also in Michigan you can't stump shoot on state land with a law in place that practice must be done at a designated range.  I was told by dnr Officer if I had a target set up they would not have a problem but did not want folks just walking around shooting trees.  He understood what I was doing (helped I taught hunters safety class his son attended.  In southern Michigan anyway. Private land no problem any time with valid licence or if you own the property

[FarmerMarley]

I was wondering about this myself. I'm glad that there are some people who knew the law about this particular little question.

Very good info to know.