[horseman308]

I'm likely to move to a house in Prince Georges County, MD in Glenn Dale (very near Greenbelt - if you know the place . . . . .yeah, I know....:embara. However, it's a 1/2 acre yard in a quiet residential area, and the yard backs up to very thick, county-owned woods that stretch for several more acres (not sure how many). I know that the previous tenant supposedly shot his bow there, but I didn't get to talk to him about it.

Does anyone here know off the top of your head whether it's legal to shoot in your yard there? I understand that state laws are you can't shoot within 150 yards of a dwelling without the occupant's permission, but I couldn't find anything on local regs and I don't know that I'd expect the average PG county cop to know off the top of his head if shooting a bow is legal.

 

[VA. Bowbender]

PG county...REALLY??? Sorry for you dude! Lol, just kidding.

I live in northern VA so things are probably different. I will relate this story to you though. It is "illegal" to shoot a bow, BB gun, etc in your yard where my subdivision is. But me being me when I first moved in I went out back (20 yard max shot) to shoot my bow. Later a neighbor call the deputies to report me. The deputy showed up at my door. He was very nice about it, he couldn't even look me in the eye when he told me "sorry but you can't shoot your bow in the backyard" as he hung his head. It stopped me from shooting for the rest of the week. I've been shooting in my backyard at will now for the past 15 years. If I want to practice further I go across the street to the sewer easement, also not kosher but better. It's also illegal to ride 4 wheelers there but that never stopped anyone from doing that too.


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[horseman308]

Yeah, I'm actually moving from NOVA (Alexandria), because it's closer to mine and my wife's work. I drive 47 miles one way right now and we just had a baby, so we really need to be closer to work. I'll keep your story in mind. Thanks.

 

[RichJ]

A lot of residential places have this "single projectile" law. That prohibits you from shooting just about ANYTHING. From what you describes sounds like you have plenty of room. In most situations your fine until someone calls and complains.. That 150 yard thing is a hunting law. That's a totally diff animal that changes and over rides the local and township laws.

 

[Dale_B1]

Your local authorities is your best source---if they don't know it is their job to find out and give you the correct answer.

 

[etskjboggs]

Most municipalities have their ordinances posted online. And most municipalities have problems with shooting any thing from spring loaded to pressurized projectiles within their city limits. That being said, in most cases, if your neighbor is cool with it and you make sure there's no way a stray arrow can injure any one (including pets), they're probably not going to report you. But it still good practice to let them know ahead of time. I have friends who'll stand in the alley behind their house and shoot 20 yards in to their yard and have had squad cars drive right behind them as they practiced.

 

[nimh]

Talk to your neighbors. They should be cool. Its a 99% chance its illegal and im 100% sure people in that area and all across the country do it without problems. Be cool to your neighbors and they will be cool with you. My neighbors let me do anything in my backyard, but I always share with them .

 

[etskjboggs]

Talk to your neighbors. They should be cool. Its a 99% chance its illegal and im 100% sure people in that area and all across the country do it without problems. Be cool to your neighbors and they will be cool with you. My neighbors let me do anything in my backyard, but I always share with them .

X2. :thumbs_up

 

[Doofy_13]

I live in a small neighborhood in Eldersburg and shoot in my backyard every day. I just shoot towards the house next to mine that is vacant.