Do you have a fence in your backyard? And whats beyond your target? I feel like if you have some sort of backstop like a fence or if its just a field and not a house beyond the target you should be fine. You also live in Idaho where I think people are a little more relaxed about that type of stuff.

 

Yea, Idaho (especially Ada county) isn't that relaxed anymore....

 

Are you in the limits of any City? If in the county I would think you would be ok. In Missouri some cities you can some you can’t . Depends on local ordinances. You could just call your local police department or sheriffs department. Actually if I had a place I knew was 100% safe I would just shoot until I was told I couldn’t.

 

Boise city limits, I’d say no.

 

Best to check with your local police/sherrif- every municipality/community is different... Then there is "can" shoot in the back yard and "should" shoot, which really depends on what lays a couple hundred yards behind your target.

 

As far as Boise http://boisecityid.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=18549

No.

Idaho as a state I imagine leaves it to the city’s and towns to govern these types of things. In my town in Montana, it’s illegal to shoot “deer” in town with a bow but, you can shoot bear, elk or mountain lion. Just on how it’s worded. Town marshal 72 yo born and raised, whom I’ve hunted with, actually informed me on this. Elk don’t come through town and bears typically stay away. We did have a lion running around a couple years ago.

Check with your municipality’s. The sheriff doesn’t write laws or know them necessarily.

 

As far as Boise http://boisecityid.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=30&ID=18549 No. Idaho as a state I imagine leaves it to the city’s and towns to govern these types of things. In my town in Montana, it’s illegal to shoot “deer” in town with a bow but, you can shoot bear, elk or mountain lion. Just on how it’s worded. Town marshal 72 yo born and raised, whom I’ve hunted with, actually informed me on this. Elk don’t come through town and bears typically stay away. We did have a lion running around a couple years ago. Check with your municipality’s. The sheriff doesn’t write laws or know them necessarily.

The ordinance you posted mentions nothing of a bow. Might want to read the whole thing before giving someone legal advice.

 

I've spent a lot of time in that part of Idaho over the years.
First question, are you living in one of the many new developments that are popping up all over the county?
Second, If you are shooting towards a neighbor's property, you are taking a dangerous risk. I don't care how good of a shot you are and neither will your neighbors or the cops.
At my place here in WA, I have a detached garage that I can place my target bag up against under a eve. I can practice up to 35 yds.
I also can shoot up to 7 yds inside my garage to practice draw cycle and form.
I did join a local archery club that has a full walk through range.
I encourage you to be a good neighbor.

Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk

 

I know a handful guys that I know down there shoot from there garages to the other side of the road in city limits and yes in there backyards as long as it is safe. Idaho is more relaxed then most states it is only an issue if there are people around on cold days not a lot of people outside those are the best days

 

Safety of your neighbors is number one, two and three. that accidental flyer that gets away can be a law suit or worse. Some towns have laws regarding shooting bows some don't. But a wood fence is not sufficient back stop to guarantee that no arrow flies into the neighbors yard or house. Just be safe and check the laws of the township.

 

As long as you have a safe direction to shoot with no other people or houses behind your target, I would just shoot. Sometimes I’d rather beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

 

If all else fails you can head to the fort...for free!

 

Check your local laws. Call the local pd, township, whatever. Often ordinances are available online. Don't rely on legal advice from random dudes on archery talk...

 

If it's safe then I say have at it worst that'll most likely happen would be somebody asking you to stop. Rubber stall mats make good backstops

 

That's literally not at all the worst thing that can happen. I've seen ordinances that would class shooting a bow as discharging a deadly weapon and I've definitely met overzealous police officers that I'm sure would be happy to charge someone with that. Whether or not that would stick in court who knows, maybe, maybe not, but do you really want to find out?

 

I know a guy that was shooting his bow in his back yard. got fined $700.00. check it out with the police...

 

I'm talking from where I'm at I assume he has an idea of how law enforcement would react and being in idaho I'm sure there more laid back than most places with that sort of thing.Most law enforcement I've dealt with have been fine don't be a dick and they won't always works for me. I said "most likely" not was the worst thing by the way

 

Not brain science just plain common sense call and ask your local authorities. Every place is different.

 

I wouldn't ask personally. I'd do it in a safe way and screw the Gov't. PS make sure you wear a mask and keep 6ft away from anyone.

 

This is almost always a local city thing so you need to check with local sheriff for the accurate answer. Like others have said you also need to have the space to do it. If you live in a neighborhood and have houses all around you I'd probably tell you to just forget the idea. You need a safe backdrop behind your target either woods, open field, large hill, etc. Shooting against a fence won't cut it. Go read the Worst Shots Ever Made thread to read a list of reasons for having a safe direction to shoot. Things happen and arrows sometimes go very strange places we don't expect. Its best to not end up with a lawsuit or criminal charges on your hands after just a little archery practice.

In my opinion the safe spot to shoot is most important. I shoot at my buddies place now and then and he's got a nice set up with a totally safe backdrop as he has a large hill that leads to nothing but trees and swamp behind his house. Even if an arrow finds a way over the hill all we'd kill are mosquitoes. Despite it being perfectly safe its still against city ordinance since we live in the city. He's talked to the neighbors and they're all cool so no chance of a nosy neighbor turning him in so we use the common sense rule versus the actual law. Now a mile away at my house I'd never shoot in my yard. I have neighbors on all sides and a 6 foot wood fence is not an adequate backdrop. I've had releases fail and I've made bone head moves were I bump the release while drawing, both sent arrows off into no mans land, probably would have been stopped by the fence had I been in the back yard but it would have been close and dependant on the yardage i was shooting and I'd rather not shoot a neighbor.

 

Find out if it’s legal where you live. If it is, then have a look at the “Okay, what’s the worst shot you ever made?” thread, and decide for yourself if it’s safe.

 

Even if it's legal, if you have anything behind your target like a house, road, neighbor's yard, etc, don't do it. Threads like this come up every month or two. Just because you've never had a problem and expect that you never will doesn't mean that you can't. Safety first !!!!!!

 

I'd say depends on your neighbors and if you have a good backstop. Luckily i've got neighbors who also bow hunt, but i'm sure my HOA would say otherwise

 

If it is legal, it's a Good ideal to use your House as a Back Stop...not your neighbors.

 

That’s what I do. Only regretted it a couple times. Been doing better lately with re-zeroing the sliders when I leave the range. [emoji1750]

 

Crazy the things we have to ask permission for nowadays

 

This is what happens when you shoot your bow or cross bow in city limits. This was a rogue arrow that came over multiple fences because the archer missed his targets. Per Idaho State Trooper, it is a misdemeanor to shoot within city limits.

 

I would hope the OP has talked to the local folks by now.

 

I would recommend against asking the local le. Often they have no clue about local laws that come up rarely code enforcement might, but once again you will get a no more often than the correct answer.

You need too look up your areas codes, both county and city. Often it will be in the same section as discharging a fire arm. ( conduct and safety sections are the most common)Look for words like arrow, missile, projectile and the like. A city local to me won't even let you shoot a bb gun. Another says it just has to be inspected/ approved by the lea. The catch is they don't have any regulations on it, and it is at the will of the police chief rather you get permission or not. It was one of those policy that was designed around fire arms and then used the terms " dangerous projectile" that covers basicly everything.

Guess why I choose not too move to those cities?

Every where it is unlawful to have a projectile leave your property.

 

Code Search

Legal publisher offering ordinance codification services for local governments, specializing in providing codes of ordinances in print and on the Internet

codelibrary.amlegal.com

Three sections show up … 2-2-5; 2-2-9; and 2-6-7.

County Parks and Waterways;
Boise River; and Expo Idaho Facilities

2-6-7: FIRE, FIREWORKS AND FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS:

C. Personal Safety, Firearms, Weapons: No person, except for authorized law enforcement personnel, shall discharge any firearm, pneumatic weapon, air rifle, spring gun, bow and arrow, sling, blowgun, pellet gun, or any other weapon that discharges a projectile that is potentially harmful and dangerous to human or animal safety within any Ada County parks and waterways property. The discharge of firearms and weapons within these areas constitutes a per se danger to persons and property. Such regulation does not apply to a person discharging his or her firearm in the lawful defense of persons or property.

The wording tends to be similar. Take a look. All deal with public property.

Like suggested in another post … check city ordinances if applicable.

And check this link for the “straight answer” from the Idaho Fish and Game folks:

is it legal to shoot a bow in my back yard?

i live near city limits, i don't know if i am just outside city limits or just inside. and i want to practice my archery all year round without having to pay for indoor shooting range or having to drive who knows where just to be able to practice. i want to know if its legal to practice in my...

idfg.idaho.gov

 

Code Search

Legal publisher offering ordinance codification services for local governments, specializing in providing codes of ordinances in print and on the Internet

codelibrary.amlegal.com

Three sections show up … 2-2-5; 2-2-9; and 2-6-7.

County Parks and Waterways;
Boise River; and Expo Idaho Facilities

2-6-7: FIRE, FIREWORKS AND FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS:

C. Personal Safety, Firearms, Weapons: No person, except for authorized law enforcement personnel, shall discharge any firearm, pneumatic weapon, air rifle, spring gun, bow and arrow, sling, blowgun, pellet gun, or any other weapon that discharges a projectile that is potentially harmful and dangerous to human or animal safety within any Ada County parks and waterways property. The discharge of firearms and weapons within these areas constitutes a per se danger to persons and property. Such regulation does not apply to a person discharging his or her firearm in the lawful defense of persons or property.

The wording tends to be similar. Take a look. All deal with public property.

Like suggested in another post … check city ordinances if applicable.

And check this link for the “straight answer” from the Idaho Fish and Game folks:

is it legal to shoot a bow in my back yard?

i live near city limits, i don't know if i am just outside city limits or just inside. and i want to practice my archery all year round without having to pay for indoor shooting range or having to drive who knows where just to be able to practice. i want to know if its legal to practice in my...

idfg.idaho.gov

Code Search

Legal publisher offering ordinance codification services for local governments, specializing in providing codes of ordinances in print and on the Internet

codelibrary.amlegal.com

Three sections show up … 2-2-5; 2-2-9; and 2-6-7.

County Parks and Waterways;
Boise River; and Expo Idaho Facilities

2-6-7: FIRE, FIREWORKS AND FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS:

C. Personal Safety, Firearms, Weapons: No person, except for authorized law enforcement personnel, shall discharge any firearm, pneumatic weapon, air rifle, spring gun, bow and arrow, sling, blowgun, pellet gun, or any other weapon that discharges a projectile that is potentially harmful and dangerous to human or animal safety within any Ada County parks and waterways property. The discharge of firearms and weapons within these areas constitutes a per se danger to persons and property. Such regulation does not apply to a person discharging his or her firearm in the lawful defense of persons or property.

The wording tends to be similar. Take a look. All deal with public property.

Like suggested in another post … check city ordinances if applicable.

And check this link for the “straight answer” from the Idaho Fish and Game folks:

is it legal to shoot a bow in my back yard?

i live near city limits, i don't know if i am just outside city limits or just inside. and i want to practice my archery all year round without having to pay for indoor shooting range or having to drive who knows where just to be able to practice. i want to know if its legal to practice in my...

idfg.idaho.gov

Congratulations, you posted another ordinance that has nothing to do with shooting a bow in your backyard. Do you not even read what you’re posting? The link that Idaho fish and game say to check your local laws and don’t give an actual answer? That one?