what are the bow hunting legal distances???

[jsavoy86]

I’ve been all over the Albertaregulations.ca and even made a call to the local fish and game office

No one seems to have a solid answer on what is considered safe legal distance (from road/buildings)
to fire a bow at potential game.

Is it the same as a rifle ?

Thanks for reading


J

 

[Magellann]

As far as I know there is no legal distance.
I practice to 40 yards and only shoot within that distance
For shooting off the side of a road it's the same as for rifles in Ontario.

 

[hoytcanon]

There is no "legal" stage distance... with regard to bows in legislation, in some areas they are considered "firearms" (misnomer), and in other regards they are not. Some municipalities have enact laws that govern the use of bows within "city limits"... but at the very least, all of the "safe usage clauses still apply to archery gear. KNOW YOUR BACKSTOP!

Arrows can veer wildly off course if they strike and object reroute, particularly on the fetching end... and then subsequently careen off brush and further deflect. I have found arrows embedded in trees dozens of yards off course and perpendicular to the original flight path.

Long story short... be careful with any weapon.

 

[skoal]

I practice out to 70 but will only shoot game out to 40.

 

[Scott_N]

I think he's referring to this section of the General Regulations for big game in Alberta:



"unlawful to......discharge a weapon within 183 m (200 yards) or cause a projectile from a weapon to pass within 183 m (200 yards) of any occupied building. Owners, occupants, or persons authorized by the owner or occupant are excepted, subject to local bylaws.
discharge a firearm from or cause a projectile from a firearm to pass along or across:
a) a provincial highway (this designation applies to all former primary and secondary highways),
b) a road that is paved, oiled, graded or regularly maintained, unless
- the road is held under any active disposition under the Public Lands Act or under an order under the Surface Rights Act, or
- the person is hunting game birds with a shotgun under the authority of a licence.
Note: if there is no identifiable ditch or fence to mark the outside edge of the roadway, then the roadway extends 20 feet from the edge of the traveled portion."



That first part is key, a bow falls under the definition of "weapon" in the hunting regulations.

 

[brybenn]

Ontario considers bows as firearms in this respect. I dont know about any other province

 

[jsavoy86]

I think he's referring to this section of the General Regulations for big game in Alberta:



"unlawful to......discharge a weapon within 183 m (200 yards) or cause a projectile from a weapon to pass within 183 m (200 yards) of any occupied building. Owners, occupants, or persons authorized by the owner or occupant are excepted, subject to local bylaws.
discharge a firearm from or cause a projectile from a firearm to pass along or across:
a) a provincial highway (this designation applies to all former primary and secondary highways),
b) a road that is paved, oiled, graded or regularly maintained, unless
- the road is held under any active disposition under the Public Lands Act or under an order under the Surface Rights Act, or
- the person is hunting game birds with a shotgun under the authority of a licence.
Note: if there is no identifiable ditch or fence to mark the outside edge of the roadway, then the roadway extends 20 feet from the edge of the traveled portion."



That first part is key, a bow falls under the definition of "weapon" in the hunting regulations.

It’s so loosely worded. I found this article it’s not much help though.

 

[bbobie]

I think it falls under the same regulations as a firearm in Alberta

 

[Scott_N]

It’s so loosely worded. I found this article it’s not much help though.

I don't think it's as convoluted as you think... just look up the definition of "weapon" as defined in Alberta's hunting regulations:

"Weapon - a firearm or any other device that propels a projectile by means of an explosion, spring, air, gas, string, wire or elastic material or any combination of those things." With that definition, the part of the regulations I posted above is more clear.

A bow would fit that description.

I think it falls under the same regulations as a firearm in Alberta

Agreed.