Is it legal to target shoot with a bow and arrow in public woods in Massachusetts? I’ve been poking around but haven’t found anything concrete as most of the information pertains to bow hunting. I would imagine there would be some specific rules pertaining to the legal use if it is indeed legal. I would like to know what they are before just going out and using a potentially deadly weapon on public land.
Most laws, but not all, are written to describe things that are NOT legal, rather than defining things that are legal. However the states hunting regulations fall into two category’s. Missouri states what you can do while hunting. If the rule book doesn’t say you can do it, you can’t. Other states describe what you are not allowed to do. If they don’t say you can’t, then you can. IIRC, these are called restrictive or permissive codes
Missouri for example states in their hunting regulations that you can’t hunt within a certain distance of a dwelling. But if you’re not hunting it doesn’t apply.
In your case I’d find out what you mean by Public Woods? National forest? State Forest? State Park? County park? Each of these would have different rules applied.
“Easier to ask forgiveness than permission.”
Of course, this only applies if you’re busted…
My experience is that, on public land, you’re good if you don’t cause damage, scare anyone, run off with anything, or otherwise make a mess. IANAL.
My question is: if this is public land, how are you going to make sure nobody is in the danger zone?
With archery, it’s pretty darn easy. Unless you go for a ‘maximum range flight’, when you’re shooting at targets on or near the ground, your range is very limited. 45 yds is usually the outside range that most folks are comfortable shooting a bow at, and a miss wouldn’t go much more than 20-30 yards beyond that, unless you get a very odd deflection.
There are, however, plenty of fish & game clubs in MA, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find one with an archery range that you could join. You could check with your local archery store to get an idea of places to shoot.
If you’re concerned, I’d check with the local PD if it’s a town owned forest. They may even be able to tell you of a location that would be safe, and allowed for that use that isn’t “in the woods.” Otherwise, I’d check with the management agency of whatever land you want to shoot on.
Put the target against a hillside.
In Washington State you can still find public parks with archery ranges set up on them, not as common, but they’re around. In my teens I’d drive down to the city park, get the bow out of the trunk, and shoot.
It is common for folk here to also drive out to the woods, pick a random lonely logging road, and go shooting (guns, bows, whatever). Unless you are in State/National park land, law enforcement rarely cares as long as you are being responsible and cleaning up your mess. I have no idea if it is technically legal (it probably isn’t) but the most that police or rangers have ever done with me or my friends is tell us to “pack it up”.