Archery question

[thekinetic]

Here's one for you law gurus as I cannot for the life of me find any law pertaining to it.

Is it legal to shoot my bow on my property, which is a 1/4 acre lot? Obviously I'd be doing it safely and in such a manner so that my arrows do not damage or otherwise land on other's property.

And while I'm at it what about blow guns, laws and the use of them in hunting small game?

[Remek]

I know of no law regulating bow and arrow in your back yard. Absent local laws, I think its legal. Just make sure you are taking reasonable care not to let the arrows fly into another property, and there should be no issue.

[MarcSpaz]

State----
https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp50 ... +15.2-1209

Fairfax County----
http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=10051

Fairfax County, Virginia, Code of Ordinances >> - Fairfax County Code >> CHAPTER 6. - Weapons. >> ARTICLE 4. Bows >>

Section 6-4-1. Shooting of bows.

It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot an arrow from a bow in a manner that can be reasonably expected to result in the impact of the arrow upon the property of another without permission from the owner, fee holder or tenant of the property on which the arrow is expected to impact. For the purposes of this section, "bow" includes all compound bows, crossbows, longbows and recurve bows having a peak draw weight of ten pounds or more. The term "bow" does not include bows which have a peak draw of less than ten pounds or which are designed or intended to be used principally as toys. The term "arrow" means a shaft-like projectile intended to be shot from a bow.



Other Links----

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/ani ... ptions.htm

[Remek]

Good info, so, it looks like you are fine, if you can make a good backstop to stop it from going into the neighbors yard, or get their permission for flyers.

[thekinetic]

Sweet, I've been itching to try my takedown bow for a while now. I knew BB guns were legal, and really liked hearing that fairfax county was forced by the state to abide by state law XD. But I wasn't sure about bows. Thanks!

Also from my research I think the law is absent, both local and state, concerning the use of blowguns.

[MarcSpaz]

I found nothing on blow guns either.

[thekinetic]

Yeah the only thing I know is hunting law prohibit the use of poisons, so no poison darts. Broad head dart are more than enough though to take out squirrels.