Posted on October 21, 2019 at 10:11 AM by Kate Berg
October 21, 2019
Ask the Chief
Q: I live in city limits, what are the laws concerning practice shooting my bow in my back yard?
A: Great timing for your question, as hunting season is upon us and many of our citizens actively participate in the sport of hunting. Bows are covered under City of Red Wing Code, Chapter 10, Public Protection, Crimes and Offenses, Section 10.5 Firearms, Bows and Dangerous Weapons. First, by City Code, a bow is defined as any device capable of propelling an arrow or similar projectile for a distance of greater than 50 feet. Subdivision 2 further states, “It is unlawful for any person to display in a threatening manner, carry, or shoot any firearm or bow” EXCEPT when “[...] on a shooting range established and permitted in accordance with the Zoning Chapter and shown on the hunting map. Possession, transportation, or carrying of unloaded firearms or bows, which are cased or enclosed in the trunk of a car. And any person lawfully hunting in established unrestricted hunting or archery only hunting zones established in accordance with Subdivision 4 of this Section."
City of Red Wing special hunt occurs from April 17, 2019, to December 31, 2019; deer hunting must comply with DNR requirements and is only permitted from September 14, 2019, to December 31, 2019. The City of Red Wing hunting zone map is located online here. The map shows authorized hunting zones within the City of Red Wing; the majority are archery-only zones. The map also shows the only authorized areas and ranges in the City of Red Wing jurisdiction for firearms and archery practicing.
The short answer is no, you may not legally shoot your bow in your back yard.
References and Resources:
1. City of Red Wing City Code, Chapter 10, Public Protection, Crimes and Offenses, Section 10.5, Firearms, Bows and Dangerous Weapons, located on-line at: http://lf.ci.red-wing.mn.us/weblink/0/doc/159293/Page1.aspx
2. City of Red Wing 2019 Hunting Map, located online at: https://www.red-wing.org/DocumentCenter/View/2556/2019-Hunting-Zone-Map-PDF
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Tag(s): weekly blog, special hunt, special deer hunt, RWPD, police blog, city limits, Chief Pohlman, bow and arrows, blog, Ask the Chief, archery law, archery