Shooting your bow in Seattle city limits

[hogslayer]

I just moved to Magnolia and finally have a spot where I can shoot 20 yrds.  Does anyone know the laws about shooting a bow on private property in the city of Seattle?

[Fullabull]

You can look that stuff up if you go to the City web site. In my city, I can shoot in my yard only which is fine with me.

[vandeman17]

Agreed that you should probably contact the city but I would imagine that if you are within your property lines that you should be ok.

I can shoot 30 yards in my back yard which is nice and if I want to shoot farther I just walk to the front yard, open up the side gate and shoot to the back. I can get out to about 40 yards.  I also like shooting from my second floor deck to practice shooting from a tree stand.

[mtbiker]

Well, searching http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/public/code1.htm I only saw that it's illegal in a park, which is the same for King County.  I know the city of Renton has an explicit no shooting arrows law.

[billdo5]

Become a member at a nice archery range and go there... so u dont shank one and kill a bum 

[Jellymon]

Maybe the arrow will deflect into safeco and put the Mariners out of their misery.

[hogslayer]

Cool thanks guys.   I am having to work way.... Too much so I can't seem to find the time to make it to a range enough times inorder to pay for a membership.   I will put me target in front of the garage so I think that will be safe enough.   My wife heard of my buddies story that shot a bent aluminum arrow in his back hard and it too off over the fence and nailed a van!   Learned from his mistke.  Shoot carbon arrows!

[wildmanoutdoors]

Agreed that you should probably contact the city but I would imagine that if you are within your property lines that you should be ok.

I can shoot 30 yards in my back yard which is nice and if I want to shoot farther I just walk to the front yard, open up the side gate and shoot to the back. I can get out to about 40 yards.  I also like shooting from my second floor deck to practice shooting from a tree stand.

Probably not ok. You need to contact the city and find out for sure. Lots and lots of cities have laws designated for stuff like this. Pohibiting dangerous projectiles.

[vandeman17]

I shoot towards an empty lot and then across a street. I should probably check to be safe but the closest house behind where I shoot is probably 150 yards or more and I have a fence as a backstop. Not to mention my front yard is a little up hill from my back so I feel comfortable in my shots 

[Arrow Head]

I agree with mtbiker, Seattle City Code Chapter 18.12.130 is the only reference to bows and arrows in the code and it says no shooting in parks. However, I found a Seattle criminal code that any crafty district attorney in Seattle can twisted to argue bow as a slingshot and the verbiage "public place", has a clause that if the public can access it, even if it's privately owned. Put up a no trespassing sign to be safe. I guarantee you 95% of the people in Magnolia will call it in if they see you shooting. And what ever you do, never shoot at a tree in Seattle, they all have huggers wrapped around them.

Title 12A - CRIMINAL CODE
Subtitle I - Criminal Code
Chapter 12A.14 - WEAPONS CONTROL
12A.14.083 Weapons in public places.

A.  It is unlawful to knowingly carry or shoot any spring gun, air gun, sling or slingshot in, upon or onto any public place.
B.  For purposes of this section, "public place" means an area generally open to the public, regardless of whether it is privately owned, and includes, but is not limited to, streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, parking lots, transit stations, transit vehicles and buildings.

[wariner87]

 

I agree with mtbiker, Seattle City Code Chapter 18.12.130 is the only reference to bows and arrows in the code and it says no shooting in parks. However, I found a Seattle criminal code that any crafty district attorney in Seattle can twisted to argue bow as a slingshot and the verbiage "public place", has a clause that if the public can access it, even if it's privately owned. Put up a no trespassing sign to be safe. I guarantee you 95% of the people in Magnolia will call it in if they see you shooting. And what ever you do, never shoot at a tree in Seattle, they all have huggers wrapped around them.

Title 12A - CRIMINAL CODE
Subtitle I - Criminal Code
Chapter 12A.14 - WEAPONS CONTROL
12A.14.083 Weapons in public places.

A.  It is unlawful to knowingly carry or shoot any spring gun, air gun, sling or slingshot in, upon or onto any public place.
B.  For purposes of this section, "public place" means an area generally open to the public, regardless of whether it is privately owned, and includes, but is not limited to, streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, parking lots, transit stations, transit vehicles and buildings.

[Pacosub]

I shoot in my back yard almost daily.  I get 20 yards if I shoot diagonally from one corner to the other.  My neighbors see me do this almost everyday and have not outed me to the authorities.  As long as your arrows stay inside your property and the neighbors are cool with it, I would set up a target with a good back stop and go for it.  You may let your neighbors know what you are doing so they don't freak out.  I live in Phinney Ridge.  Just use good common sense.  I think the code is not explicit enough to prevent you from practicing in your own back yard.
What I want to do is try to make it legal for an archery range to exist in some of the large green spaces found in places like Discovery Park in Magnolia or Woodland Park just south of Green Lake.  There is a ton of underutilized forested areas that only get used by undesirables and who knows who.  I run through the trails in there sometimes and get the willies by some of the folks I see in there 
Anyway I digress.  But if I were you, I would go for it.  Just do a little outreach to your neighbors first.

[haugenna]

My city allows it buy my HOA prohibits it. 

[Special T]

Talk to Shawn Jezerinac from Emerald City Archers. He is trying hard to get a archery range (flat range i think) in a seattle park. They were in nearly EVERY seattle park in the 1970's so i find it interesting that they are banned. The Golden Gate park in San Fran has a flat range in the City park. 

[Johnb317]

Years ago there was a range above golden gardens. 
I have 25 yards from the back of my yard to the house.   
1.5 story back stop.     

[Pacosub]

Talk to Shawn Jezerinac from Emerald City Archers. He is trying hard to get a archery range (flat range i think) in a seattle park. They were in nearly EVERY seattle park in the 1970's so i find it interesting that they are banned. The Golden Gate park in San Fran has a flat range in the City park. 

Cool - thanks Special T.  I know that they have or had one at a city park in Honolulu as well. 

[Pacosub]

I stand corrected regarding my assertion that:
"I think the code is not explicit enough to prevent you from practicing in your own back yard."

Apparently it is not legal according to Emerald City Archers.  I just joined their group and will be joining them in their effort to bring archery back to a Seattle City Park!

[Special T]

 

[h2ofowlr]

If your going to practice archery in you yard, don't advertise it.  Some rules just don't make sense.