Distance Regulation

[ctwiggs1]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

[huntingfool7]

There is no regulation like that in Washington state.  As long as you are not shooting from the maintained portion of the roadway and you are not doing anything unsafe you are legal. 

[ctwiggs1]

Has there ever been?  I could have swore I remember that being the rule when I as younger. 

The only reason I ask is that I was on our private property last year and was approached by a guy (who trespassed) saying that I was way too close to his house and he wasn't ok with it.  I explained to him that I was plenty far away (I was over 300 yards) and there is a timber line separating us, and I've been hunting here for 20 years now with no issues from anybody.   

Curtis

[pianoman9701]

There is no regulation like that in Washington state.  As long as you are not negligently shooting from the maintained portion of the roadway and you are not doing anything unsafe you are legal.

Fixed it for you. 

[270Shooter]

There is no regulation like that so long as you are using common sense and taking safe shots. I was hunting one day and a gamey stopped me and checked my license and shotgun and everything was good and he told me to drive back down the road and shoot the ducks sitting in the slough next to it. I said I didn't want to shoot from the road and he said as long as I was off the maintained part if the road ( in this case as long as I crossed the guard rail) I could shoot them no problem.

[Dhoey07]

I'm 99% sure that I read  in the Spokane county code, that there is a distence from a place of residence that you can not shoot.  Can't recall the exact distence off hand.  But maybe the answer that you are looking for is at the county level as opposed to a state regulation.

[ctwiggs1]

Great thanks guys!

[bigtex]

If you are on USFS roads you also must follow federal laws. Under federal laws you can't shoot from a USFS road, doesn't matter if you are negligent or not. Simply standing on the road and shooting an animal (or just shooting at all) will result in a federal citation.

[bigtex]

I'm 99% sure that I read  in the Spokane county code, that there is a distence from a place of residence that you can not shoot.  Can't recall the exact distence off hand.  But maybe the answer that you are looking for is at the county level as opposed to a state regulation.

Regulations regarding how far you must be from a building to shoot are found at the county level rather than the state.

[snowpack]

It can be a county regulation.  Where I'm at you have to be 200 ft from a structure without needing owner permission to discharge a firearm (unless it is not normally occupied). 

[JJD]

I know some federal rec areas, like Lake Roosevelt, have some specific rules as well. A certain distance from any developed area, but can't remember what that distance is.
There are rules posted at their boat launches.

[Tiger1358]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

I think it's something between 150 -200 yards from public roads.

[irishevox]

whats the distance from a residence?

[Tealer]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

I think it's something between 150 -200 yards from public roads.

50'

[huntingfool7]

Where are you finding these distance regulations at?  Please list your sources and which jurisdiction these numbers are relevant to.

[Tealer]

Where are you finding these distance regulations at?  Please list your sources and which jurisdiction these numbers are relevant to.

Warden while hunting just out of South Bend WA. Stopped along 101 to check us we were 54yds of the freeway (on a laser range finder) the blinds there are less then a 100 yds from 101.

[Tealer]

Where are you finding these distance regulations at?  Please list your sources and which jurisdiction these numbers are relevant to.

Warden while hunting just out of South Bend WA. Stopped along 101 to check us we were 54yds of the freeway (on a laser range finder) the blinds there are less then a 100 yds from 101.

[Tealer]

Where are you finding these distance regulations at?  Please list your sources and which jurisdiction these numbers are relevant to.

Warden while hunting just out of South Bend WA. Stopped along 101 to check us we were 54yds of the freeway (on a laser range finder) the blinds there are less then a 100 yds from 101.

[lokidog]

It can be a county regulation.  Where I'm at you have to be 200 ft from a structure without needing owner permission to discharge a firearm (unless it is not normally occupied).

Something like this has always been my understanding as well.  If you have permission, you can shoot from the deck while sipping your latte.   

[huntingfool7]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

I think it's something between 150 -200 yards from public roads.

50'

Tealer 50', means 50 feet.  Did the warden say 50 feet or 50 yards?  Is this a county wide law or municipal code?

[Bob33]

There is no explicit distance with regards to state law. You must be off the "maintained portion".

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.460

(2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if:

(a) The person negligently discharges a firearm from, across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway."

[Tealer]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

I think it's something between 150 -200 yards from public roads.

50'

Tealer 50', means 50 feet.  Did the warden say 50 feet or 50 yards?  Is this a county wide law or municipal code?

I'm aware that 50' means 50 feet. I didn't ask if it was county or state or code.

[huntingfool7]

Not trying to question your knowledge bowl or start a pissing match.  In one post you reference feet, in the next you reference yards.  I'd like to know if the rule is 50 feet down there or 50 yards.  Seems strange that a warden couldn't estimate the difference between 50' and 150' and shot you with a laser range finder. 

So was the warden checking you for 50 feet off the road or 50 yards?

Warden while hunting just out of South Bend WA. Stopped along 101 to check us we were 54yds of the freeway (on a laser range finder) the blinds there are less then a 100 yds from 101.

[Bob33]

Not trying to question your knowledge bowl or start a pissing match.  In one post you reference feet, in the next you reference yards.  I'd like to know if the rule is 50 feet down there or 50 yards.  Seems strange that a warden couldn't estimate the difference between 50' and 150' and shot you with a laser range finder. 

So was the warden checking you for 50 feet off the road or 50 yards?

Warden while hunting just out of South Bend WA. Stopped along 101 to check us we were 54yds of the freeway (on a laser range finder) the blinds there are less then a 100 yds from 101.

If I had the concerns that you do about local regulations, I'd contact the local authorities directly.

[Mike450r]

The regs used to say 50' from the road but it has been years since that was in the regs.

[Tealer]

Not trying to question your knowledge bowl or start a pissing match.  In one post you reference feet, in the next you reference yards.  I'd like to know if the rule is 50 feet down there or 50 yards.  Seems strange that a warden couldn't estimate the difference between 50' and 150' and shot you with a laser range finder. 

So was the warden checking you for 50 feet off the road or 50 yards?

Warden while hunting just out of South Bend WA. Stopped along 101 to check us we were 54yds of the freeway (on a laser range finder) the blinds there are less then a 100 yds from 101.

We were hunting 54yds from the road, again on a range finder. I carry the range finder in EVERY hunt.

The warden when he checked us said all we needed to be was 50'. That's fifty feet. Not yards. As long as you weren't shooting towards the road.

We were checked because a birder called us in for hunting. I had a crane decoy outside the spread they were taking pics of.


I have also been checked on the east side of the mountains were we were hunting from the dike the road is on. Less the 25' off a country road, gravel, no lines. No issues.

[sakoshooter]

There is no regulation like that in Washington state.  As long as you are not shooting from the maintained portion of the roadway Negligently and you are not doing anything unsafe you are legal.

[huntingfool7]

There is no regulation like that in Washington state.  As long as you are not shooting from the maintained portion of the roadway and you are not doing anything unsafe you are legal. 

Since my post has been "quoted" twice in this thread with a change I didn't make.  What is the difference between Negligently and unsafe?

I'm fine with being corrected if I'm wrong or misleading.  I'm not OK with being misquoted. 

[bobcat]

I'm not sure there's a difference between "unsafe" and "negligent" but what you wrote just doesn't sound correct.

If you had said "As long as you are not shooting unsafely from the maintained portion of a road" that would have been better.

I read your statement to mean that it's absolutely not legal to shoot from the maintained portion of a roadway.

[huntingfool7]

Thanks Bobcat.  Point taken and appreciated.

Poorly worded statement. 

[Tiger1358]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

Found something that would be helpful )

Target Shooting
You can target shoot on national forest lands unless a specific area has been closed to the activity because it jeopardizes public safety. Information about closures is available at each district office. When target shooting, Forest Service regulations prohibit discharging a firearm:
In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area,
Across or on roads or bodies of water, or where people or property are exposed to injury or damage,
Into a cave,
Causing resource damage; don’t shoot trees, rocks, stumps, non-game animals.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both (16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/hunting

[bobcat]

Not much waterfowl hunting occurs on National Forest. 

[EWUeagles]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

Found something that would be helpful )

Target Shooting
You can target shoot on national forest lands unless a specific area has been closed to the activity because it jeopardizes public safety. Information about closures is available at each district office. When target shooting, Forest Service regulations prohibit discharging a firearm:
In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area,
Across or on roads or bodies of water, or where people or property are exposed to injury or damage,
Into a cave,
Causing resource damage; don’t shoot trees, rocks, stumps, non-game animals.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both (16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/hunting

That states targeting shooting. That is way different than hunting. I don't know if it is set at the county level or not. I have looked at a couple different counties and can't find any helpful information on the subject. http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=332-52-145 If you read bullet point number two it says rules and regulations are set by WSDFW. I would think distance laws would fall under the rules part but can't find anything on their website either.

[Tiger1358]

Not much waterfowl hunting occurs on National Forest. 

WDFW controls the hunting on National Forest , I think it'll be the same with waterfowl, 150 yards away from a residence. I don't know I just thought this might be
helpful.

[irishevox]

insted of guessing ya could just call WDFW and ask..... i am sure they would tell you. Once you get the informatino from them write down thier information so if a Game Warden stops you... you can say i clarified with the WDFW and i talked with "betty sue" etc....

[Tiger1358]

insted of guessing ya could just call WDFW and ask..... i am sure they would tell you. Once you get the informatino from them write down thier information so if a Game Warden stops you... you can say i clarified with the WDFW and i talked with "betty sue" etc....

 

[birddogdad]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to find the regulation on how far you have to be from structures and roads to hunt.  I thought it was 300 yards but I can't find that anywhere.  Can you guys send the reference?

Thanks!

Curtis

The hunting regs dont address this well, they leave the large assumption that one will safe with your hunting activities. BUT state and county regulations do address some rules,  for instance WAC 332-52-145 ( if target shooting), which are enforced by LEO and cites the mythical 500' rule (3c).  I know in Kitsap county, there are additional county regulations for shooting including minimum acreage required to target shoot and minimum distance to structures, there is even shotgun (no rifle) only areas here.... Dont limit your investigation to just hunting regulations even when the above reference clearly is not applicable if hunting especially if you are going to hunt in areas which are somewhat developed and unfamiliar...

[Come Get Some]

I can remember some years ago it was posted in many places that you could not shoot closer than 100' from a maintained portion of any public road or highway. I was told by a sherriff about 10 years ago that you had to be 300' from any dwelling or residence. It is no longer posted anywhwere I can find. I hunt a couple of places where I am closer than that and the game warden watched us because he hunts waterfowl. Never says a word.

[dreamunelk]

insted of guessing ya could just call WDFW and ask..... i am sure they would tell you. Once you get the informatino from them write down thier information so if a Game Warden stops you... you can say i clarified with the WDFW and i talked with "betty sue" etc....

 

 

I will also add that you should talk to an enforcement officer.  Call the region you hunt in and ask to speak to an officer in the county you hunt in.   Best to talk to someone who enforces the rules around the questions you have.  Just my