Can city bears be hunted with a bow?

[Urban_Homesteader]

I live in Bothell on several acres. There is a black bear that my neighbor and I have spotted. We have 4 young kids and the city won't do anything about it. I've read through the WDFW and can't find anything the prohibits it, although I understand I'm out of season.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to finding out what's possible?

[jdb]

Don't sweat it the bears not interested in your kids

[saylean]

I live in Bothell on several acres. There is a black bear that my neighbor and I have spotted. We have 4 young kids and the city won't do anything about it. I've read through the WDFW and can't find anything the prohibits it, although I understand I'm out of season.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to finding out what's possible?

Don't bother with the city, call the WDFW when it comes back. They will take care of the issue if it continues.

[Bob33]

You may be able to depending on city code. I'd probably be more concerned aboit what happens if the bear runs off with an arrow in his side and dies in a neighbor's yard.

[BNAElkhntr]

You may be able to depending on city code. I'd probably be more concerned aboit what happens if the bear runs off with an arrow in his side and dies in a neighbor's yard.

Or as my Local LEO said  if that angry Bear/Deer/Elk with arrow in it runs across road and car hits it and person driving is injured you might be held responsible or worse yet attacks person walking down street 

[dreamunelk]

I live in Bothell on several acres. There is a black bear that my neighbor and I have spotted. We have 4 young kids and the city won't do anything about it. I've read through the WDFW and can't find anything the prohibits it, although I understand I'm out of season.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to finding out what's possible?

Why are you concerned about the bear?  That is the last thing I would worry about.  Tell your kids to go play in those acres!  I have a feeling that may be suffering from nature deficit disorder.

[tgomez]

Season closed November 15th.

[Urban_Homesteader]

You may be able to depending on city code. I'd probably be more concerned aboit what happens if the bear runs off with an arrow in his side and dies in a neighbor's yard.

Or as my Local LEO said  if that angry Bear/Deer/Elk with arrow in it runs across road and car hits it and person driving is injured you might be held responsible or worse yet attacks person walking down street 

That is a really good point.

[kselkhunter]

Call WDFW as mentioned above.   If it's being a problem, they'll collar the bear and keep track of it.  If it's already collared and continuing to be a nuisance they'll relocate it.   

I'd really advise not shooting a bear with an arrow, and potentially wounding it near a neighborhood of people and kids. 

[AJ Howard]

I have heard that hunting within city limits is legal as long as it is with a bow and on private property in which you have permission to hunt there of course. I have heard this for deer, but not necessarily for bears, don't see why not though. But I agree with the last comment, be bad to injure in the city with tons of people around. I would keep pestering the WDFW.

A.J. Howard
@Unbounded_Pursuit

[Shoofly09]

Shooting a bow in city limits is legal?   Really?

[pd]

Shooting a bow in city limits is legal?   Really?

Yes, it can be.  Unless specifically banned by municipal code, then bow hunting within city limits should be legal.  I read a few weeks back that Hoquiam bans the discharge of bows within the city, so that would be an example of not allowed, but I know of at least 4 municipalities within my county of residence where this is legal.  Not at all uncommon.

[lokidog]

I'd really advise not shooting a bear with an arrow, and potentially wounding it near a neighborhood of people and kids.

The bear I shot with a bow went a whole 11 yards.  I'd think that with a carefully placed shot, that could easily be duplicated. Do it on a school day, no kids in the neighborhood.  If the nearby neighbors are concerned about the bear as well, let them all know when you plan to try to get it and they can act accordingly.   

[fly-by]

Call WDFW as mentioned above.   If it's being a problem, they'll collar the bear and keep track of it.  If it's already collared and continuing to be a nuisance they'll relocate it.   

I'd really advise not shooting a bear with an arrow, and potentially wounding it near a neighborhood of people and kids.

A friend of mine in a suburban area had a neighbor poorly arrow a bear.  Didn't earn him any points with the rest of the neighborhood.

[kselkhunter]

I live in a suburban area on multiple acres in "unincorporated" area, with the neighboring city line about 400 yards away to the other side.  I have actually had this conversation with a county sheriff deputy as he has jurisdiction for my area.  It's legal to harvest an animal with a bow where I live during season with a tag, as long as my neighbors are OK with it if it makes it to their land before dying.  If it lands on your land, even if neighbors complain it's legal.   If it ends up on their land, and they're not OK with it you have a problem (talk to neighbors before you shoot).  If the wounded animal makes it to the city limit on the other side, and they have an ordinance against it then that's another challenge.  If in doubt call your local LE first.

My neighbors are fine with it and all know I have a 3-D archery range in my back yard.   I just have had enough animals move at the shot over the years to simply not want to risk it on having a wounded bear running around.   With an elementary school less than a mile in one direction, and a large park a 1/2 mile in the other direction.  Plenty of moms out with young kids during the school day on the walking paths.

I have bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, and deer on the property regularly.   What I've learned over the years after that first sighting is they all run every time they see a human, and are not aggressive.  WDFW collared one bear once near the park, and I haven't seen that one in awhile so may have relocated it.

That being said, I did come across a sow and cubs on the walking path with my dogs about a mile away on the city side of the area one day, about 1/4 mile from elementary school.  She bolted as soon as she saw us round the corner.  That time I called the city police, and they came right out.  Too close to the kids with recess.

If I ever had a real problem aggressive bear, and WDFW wasn't responding I'd call the sheriff out and notify the neighbors.   There'd likely be a much larger weapon than a bow being used...