Anacortes Deer?

[Whitenuckles]

 Hello gentlemen. I've got a question for all you guys. So I have some private property inside city limits of Anacortes. My question is, can I hunt it with a bow? WDFW said I should contact the city, so I did. A police officer returned my call and said it was illegal to shoot a bow within city limits, which I know is NOT true. Now I'm looking for some guidance from you guys that have gone through this and/or know the laws.  Thanks

[kirkl]

Hello gentlemen. I've got a question for all you guys. So I have some private property inside city limits of Anacortes. My question is, can I hunt it with a bow? WDFW said I should contact the city, so I did. A police officer returned my call and said it was illegal to shoot a bow within city limits, which I know is NOT true. Now I'm looking for some guidance from you guys that have gone through this and/or know the laws.  Thanks

Your gonna take the word of all the geniuses here over a city cop? lol

[Fatherof5]

Hello gentlemen. I've got a question for all you guys. So I have some private property inside city limits of Anacortes. My question is, can I hunt it with a bow? WDFW said I should contact the city, so I did. A police officer returned my call and said it was illegal to shoot a bow within city limits, which I know is NOT true. Now I'm looking for some guidance from you guys that have gone through this and/or know the laws.  Thanks

I've heard of similar laws in the city of Lynnwood. I have some friends that live there and they were sighting in their bows several years ago and someone reported them to the PD. The officer that responded was cool about the situation but informed my buddies that city ordinance said no shooting bows in city limits. 

 Here is a link to the City of Anacortes ordinance stating it is illegal to shoot bows within city limits. https://docs.cityofanacortes.org/WebLink/0/doc/10131/Page1.aspx

[Blacktail Sniper]

From Anacortes Municipal code:

9.36.010
Aiming or discharging weapons.

A. It is unlawful for any person, without lawful authority, to aim any gun, pistol, revolver or other firearm whether loaded or not, at or toward any human being, or to wilfully discharge any firearm within the city limits, or to wilfully discharge an air gun, bow and arrow, sling shot, or like weapon in any place where persons or property might be unreasonably endangered thereby, whether or not injury or damage results.

B. The unlawful aiming or discharging of weapons is a crime. (Ord. 2017 § 4.6, 1986)

[KP-Skagit]

I looked at the same code.

To me if it were an outright no then bows would be written in like firearms. That said, the way it's written it's all up to interpretation, "might be unreasonably endangered" is pretty subjective.

[Blacktail Sniper]

I looked at the same code.

To me if it were an outright no then bows would be written in like firearms. That said, the way it's written it's all up to interpretation, "might be unreasonably endangered" is pretty subjective.

 

And with the "whether or not injury or damage results." after that, makes it clear to me that at least the cop he spoke with would charge him if caught...

[Special T]

lots of folks have been charged in the past trying to shoot those monster deer. Most bow shot deer run off 20-30 yards likely putting it on someone else's property.  Every year a picture is posted with a nice blacktail with an arrow sticking out of it. 

[ck]

Here you go-

9.44.010
In general.
 
Every person who wilfully kills, wounds or traps any animal or bird within the corporate limits of the city, other than mice, rats, or other animals which create a health, safety, or nuisance problem for the particular individual involved, or removes therefrom or destroys the young of any such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars and imprisonment for not more than ninety days or both. (Ord. 1691 § 1, 1977)

[h2ofowlr]

I know a few people that have followed up to try to get permits or permission to harvest those large city bucks in Anacortes.  Your better off getting it with the grill of your vehicle vs. with a weapon.  They will charge you in the city and neighbors get ugly about city pets as they refer to them.
Unfortunately I have seen some of the blacktails running around that look like mule deer.  Some of the ones that get hit, have been taken over to the wolf place to be used as food.

[MADMAX]

Sounds like Ocean shores and Port Townsend

[fishnfur]

Here you go-

9.44.010
In general.
 
Every person who wilfully kills, wounds or traps any animal or bird within the corporate limits of the city, other than mice, rats, or other animals which create a health, safety, or nuisance problem for the particular individual involved, or removes therefrom or destroys the young of any such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars and imprisonment for not more than ninety days or both. (Ord. 1691 § 1, 1977)
[/quot

That's one hell of a law.  I'd bet dollars to donuts that person invovled in getting that BS passed by City Counsel came from off-island jist a few years prior. Most likely Seattleite. Freekin' liberals.  The out on this one is using the nuiisance verbiage to justify your ruthless slaughter of the nuisance deer destroying your valuable plantings.   

[Whitenuckles]

Thanks for all the info y'all.  On further calls to the PD, it's legal to shoot a bow with a proper backstop. I don't think a deer qualifies as a proper backstop.... lol. Oh well, I'm glad I looked into it before I broke the law. Thanks again!

[Tball77]

I think I would be more concerned with the perception if you get string jumped and the deer runs thru town with an arrow sticking out of it.  And it happens more than you think. 

[HighlandLofts]

Maybe set snares.

[RB]

Sounds like Ocean shores and Port Townsend

 

Exactly like that! Have driven through there going to the Islands to hunt only to darn near hit the biggest four point Blacktail I have ever seen, then pull into the boat launch and have a big three point bed down in the boat launch parking lot.