Backyard Archery Inside Calgary City Limits

[HunterTonio]

During this quarantine, I am looking to see if it is legal and does not break any Calgary Bylaws to use my backyard for archery practice.

Located within city limits, looking to seek see if anyone has some experience they would like to shar either positive or negative. All is appreciated.

Thank you

[Dewey Cox]

Just do it safely, and shut up about it.
If you ask, you'll be told no.

[501s]

Agreed. There will always be someone waiting to tell you you're not allowed. Right now the world has bigger/more important problems. Just be safe and quiet about it.

[Albertadiver]

Just do it safely, and shut up about it.
If you ask, you'll be told no.

That's a big 10-4 good buddy!

[huntsolo1]

Technically it's a "firearm", so yes it is illegal. At least that is what I was told by a CO once...Hopefully they'd let you go with a warning the first time! I've been thinking the exact same thing...yard is perfect for it.

[brendan's dad]

Technically it's a "firearm", so yes it is illegal. At least that is what I was told by a CO once...Hopefully they'd let you go with a warning the first time! I've been thinking the exact same thing...yard is perfect for it.

No, it is not technically a firearm. A bow normally falls into the category of "Weapon" in most municipal bylaws in Alberta. Also in that category will be firearms, air guns, and sometimes even sling shots. Most municipal bylaws will be written to prohibit the use of a weapon within city limits

[Stinky Buffalo]

Technically it's a "firearm", so yes it is illegal. At least that is what I was told by a CO once...Hopefully they'd let you go with a warning the first time! I've been thinking the exact same thing...yard is perfect for it.

I think the term he was thinking of was "weapon". :D

OP, check your municipalities' regs. Each one is different. In my town, by definition, even a spring-loaded marshmallow launcher is illegal to use. :thinking-006:

Either way, we need to take into account the consequences if something goes sideways - Don't want to send an arrow into the neighbours' house etc.

[robson3954]

The police will be at your door if somebody sees you. Better to practice your draw cycle and release in the garage or basement

[abhunter8]

I used to shoot my bow in my backyard in Athabasca a few years back. RCMP officer's house directly behind me, we shared the back fence. One of my neighbours that could see me got all offended and called the cops. RCMP showed up at my door and when I showed them what I was doing they wanted a bow also, then told me to try and not shoot from my back steps where the neighbours could see me. lol

Just do it and be quiet about it, make sure you take extra precautions to ensure stray arrows are contained. It is probably illegal as it is a "weapon" but depends on your municipality and if your neighbours are Liberal! lol

[NSDucknut]

I shoot either completely inside my garage, or about 2 yards outside the door and shooting into the garage. Best best is fully inside to avoid complaints. Obviously the distance is short, but reps are reps

[jcrayford]

Shoot in your basement if you don't want any extra hassle. When I shoot in the basement, I can get 10 yards to my target. I concentrate on shooting 3 different marks on my 18-1 Rinehart, that way I'm not grouping so tight and ruining arrows or fletching.

I may/may not have shot in my backyard, but I'm on the edge of a subdivision with nothing beyond my back fence except for open field (and a busy road). But I still don't want Murphy to play into it if I might be shooting in the backyard and have an arrow leave my property. The good news is that both my neighbors know what my hunting passions are and I don't think they would say anything, but why push it if I don't have to?

If I want to shoot beyond the 10 yards in the basement, it's a 10 minute drive to get out on an undeveloped GRA to shoot at my own target. The only bad part about that is I have to take my truck, as I'm usually cleaning up someone else's garbage that they were too lazy to bring to the dump (but that's a totally different rant...)

J.

[tracker]

The good thing is...nothing will ever go wrong once you release that arrow so no need to worry about the neighbours.

[rem338win]

Technically it's a "firearm", so yes it is illegal. At least that is what I was told by a CO once...Hopefully they'd let you go with a warning the first time! I've been thinking the exact same thing...yard is perfect for it.

Bylaws say you aren't allowed outdoors. It's required that you contain it (like in a garage).

I remember shooting across the alley into Tango Kilo's backyard in the day. Back then no one cared.....

[buckman]

Not sure but I thing the bylaw even includes slingshots.

[Pasc43]

Most certainly in the spectrum of grey area to illegal. Either way bonehead move, accidents never happen to me.. right..

Sent from my HD1900 using Tapatalk

[nd4spd]

During this quarantine, I am looking to see if it is legal and does not break any Calgary Bylaws to use my backyard for archery practice.

Located within city limits, looking to seek see if anyone has some experience they would like to shar either positive or negative. All is appreciated.

Thank you

I've been doing this for the last four years without anyone saying anything. I can shot 60 yards as I am on 1/3 acre in the city so that might help too. I just make sure nobody is out walking around the back where the targets sit..

[calgarychef]

Make sure you have an absolutely 100% safe backstop. There can be zero chance of a stray arrow going somewhere it shouldn’t and it’s fine. Get to know your neighbours and let them know that it’s 100% safe.


All it takes is for one mishap and the city council will come up with one of their silly laws that explicitly prohibits backyard shooting. That law doesn’t exist yet.

[NCC]

I shoot in my barn, and I know another guy who shoots in his basement. Distances are short and arrows get buried in the target, but I don’t lose any arrows in the snow. I would base my decision to shoot in the city based more on my neighbour’s likely reaction.

I did launch an arrow into the air when my release failed. I’m glad that wasn’t in town.

[calgarychef]

I shoot in my barn, and I know another guy who shoots in his basement. Distances are short and arrows get buried in the target, but I don’t lose any arrows in the snow. I would base my decision to shoot in the city based more on my neighbour’s likely reaction.

I did launch an arrow into the air when my release failed. I’m glad that wasn’t in town.

Exactly. Especially with a release we have to make sure we dk:angry3:ntmdraw the bow pointing above the target.

[DeadEyeGardner]

This boils right down to the golden rule of shooting anything... be sure of your target AND WHATS BEYOND IT. If there’s any chance that a pulled shot could put an arrow towards a neighbours dwelling, roadway or pedestrian- then common sense and ethical shooting practice should answer this dilemma for you.

That said, I agree with what’s been said above. If it’s safe to do so, shoot and shut up about it. Talk to your neighbours and feel out if they would be uncomfortable with it. They are more likely to be uncomfortable if they just see you out the window with a “weapon” than if you were to tell them what your plans are.

BG

[huntsolo1]

Yes, a “weapon”, sorry, my bad. And she did include a slingshot in that category...didn’t mention a marshmallow shooter though...lol. Basements been good but wish I had a barn/more land!

[bobtodrick]

So half the posts here are suggesting the OP do something that is illegal...just be careful about it.
Wow.
So...is it okay for me to knock over the local 7-11...I promise to be careful and not intentionally hurt anyone.
All it takes is an unintended arrow release (I know...it never happens to me) and you launch the thing out of your yard.
Stupid in my opinion.

[Coiloil37]

I’ve been in this game long enough to see some unexpected things happen and arrows to where I didn’t expect them to. Shooting in your house where your going to be responsible for the damage but the arrow is contained would probably be ok. Shooting outside I feel is a horrible idea.
For those of you who don’t see a problem with it. I presume your using your new truck, house, pet or family for the backstop right? Because let’s face it, you’ll never miss the target.
Oh, your not? But it’s ok for my new truck, kids, pet and house to be the unexpected backstop because you don’t feel like driving out to a safe place in the country to shoot?
I don’t agree with all bylaws but this one I do.

[calgarychef]

Bylaws say you aren't allowed outdoors. It's required that you contain it (like in a garage).

I remember shooting across the alley into Tango Kilo's backyard in the day. Back then no one cared.....


Show me that law

[Dubious]

Show me that law

Call CPS and ask for a specific reference you can also call 311 because it’s a bylaw. The amount of people who go off poor advice with activities that have legal repercussions on opinions from the internet is crazy.

[bobtodrick]

Show me that law

Show me the law that says it is legal!

[calgarychef]

Show me the law that says it is legal!

There are no laws that say something is legal.... once again show me the law that says it’s illegal to shoot a bow in private property in calgary.

[bobtodrick]

There are no laws that say something is legal.... once again show me the law that says it’s illegal to shoot a bow in private property in calgary.

Good grief, it took a 10 second google search to find this on Calgary police twitter feed.
https://twitter.com/calgarypolice/status/332676109164490753?lang=en

[calgarychef]

Good grief, it took a 10 second google search to find this on Calgary police twitter feed.
https://twitter.com/calgarypolice/status/332676109164490753?lang=en

Good grief indeed, Going to twitter to determine legalities.
Sorry I’m not in Twitter so I went to the actual bylaws-the ones from the city.

Interpret them how you want.

No person shall shoot an arrow from a bow of any nature, over, across, or along any portion of a Street, public place, or upon any land owned by The City unless otherwise authorized pursuant to a bylaw of The City of Calgary, or in the case of a Park, unless authorized by the Director, Parks or his designate.
(B/L 23M2003, 2004 January 12)
11. Subject to Subsection 11.1, no pers

[Lefty-Canuck]

Don’t do it... I compete often and have a strong understanding of gear and maintenance.

I had a d-loop pull through and sent an arrow nearly through the back fence into the neighbours yard. I have seen equipment like releases fail... on many occasions, poop happens and when it does are you prepared to deal with the consequences?

I no longer shoot in my yard in town period... basement only.

LC

[calgarychef]

I think it boils down to projectiles.... you can’t allow a projectile to cross a road etc. I’m wondering about golf clubs and driving ranges... they send far too many projectiles off their property.

When the archery range was along highway 8 I don’t think there was ever even one incident of an arrow crossing that highway. People were careful.
And Nenshi closed it to make a dog walking park.l. I’m still Pi$$ed about that.

[jcrayford]

I think it boils down to projectiles.... you can’t allow a projectile to cross a road etc. I’m wondering about golf clubs and driving ranges... they send far too many projectiles off their property.



When the archery range was along highway 8 I don’t think there was ever even one incident of an arrow crossing that highway. People were careful.

And Nenshi closed it to make a dog walking park.l. I’m still Pi$$ed about that.I think it was Bronconnier that closed it? But yeah, that ticked me off too.

J.

Sent from my SM-G955W using Tapatalk

[calgarychef]

I think it was Bronconnier that closed it? But yeah, that ticked me off too.

J.

Sent from my SM-G955W using Tapatalk


Nope I don’t think so.. I’m sure it was nenshi.

[Passthru]

Don’t do it... I compete often and have a strong understanding of gear and maintenance.

I had a d-loop pull through and sent an arrow nearly through the back fence into the neighbours yard. I have seen equipment like releases fail... on many occasions, poop happens and when it does are you prepared to deal with the consequences?

I no longer shoot in my yard in town period... basement only.

LC

Same experience for me. I shot in my backyard for one summer when I started years ago. Release pulled through halfway through drawing and the arrow hit the backstop leaning against the fence. I draw pointing at the target. Could have been worse but I don’t want it to be. I‘ll never shoot in my backyard anymore, to much could go wrong

[Prairiewolf]

Every time, EVERY time I go to either Jim Bows or Calgary Archery center somebody launches one really high, low, or at least into the wood border on the target. I'm not too proud, I've done it myself a couple of times.