Laws about Target Pratice in my backyard?

[hogwrasler]

I am out here in Cibolo and live in a residential community but have about 1/4 acre backyard. I wanted to set up a target area with back stops with plywood and hay bales. So I can shoot at some life sizes targets. Just wondering if I am going to get in trouble by doing this or if theirs any laws here about that?

[Let-Em-Bleed]

if you have a quater acre you should be fine... but I don't know anything about cibolo.

[DrenalinJunkie]

check with a local LEo......... you may be breaking the law shooting inside city limits no matter the amount of land.

[whakm]

Check with you local law enforcement agency. Things like this are usually covered under city ordinances so each city could be different. ( But the fines are the same

[whakm]

I live in Irving and it's perfectly legal to shoot on your property as long as the arrow does not leave your property. But shooting in the city park is not allowed unless it's a city event.

[hogwrasler]

Just called LEO and they said perfectly legal to shoot on your property as long as the arrow does not leave your property.

Thanks Whakm!

[Texas Pride]

I don't know of any laws. You may want to check with the HOA. I would probably talk to my neighbors to set their mind at ease that you are setting up a safe and secure place to shoot. Maybe even show them your set up. If I was your neighbor my only concern would be a stray arrow. If you have a plan to address this then I would feel bettter.

[Benelliguy]

I was shooting in the city where I am visiting and the release slipped off the string at 1/4 draw--the arrow definitely left the property. Probably won't happen to you.

[houhunter]

Legal but...

I once had a neighbor who was an anti-hunter. She called the cops even though none of my arrows ever left the yard and the cop told me to stop shooting. The poor lady died of cancer so I was able to shoot with no problem later. So it is legal but if someone complains then it could still cause problems. Ask your neighbors before you invest any money.

[Lafitte23]

I was shooting in the city where I am visiting and the release slipped off the string at 1/4 draw--the arrow definitely left the property. Probably won't happen to you.

X2 on an accidental release. I launched one over my fence a couple of months ago and it scared the heck out of me.

[AJ the TP Guru]

I'm glad you asked the question, wrassler. I've been wanting to know for some time whether the fact that I've been doing that for about two years is legal or not.

Well, I still don't know based on the above responses not being universally definitive, but I'm guessing it's legal here in Elgin since there was a cop in my backyard who saw my setup, and didn't say anything about it. (More about the cop later on another thread.)

Frankly, ever since I installed the Morrell butt I've been concerned that my back door neighbor would object, but so far she hasn't mentioned it. I just wouldn't like to have a neighbor upset with me about something like that... neighborhood comity is more important.

[Loneaggie]

The best answer is that you should check the laws and ordinances for the city in which you live. Most city code are on the web now, if not you can always roll the dice and call the PD and ask. You definitely want to have a reference for if its legal to back you up in case a disgruntled neighbor calls the cops.

[BHammock]

I shoot in my backyard a lot. Even if it is legal, I don't shoot if the neighbors are outside. Just on the off chance if I accidentally launch an arrow into their back yard. You never know, an arrow can glance off the top of the target too.

[Snakelover]

There's a very good chance that it's against a city ordinance. Having said that, I got off with a warning!

I guess what I'm saying is, if you can do it safely, it probably won't be a problem unless someone actually complains. And even if they do, likely the police will just tell you about the ordinance and order you not to do it anymore. That would be a good time to quit because the next time they're called out for the same thing, it might not end well. The main thing is being sure that you can truly do it safely.

[Hot4huntin]

The best answer is that you should check the laws and ordinances for the city in which you live. Most city code are on the web now, if not you can always roll the dice and call the PD and ask. You definitely want to have a reference for if its legal to back you up in case a disgruntled neighbor calls the cops.

You can check Municode.com for many cities' ordinance.