[mattman]

so according to the law around here, shooting a bow is considered "discarging a weapon" which is illeagle most places. I was wondering if a private party owned a body of water, would it be illeagle to bowfish it with their permission?

 

[NuffDaddy]

In Michigan any bow with a string attaching an arrow to a reel/spool on the bow is considered fishing equipment. That's why we can shoot near houses, off powered boats, and on inland lakes protected by recreational trespass laws.

That's what I was told by a DNR officer at least.

 

[mattman]

yeah I have heard different thing from different people. I know In Grandville, Michigan they just changed the law, because there was so much confusion about it. According to them it was still considered "discarging a firearm" by the cop and land owners and "fishing" by sportsman and DNR. So now everyone is on the same page in Grandville. but I was wondering about other place. Like if a cop approaches you and tells you what your doing is illeagle are you suppost to politely tell him its the DNR's duty and not the cops? The only time I ran into the DNR was when we were shooting a gravel pit and I was walking to road with my bow. he just asked if we got anything.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I would call to find out how police officers would handle that situation. If it differs from what the DNR legislation says, then tell them that and see what they say. I've never really worried about it, I've had a couple cop cars drive by me before while I was shooting off a bridge and they never stopped.

 

[mattman]

Thats what I was thinking. you see if i get permission to a private pond they can do anything right? If I dont get a chance to shoot that pond I probably wont even worrie about it. I would think the most they would do is tell me to leave

 

[michiganoutdoorsman]

Hey guys, I just started browsing this forum today and saw this question and figured I'd chime in. I just got permission at an old folks home in Grandville. After shooting a few fish, an old person called the police and shortly thereafter I was talking to a cop. He checked my licenses and I told him about the new law Grandville had. He didn't even know about it and was really nice. He didn't give me any trouble and I was back to shooting fish!

 

[NuffDaddy]

Welcome!!! I think I remember you posting this on Michigan sportsman.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Thats what I was thinking. you see if i get permission to a private pond they can do anything right? If I dont get a chance to shoot that pond I probably wont even worrie about it. I would think the most they would do is tell me to leave

If it is completely privately owned and you have permission from everyone that owns it then you are good to go for sure.

 

[fr3db3ar]

Welcome aboard.

 

[mattman]

Hey guys, I just started browsing this forum today and saw this question and figured I'd chime in. I just got permission at an old folks home in Grandville. After shooting a few fish, an old person called the police and shortly thereafter I was talking to a cop. He checked my licenses and I told him about the new law Grandville had. He didn't even know about it and was really nice. He didn't give me any trouble and I was back to shooting fish!

oh good to know. I think the cops are going to be running into more and more of us bowfisherman everyday. It should be a good relationship as long as we are respectful and clean up after ourselfs