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]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

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

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

Exactly. Especially with a release we have to make sure we dkntmdraw 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!