Has anyone ever been checked by a conservation officer while stump shooting. I was wondering today how I would explain it to an officer who maybe does not shoot traditional archery.   Especially if he sees me entering the woods with a bow and a quiver full of arrows. So I am just wondering if anyone has been checked and how it went.

Don't carry any broadheads if you are not doing any hunting. If you are varmit hunting, just make sure you have your hunting license. Never had any issues here in Oregon.  

I've never been checked, but I always make sure I have a small game license and know the rules for the area and what is in season (something is always open year 'round)...

If you don't have any game on you, there's nothing they can cite you for as far as I know.

I have seen this type of thing posted before.  Not sure I understand the concern.  There is nothing illegal about carrying a knife, broadheads, or a gun. Using such tools illegally is the issue.  I would not worry about it. The CO is not the judge.

In NY if you have a small game lic. You can be hunting red squirls , porque pine or groundhogs there is no season. Just find out what you have in your area with an open season. Then happen to miss a lot and hit stumps  

yeh' never thought much about it.... there is always something legal and on the hit list.

QuoteOriginally posted by KSdan:
I have seen this type of thing posted before.  Not sure I understand the concern.  There is nothing illegal about carrying a knife, broadheads, or a gun. Using such tools illegally is the issue.  I would not worry about it. The CO is not the judge.

Its a  legitimate concern in some states it is illegal to target pratice on public land so that may not work if stumping on public land.

COs have more authority than state police. They don't need warrants and while they may not be a Judge unlike troopers a Judge can't reduce a charge made by a CO. Don't fool around with them. As I posted just find what has an open season in your area and let that be your reply. Don't make life hard on yourself.

I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and CO's are not the problem here. Most CO's I've dealt with are sympathetic to archers and don't care if your out practicing, I've even had one give me directions to a better spot. Here logging companies have rights to huge sections of land and they like to restrict access by putting up gates. Even charging tolls to get through the gates between certain hours! I belong to a local jeep club and gates are always an issue, then after you get into the back country they have private security roaming around who'll boot you as soon as they see you. I had one who made me drive 20 miles on a nearly flat tire when I could have gone less than 1 mile to a gas station around a gate. Caught me as I was pulling my spare off the back and wouldn't even let me finish changing it, @^#hole.

I'd have made him wait!!!

Pretty sure I got the last laugh anyway. I had already stopped the leak in tire and only wanted to change it since after getting out of the trail the roadas better and I could go faster, but since I only had 5 or so lbs in I took it slow. Longest 20 miles he's ever had I bet!!

Have to be real careful to almost impossible in my area. Almost any action can be interpreted as pressuring animals which translates to hunting. We have a ton of anti hunters in southern NY that would be quick to make a call on you. It's far easier to just go to the local 3D range.

Yes sir. Been checked here in Michigan. You must have some type of valid hunting license to shoot " where game is present". Had to talk my way out of a ticket.

if you are going to use the small game angle--remember that most states require broadheads with cutting edges so be sure to have one in your quiver

I live in Northern Mi I have 600 acres of state land behind my house, my wife and I stump all the time have never had any issues! LimbLover was up over the weekend stumped all day Saturday afternoon! usually have my small game license all the same!

I have never been stopped while stump shooting.  But, Longstick is correct.  In NY, hunting is defined as:

To hunt—means to pursue, shoot, kill or
capture (other than trap) wildlife and includes
all lesser acts that disturb or worry wildlife
whether or not they result in taking.

So, walking through the woods with bow and a quiver of arrows could possibly disturb or worry wildlife, which according to NY means hunting.

Been check and was not an issue.

I think it depends entirely on the CO who may check you.  They have lots of discretion as to how they respond.

Here in NJ it's considered target shooting and is illegal on public land.

QuoteOriginally posted by ronp:
I have never been stopped while stump shooting.  But, Longstick is correct.  In NY, hunting is defined as:

To hunt—means to pursue, shoot, kill or
capture (other than trap) wildlife and includes
all lesser acts that disturb or worry wildlife
whether or not they result in taking.

So, walking through the woods with bow and a quiver of arrows could possibly disturb or worry wildlife, which according to NY means hunting.

I don't mean any harm, but the more I read about the junk you guys in New York have to deal with the more thankful I am that I live in Kentucky.