I threw this up in the state forum, but not sure it is getting much traffic lately.
Took the two boys out stump shooting this afternoon at local hunting land, part of that state park, one of the areas that is open for deer with a managed Hunt tag during season, and the rest of the year the parking area is locked.
The 8yr old had a blast, 16yr old had an awesome time for his first time shooting a bow, and stumping has him addicted. They both did awesome.....
We got back to the truck and had a note :
"Just a friendly note.
Carrying a bow during closed season could be considered poaching.
Target shooting on Public Land is Illegal!"

What's deal Maryland? I am seriously lost on this one... I am not from here, I guess my understanding of public land is different where I come from.
Can someone help me out here... What's the rules where you stump shoot?
Greatly appreciate the insight from any that can provide it

Yep not legal to target shoot on public lands in Maryland.

Not legal in NY either

It is similar here..depending on the type of public land it is. There needs to be an open season on something that you can hunt with a bow, and then you would need a license also.

The best thing you could do is find a state forest land open to hunting and go hunt some groundhogs

I have always wondered this myself when stumpshooting how do you get a waiver if a officer or someone stops you?i will be watching this one for any input

In PA the regs. prohibit target shooting "in a reckless manner".

QuoteOriginally posted by Kopper1013:
Not legal in NY either

Never had a problem in N.Y. Even talked to a forest ranger one of the last times out. Been doing it for over 40 years. Who told you it was not legal?

Since I live within walking distance to Liberty Reservoir in MD I stump shoot there. However I carry my hunting license, a broadhead or two, my permission slip to hunt there and if stopped I would say I was hunting groundhogs which is perfectly legal.

Check the hunting regs where you are hunting and if groundhogs are legal try my method.

Here in Michigan we have to have a valid small game license and ware a piece of orange .
There are some areas that are closed to hunting at some times of the year but they are clearly marked .

Just thinking about this.......the season never closes on red squirrels and wood chucks.....so that is what I'm doing, hunting!! I have a small game tag!

QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
Just thinking about this.......the season never closes on red squirrels and wood chucks.....so that is what I'm doing, hunting!! I have a small game tag!

X2.  That's my story, too.

Sure glad I live out west    

I stump shoot where it is legal to hunt coyote and groundhogs and carry a broadhead arrow.

Coyote or Rabbit hunting in Kansas. Open yr. round. I always have a hunting license.

bretto

On the state land up here (rochester) that I've been on, on the brown boards it's printed "target practice is prohibited"  guess I just assumed that applied to all nys state land I retract my previous statement, you just need to know about the land you are on.

Off NYS DEC website:

bb. No person shall possess breakable targets, including but not limited to clay pigeons, on State lands and no person shall target shoot at breakable targets, including but not limited to clay pigeons and glass containers, on State lands. Unless legally engaged in the act of hunting, no person shall discharge firearms on State lands posted or designated as closed to target shooting.

Kopper1013......I would think that archery would not be included in that statement. I think we would be good to go.......  

Agree with Ron..we stump shoot on State Land all the time and never had any problems. Now Jersey...you can't stump shoot on State Land either.

Only legal during open hunting season on public land in Mississippi.

James

Sounds like a "grey area" to me stump shooting with my bow is different than shooting trees and bottles with an firearm. Would most likely be up to the officer and if he likes ya or not. Kinda like driving over the posted speed limit