Backyard Archery Legal?

[djslik]

I will definitely check out Black Mountain Bowmen as well. Both are close enough to my house that I could possibly go every weekend. I also have the luxury of shooting at my parents farm whenever I go to visit.

Now the next question is why are there no Bowtech or Elite Archery distributors in the bay area. Closest one is in Salinas?

[OutlawDon]

Now the next question is why are there no Bowtech or Elite Archery distributors in the bay area. Closest one is in Salinas?

Check out Predator's Archery in Gilroy for your Elite needs.

Here's my 09 Elite XLR that I bought used 3 months ago. What a shooter...100 yards groups that I can cover with my hand, when I do my part in regards to the shooting.

[CDFingers]

I shoot in my backyard all the time. When I first started about 18 years ago, I did not have the 3/4 plywood behind my bag that I have now. An arrow went through our cedar fence and ended up, sans fletching, in the alley. Once I got the plywood, no problems. And the difficulty of pulling an arrow out of plywood serves as a good training aide to hit the bag.

In Chico, it's only illegal if the arrow ends up on a public street. People think that Chico is an "anti" city just because it's illegal to possess a nuclear weapon within city limits. It's just anti nukes is all. I'll just have to collect other weapons. ;-)

CDFingers

[djslik]

I like that Elite. I'm debating a new Bowtech Assassin or a used Elite Pulse or Hunter.

[OutlawDon]

I like that Elite. I'm debating a new Bowtech Assassin or a used Elite Pulse or Hunter.

What will be the purpose of the bow? Hunting, target, 3D, field?

The Pulse and Hunter have shorter axle to axle length, so fast speeds, but won't hold as well, and be as forgiving as a longer ATA bow....given all things equal. Of course, you can shoot any bow well, but that's generally the idea. Target shooters usually shoot longer (36"+ ATA) bows, and hunters want more speed and kinetic energy.

[djslik]

3D preferably, but probably will be my one and only all around bow.

Problem for me is that I haven't found anything close to what the Bowtech Assassin offers for the price point. it is receiving tons of good reviews at Archery Talk.

Also my draw length measures out to around 26.5 Inches so that limits my choices in the Elite line up.

Ideally I would love to have the Bowtech Specialist, but it isn't in my price range.

[OutlawDon]

3D preferably, but probably will be my one and only all around bow.

Problem for me is that I haven't found anything close to what the Bowtech Assassin offers for the price point. it is receiving tons of good reviews at Archery Talk.

Also my draw length measures out to around 26.5 Inches so that limits my choices in the Elite line up.

Ideally I would love to have the Bowtech Specialist, but it isn't in my price range.

Go for the Assassin then. It's at a good price point and offers a lot with good speed even with your short drawlength. I've been checking out the Specialist also but it's beyond what I'd like to spend. I've love to get one in SnoCap white! But I'm quite happy with my XLR as it shoots darts.

[djslik]

Just wondering where did you pick up your elite?

[OutlawDon]

Just wondering where did you pick up your elite?

I bought it used on archerytalk 3 months ago for $350. Plenty of deals on great used bows on there.

[Bongos]

I bought it used on archerytalk 3 months ago for $350. Plenty of deals on great used bows on there.

Got burned out from shooting and reloading, taking a break and got into Archery
Archery stuff (bow specific) is like computers... they depreciates fast.. about 1/3 or half the price of new within 1 year. If you do not mind last years model then it's an awesone deal.
So far, this is what I picked up in the last few months.
2006 Mathews Switchback XT loaded $400
2000 Hoyt Defiant bare bow $250 (this was Hoyt's flag ship in 2000)
lastly getting a Hoyt Alphaburner on it's way from the Archerytalk classified.. should be here next week.. 2010, fully loaded for $600.. not bad

The only drawback on buying used bows is getting one in your draw lenght and pull. The Switchback for instance is a 30" and my DL is 26.5" I was able to find a came for it to fit me (if you cannot find one on ebay or Archery Talk, you can get it from the manufacturer), the pull was set at 70# which is too much for me, with the new shorter cam and lowering the limbs down to 60#, I should be getting a 58# draw which is good for me.... Luckily both Hoyts are at 27" whcih is fine with me

Also, if the bow you are looking at is made within the last 5 years, chances are, it performs similar to the current offering, I find manufactueres tend to change the names of the bow and add few inprovements (improve jargons) but the improvements are minimal at most.. sure a few ounces lighter, pull slighly smoother, etc.. but not emough to cough up the $500-$600 difference in price...
If you stay with the Main Brands like Hoyt, Mathews, PSE, Bowtech... you should be fine. Elites is an up and comer with a nice following over in ArcheryTalk.. so they are getting up to or already in the pack. I found Bear to be a copycat of the others but a good copycat at that. What you also find is the depreciation is slower with the higher end manufacturers where the lower end drops like a rock..

[Coolguy101]

You have to be very, very careful before you engage in archery in your back yard. If you live in a developed city/county, you need to check with city/county ordinances first. You will be shocked to discover what is actually not allowed in major cities and counties.

At the risk of spreading FUD, I believe it is illegal to shoot bb guns, airsoft guns, sling shots, archery, or any other device that "stores energy" and then shoots a projectile in Los Angeles. Someone will have to look it up to check on that.

What was shocking to me, though, is I went up to Big Bear and wanted to do some archery in my campsite at an archery target I brought along. I was camping up in the hills with an adventure pass, and not at any developed campsite. Luckily, I checked with the Ranger first, and found that I could only do archery in "designated target shooting areas," and if I was caught "target shooting" arrows in my campsite or anywhere outside those designated target area, I could be arrested and subject to a fine up to $10,000!

Whether this was FUD or not, I couldn't run the risk of Smoky the Bear arresting me, so I decided not to test my luck.