Can I shoot on a private road

[wayne74]

I have permission to shoot ground squirrels on 1200 acres of rice ground, the targets are all in the roads. Is legal to shoot them on private roads?

Thank you
Wayne.

[tyrist]

No you cannot and it's a horrible idea anyway.

[wayne74]

Why is it a horrible idea?

Thank you

Wayne

[Ron-Solo]

Insufficient data.....does not compute......

[wayne74]

What info do you need?
The closest building is 5 miles, The closest pave road is about 8 miles. There are no trees on or near the property. The roads that enter the property have gates that can be locked and they are posted private property Keep Out.
There is a levee on one side of the property(about 250 yards away) it has a gravel road down the top but its not open to public travel.
Visibility is great in all directions. the rice fields are flooded so you have to stay on the roads (some roads are ditch banks).
I spent 5 hours there on Saturday and saw no vehicles of any type.

Thank you.

Wayne

[Spyder]

If it's gated, then it is not a way open to the public. I see no problem, as long as it's safe shooting? If it is not gated, and anyone can drive down it, even being a private road, it MAY trigger something.

[Ron-Solo]

Basically what Spyder said.

Doesn't sound like they are "roads" as much as dry farm land.

[tyrist]

Is it a road or is it just a path/trail/driveway?

There are many private roads which have public or group access If you are shooting near a private road it's a horrible idea because you don't know who might drive through the area. If it's just some sort of worn path through private property you are fine.

[dominic]

It is unlawful to intentionally discharge a firearm or release an arrow or crossbow bolt from a bow or crossbow upon or across any highway, road or other way open to vehicular traffic. CCR T14-354(e), FGC 3004(b).

It is unlawful to shoot any firearm from or upon a public road or highway (PC 374(c)).

PUBLIC ROAD OR WAY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC includes any roads or trails open to public access, even if they are not paved.

[wayne74]

The roads are posted Private Property Keep Out! So I don't think they are open to the public.
I can see for miles in any direction except the levee and I will not shoot towards any vehicle.

Thank you. Wayne

[Shasta Frog]

Just be safe and call it good.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Can I come with you? Sounds like alot of fun!

[dominic]

The roads are posted Private Property Keep Out! So I don't think they are open to the public.
I can see for miles in any direction except the levee and I will not shoot towards any vehicle.

Thank you. Wayne

If they have a gate, keep it closed and locked, and you are good to go. But a posted private property road even without locked gates meets the definition in the regs as I interpret them. Have fun and be safe.

[NoNOS67]

It is unlawful to intentionally discharge a firearm or release an arrow or crossbow bolt from a bow or crossbow upon or across any highway, road or other way open to vehicular traffic. CCR T14-354(e), FGC 3004(b).

It is unlawful to shoot any firearm from or upon a public road or highway (PC 374(c)).

PUBLIC ROAD OR WAY OPEN TO THE PUBLIC includes any roads or trails open to public access, even if they are not paved.

CCR T14-354(e)
No arrow or crossbow bolt may be released from a bow or crossbow upon or across any highway, road or other way open to vehicular traffic.

FGC 3004(b)
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally discharge any firearm or release any arrow or crossbow bolt over or across any public road or other established way open to the public in an unsafe and reckless manner.

[dominic]

CCR T14-354(e)
No arrow or crossbow bolt may be released from a bow or crossbow upon or across any highway, road or other way open to vehicular traffic.

FGC 3004(b)
It is unlawful for any person to intentionally discharge any firearm or release any arrow or crossbow bolt over or across any public road or other established way open to the public in an unsafe and reckless manner.

Ah, thanks NoNoS67. I wonder why my copy of the fish and game code omits the unsafe and reckless wording? The copy I have is 2013's. I wonder if it was removed in later versions because too many people charged with shooting on public roads were getting away with it because the were being safe and not reckless?