Safety on the Range

Req 1e — Archery Laws

1e.

Tell your counselor about your local and state laws for owning and using archery equipment.

Why Laws Matter

Archery is legal in all 50 states, but the rules for where and how you can shoot vary widely. What is perfectly fine in a rural county might be illegal in a city neighborhood. Understanding your local and state laws before you start shooting is not just smart — it is your responsibility as an archer.

This requirement asks you to research the laws that apply to you, in your community. The information below will help you understand what kinds of laws to look for and where to find them.

Types of Laws to Research

State Laws

Most states regulate archery as part of their hunting and wildlife codes. Common state-level rules include:

Minimum age requirements for bowhunting (often 10–12 years old, depending on the state)
Bowhunting season dates and the types of bows allowed during each season
Hunter education requirements — most states require completion of a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license
Equipment restrictions — some states specify minimum draw weights or arrow types for hunting certain animals
Discharge laws — rules about shooting projectiles within certain distances of roads, buildings, or occupied areas

Local and Municipal Laws

Your city, town, or county may have additional rules that are more restrictive than state law. These often include:

Discharge ordinances — many cities and suburbs prohibit shooting any projectile (including arrows) within city limits, even on private property
Zoning restrictions — some areas only permit archery ranges in certain zones (commercial, agricultural, etc.)
Noise and nuisance ordinances — while archery is relatively quiet, complaints from neighbors can lead to enforcement actions
Parks and public land — most public parks do not allow archery unless there is a designated range

Private Property

Even on your own land (or your family’s land), there may be rules about shooting. In many suburban and semi-rural areas, you need a certain amount of acreage before you can legally discharge a bow. Some homeowners’ associations (HOAs) also prohibit archery in their covenants.

How to Find Your Laws

Here is a practical approach for researching your local and state archery laws:

Law Research Checklist

Steps to find your archery laws

Visit your state’s fish and wildlife agency website: Look for hunting regulations, bowhunting sections, and archery-specific rules.
Check your city or county website: Search for discharge ordinances and recreational use of projectiles.
Contact your local Scout council: They may already have a summary of local archery rules or can point you to the right resources.
Ask your merit badge counselor: Your counselor likely knows the key regulations in your area and can help you find official sources.
Call your county sheriff’s office or local police non-emergency line: They can clarify what is and is not allowed in your neighborhood.

A Scout sitting at a desk with a laptop open, researching archery laws, with notes and a printed regulation document visible

Preparing for Your Counselor Meeting

Your counselor will want to hear you explain the specific laws that apply where you live. Do not just say “archery is legal in my state.” Be ready to talk about:

Whether you can shoot in your backyard or need to go to a range
What the minimum age is for bowhunting in your state (even if you do not plan to hunt)
Whether your city has any discharge ordinances
What licenses or education courses are required for bowhunting

Your State Fish & Wildlife Agency Find your state's fish and wildlife agency through the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Each state agency publishes its archery and hunting regulations online.