Anyone know of any Bowhunting pro shops around Boston, MA? Also some FID questions.

Buck85 · 07-21-2004, 06:14 AM

I went to the police department to get an FID application and it sais on it that you have to be 21 yrs of age, I thought it was only 18yrs of age for MA. I live in Lynn, MA. Also, since I won't be able to hunt with a firearm, does anyone know of any bowhunting pro shops near me. Thanks.

jay-bar · 07-22-2004, 06:57 PM

Buck85, I don't think there are any that are near you. Galyans, located at Liberty Tree Mall, is a store that you can buy a decent bow and all the accessories (and you can get there by bus). Don't think it has an archery range but it has a decent selection of bows, arrows, etc. for a suburban Boston chain store. The sales staff is nowhere near as knowledgeable as pro-shop but they know enough to get you in the ball park with a decent rig.

Buck85 · 07-22-2004, 07:53 PM

I was at Galyans in Liberty tree mall yesterday. I didn't ask them if they could measure my draw length though. How do you measure your draw length? I did it once my holding a tape measurer in hone hand a drawing back with the other and I got like33 inches and I don't think that's right since I'm only 5'6.

jay-bar · 07-23-2004, 08:45 AM

Buck 85, I looked at the G.O.A.L. quick reference guide, you can get an FID if you are 18 (or 15 for that matter w/parental consent). I would suggest a couple of things if you still want a gun (I would still strongly recommending bowhunting, much longer season for deer, I get great satisfaction from it, of course, I am twice your age). You could go back to the PD witha copy of the law (from the WEB and ask them to check their copies of the law), you could join Gun Owners Action League (which you should do anyway) and then inform them of your problem, they even have a link on their website to notify them of complaints and I believe they take action for you (e.g., call the PD, etc.), all else fails, talk to a lawyer that you know and see if they will call the PD. You also need to have a clean record. I urge you to look at the GOALwebsite to see if you qualify. In city police departments in Mass, there seems to be an institutionalized policy to prohibiting anyone from owning guns, but, they know the law and just seem to try to make the process more difficult so marginal applicants don't pursue it any further. I was in the Marines for 10 years handling firearms everyday, but Boston still busted my balls when I applied there in 1992. AGain, when i moved to Danvers in 1997 and even after being an existing license holder, Danvers PD kind of made it difficult but I eventually got it. My current town (very small) is no problem at all. Also, my hockey buddy who has been a Boston cop for 15-17 years was given a hard time by Boston (believe it or not) after the new gun law passed in 1998 because he had something minor on his work history from a decade ago (e.g. excessive force or something, which I think they all have at one time or another).

Buck85 · 07-23-2004, 11:30 AM

Ok, I'll check the goal website. All I want to own is a shotgun or muzzleloader, no handguns or rifles. I was thinking about eventually getting an LTC but I think they may be near impossible here.

Buck85 · 07-23-2004, 11:30 AM

I am going to bowhunt first, then use firearms in the future, but I want to get my FID asap.

Buck85 · 07-23-2004, 11:33 AM

I eventually want to hunt deer armed with nothing but a homemade bow and a loin-clotch, the way my ancestors did. It seems like the biggest possible challenge. Except maybe running the deer down on foot, I'm not quite sure I can do that...yet.

Lazer Beam · 07-26-2004, 04:53 PM

Archery USA
606 Providence HWY Dedham, MA.
www.archeryusa.com
They will fit you and fine tune your set-up.
They carry new and used bows also!
They teach alot of the young pre olympic shooters.
Welcome to the fellowship of hunters.

Good Luck!

Buck85 · 07-26-2004, 06:52 PM

thanks lazer