BarnesX.308

We just moved to a deer-filled suburban area and my street dead ends in a big section of woods. Probably 20 or 30 acres. It belongs to the junior high and it's just land they haven't converted to grass yet. It's in the very back. Can I hunt it legally? I see no posted signs and the woods are far away from the school. The maintenence building is about 100 yards from the edge of the woods and the school itself is about 200-300 yards further up than that. The ball fields are on the other side of the school. Nothing would be even close to safety zone but the whole school property makes me 2nd guess it.

Bob H in NH

Probably not, most schools are in a drub and weapons free zone and this probably includes all school property.

Head to the local PD and ask em.

longrifle1000

I agree with Bob. More than likely it is illegal. And most towns have an ordanance prohibiting hunting within city limits.

kevin1

It can't hurt to ask . Make sure you stress that it will be for bow hunting only , but they will probably say no anyway . Liability is a big issue for schools , even if you indemnify them in writing and only hunt it when school is not in session . By any chance is this woods bordered by properties that might allow it ?

BarnesX.308

There's no city limits because there is no city around. We are in a suburb that has a lot of woods around. Not congested at all. The woods buts up to our neighborhood.

rybohunter

It's most likely illegal, but depending on the temperment of your area, the folks in charge may look the other way as long as you are discreet and responsible. But best to check 1st.


Just an FYI- In PA no city, or twp can restrict legal hunting. That is an imprtant thing to know when you hunt a lot of suburbs.

Jimmy S

To each his or her own, but with all the available woods in that area, why wouldanyone want to consider hunting on school property?
I have no problem with anyone hunting wherever they want (provided it is legal) but I would much rather prefer hunting as far away as possble from these types of areas, especially schools.
It's JMHO, but I can just see a deer that I shot with my bow, running and finally dying near a playground full of kids, especially if the school is within 200-300 yds.......I would try my best to avoid those types of situations....just my .02

timbercruiser

I have always felt that if you can't get written permission you need to stay off the property.

PA_BOW_HUNTER

They can if they designate it as a park. There is a lake north of PA that has a ton of deer (in fact too many deer) that they only allow "sharp shooters" to harvest deer

rybohunter

That's not what I said. If its a park its a park. But if youare legally hunting onland in "whatever" twp, they cannot make a no hunting or weapons discharge ordinance that restricts lawful hunting.

I have not heard of any sharpshooters in the pittsburgh area, usually they have the park hunt association that takes care of that.