How to determine legality of hunt area (CA)?

[jryoung]

So I've got a friend that has land in and unincorporated area, but there are other houses around in Santa Clara County. Based on my research you can only discharge firearms in SCC if the area is unincorporated and not residential (less than 1 house per sq. acre). I think he would meet this requirement (residential).

My question is, if he meets the requirement of not being able to discharge a firearm, could I hunt with a bow on his property?

Better yet is there an easy way to determine where you may discharge a firearm (some sort of map) and/or some way to determine if his land is huntable or not?

 

[TonyS]

I would call the local sheriff's office and ask. They would be the ones coming out to visit. Then maybe a search for county ordinances, or maybe do this first (in this case you are asking a question you KNOW the answer which may help, sometimes they don't). I would bet that it is all in there.

Good luck!

 

[Common Sense]

May be legal to use a bow, but if houses are that close together it might not be good. An arrowed pig is probably going to go onto someone elses property, and that could cause lots of problems.

On the other hand; if you use a rifle --- one shot and the animal is down. Even if a neighbor calls the sheriff because of the noise, the rifle is unloaded and inside the house long before they can arrive.

 

[sancho]

search penal code of that county.

 

[Caninelaw]

Like Tony said the Sheriff's Office would probably be a good place to check. Also, if you can get the number to talk directly to the local Fish & Game Warden they could probably tell you too.