Target shooting-carrying firearms on the boat

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Pete in NY

New member
1. I'd like to ask the community what you may know about the legality of target practice or shooting clays in open state water and away from land or other boats from the boat.

2. Have any of you been boarded by the Coast Guard while carrying a firearm on board? What transpired and what was the result?

I have Googled as much as I can about this subject and realize we have a patchwork of regulations state to state. I am curious about C-Brat experience.
 
Not sure about all states, but in Washington, the CG wants to know if there's a gun on board and to have control of it while they're on board. It's just a safety precaution for them. The one time we were boarded, they forgot to ask! Not my place to remind them...

No answer regarding shooting clays from the boat.
 
Pete in NY":1tftjx36 said:
1. I'd like to ask the community what you may know about the legality of target practice or shooting clays in open state water and away from land or other boats from the boat.
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Can't speak to legality...I'm sure that's a can of worms dependent mostly on location.

But, my primary concern would be safety. The cockpit of a 22/25 just isn't that big for shooting clays - and when wielding a shotgun, I'd prefer to have something far more solid under foot than the motion of a small floating boat, even in calm water.

Also - both my pump and auto shotguns would toss shells easily out of the cockpit and into the water. At best, a PITA to clean up, at worst, a nasty littering problem.

And lastly - regardless of legality, I'd never shoot lead into a water habitat. And being a relative cheapskate, I'd never waste my money on steel shot for target practice.
 
The issue of lead shot is relevant...if waterfowl regs. in your area require non-toxic shot, I think you can assume that shooting clays would fall under the same prohibition.

The clay pigeons landing in the water are probably not an EPA issue, though.

Trap shooting on a cruise ship is way different than doing it from a C-Dory, sorry to say. I don't think that even happens on cruise ships anymore...
 
the lead bands on water fowl are in place so the birds don't eat the lead when they are feeding on the bottom. This occurs in very shallow waters where you would hunt. Regardless of the regulations as long as you were in 20 plus feet of water it would not be a problem to the birds. every time a lose a 15lbs lead downrigger ball in the sound it equal all the bird shot I have every used or place to use in my life.

regardless of the legality of your actions the first non-shooter that sees, hears, or smells you will be on the phone in a heart beat. So be ready to defend your self for piracy, whaled hunting, attempted murder, government over throw, etc.

I do not see it any less safe then duck hunting out of a small boat but I do see a big problem with catching the spend brass unless you are shooting a over under. you can buy brass catchers from several outfits.

as a side note- don't shoot your clays over hog farms, they will eat the broken clay and die. pigs can eat almost anything but the clay will do them in.
 
Almost universally the Coast Guard, LEO or Fish and Game will ask if you have weapons aboard. Both Marie and I posess concealed weapons permits and often have weapons. There has never been a problem. We present the CCW ID, and tell the CG officer where the weapon is located. They want it safe and in a position where they have knowledge and control over it. With auto handguns we normally carry in condition three on the boat(empty chamber and magazine in place) or in the car--if any children in the vacinity in Condition 4, with the magazine locked away--a revolver will have a trigger lock and be unloaded if children around. . Same for long guns. Revolvers are loaded, hammer down, double action, except when children around--then unloaded.

As far as shooting--we do most of that at a range. We have done target practice years ago many miles off shore--and sure that no boats are close by. (Within in several miles). I would not shoot on lakes or in any area where there might be other pesons within several miles. Agree with the issues of lead.
 
A 22 or 25 and the Tomcat can be considered 2nd homes and as such you have a right to have a firearm on board in US waters. It is true that usually the first thing the Coasties ask when actually boarding is about any weapons.
 
Martin-

Sea hawks (ospreys) are protected by both Alaska Fish and Game and federal law - a healthy fine from either if you get caught shooting one.
 
You may want to be familiar with the state laws (and Canadian laws), because some of these restrict the possession of any handgun, unless you are specifically licensed in that state. Also some states have restrictions on size of magazine, and type of weapon. Many of my guns are illegal in Calif. and several NE states. In New York and New Jersey, the laws are very restrictive--and as I understand it you have to have the weapon locked and secured in a non accessible part of the vehicle--and in some states take a route which is direct thru the state. There are several books on this subject (mostly for RV owners), as well as web sites, including the NRA website.

You will be fine in federal waters, but once you come into state waters, then the state law takes precedent. For that reason, if I carry a hand gun it is a revolver, or a long gun/shotgun when traveling. When going into Canada, I either ship my guns to Alaska, or leave them with friends near the border.
 
Had a freind who used to shoot trap from his houseboat on IC waterway in FL years ago, which at least then was perfectly legal. Upon arriving at his destination USF&W agents were waiting for him as he had been reported as shooting an eagle. Had to spend an extra day at destination and had an altogether unpleasant experience, although he was not prosecuted because no dead eagle was found. I am a Life Member of the NRA and strongly believe in your right to legal use of firearms, but don't forget that some people feel otherwise. Using discretion and comon sense may save you some grief, even if actions are legal.
 
I worked with a guy names Paul. Paul was a driver with me for a propane out fit in Placerville Ca. We both spent time in the service, me in the Corps and him in the army. We both like to shoot and have a good time but both have worked on the range and are really safety concession. guess what I am trying to say is you could not ask for two better guys shooting on your property then us. Experienced, well trained and safety conscious.

our range was his families farm. 30 acres of woods. this family has been living shooting there for 100 plus years. We were shooting one day, the third time we shoot together, and the sheriff shows up. some one report it. Well no harm no foul we bull shit with the cops after telling them that its his land and and we are just target shooting with the 22's. we go back to shooting . the cops get flagged down by a neighbor on the way out and wants to know why we were not arrested?? she was informed that we were on Paul's land and legally shooting. she dam near assaulted the sheriff and got arrested her self.

Every time we shot the cops got called. every time. threats were made to Paul's family by the neighbor if the shooting did not stop. His kids were called murders on the bus by the ladies kids. She called child protected services because we shoot with his and my kids. the cops got really tired of getting calls. this went on for a year. seems the lady moved from the bay area to live in the country and was upset that it did not live up to her ideas of a peaceful Walt Disney life. Hell she called the cops and report a murder when the other neighbor butchered a year old steer in his barn, across for her drive way. 4 cops showed up with lights blazing. she finally moved away to god knows where but what a pain.

Never underestimate the ability and desire of people to demand that you conform to their ideas.
 
starcrafttom":23zoxa6e said:
<stuff clipped>
Never underestimate the ability and desire of people to demand that you conform to their ideas.
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I agree - some fools even want you to switch to a different down rigger release! :wink: :lol:
 
A question that is off on a bit of a tangent: If you carry a shotgun (or a rifle) on board, where do you stow it? The only long space on the Tom Cat is under the berth -- not very accessible. I am reluctant to have it in view (e.g., a clip like in a cop car) as it would attract thieves, not to mention the type of people Tom was talking about just now. We are planning to take a marinized 12 ga. to Alaska with us, hence the question.

Warren
 
on the tom cat I would mount it on the ceiling. there are a lot of racks that mount that way for trucks and camper. you should be able to find one that will work for you. I puts it out of sight from the out side. out of the way and with in easy reach.over the door would be good. add a lock and you are secure.

now for your use, against bears, you really dont need it with in easy reach. I would think about putting it in the closet ( or do you have shelves in there?) in a rack in the corner. for the ammo I would buy a small hand gun safe with the four finger tip key pad. It would hold a couple of boxes of ammo and is quick to open if you need to. Susan swears that a bear is going to swim to the boat and board us. only question is if the bear is from Somalia or not?
 
starcrafttom":x08nvyha said:
on the tom cat I would mount it on the ceiling. there are a lot of racks that mount that way for trucks and camper. you should be able to find one that will work for you. I puts it out of sight from the out side. out of the way and with in easy reach.over the door would be good. add a lock and you are secure.

now for your use, against bears, you really dont need it with in easy reach. I would think about putting it in the closet ( or do you have shelves in there?) in a rack in the corner. for the ammo I would buy a small hand gun safe with the four finger tip key pad. It would hold a couple of boxes of ammo and is quick to open if you need to. Susan swears that a bear is going to swim to the boat and board us. only question is if the bear is from Somalia or not?
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We are thinking of taking the shotgun with us when we go ashore in the dinghy. I'll see if the ceiling mount idea meets with approval from the Admiralty. For the Somalian bears, a SAW should be sufficient. Can you get me one?

Warren
Warren
 
No,No,No, Warren...
Can't shoot them. You have to arrest them so they can have their day in Federal Court, with a tax payer funded, court appointed lawyer. :sad
 
Warren and Alaska bound boaters,

Have you checked with Canada customs about transiting the gun thru BC? There is a permit that you need to get prior to entering Canada, and be sure to tell them that you are transiting to Alaska and you need the gun for protection against bears. Canada gun laws are different than the US's. Minimum length is longer and absolutely NO 'pistol grip' type stocks are allowed. If the weapon is designed to be fired with one hand, it's not allowed. Gun stocks must be a standard two handed hunting style. Also ask Canada about allowed ammo.

I received a warning from a friendly Canada customs man about firearms and ammo. He said to be very sure NOT to have any pistol ammo or pistol cleaning tools onboard. If Canada customs finds even ONE 9mm cartridge onboard, they will tear apart your boat looking for the pistol.

An additional thought is that to be effective against bears, you have to have the gun handy to your person while you are ashore. Leaving it in the skiff while you walk the beach is not protection. The bear can easily get between you and the skiff.
This means that you have to carry the gun with you while you explore.

I decided that, for me, all this was just too much hassle. We don't carry firearms and we don't go hiking ashore in bear country.

An alternative to firearms is pepper spray. You can get it in Ketchikan and you can also get any kind of 12 ga ammo there.

Red Fox Greg does a lot of beach combing and he used to carry a 45-70 called 'Big Bertha' but found that too many times the rifle was in the skiff and he was down the beach. He solved that problem by getting a 45-70 caliber pistol, named 'Baby Bertha' and carries it in a chest pack. That pistol is 'huge' and of course not allowed in Canada.

One thing that may not occur to folks is to not carry garbage onboard when you are at a remote dock. The smell of old garbage could attract bears onto your boat. It is best to put all food scraps overboard and wash out containers.

In many years of cruising in the 'wilds' of BC and SE Alaska, we have not had any encounters with bears, but it is their home we are in and we try to be careful. Don't get a false sense of security because you carry a weapon. Bears can charge at 40 mph and you might not be able to fire even once.
 
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