LYON
PMA Member
Alright I have a question to see what everyone's thoughts are. This pertains to bowhunting only (unless you are south of HWY 30 and shotgun hunting). Let's say you are driving down the road, you have your bow in the vehicle with you and you spot a deer working its way across a field and it's OBVIOUS that it is going to cross a road soon. You have time to park (behind a hill maybe) get your bow and sneak down the ditch to where you are anticipating the deer to cross. Once that deer hits the ditch, it's fair game. Would you do this????
Given the right circumstances, I would. I would not if the ditch I was to be "hiding" in was next to a busy road, don't need to give the wrong impression to some people. And honestly, it would look a little shady if someone was in a ditch with bow in hand waiting for a deer to jump the fence.
Now I anticipate hearing a few people say something to the extent of this not hunting and it's kind of a cheap way to take a deer. I agree, to a point. What if the deer in question were making its way towards a timber across a pasture or field that you had permission to hunt and you had time to get ahead of it in order to intercept it? Would you do this? and would it be a cheap way to take a deer? Same concept, just different situation.
Just thought it might produce some interesting thoughts.
For those of you that are wondering what my reference to "North of highway 30" is, in Iowa, you can NOT shoot a firearm from the ditch NORTH of HWY 30. This is straight from the regs:
You cannot shoot any rifle on or over any of the public highways or waters of the state or any railroad right-of-way. You cannot discharge a shotgun
shooting a slug, pistol or revolver on or over a public roadway.
Additionally, no person shall discharge a rifle, including a muzzleloading rifle or musket, or a handgun from a highway; or discharge a shotgun shooting slugs
from a highway north of U.S. Highway 30, while deer hunting.
“Roadway” means the portion of the highway
improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular
travel, including the shoulder.
“Highway” means the entire width between
property lines
Given the right circumstances, I would. I would not if the ditch I was to be "hiding" in was next to a busy road, don't need to give the wrong impression to some people. And honestly, it would look a little shady if someone was in a ditch with bow in hand waiting for a deer to jump the fence.
Now I anticipate hearing a few people say something to the extent of this not hunting and it's kind of a cheap way to take a deer. I agree, to a point. What if the deer in question were making its way towards a timber across a pasture or field that you had permission to hunt and you had time to get ahead of it in order to intercept it? Would you do this? and would it be a cheap way to take a deer? Same concept, just different situation.
Just thought it might produce some interesting thoughts.
For those of you that are wondering what my reference to "North of highway 30" is, in Iowa, you can NOT shoot a firearm from the ditch NORTH of HWY 30. This is straight from the regs:
You cannot shoot any rifle on or over any of the public highways or waters of the state or any railroad right-of-way. You cannot discharge a shotgun
shooting a slug, pistol or revolver on or over a public roadway.
Additionally, no person shall discharge a rifle, including a muzzleloading rifle or musket, or a handgun from a highway; or discharge a shotgun shooting slugs
from a highway north of U.S. Highway 30, while deer hunting.
“Roadway” means the portion of the highway
improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular
travel, including the shoulder.
“Highway” means the entire width between
property lines
