BOW CASE IN A VEHICLE

[Just Hunt]

Is it required to have a bow in a case in the state of NJ while traveling in a vehicle?

[Axiom]

I got pulled over by the cops 3 times since September and every time the cops saw my bow in the back seat ( cross bow and compound. ) .. They didnt say anything other than " are you going hunting " ... As far as i know the only time you need a case is on Federal land.. But dont quote me on that...

[Just Hunt]

I've search NJ wildlife issue on the net and can't find anyting, I dont know if I'm in the right section or if I missed something.. I was told you dont have to and told by another you have to..

[MackofallTrades]

No, but the second you are on federal land, it is a requirement (think Deleware Water Gap).

Edited February 24, 2014 by MackofallTrades

[BowTechExperience]

It might be a local PD reg and how they view a bow and arrow.. The safe bet is to call and just ask. I remember when I took my "Safety Course" a long time ago, the instructor told us to transport it in a case. Was/is it a rule, I don't know, but I cannot find it anywhere either on F&G's. site.

 

On the flip side, I always have them in a padded case while driving to a spot or the range, prevents damage in case of sudden braking.

[BowTechExperience]

No, but the second you are on federal land, it is a requirement (think Deleware Water Gap).

 

This is correct. When I hunted the Walpack area back in the day, I used to stay at the Forest motel. One morning I woke up late and was pushing the speed limit and got pulled over by a CO by the Walpack Inn. He referenced my bow not in a case, issued me a verbal and told me to slow down....

 

 

No screw in steps either from what I remember on Federal land..

Edited February 24, 2014 by BowTechExperience

[Drop Tine]

No, but the second you are on federal land, it is a requirement (think Deleware Water Gap).

Yup....

[thefirstndsecond]

It would help if someone posted the actual law.

[Bucksnbows]

It would help if someone posted the actual law.

 

I don't think there is one.  As others mentioned, that is different on federal lands like the DWGNRA.  I always keep mine in a hard, plastic case, but that's just to protect it from abuse in the back of my truck.  I've never once seen it written that an archery weapon needs to be cased and in the back of your vehicle like a gun must be.  

[NJfarmgirl]

Hubby and I differ on this topic, too.  I guess the best bet is to call Fish and Game or maybe the state police for the final answer.  I cannot find any rule in any of the regulations explicitly stating that a BOW is a firearm...However, it does shoot projectiles with sufficient force to injure a person.... So loosely it can be defined as a firearm and may need to be transported in a case.  But I never see it stated that a bow MUST be in a case either.  Very interesting...See the two excerpts below (I posted the links underneath).

 

"Firearm or firearms" means any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, assault firearm, automatic or semi-automatic

rifle, or any gun, device or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectile,

ball, slug, pellet, missile or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the

action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances. It shall also include, without limitation, any

firearm which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the

propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas, or vapor, air or compressed air, or

is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with

sufficient force to injure a person

 

http://www.njsp.org/info/pdf/firearms/njac-title13-ch54.pdf

 

and

 

All firearms transported into the State of New Jersey:

• Shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in the course of travel, shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

• The firearm should not be directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console.

 

http://www.njsp.org/about/fire_trans.html

[Axiom]

However, it does shoot projectiles with sufficient force to injure a person.... So loosely it can be defined as a firearm and may need to be transported in a case

 

 

 

 Nope..... " in the nature of "...  Bows are NOT in the nature of anything in that law... No case needed

[Palawman30]

cant speak for Jersey BUT I can tell you in Pa a bow is NOT a firearm.....

[Haskell_Hunter]

Weapons are also referred to as "destructive devices". If I have time at work today I'll check out NJ state laws. 

[Bucksnbows]

Felons cannot buy firearms in NJ, but they can buy bows.  The reason is we do not classify bows are firearms.  

[thefirstndsecond]

 

Hubby and I differ on this topic, too.  I guess the best bet is to call Fish and Game or maybe the state police for the final answer.  I cannot find any rule in any of the regulations explicitly stating that a BOW is a firearm...However, it does shoot projectiles with sufficient force to injure a person.... So loosely it can be defined as a firearm and may need to be transported in a case.  But I never see it stated that a bow MUST be in a case either.  Very interesting...See the two excerpts below (I posted the links underneath).

 

"Firearm or firearms" means any handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, assault firearm, automatic or semi-automatic

rifle, or any gun, device or instrument in the nature of a weapon from which may be fired or ejected any solid projectile,

ball, slug, pellet, missile or bullet, or any gas, vapor or other noxious thing, by means of a cartridge or shell or by the

action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or explosive substances. It shall also include, without limitation, any

firearm which is in the nature of an air gun, spring gun or pistol or other weapon of a similar nature in which the

propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, compressed or other gas, or vapor, air or compressed air, or

is ignited by compressed air, and ejecting a bullet or missile smaller than three-eighths of an inch in diameter, with

sufficient force to injure a person

 

http://www.njsp.org/info/pdf/firearms/njac-title13-ch54.pdf

 

and

 

All firearms transported into the State of New Jersey:

• Shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in the course of travel, shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

• The firearm should not be directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm and ammunition must be in a locked container other than the vehicle's glove compartment or console.

 

http://www.njsp.org/about/fire_trans.html

 

 

I would never ever call the state police for gun or bow law information. I would also not call the fish and game unless it was related to fish and game.

 

I have seen and experienced tooo many issues with state police and misinformation due to various reasons.

 

For example from the state police site:

 

Firearms which have been legally acquired in another state and are legal to possess in New Jersey may be brought to New Jersey by the owner when residency is established. The owner may VOLUNTARILY register the firearm(s) by completing a Voluntary Form of Firearms Registration, however the owner is not obligated to do so.

 

NOW, there was a police department in Cape May or Cape May Courthouse that was directing people who moved to the town that there was a mandatory registration for new residents. When I emailed them they said their website admin was on vacation and when they got back they would make changes. Well, that information was there for a few years. Scott Bach was notified as well.

 

So, the best people to talk to would be an attorney, however, for fish and game.. it gets more complicated.