Safety Zones

Safety zones:

It is unlawful to hunt for, shoot at, trap, take, chase or disturb wildlife within 150 yards of any occupied residence, camp, industrial or commercial building, farm house or farm building, or school or playground without the permission of the occupants.

It is unlawful to shoot into a safety zone, even if you are outside of the zone. Driving game, even without a firearm or bow, within a safety zone without permission is unlawful. For comparison, think of a safety zone as about one and a half football fields.

Hunting on hospital and institutional grounds, and in cemeteries, is also prohibited.

It is unlawful to discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a Game Commission vehicle if its occupants are releasing pheasants.

The safety zone for archery hunters statewide, including those using crossbows, is 50 yards. Archery hunters carrying muzzleloaders during any muzzleloader season must abide by the 150-yard safety zone regulation.

Around playgrounds, schools, nursery schools or day-care centers, the safety zone remains 150 yards.

Sheds, well pads and other unoccupied structures

Safety zones only apply to regularly occupied buildings.

Hunting from a house

As long as a hunter is not within a safety zone, and has the permission of the occupants within the house, the individual may hunt from their house/porch as long as they are still lawfully wearing the required amount of fluorescent orange and following the other hunting regulations.

Safety zone signs

Safety zone signs are only given to public access cooperators and in some limited circumstances to people whose property line borders a state game land. Landowners are welcome to make their own safety zone signs without the Game Commission logo. The signs may also be able to be purchased online. Some manufacturers make generic yellow safety zone signs.

Safety zone violation

If hunters are in violation of the safety zone, contact the region office. Contact information can be found here: http://tiny.cc/ROffice

A safety zone violation is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500. A second subsequent offense within two calendar years is a summary offense punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.