Legality of Compound (Archery) Bow Cruising other Countries

[DeftxM]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone knows about bringing a bow and arrow on a liveaboard sailing vessel. Will customs treat it the same way as a firearm?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by DeftxM

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone knows about bringing a bow and arrow on a liveaboard sailing vessel. Will customs treat it the same way as a firearm?

Many countries treat crossbows as firearms. Some ban then completely.

Why bother

Dave

[Canibul]

He didnt ask about crossbows, so why immediately change the subject from what he DID ask about, which is the legality of compound bows? I'm also interested in the answer to this question. And don't feel any need to justify it.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Canibul

He didnt ask about crossbows, so why immediately change the subject from what he DID ask about, which is the legality of compound bows? I'm also interested in the answer to this question. And don't feel any need to justify it.

Doh sorry.

[a64pilot]

I'm not sure about everywhere, but when I lived in Germany they were treated the same as a firearm. I believe in Germany any weapon was treated as such, I don't think it was restricted to gunpowder. Even the Beaman .177 air rifle I had was considered a weapon as it's ft. lbs of energy was above the limit they had set.

I'd bet that both a compound and a speargun would be treated the same, spearguns being much more likely to be found on boats of course, so ask how a speargun is treated and I think you will find your answer.

What kind of compound? I shoot a Mathews myself.

[a64pilot]

deleted, question answered when I re-read the post

[Canibul]

Crossbows, air rifles, and spear guns have projectiles that are mechanically held and released. Here, and in the Bahamas, spear guns illegal. Hawaiian slings, not so.

Making bows and arrows illegal would basically criminalize large portions of the indigeous populations of South and Central America.

[denverd0n]

As with all such questions, the answer is that it depends. Each country is different. Some countries will regulate a bow and arrow just as rigidly as they would a machine gun. Others will regulate it no more rigidly than they would a hammer. You are going to have to go country by country, and check the regulations for each.

Good luck to you.

[lorenzo b]

If there is one thing you don't need on a sailboat it's a bow and arrow. Most sane countries do not allow firearms, that would be any devise that can launch a projectile. If one is found on your vessel you will be arrested and it will cost you thousands of dollars and weeks of your time to get out, and then you will be expelled and told never to return.
God help your sorry ass if you actually use one.

[DeftxM]

Haha thanks canibul, I hate crossbows, would rather have a gun. I have a bear authority. As far as using it, id be using it to hunt, not for defense lol.

[jeremiason]

I think DENVERDON gave you the most reasonable answer... Check ahead.

Some countries don't care and some will put in in jail and take your boat.

If you are thinking about hunting, that is more restrictive. Many countries don't let you hunt or charge big fees if you want a license.

Good Luck

[Tantalus]

Originally Posted by DeftxM

Haha thanks canibul, I hate crossbows, would rather have a gun. I have a bear authority. As far as using it, id be using it to hunt, not for defense lol.

May I ask what a bear authority is?

[JK n Smitty]

Originally Posted by lorenzo b

If there is one thing you don't need on a sailboat it's a bow and arrow. Most sane countries do not allow firearms, that would be any devise that can launch a projectile. If one is found on your vessel you will be arrested and it will cost you thousands of dollars and weeks of your time to get out, and then you will be expelled and told never to return.
God help your sorry ass if you actually use one.

Way to force your agenda onto the OP's post. Why don't you keep your anti-gun opinions for when people ask for them? :dead horsebeat:

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by JK n Smitty

Way to force your agenda onto the OP's post. Why don't you keep your anti-gun opinions for when people ask for them? :dead horsebeat:

A couple of words expressing personal sentiments aside, the answer from Lorenzo was exactly correct. And as Don says, depends on the country and there is no pat answer, but it is absolutely a fact that in some countries possession of anything that they define as a weapon which often includes any kind of archery equipment, could get you thrown into a third world prison.

An in case you want to question my motives, I have been a shooter and a gun owner for 50 years. No longer carry any kind of gun when cruising outside the US.

[Canibul]

speaking of personal agendas.....WHO on here asked any questions about firearms? What does being a "shooter" have to do with archery?

Just curious.

You archers ever try shining a spot on the water at night and using a recurve with a fiberglass fishing arrow?