Alpharetta, Georgia – With Georgia’s archery season underway, the sight of bows, crossbows and hunting equipment is becoming more common again. But inside Alpharetta city limits, taking aim comes with local rules that apply whether someone is hunting or simply practicing on private property.
The key number for residents to remember is 150 feet. Alpharetta’s ordinance uses that distance to set important limits around homes and property lines, while also requiring archers to make sure arrows and bolts stay contained on the property where they are fired.
Under Section 30-9 of the Alpharetta Code of Ordinances, a bow or crossbow may only be used on property owned by the person using the equipment or on property where the user has obtained written permission from the owner.
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Residents also must provide a sufficient backstop. The purpose is straightforward: arrows, bolts and other projectiles must be prevented from leaving the property. That requirement applies regardless of whether the equipment is being used for hunting or target practice.
Direction also matters when an archer is close to the edge of a property. If a bow or crossbow is being used within 150 feet of a property line, it must be aimed toward the interior of the property rather than toward neighboring land. The rule is intended to reduce the possibility of a projectile crossing onto another property.
The ordinance places an additional restriction around residences. Using a bow or crossbow is prohibited within 150 feet of a residential dwelling.
Those city requirements do not replace Georgia’s hunting laws. Anyone hunting within an area where the activity is otherwise permitted remains responsible for following applicable Georgia Department of Natural Resources rules, including hunting season dates, licensing requirements, permits and other regulations.
Residents who plan to use archery equipment in Alpharetta can review the full local requirements in Section 30-9 of the Alpharetta Code of Ordinances.
Statewide information about hunting seasons, licenses and other requirements is available through the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division.
With archery season now active, checking both sets of rules before heading outside can help residents understand exactly where and how bows and crossbows may legally be used within Alpharetta.
