Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk AL Fishing Talk Gun in boat ?

I'm pretty sure it was but the statute of limitations has run out.

Somebody find a legal definition of "navigable public waterway" otherwise known as a "navigable waterway".

I've asked everyone I can find with a badge and nobody has ever been able to provide me with a definition that appears to be a legal definition.

The question is what about creeks that cross private property. Landowner owns both banks and the creek bottom. You can float the creek but where logjams are in the creek you have to get out and either drag across them or portage around them. Are you trespassing when you get out of the boat? The waterway isn't navigable when the boat won't float any more.

I apologize if I have hijacked this thread. I look forward to your responses.

P.S. To address the question at hand. Carry a gun in the boat if you so desire. Shoot snakes (with or without feet) if the need arises and deal with the consequences.

We were talking about drift hunting squirrels. If you shoot a squirrel and he falls on someone elses property you have to "trespass" on that persons property to recover him. Thats the glitch about drift hunting squirrels. :p

unless the skwerl is flying like a duck it would be illegal to shoot said skwerl w/o landowner permission. The tree is on someones property, so is the skwerl.

troy

unless the skwerl is flying like a duck it would be illegal to shoot said skwerl w/o landowner permission. The tree is on someones property, so is the skwerl.

Exactly.

So you'd be a dirty poacher along with a no-good trespasser.


Carry a gun in the boat if you so desire. Shoot snakes (with or without feet) if the need arises and deal with the consequences.

We will continue to do so, as has been done for a long time.

This really needs its own thread. I would like to get some "educated" opinions on this question. I was reading a thread from another state about flyfishing. The question gets even murkier when someone is wade fishing.

Agreed

And what would the consequences be? According to this thread and what I have been told, there would be NO consequences if I shot a snake from the boat.

Dam littlefoot, It would depend on where you was at when you shot him and your proximity to others at the time.
IF you were in the limits of a city that had a no shooting ordinance you could get a ticket for discharging a fire arm in the city limits.
If other people were in the area you could get a ticket for reckless endangerment.
No one around, not in city limits, fire away, killum all.

Defining navigable waters is a constant question for canoers and kayakers as well.

Here is some info from the American Whitewater Association:

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/access:al

hold on, what if said skwerl is in a tree that hangs over the water, the skwerl is over the water and will land in it but the tree is on someone's property? Or, what if the tree's base goes into the water? Could I shoot the skwerl then

only if the roots are floating and not touching bottom

Owner's property stops at the water's edge unless otherwise given a permit.

Each waterway is different, TVA owns a lot of land around larger streams and the TN river. Mostly the land is flood plane.

Owner's property stops at the water's edge unless otherwise given a permit.

Unless the waterway is non-navigable, as defined by the laws.

Good link Clem. Most complete collection of information I've ever seen. Thanks

1) shooting a snake isn't hunting, it's personal/family defense.

2) even if it was hunting, there is no closed season on snakes.

3) if I am inside the city limits and fear for my family's safety I will shoot no matter whose land I am on or who is nearby.

4)common sense ain't so common anymore.

1) Shooting a snake is hunting as defined by the state of Alabama.

2) You are correct, but this is a moot point.

3) I am right there with you!

4) No it isn't.

so if you have a gun in the boat with the intent to shoot a snake, do you have to have a current hunting license in possession???

ya'll are cracking me up

Well, every one of you have missed the main point here.

It is 100% illegal to shoot a snake ANYWHERE in Alabama. Snakes are not legal game animals.

Most won't write a ticket for it but it's been done before.