Rules for shooting clay pigeons from boats?

[Rudolf_FL]

Here's the deal: I live on florida's gulf coast. Lots of nice gated communities - no places to shoot. The next rifle and shotgun range is 35 miles away.

It may sound weird - but why not shoot clay pigeons from the boat?
Could not find any specific rules. Does anybody know what rules generally apply or where to get further information?

 

[ArmedBear]

That might vary from state to state. You'd have to be far enough offshore.

 

[trueblue1776]

No legal issues, as long as the boat isn't under power when you are shooting. If you go father than 12 mi out you can do what you want (fire under power). If you go more than 3 mi out, you're out of state jurisdiction and you'll have more privacy.

 

[Robert Hairless]

I recall that some luxury ships used to provide that kind of clays shooting for passengers. Here's a U.K. line that does it for charters on the Thames. Given your location you might want to inquire at local marinas to see if they know of any charters that do it, then call them and ask for advice.

 

[RUT]

Wouldn't you then have to use steel shot??

 

[trueblue1776]

RUT- steel shot is only required for hunting.

 

[jlpskydive]

Contact the Coast Guard in your area. They are the ones you would have to worry about and they have NO sense of humor around Eastern NC

 

[trueblue1776]

Coast guard does not regulate sporting clays, they don't patrol out very far either, unless there is an emergency. I was not in that part of the CG but I did occasionally patrol with them, this is the gulf coast, nobody cares about shotguns. But if you wanted to be solid gold (legally speaking):

1. call the local CG station, ask to talk to the OOD (officer of the day).
2. and TELL, don't ask, him you will be shooting clays in some general area. That way if Teddy and Feinstein call 911 (or CH 16), the CG can tell them where to shove it.

 

[Rudolf_FL]

Thanks for the input, guys.

That sounds like a plan, Trueblue

 

[Chris B]

Wouldn't you then have to use steel shot??

If you don't HAVE to you still should. I don't know about regulations at sea but I'm in Tampa and frequent a range where your shot travels out in to the Hillsborough and they require that you use steel shot. You can be fined (by the state I believe) for non-compliance.

Seems like a fine idea to me to shoot off the boat though.