BOW AND ARROW FISHING IN SAM SMITH PARK!!!

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS IS A STOCK PHOTO

We have had reports of people using a longbow to catch fish in the large wetland pond.  Police were called but it it is unknown what happened as a result of that call.

(It is important to remember that fishing per se is legal in City parks and is an encouraged activity for responsible anglers).

FOSS has done a little research on this and have discovered what may be a case of contradictory regulations and overlapping jurisdictions.

A quick look at Toronto bylaws seems to indicate that a bow and arrow are certainly not allowed in Toronto parks.  

"TORONTO 608-4. Firearms and offensive weapons.

TORONTO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 608, PARKS 

A. While in a park, no person shall be in possession of or use a firearm, air gun, cross bow, bow and arrow, axe, paint guns or offensive weapon of any kind unless authorized by permit.

B. Despite Subsection A, bows and arrows may be used in designated areas in accordance with posted conditions." (Obviously, there are no "posted conditions" in Sam Smith)

But, according to the Ministry Of Resources, Toronto is located inside Fishing Management Zone 16 where bow fishing for carp is legal from May 1st to July 31st, with no catch limit.
(There are currently a number of carp mating in the weedy shallows of the pond.)

For the many of us who find this activity in a busy city park (described in city literature as a "nature sanctuary") quite unsettling and who might be concerned at seeing people with lethal weapons in the same park where our kids play, it is important that this matter be looked in to more thoroughly.

Friends of Sam Smith Park will contact TRCA and City Parks to get some kind of ruling on this so that we can all be clear.  If there are any readers of this post who can do more follow-up or have specialized knowledge of this matter, please contact FOSS at friendsofsamsmithpark@gmail.com.