Short answer: yes. Bowhunting on private land is legal in WA. No bow licence. No permit for the bow itself. But there are rules, and if you’re going to do this properly, you need to know them.
Bowhunting is legal on private land in Western Australia. You do not need a licence to own or use a bow. A bow is not classified as a firearm or prohibited weapon under WA law. What you do need is the landowner’s written permission and a clear understanding of which animals you can take. You set the rules. We make sure they’re followed.
The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) is the key piece of legislation here. Under the BAM Act, certain feral animals are declared pests in WA. That means landowners have a legal obligation to control them on their property. This is important because it gives your pest control work a solid legal backing.
Declared pests under the BAM Act that are relevant to bowhunters include feral pigs, European red foxes, all species of feral deer, feral rabbits, and feral goats. When you’re approaching a landowner, being able to say “I’m here to help with your declared pest obligations under the BAM Act” carries weight. It shifts the conversation from recreation to pest management.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the authority that administers the BAM Act. They can issue directions to landowners to manage pests, and in some cases, conduct coordinated control programs. Bowhunters offering free, effective pest control are genuinely useful to this system.
This trips people up. Unlike firearms, bows are not regulated under the WA Firearms Act 1973. You don’t need a licence to buy, own, transport, or use a bow. No safe storage requirements specific to bows either, though common sense says keep your gear secure and out of reach of kids.
That said, carrying a bow in public can attract attention from police. Be sensible about it — keep your bow in a case when travelling, don’t walk around town with it. If stopped, you’re within your rights, but being a reasonable bloke about it avoids drama for everyone.
A handshake is nice but a signed permission form is better. It protects you and it protects the landowner. The ABA provides template permission forms that cover the basics. Include the property details, dates of access, which pests you’re targeting, and any specific rules the landowner wants followed.
Our land access guide and the full Landowner Access Guide go deep on how to approach landowners, run the first call, and build the trust that keeps access open long-term.
Spotlight regulations vary by shire in WA. Some shires require you to notify police before spotlighting. Others have restrictions on the times and areas where spotlighting is allowed. For bowhunting, night hunting is less common — most of your work will be done during dusk and dawn when pigs and foxes are moving. But if the landowner wants night work done, check the local shire regulations first. A quick call to the local cop shop or shire office will get you sorted.
While not legally required, your ABA membership gives you $20 million public liability insurance. When a landowner asks “are you insured?” — and they will — you want to be able to say yes. It’s about $90 a year. Absolute no-brainer.
No. Bows are not classified as firearms or weapons in WA. No licence, registration, or permit needed.
No. All hunting in WA is restricted to private land with the landowner's permission.
Crossbows are classified as prohibited weapons in WA under the Weapons Act 1999. You cannot legally own or use a crossbow for hunting in Western Australia.
No. Kangaroos and all native wildlife are fully protected. Only declared pest species can be taken.
Not legally in most cases, but it's good practice to tell the landowner what happened on each visit. Builds trust and helps them track the pest situation on their property.
The guide is free. The community is free. Just a bunch of WA bowhunters helping each other out. No gatekeeping, no fees.
learn
The Australian Bowhunters Association gives you public liability insurance, access to events, and credibility with landowners. Here’s what you need to know.
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New to bowhunting in Western Australia? What you need, where to start, and how to go from the range to the bush.
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The step-by-step process for approaching landowners, building trust, and securing ongoing hunting access on private property in Western Australia.
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A practical field guide to finding private land access for bowhunting in Western Australia. Where to look, how to approach landowners, and how to keep access long-term.
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