Is it legal to shoot my hunting bow in my backyard?

No you have to find an archery range your device shoots a missile and by law that makes it a dangerous weapon. Don't rely on internet experts call you local police non-emergency # and ask. Tell them you plan to buy a bale of hay and everything they'll still shoot your hopes down in flames but at least you won't have to find out the hard way.

Union City Municipal Code

http://qcode.us/codes/unioncity/

9.80.010 Dangerous weapon defined.

For the purposes of this chapter, a “dangerous weapon” includes any rifle, gun, pistol, revolver, air rifle, BB gun, air gun, sling, sling shot or other instrument or device designed or intended to discharge or capable of discharging a bullet, shot or OTHER MISSILE OF ANY KIND . (Ord. 89-70 § 1, 1970)

9.80.050 Shooting dangerous weapon within City.

Every person who shoots a dangerous weapon in the City is guilty of a misdemeanor except:

A. If the shooting takes place on a lawfully operated shooting range, which shooting range has been approved by the Planning Commission and which operates in accordance with safety regulations approved by the Police Chief;

B. If the shooting is by an ordinary shotgun, air rifle, air gun, BB gun, sling or sling shot in an undeveloped area in the City as defined in Section 9.80.020;

C. A peace officer in the performance of an official duty. (Ord. 89-70 § 5, 1970)

9.80.020 Undeveloped area defined.

For the purposes of this chapter, “undeveloped area” means any place in the City where no building or structure or domestic animals are located within a distance of five hundred yards. (Ord. 89-70 § 2, 1970)

(NOTE: Shooting on undeveloped land without permission of the land owner is also a crime.)

Check with local law enforcement.Also shooting a bow into a garage on to a hard surface invites ricochets.You may be get hit by your own arrow.Find a range where you can shoot bow and arrow and get instructions there.Your fellow shooters are great teachers.

Cali laws on this;

9.04.060 - Discharge of weapon within city prohibited.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person shall not within the city, shoot any arrow or similar missile or fire, discharge, shoot or operate or assist or participate in the firing, discharging, shooting or operating of any gun, revolver, pistol, firearm, spring gun, air gun, sling, slingshot, or device designed or intended to discharge or capable of discharging any dangerous missile or any cartridge, shell, ammunition or device containing any explosive substance designed or intended to be used in or fired from any gun, revolver, pistol or firearm.

9.04.070 - Exceptions.

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to prohibit in the city the shooting of any arrow or similar missile when the arrow is shot from and at all times remains on or over the lands upon private property if all persons occupying who have the right to occupy such private property or portion thereof consent thereto.

City laws will differ so its best to check on what your town says. In some cities its illegal to fire bows in the citiy limits and not just in Cali

Legal as long as you have a target that the arrow can hit and it keep going. The target must stop the arrow. Of course that's theory. I would contact lockal law enforcement and ask them.

Yes its 100% legal

Yes, but isn't it a bit risky to do that in such a populated area? maybe try inside, in a room with targets.

I would hope this wouldn't be legal in any community. So many things can go wrong with weapons; You are in a residential area obviously, someone could stroll by on the other side of your fence, you could miss your shot. They have safe, controlled areas for weapon practice or go to a crown hunting area. This way if someone gets hurt (I certainly hope not, but) then they are in the line of fire by there own choice. Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-hunting or weapon (I have a crossbow myself), but weapons are dangerous and meant to be respected. You need to take caution where and when you use them. It would be negligent to use them anywhere near the general public.

if you have some way of knowing that you won't hit someone walking on a sidewalk it just seems very dangerous