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U.S / CROSSBOW REGULATIONS GUIDE BY STATE

  • BVABC.COM / BRISTOL VA BUSH CRAFTING©
  • Jan 2, 2016
  • 9 min read

U.S Crossbow Regulations Guide / Listed By State

The information provided in this article was discovered on:

NOTICE TO USERS:

  • ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL FORESTRY DEPARTMENTS FOR UPDATES TO THESE REGULATIONS.

  • REGULATIONS AND POLICEIES CHANGE PERIODICALLY AND CAN VERY FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

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ALASKA Crossbows are illegal in bow-only areas, but can be used where guns and bows are legal weapons. Legal in archery season for handicapped hunters with an approved Methods and Means Exemption Form.

Website: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us Phone: 907-465-4190

ALABAMA Crossbows legal for all persons during the entire deer hunting season. Magnified scopes are now allowed on crossbows only.

Website: http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/ Phone: 334-242-3469

ARIZONA Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters on a very restrictive permit basis, or for anyone during general firearms seasons.

Website: http://www.azgfd.com/ Phone: 602-942-3000

ARKANSAS Crossbows legal during archery seasons; must have minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and mechanical safety.

CALIFORNIA Crossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons. Also, the California Game Commission voted on April 22, 2004 to adopt the following language to their regulations: "Any person with a physical disability which prevents him/her from being able to draw and hold a bow in a firing position, may use a crossbow or device which holds a string and arrow in the firing position to assist in the taking of birds and mammals under the conditions of an archery tag, archery season, or general session. Under these conditions, archers must provide to the Department and retain in his/her immediate possession while taking or attempting to take big game written verification of the disability, including: the person's name and signature, address, date of birth, driver's license or DMV number, physician's name and signature, physician's license number and address and a description of the disability."

Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov Phone: 916-445-0411

COLORADO Crossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons and for handicapped hunters during archery season.

Website: http://www.wildlife.state.co.us Phone: 303-297-1192

CONNECTICUT 2013 Crossbows allowed in archery season. Check with state for detailed licensing requirements.

Website: http://www.dep.state.ct.us Phone: 860-424-3011

DELAWARE Crossbows legal during all deer seasons. Crossbows may be equipped with a scope. It is unlawful to transport a crossbow on or within any vehicle while the crossbow is in the cocked position. Deer may be hunted with crossbows provided hunter orange is displayed when it is also lawful to hunt deer with a gun.

FLORIDA August 30, 2010. Effective July 2011, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed a new rule which will extend zonal crossbow seasons by a month. The new rule adds 30 days to each crossbow season in zones A, B, and C, and adds 33 days in zone D, thereby coinciding with the archery season on private land only.

GEORGIA Crossbows legal in all seasons starting 2003.

Website: http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com/ Phone: 770-918-6416

HAWAII Crossbows are legal by special disabled permit only.

Website: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr Phone: 808-587-0400

IDAHO During an any-weapon hunting season you can hunt with a crossbow without any other permit besides your hunting license and proper tag. Crossbows also legal for handicapped persons by permit-to hunt with a crossbow during an archery season, you must also have a valid archery permit as well as a hunting license and a proper tag.

Website: http://www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/ Phone: 208-334-3700

ILLINOIS Hunters 62 years of age and older are now permitted to use a crossbow without a special permit. Hunters using a crossbow will need an archery deer permit and proof of age in the form of an official ID. Crossbows used in hunting as authorized by a permit issued under this section shall meet all of the following specifications:

Shall have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds and a maximum peak draw weight of 200 pounds. Shall have a minimum overall length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches. Shall have a working safety. Shall be used with bolts or arrows of not less than 14 inches in length (not including point) with a broadhead. Broadheads may have fixed or expandable blades, but they must be barbless and have a minimum 7/8 inch diameter when fully opened. Broadheads with fixed blade must be metal or flint-, chert-, or obsidian-napped. Broadheads with expandable blades must be metal. Crossbows also legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Website: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/default.aspx Phone: 217-782-6384

INDIANA Crossbows legal in entire archery season beginning December 31, 2011. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds and a mechanical safety.

Website: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm Phone: 317-232-4200

IOWA Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters with permit. Resident hunters 70 years old and older may purchase one statewide antlerless-deer only license to hunt deer with a crossbow.

Website: http://www.iowadnr.com Phone: 515-281-5918

KANSAS 2013 Crossbows are legal for all during archery season. Check with state for detailed licensing requirements.

Website: http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us Phone: 620-672-5911

KENTUCKY Crossbows legal for all hunters during rifle and muzzleloader seasons, and portions of archery season (dates change annually). Legal in archery season for handicapped hunters.

Website: http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/ Phone: 800-858-1549

LOUISIANA The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission now has the ability to establish a bow and arrow only season, and a bow and arrow and crossbow season in special deer hunting seasons.

Website: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting Phone: 225-765-2350

MAINE 2013 Crossbows legal in archery for all game EXCEPT deer. Deer hunting allowed with a crossbow in firearms season

MARYLAND The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service now allows crossbows to be used to hunt any game species during any open season where a vertical bow may be used (excluding waterfowl and certain furbearers). This would permit the use of a crossbow during the entire deer bow season in all counties. Minimum draw weight is 75-pounds, telescopic sights are permitted and the crossbow must have a working safety.

Website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide Phone: 1-877-620-8367 (in state) or 410-260-8367 (out of state)

MASSACHUSETTS Crossbows may be used by certain permanently handicapped persons by permit only.

Website: http://www.mass.gov/hunting-with-archery.html Phone: 508-389-6300

MICHIGAN August 17, 2010, Effective immediately, crossbow regulations have expanded for hunters statewide. The crossbow regulation changes include the following:

Lowered the minimum age for crossbow use from 12 to 10 years of age statewide. Expanded the use of crossbows to all legal hunters during all archery and firearms seasons statewide, except in the Upper Peninsula, where crossbow use will remain prohibited during the late archery and muzzleloader seasons, unless the hunter is disabled (Crossbows may only be used in the Upper Peninsula by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting deer season statewide). Hunters using crossbows will still be required to obtain a free crossbow stamp. The stamp, which is free, will help the DNR monitor and survey crossbow hunters.

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr Phone: 517-373-1263

MINNESOTA Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Also legal for anyone during firearms season and Turkey and Bear seasons.

Website: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us Phone: 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157

MISSISSIPPI Crossbows allowed for all in archery season. Check with state for detailed licensing requirements

Website: http://www.mdwfp.com Phone: 601-432-2400

MISSOURI Crossbows for handicapped archers by permit and during firearms season.

Website: http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/ Phone: 573-751-4115

MONTANA Crossbows legal only during gun seasons. No provision for handicapped hunters.

Website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov Phone: 406-444-2535

NEBRASKA Crossbows are legal archery equipment for big game (deer, antelope, elk, turkey & bighorn sheep).

Website: http://www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov Phone: 402-471-0641

NEVADA Crossbows may only be used for hunting big game during an "Any Legal Weapon" hunt. Crossbows are not allowed for archery hunts. Crossbows must have a minimum 125-pound draw weight, minimum draw length of 14-inches from front of bow to nocking point, minimum 18-inch stock and a positive mechanical safety. Arrows must be minimum 16-inches and have a broadhead.

Website: http://www.ndow.org/ Phone: 775-688-1500

NEW HAMPSHIRE Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Legal for all hunters to take a deer in firearms season. Legal for all hunters on Long Island in Moultonborough with Long Island Deer Permit. Crossbow hunters must purchase a crossbow hunting permit.

Website: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us Phone: 603-271-2461 or 603-271-2462

NEW JERSEY Crossbows are legal in any bow and arrow hunting season and other hunting seasons for all species where the use of bow and arrow is allowed. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 75 pounds and a minimum stock length of 25 inches.

Website: http://www.njfishandwildlife.com Phone: 609-292-2965

NEW MEXICO Crossbow use is allowed by Certified Mobility Impaired Hunters during all hunts. Crossbows may now be used in "Any Legal Sporting Arm" or "Muzzleloader" hunts unless otherwise restricted.

Website: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us Phone: 505-476-8000

NEW YORK Hunters must possess a muzzleloader hunting privilege to legally hunt with a crossbow during any muzzleloader season OR during open portions of the early bowhunting seasons. Muzzleloader privilege is not required when hunting with a crossbow during the early bear season or the regular firearms seasons.

Bowhunting privileges is not required for use of a crossbow at any time.

Without landowner permission, crossbows may not be discharged within 250 feet of any home, school building or playground, public structure, farm structure in use, or occupied factory or church.

Age requirement: Crossbows may be used only by licensees who are 14 years of age or older. While on lands inhabited by deer or bear, and in or on a motor vehicle using artificial lights, a crossbow may not be possessed unless it is unstrung or taken down or securely fastened in a case or locked in the trunk of the vehicle. Crossbows may not be used for hunting in Suffolk, Nassau, or Westchester counties.

Website: http://www.dec.ny.gov Phone: 518-402-8924 or 518-402-8985 for Modified Crossbow Permit information

NORTH CAROLINA Effective August 1, 2010, allows the use of crossbows anytime bow and arrows are legal weapons. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 150-pounds.

In 2011, a bill removing the requirement to obtain a pistol permit for purchasing or transferring ownership of a crossbow was signed into law.

Website: http://www.ncwildlife.org/hunting/index.htm Phone: 919-707-0050

NORTH DAKOTA Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Effective September 1, 2011, the following new regulations will go into effect:

Crossbows are now legal for hunters during the rifle season. Crossbows are now legal for all hunters during primitive weapons season. Note: Crossbows used during the primitive weapons season may NOT be equipped with optics that have any magnification. Only scopes and red dots with 1x magnification may be used during the primitive weapons season.

Website: http://www.gf.nd.gov Phone: 701-328-6300

OHIO Crossbows legal during archery season.

Website: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov Phone: 614-265-6300

OKLAHOMA Crossbows and conventional bows with draw lock devices are a legal means of hunting whenever conventional bows are allowed.

Website: http://www.wildlifedepartment.com Phone: 405-521-3851

OREGON Crossbows are illegal.

Website: http://www.dfw.state.or.us Phone: 503-947-6000

PENNSYLVANIA The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has approved the expanded lawful use of crossbows to include both the archery deer and bear seasons. The Board included a sunset date for the expanded crossbow use requiring a future vote on the measure again before June 30, 2012.

Website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us Phone: 717-787-4250

RHODE ISLAND The crossbow is no longer classified as a firearm - it is now in the same classification as recurves, compounds and longbows. Crossbows are now Approved for use by all archery hunters during the Archery deer season provided the hunter has successfully completed the Bow Hunter education course or otherwise qualifies for an Archery deer permit. The use of crossbow for hunting wild turkey or any wild bird is prohibited by law (RIGL 20-14-7). Special permits are no longer required to hunt with the crossbow including those previously required for disabled hunters; however, use of Adaptive Aids for archery hunting still requires the special permit.

Website: http://www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/index.htm Phone: 401-222-6800

SOUTH CAROLINA Archery equipment is now defined as " a bow and arrow, a long bow, a recurve bow, a compound bow, or a cross bow.”

Website: http://www.dnr.state.sc.us Phone: 803-734-3886

SOUTH DAKOTA Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters during archery season. Must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds and a functional mechanical safety device. Telescopic sights and lighted sight pins are prohibited.

Website: http://www.gfp.sd.gov Phone: 605-223-7665

TENNESSEE The use of crossbows is now permitted during all seasons including the regular archery season.

Website: http://www.state.tn.us/twra Phone: 615-781-6500

TEXAS Full-inclusion of crossbows in archery seasons except Grayson County.

Website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us Phone: 512-389-4800 or 1-800-792-1112

UTAH Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.

Website: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr Phone: 801-538-4700

VERMONT Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.

Website: http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com Phone: 802-241-3700

VIRGINIA Crossbows are legal during archery season and firearms season. A crossbow permit will be required if the season is "archery only".

Website: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/ Phone: 804-367-1000

WASHINGTON Crossbows are legal for qualifying archers with permanent non-operable upper extremity impairment. An application must be completed by a licensed Physician and submitted by the hunter to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for consideration. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds and a working safety. Retractable broadheads are not legal. Crossbows with a scope are legal during modern firearm season within “restricted areas”.

Website: http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/ Phone: 360-902-2200

WEST VIRGINIA Crossbows legal with a Class Y Crossbow Permit for individuals who have been determined to have a permanent physical impairment which renders them so disabled as to be unable to use a conventional bow and arrow device. An application must be completed and submitted by the hunter and a licensed Physician to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for consideration.

The Natural Resources Commission established a separate crossbow season that will run concurrent with the various archery seasons. Game species may be taken with a crossbow during their respective open archery seasons.

Hunters must be properly licensed to hunt with a crossbow during the respective archery seasons. Depending upon the game species being hunted with a crossbow, a hunter will be required to possess the required licenses and stamps (e.g., base license, species stamps and additional species-specific stamps).

Website: http://www.wvdnr.gov Phone: 304-558-2758

WISCONSIN

Legal in all of Archery Season - effective 2014 seasons (will be reviewed in three years).

Phone: 608-266-2621

WYOMING

Crossbows legal during archery seasons; Must have 90-pound minimum draw weight, minimum draw length of 14-inches and shoot a minimum 16-inch bolt.

Phone: 307-777-4600

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