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State Crossbow Hunting Regulations
Click on a State below to view the Crossbow Hunting Regulations
So that you, our customer, are kept with the most current and up-to-date regulations on crossbows and the allotted time to use them, we thought it best and most efficient to help provide the principal rules. Each state is different in its own right, so we've created an agenda for every state, and have researched the fundamental rules that they have in place so that you may keep yourself safe, and the laws unbroken.
Aside the rules that we have placed for you, we have also provided the link to the Game and Fish Department, for every state, as the regulations change constantly, even though we aim to keep you up-to-date as much as humanly possible! If you have any further doubts, or feel that our information is not leading-edge, please make sure to contact your state's G&F Department for the most up-to-the-minute information and instruction!
ALABAMA
Crossbows are allowed for everyone during the deer season, both archery and general.
http://www.outdooralabama.com
ALASKA
Crossbows are allowed as long as they are in a hunt that doesn't restrict weapons, or if there is a specific, certain-weapon only hunts. Enhancement of crossbows is not allowed.
http://www.state.ak.us
ARIZONA
Only those with permits and disabled hunters are allowed.
http://www.gf.state.az.us
ARKANSAS
A 125 lb. pull and mechanical safety are required for all crossbows. Arrowheads that are at least 7/8 of an inch wide are what need to be used when gaming for deer, turkey, and bear. Poison is not allowed, but magnifying sights are. Elk are off-limits for crossbow hunting.
http://www.agfc.state.ar.us
CALIFORNIA
A crossbow is not considered archery equipment, and is not allowed during archery season. However, a Disabled Archer Permit over-rides this. Crossbows are permitted during general season, but may not be used during general hunting season when an archery only tag is present.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov
COLORADO
Crossbows are allowed during general seasons, but not archery season, unless you are a permitted disabled hunter.
http://www.dnr.state.co.us
CONNECTICUT
Crossbows are only available to the disabled with proper permit.
http://www.dep.state.ct.us
DELAWARE
150-200 lbs. is the required weight for crossbows, and all crossbows must be manufactured after the year 1980. From the 11 through the 19 in November, a crossbow may be used in place of a shotgun. Crossbows are allowed during archery season to disabled hunters with proper-permit only.
http://www.dnrec.state.de.us
FLORIDA
Crossbows are prohibited during archery season without a Disabled Person Crossbow Permit. Crossbows are permitted during other seasons for birds and mammals. Crossbows are also permitted during the alligator hunting season.
http://myfwc.com/
GEORGIA
Waterfowl is the only game that is not allowed to be hunted with crossbows. Everything else, along with feral hog, is allowed.
http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com
HAWAII
Disabled and with proper permit is the only way to allow crossbow hunting in Hawaii.
http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr
IDAHO
Crossbows are allowed during big-game season, however, only when it is limited to short-range weapons. Crossbows are allowed during archery seasons only by the disabled with proper permit.
http://www.fishandgame.idaho.gov
ILLINOIS
Disabled and with proper permit is the only way to allow crossbow hunting in Illinois.
http://www.dnr.state.il.us
INDIANA
In the late archery season of deer, a crossbow is allowed to acquire deer of either sex.
http://www.in.gov/dnr/
IOWA
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.iowadnr.com/
KANSAS
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us
KENTUCKY
Between the dates of October 1-21 and November 10th - December 31st, crossbows are allowed. When using a crossbow during general firearm deer season, one must follow the same requirements and guidelines. During Muzzle-Loader Season, crossbows are also allowed. Disabled hunters with proper permit may also use a crossbow during archery deer season.
http://fw.ky.gov/
LOUISANA
To all properly permitted hunters, crossbows are allowed for means of hunting any game in season. Fishermen who use a bow and arrow are not permitted to carry broad head arrows unless it is big game season. To use an electric or laser sight, or to use an enhancement device on one's crossbow that amplify night vision, is to break the law. Non-Projecting Red-Dot sights are not included in this and are allowed.
http://www.wlf.state.la.us
MAINE
For those who are 16 and older, the proper licensing is required to hunt bear during its season, or for firearm season when involving deer. Any child who is either a resident or nonresident, and is between the ages of 10 and 16, may game with a crossbow if they have the proper junior licensing.
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/
MARYLAND
Deer are the only game allowed to be hunted by crossbows, unless otherwise permitted by a disabled hunter. For four weeks of archery season and four weeks of gun season, crossbows are permitted.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us
MASSACHUSETTS
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.masswildlife.org
MICHIGAN
Crossbows are legal to use by a person 12 years of age or older during the Nov. 15-30 firearm deer season. Disabled hunters with a permit may use a crossbow during archery season.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/
MINNESOTA
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
MISSISSIPPI
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows, as well as hunters 65 and older.
http://www.mdwfp.com
MISSOURI
Crossbows are allowed during firearm season, as they are classed as a firearm. Hunters who are disabled are allowed to use crossbows during archery season when the proper permit is had.
http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/
MONTANA
The only time allowed to use crossbows is during gun season. There is no arrangement for hunters who are disabled.
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting
NEBRASKA
125 lbs. crossbow, or higher, are permitted to harvest antelope and deer during fire arm season. Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows during archery season.
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us
NEVADA
During the Any Legal Weapon Hunt, crossbows may only be allowed for harvesting big game. Archery hunts are off-limits for crossbows.
The specs for the allowed crossbow is that it must have a minimum draw weight of 125lbs; a minimum draw-length of 14 inches from the front of the bow to the cocking point; a stock that is at least 18 inches long; a positive, mechanical safety mechanism. The specs for the bolts and arrows are that they must be at least 16 inches long and have a broad head attached, and that the broad heads must be at least 7/8th of an inch wide at the widest point; mechanical heads must also be 7/8th of an inch wide at the widest point, but only when in open position.
Sights are only to be powered by a battery that is built within the sight, light-gathering fiber optics, a radioactive isotope such as tritium, or iridescent and/or florescent pain. Sights that cast or project a light beam are prohibited.
It is not allowed to hunt big game mammal with a crossbow during archery only or muzzleloader-only hunts; carry a cocked crossbow that contains an arrow or bolt while in an vehicle while in transit on a highway or public right of way; or hunt wildlife with an arrow or bolt that is poisoned, or contains an electrical device or explosive attached.
http://www.ndow.org/about/pubs/index.shtm#huntreg
NEW HAMPSHIRE
All hunters are allowed to use a crossbow during firearm season as long as they have the proper permit. On Long Island, the same rules apply, as long as one has a deer permit. A crossbow pursuant may be used by disabled hunters as long as they abide by regulations, without having to purchase a crossbow permit. Crossbows are not allowed during the youth deer hunting weekend.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us
NEW JERSEY
Crossbows are not allowed to hunt with in New Jersey. However, if a Disabled Hunter is unable to use a bow, they may be allowed to seek permit to use a crossbow. The hunter may only receive the permit if their need is certified by a licensed New Jersey physician.
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com
NEW MEXICO
Crossbows are legally allowed to harvest for cougar, bear, deer, elk, pronhorn, javelina, Barbary sheep, Persian ibex, oryx, turkey, and bighorn sheep. Disabled hunters are allowed to harvest upland game and waterfowl. Sights may not have light projected, nor may they magnify.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us
NEW YORK
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.dec.state.ny.us
NORTH CAROLINA
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.ncwildlife.org
NORTH DAKOTA
It is illegal to hunt with crossbows, unless a permit is acquired from the Game and Fish director. Contact the Department for further instruction if needed.
http://gf.nd.gov/
OHIO
Crossbows that are between a draw weight of 75lbs. and 200lbs. are allowed for archery, firearms, and muzzle loader seasons.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us
OKLAHOMA
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows, as well as hunters 60 and older. The disabled hunter must be certified by an Oklahoma licensed physician in order to receive their permit. Written evidence of the physician's certification must be on the disabled hunter when harvesting with the crossbow.
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com
OREGON
Crossbows are illegal hunting weapons and not permitted to hunt with in Oregon.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us
PENNSYLVANIA
Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125lbs and a maximum of 200lbs are allowed to hunt bear or elk; deer during any fire arms season; deer in wildlife management units 2b, 5c, and 5d; and Turkey during the spring gobbler season.
http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
RHODE ISLAND
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.dem.ri.gov/
SOUTH CAROLINA
During Archery-Only season, crossbows are not allowed. During the muzzleloader and firearm seasons, however, they are legal. They are also legal for disabled hunters by permit.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/
SOUTH DAKOTA
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows during archery season.
http://www.state.sd.us
TENNESSEE
During firearm and muzzle loader seasons, crossbows are allowed. In addition, disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows during archery season.
http://www.state.tn.us/twra
TEXAS
During General and Eastern-Spring Turkey season, crossbows are allowed. A hunter whose upper body is disabled may use a crossbow during Archery season to harvest deer and turkey. A physician's statement is needed to certify the range of the disability.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us
UTAH
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov
VERMONT
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com
VIRGINIA
It is allowed to use a crossbow for any hunter; however a crossbow license is needed during archery season.
http://www.dgif.state.va.us
WASHINGTON
Disabled hunters with permit are allowed to use crossbows.
http://www.wdfw.wa.gov
WEST VIRGINIA
Those who are permitted with Class Y may hunt with a crossbow during archery season.
http://www.wvdnr.gov/
WISCONSIN
Disabled hunters are allowed to use crossbows, as well as those who are 65 and older, and nonresidents who are under a class A, B, or C permit.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us
WYOMING
It is allowed to use a crossbow during archery season as long as it is at a minimum of 90lbs draw weight, shoot with at least a 16 inch bolt, and is not allowed to be cocked with a leverage gaining device.
http://gf.state.wy.us/
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