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Alabama
Crossbows legal for all persons during the entire deer hunting season.
www.outdooralabama.com
334-242-3469
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Alaska
You may use a crossbow in any hunt that does not restrict weapons. "Certified bow hunters only", "bow and arrow only", or "muzzleloader only" hunts or areas specifically exclude other weapons, including crossbows. Scopes and other optical enhancement devices are not permitted.
www.state.ak.us
907-267-2347
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Arizona
Crossbows are legal only by permit for disabled hunters.
www.gf.state.az.us
602-942-3000
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Arkansas
Crossbows must have at least a 125-pound pull and a mechanical safety. Deer, turkey and bear hunters are required to use arrowheads at least 7/8-inch wide. Poison may not be used on arrows. Magnifying sights may be used. Crossbows are not allowed for taking elk.
www.agfc.com
501-223-6300
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California
California states that "a crossbow is not archery equipment and may not be used during the archery season." Except with a Disabled Archer Permit, crossbows may not be used during any archery season or during the general season when using an archery only tag.
www.dfg.ca.gov
916-653-7203
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Colorado
Crossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons and for handicapped hunters during archery season.
www.dnr.state.co.us
303-297-1192
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Connecticut
Crossbows are legal only for disabled hunters by permit.
www.dep.state.ct.us
860-424-3011
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Delaware
2010 - Allows the use of crossbows during all deer seasons. Crossbows used for deer hunting must have a minimum pull weight of 125-pounds, be manufactured after 1980 and have a mechanical safety. 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. Check with state regulations for additional details.
www.dnrec.state.de.us
302-739-5297
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Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed a new rule that will extend zonal crossbow seasons by a month, thereby running concurrently with archery season, beginning July 2011. Starting with the 2011-2012 hunting season, any hunter with a hunting license, deer permit and crossbow permit will be able to get in the woods a month early on private lands and use a crossbow (or a bow) to take deer of either sex. Check state regulations for additional details.
July 28, 2010 - Allows the use of crossbows during all deer seasons. Crossbows used for deer hunting must have a minimum pull weight of 125-pounds, be manufactured after 1980 and have a mechanical safety. 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.
http://myfwc.com
850-488-8573
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Georgia
Crossbows legal in all seasons.
www.gohuntgeorgia.com
770-918-6416
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Hawaii
Crossbows legal by special disabled permit only.
www.hawaii.gov/dlnr
808-973-9787
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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.
www.fishandgame.idaho.gov
800-554-8685
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Illinois
Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters by permit only and hunters over the age of 62 with permits and tag. See state regulations for details.
www.dnr.state.il.us
217-782-7305
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Indiana
Crossbows can now be used during the entire archery season:
- A crossbow means a device for propelling an arrow by means of traverse limbs mounted on a stock and a string and having a working safety that may be drawn, held, and released by a mechanical device. It has to have a mechanical safety and at least 125 lbs pull.
- A deer crossbow license will be required to hunt with a crossbow during the archery season, unless that individual has a valid resident youth hunt/trap, deer license bundle, lifetime comprehensive hunting, or a lifetime comprehensive hunting and fishing license, or is exempt from needing a license.
- A deer crossbow license is good for either one antlerless deer or one antlered deer. The bag limit for the archery season is 2 antlerless deer, or 1 antlered deer and 1 antlerless deer. Hunters are allowed to harvest only one deer per crossbow license.
www.in.gov/dnr
317-232-4080
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Iowa
Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit. Residents 70 and older may purchase a statewide antler less deer license to hunt with a crossbow.
www.iowadnr.com
515-281-8688
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Kansas
Crossbows with a minimum draw weight of 125 will be allowed in regular firearms deer and turkey season. Will allow those 55 and over as well as those with a youth lic. to hunt with a crossbow during the full archery season.
www.kdwp.state.ks.us
316-342-0658
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Kentucky
Crossbows may be used in designated weeks, see state regulations. Hunters using crossbows during a firearms deer season must follow all firearm season restrictions, zone guidelines and hunting requirements in effect during firearms seasons. Crossbows are also permitted during muzzle-loader only season. Disabled hunters with a permit may use a crossbow to hunt deer during the bow-only deer season.
http://fw.ky.gov
800-858-1549
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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.
www.wlf.state.la.us/
225-765-2350
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Maine
A crossbow hunting license is required for hunters 16 years of age or older to hunt bear with a crossbow during the bear hunting season, or to hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer.
A resident or nonresident 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age may hunt with a crossbow if that person holds a valid junior hunting license (no crossbow license required).
www.maine.gov/ifw/
207-287-8000
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Maryland
Crossbows may be used to hunt deer only, with the exception of special crossbow permits for disabled hunters who may pursue all game legal for a vertical bow. All hunters may use crossbows for four weeks of archery season and four weeks of gun season.
www.dnr.state.md.us/
410-260-8540
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Massachusetts
Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit.
www.masswildlife.org
508-792-7270
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Michigan
Crossbow Hunting Regulations Expanded for Hunters Statewide.
Crossbow regulation changes expanding opportunities for hunters ages 10 and up statewide have been approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and are effective immediately, Department of Natural Resources and Environment officials announced. The crossbow regulation changes include the following:
1) Lowering the minimum age for crossbow use from 12 to 10 years of age statewide
2) Expanding the use of crossbows to all legal hunters during all archery and firearm seasons statewide, except in the Upper Peninsula, where crossbow use will remain prohibited during the late archery and muzzle loader seasons, unless the hunter is disabled.
3) Allowing the use of modified bows where crossbows are legal......for full regulations please go to the Michigan DNR link below.
www.michigan.gov/dnr
517-373-1263
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Minnesota
Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit.
www.dnr.state.mn.us
888-minndnr
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Mississippi
Crossbows are permitted for use in the Archery Season on state game land. Check state regulations for details.
home.mdwfp.com
601-432-2400
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Missouri
Crossbows are classified as firearms and are permitted during firearms season. Disabled hunters with a permit may use a crossbow during archery season.
www.mdc.mo.gov
573-751-4115
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Montana
Crossbows are legal only during gun season. No provision for disabled hunters.
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting
406-444-2535
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Nebraska
In Nebraska, crossbows have been allowed as legal equipment during firearm seasons for decades. Starting in 1985, crossbows were allowed during the archery season for those with a permanent disability that prevented them from drawing a bow.
All restrictions on crossbows have been removed, including the disability provision and draw weight. The new regulations allow, starting in 2011, crossbows as legal archery equipment for big game (deer, antelope, elk, turkey, and bighorn sheep).
www.ngpc.state.ne.us
402-471-0641
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Nevada
Crossbows are are legal for all during firearms season.
www.ndow.org/about/pubs/pdf/huntregs/appbro/index.shtm
775-688-1500
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New Hampshire
Crossbows are legal for all hunters with a crossbow hunting permit during firearms season and for all hunters on Long Island with a Long Island deer permit. Disabled hunters may use a crossbow pursuant to disabled hunter regulations without purchasing a crossbow permit. Crossbows are prohibited during the youth hunting weekend for deer.
www.wildlife.state.nh.us
603-271-3422
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New Jersey
On Tuesday, June 16, the New Jersey Fish and Game Council voted on adopting proposed amendments to the 2009 - 2012 Game Code. The Council voted to adopt all the proposed amendments except amendment 29, which proposed boundary changes to Deer Management Zones 19 and 23. The full proposal containing the amendments can be viewed at www.nj.gov/dep/rules/proposals/040609b.pdf on the NJ DEP website.
The most significant amendment adopted expands the definition of "bow" by removing the prohibition on all draw locking and draw holding devices and by including crossbows in the definition. This allows the use of crossbows 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.
www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2009/gamecode09.htm
609-292-2965
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New Mexico
Crossbows are legal sporting arms for cougar, bear, deer, elk, pronghorn, javelina, Barbary sheep, persian ibex, oryx, turkey, and bighorn sheep. Hunters that qualify with a permanent mobility limitation may use crossbows to hunt waterfowl and upland game. Sights on crossbows shall not project light nor magnify.
www.wildlife.state.nm.us
800-862-9310
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New York
Crossbows can be used during the REGULAR firearms seasons in the Northern and Southern Zone, during the LATE muzzleloading and bowhunting seasons, and during the January firearms season in Suffolk County, beginning with the 2011-2012 hunting seasons and continuing until December 31, 2012.
Question: May I use a crossbow during the late bowhunting season?
Answer: Yes. You may use a crossbow during the LATE special seasons (bowhunting and muzzleloading) after the close of the regular season.
See state website for complete listing of regulations.
www.dec.ny.gov
518-402-8924
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North Carolina
Effective August 1, 2010, allows the use of crossbows anytime bow and arrows are legal weapons.
www.ncwildlife.org/fs_index_04_hunting.htm
919-733-7291
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North Dakota
The following regulations will go into effect September 1, 2011:
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.
www.gf.nd.gov
701-328-6300
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Ohio
Crossbows with a draw weight of not less than 75 lbs and no more than 200 lbs. Crossbows are legal arms for archery, firearms and muzzle loader seasons.
www.dnr.state.oh.us/
614-265-6300
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Oklahoma
The CCR removes the bill's existing language and replaces it with language that permits the use of crossbows and conventional longbows with a device that permits the bow to be held mechanically at full or partial draw during any open season when conventional longbows may be used legally.
The CCR also repeals various sections that prohibit the use of crossbows in hunting. Check the state link for full details.
www.wildlifedepartment.com
405-521-2730
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Oregon
Crossbows are illegal.
www.dfw.state.or.us
503-872-5268
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Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Game Commissioners gave final approval to a proposal to legalize crossbows for archery hunting statewide beginning with the 2009-2010 seasons. Magnifying scopes are legal. There is a sunset review scheduled for 2012.
www.pgc.state.pa.us
717-787-4250
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Rhode Island
Crossbows only legal for hunters who posses an official adaptive Aid/Crossbow permit obtained through the DEM division of licensing.
www.dem.ri.gov/
401-222-6647
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South Carolina
Crossbows are now allowed in archery seasons.
www.dnr.sc.gov/
803-734-3886
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South Dakota
Crossbows legal for disabled hunters during archery season.
www.state.sd.us/
605-773-3485
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Tennessee
Crossbows are legal during archery, muzzle loader and firearms season.
www.state.tn.us/twra
615-781-6500
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Texas
Where the open season is designated as "archery," only legal archery equipment/crossbow as specified below may be used.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
512-389-45055
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Utah
Crossbows legal only for disabled hunters by permit.
www.wildlife.utah.gov
801-538-4700
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Vermont
Crossbows may be used by disabled hunters (with permit) for any game that may be taken by bow and arrow.
www.vtfishandwildlife.com
802-241-3700
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Virginia
Crossbows are legal to use by any hunter. A crossbow license is required during an archery season.
www.dgif.state.va.us/
804-367-1000
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Washington
Crossbows approved for use by qualifying archers with disabilities.
http://wdfw.wa.gov
360-902-2519
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West Virginia
Class Y permit holders may hunt with a crossbow in established archery seasons.
www.wvdnr.gov
304-558-2771
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Wisconsin
Crossbows are legal for disabled residents and nonresidents under Class A, B, C or crossbow permit, and residents age 65 and older.
www.dnr.state.wi.us
608-266-2621
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Wyoming
Crossbows are legal during archery seasons, and must have a 90 pound minimum draw weight, shoot a 16 inch bolt and can not be cocked with a leverage-gaining device.
http://gf.state.wy.us
307-777-4600
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Alberta
Crossbows legal for all seasons except archery-only.
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/hunting/reg.html
780-944-0313
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British Columbia
Crossbows legal.
www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/regulations
250-356-9717
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Manitoba
Crossbows legal only during rifle and muzzleloader deer seasons.
www.gov.mb.ca/natres/wildlife/index.html
204-945-0135
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New Brunswick
In New Brunswick crossbows may be used by certified hunters during all hunting seasons except for the deer archery season and for hunting migratory game birds. Proof of having taken bow hunter education training or a previous bow hunting license must be provided at the time of your license purchase.
Crossbow Hunting in New Brunswick
www.gov.nb.ca
506-453-2440
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Newfoundland
Crossbows illegal.
www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlife/default.htm
709-729-2630
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Northwest Territories
Although we can not confirm it in writing, we have been assured by members of Northwest Territories Wildlife Division that crossbow use is legal.
www.nwtwildlife.com/
867-920-8064
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Nova Scotia
Crossbows can only be used to hunt deer during the General Open Season for hunting deer. The crossbow must have a draw weight of 150lbs (68kg) or greater and bolts with heads more than 2.2 cm in diameter. Crossbow hunters must also wear hunter orange.
www.gov.ns.ca/NATR/hunt/regulations/
902-679-6091
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Ontario
Crossbows legal; Minimum 119 pounds for moose and bear, 99 pounds for deer.
www.mnr.gov.on.ca
800-667-1940
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Quebec
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by special authorizations during bow season.
In 2008, most bow hunting seasons were replaced with crossbow and bow hunting seasons. Please consult the table of hunting seasons to find out these new terms and conditions. This new development does not apply to moose hunting in zones 13, 15, 16, 17 and 22 which have retained exclusive bow hunting seasons, except for certain wildlife sanctuaries, zecs and outfitter establishments with exclusive rights of these zones which had already replaced their bow hunting seasons with crossbow and bow hunting seasons.
Except in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24, hunting with a crossbow is always permitted during a firearm, a shotgun or a muzzle-loading firearm hunting period. In order to hunt with a crossbow, a resident must be the holder of a hunter's certificate bearing code A or B. Despite the information appearing on the back of the hunter's certificate, since 2007 code F no longer allows the holder to hunt with a crossbow.
http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/online/wildlife/hunting-regulations/index.asp
418-521-3830
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Saskatchewan
Crossbows legal only during muzzleloader season.
www.environment.gov.sk.ca/
306-787-7200
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Yukon Territories
Crossbows illegal.
www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/
867-667-5221
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