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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
Crossbows are illegal in bow-only areas, but can be used where guns and bows are legal weapons. No provision for handicapped hunters.
www.adfg.state.ak.us
907-267-2347
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Arizona
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters on a very restrictive permit basis, or for anyone during general firearms seasons.
www.azgfd.com
602-942-3000
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Arkansas
Crossbows legal during archery seasons; must have minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and mechanical safety.
www.agfc.state.ar.us/
501-223-6300
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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."
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 legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.dep.state.ct.us
860-424-3011
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Delaware
Crossbows legal Monday through Saturday of November shotgun season and during any gun season in December or January.
www.dnrec.state.de.us
302-739-5297
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Florida
Crossbows are now legal in the Central zone (October 20-24, 2008), South zone (October 6-10, 2008), and in the Northwest Zone, the crossbow season will be seven days long and will open the Monday following Thanksgiving (December 1-7, 2008). Click on the Florida link below for additional crossbow information. Crossbows also legal for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.floridaconservation.org/
850-488-8573
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Georgia
Crossbows legal in all seasons starting 2003.
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
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:
1) Shall have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds and a maximum peak draw weight of 200 pounds.
2) Shall have a minimum limb width of 24 inches and a minimum overall length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches.
3) Shall have a working safety.
4) 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.
www.dnr.state.il.us
217-782-7305
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Indiana
Crossbows legal only in late archery season and only for antler less deer.
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5330.htm
317-232-4080
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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.
www.iowadnr.com
515-281-8688
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Kansas
Beginning in 2008 - Crossbows of at least 125 pounds draw weight will be allowed during the regular firearms deer and turkey seasons.
Crossbows and draw locks legal for permanently disabled hunters by permit.
www.kdwp.state.ks.us
316-342-0658
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Kentucky
Crossbows legal for all hunters during rifle and muzzleloader seasons. Legal in archery season for handicapped hunters. Crossbows legal for deer statewide October 1-19 and November 8-December 31, 2008.
*Proposed regulation for crossbow use for Elk - to be updated when dates published.
www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/
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
Effective January 1, 2006, with a valid crossbow hunting license, a person may hunt bear with a crossbow during the open season on bear and may hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer. The crossbow hunting license may not be used to hunt deer during the archery season, muzzle loading season, or expanded archery season. Crossbows are still permitted otherwise for disabled hunters. A person who applies for the crossbow hunting license, other than a junior hunting license, must submit proof of having successfully completing an archery hunting education course and a crossbow hunting course or evidence of having previously held adult archery and crossbow hunting licenses issued specifically for the purpose of hunting with a crossbow or bow and arrow in this State or any other state, province or country in any year after 1979. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/hunting/
207-287-8000
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Maryland
Crossbows legal during the entire bow season in the Suburban Deer Archery Zone (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties). Age 65 and over legal throughout Archery season.
To be updated: *Crossbows are legal for all hunters during the October 1- October 15, 2007 and January 15-31, 2008 segments of the Deer Bow Season and all regular gun seasons and muzzleloader seasons.
www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide
410-260-8540
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Massachusetts
Crossbows for handicap with permit.
www.masswildlife.org
508-792-7270
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Michigan
Crossbows may now be used:
1) ? By anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting deer season statewide.
2) ? By any hunter age 12 and older during any hunting season in Zone 3 of southern Michigan, including the bow hunting season.
3) ? During any season in which a firearm may be used, for both big and small game statewide.
4) ? Crossbows used for hunting are restricted to no more than 350 feet per second.
5) Under the new regulations, 10 and 11 year-old hunters may not use a crossbow. Youth hunters must be at least 12 to use a crossbow.
6) A crossbow stamp will be required in addition to hunting licenses for those using crossbows. Stamps will be available at all license retailers starting March 15. The stamp, which is free, will help the DNR monitor and survey crossbow hunters over the next three years.
www.michigan.gov/dnr
517-373-1263
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Minnesota
Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.dnr.state.mn.us
888-minndnr
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Mississippi
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters with permit, hunters 65 and older, and during primitive weapon and deer gun seasons.
home.mdwfp.com
601-432-2400
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Missouri
Crossbows for handicapped archers by permit and during firearms season.
www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/
573-751-4115
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Montana
Crossbows legal only during gun seasons. No provision for handicapped hunters.
www.fwp.state.mt.us
406-444-2535
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Nebraska
Crossbows legal during deer and pronghorn firearms season and for handicapped hunters by permit during archery season.
www.ngpc.state.ne.us
402-471-0641
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Nevada
Legal for all hunters in firearms season.
www.ndow.org/
775-688-1500
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New Hampshire
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Legal for all hunters in firearms season. Legal for all hunters on Long Island with Long Island Deer Permit.
www.wildlife.state.nh.us
603-271-3422
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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.
www.njfishandwildlife.com
609-292-2965
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New Mexico
Crossbow use is allowed by Certified Mobility Impaired Hunters during all hunts.
www.wildlife.state.nm.us
800-862-9310
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New York
Crossbows illegal.
www.dec.ny.gov
518-402-8924
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North Carolina
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit.
In March 2009 the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission adopted the proposal to allow the use of crossbows, without permit, anytime bow and arrows are legal weapons, but on April 21, 2009 the North Carolina Rules Review Commission has referred a number of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s proposed rules changes to the General Assembly, due to written opposition. This action is required under state law. As a result, these rules changes will not be implemented until reviewed by the Legislature next year. Legislators have 30 days from the start of the next session to propose a bill disapproving the rule. If no bill is proposed, the rule automatically goes into effect.
www.ncwildlife.org
919-733-7291
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North Dakota
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.gf.nd.gov
701-328-6300
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Ohio
Crossbows legal during archery season; Draw weight must not be less than 75 pounds and no more than 200 pounds.
www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/default.htm
614-265-6300
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Oklahoma
Crossbows legal for age 60 and over.
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Hunters with a permanent disability which prevents use of a conventional bow with a physician's certification. Crossbow must be a minimum draw weight of 100 pounds and equipped with safety devices. Crossbows may not be transported in a motorized vehicle unless uncocked or disassembled.
www.wildlifedepartment.com
405-521-2730
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Oregon
Crossbows illegal.
www.dfw.state.or.us
503-872-5268
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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.
*The use of magnified scopes was approved on April 21, 2009.
www.pgc.state.pa.us
717-787-4250
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Rhode Island
Crossbows only legal for hunters who possess an official Adaptive Aid/Crossbow Permit obtained through the DEM Division of Licensing. Crossbows must be a minimum draw weight of 150-pounds and 24-inches wide.
www.dem.ri.gov/pubs/regs/index.htm
401-222-6647
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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.”
www.dnr.state.sc.us
803-734-3886
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South Dakota
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters during archery season.
www.sdgfp.info/index.htm
605-773-3485
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Tennessee
The use of crossbows is now permitted during all seasons including the regular archery season.
www.state.tn.us/twra
615-781-6500
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Texas
Full-inclusion of crossbows in archery seasons except Grayson County.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
512-389-45055
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Utah
Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.wildlife.utah.gov
801-538-4700
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Vermont
Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.vtfishandwildlife.com
802-241-3700
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Virginia
At the June 23, 2005, meeting of the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries the Board approved the use of crossbows for hunting during the upcoming fall hunting season. Previously, only disabled hunters could hunt with crossbows. For more specific crossbow information click on the following link:
www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/
804-367-1000
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Washington
Crossbows approved (effective 5/5/04) for use by qualifying archers with disabilities.
http://wdfw.wa.gov
360-902-2519
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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.
www.wvdnr.gov
304-558-2771
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Wisconsin
Crossbows are not legal to use except by disabled hunters issued a Class A, B, or Crossbow permit; resident hunters 65 years of age or older issued a valid archery hunting license.
www.dnr.state.wi.us
608-266-2621
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Wyoming
Crossbows legal during archery seasons; Must have 90 pound minimum draw weight and shoot a minimum 16-inch bolt.
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
Crossbows illegal.
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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