Region Specific Crossbow Regulations

Pending Legislation

Florida

February 8, 2010 - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering allowing the use of crossbows during archery season.  The proposed change would mean hunters could use crossbows if they wish, or they could continue to use vertical bows.  These changes are being considered as a way to encourage greater participation in the archery season and may help increase overall participation in deer hunting, benefitting hunter recruitment and retention.  Allowing the use of crossbows during archery season may also help younger and older hunters who may be unable to use vertical bows.

Crossbows During Archery Season

New York

There are three issues currently in the New York State Legislature dealing with crossbows. They are proposing to significantly liberalize the definition of a permanent handicap as it relates to crossbow use, allowing anyone over the age of 65 and permanently disabled to use crossbows in archery seasons, and directing the Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate standards authorizing hunting with a crossbow by July 1, 2011. Click on link below to view each of the bills.

New York crossbow bills

Connecticut

There is a Notice of Intent to Amend Regulations in regards to crossbow use on some private lands during the January archery deer season and removing interview requirements for crossbow disability permits.

CT Notice of Intent to Amend Regulations and Notice of Public Hearing

Indiana

Allow a person to hunt deer and turkey with a crossbow during the same season that a person may hunt deer and turkey with a shotgun or rifle.

Indiana Legislation

Approved Legislation

Delaware (2010)

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.

North Carolina (2010)

July 23, 2010 - Effective August 1, 2010, allows the use of crossbows anytime bow and arrows are legal weapons.

Nova Scotia (2010)

June 23, 2010 - Now allows the use of crossbows in all hunting situations where conventional bows may be used, except the special open season for bowhunting deer.  Also allows the use of camouflage orange garments while hunting (in addition to blaze orange).

Oklahoma (2010)

June 10, 2010 - Effective July 1, 2010, crossbows will become a legal means of hunting during any archery season in Oklahoma.

The approved bill (SB 1594) states:

 "The use of crossbows and conventional longbows with a device that permits the bow to be held mechanically at full or partial draw, shall be a legal hunting method during any open season when conventional longbows are a legal means of take."

Mississippi (2010)

May 19, 2010 - The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) Commissioners voted to approve Public Notice of Intent Number W12 3174(I).  This approval applies to all Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the State, unless otherwise stated in individual WMA regulations.

The legal definition changes include:

Primitive Weapons:  Primitive weapons are those defined by Public Notice LE-2280 and Archery Equipment.

Archery Equipment:  Longbows, recurves, compounds, and crossbows are legal archery equipment.

New Jersey (2009)

The New Jersey Fish and Game Council has approved 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.

Texas (2009)

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

Michigan (2009)

Crossbows may now be used:

* By anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting deer season statewide.

* By any hunter age 12 and older during any hunting season in Zone 3 of southern Michigan, including the bow hunting season.

* During any season in which a firearm may be used, for both big and small game statewide.

* Crossbows used for hunting are restricted to no more than 350 feet per second.

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.

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.

For more information on hunting opportunities in Michigan, visit the DNR’s Web site at: www.michigan.gov/dnr.

North Carolina (2009)

The Continuing Crossbow Permit for Dealers & Manufacturers issue was approved & signed on March 19, 2009.

Pennsylvania (2009)

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.

South Carolina (2008)

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

Louisiana (2008)

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.

Illinois (2008)

Hunters 62 years of age and older are now permitted to use a crossbow without a special permit.

Kansas (2008)

Crossbows of at least 125 pounds draw weight will be allowed during the regular firearms deer and turkey seasons.

Maryland (2008)

Crossbows legal during the entire bow season in the Suburban Deer Archery Zone (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties).

Oklahoma (2008)

Hunters 60 years of age and older are now permitted to use a crossbow.

Quebec (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.

Nova Scotia (2008)

Crossbows can be used to hunt deer only during the General Open Season for hunting deer.