We can all see there are many different posts from many different states. I was just wondering if anyone has seen or heard of a list of those states which allow crossbows - whether full inclusion or restricted dates - during any hunting season - deer, elk, bear, moose, whatever? Does anyone know of a CB association in Northern Illinois - I'll join in a heartbeat. :cigar:
TerryBrenner
This is the last I know of, could haved changed. Here ia a link to check it out.
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/
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/
arkansas.... sept.15-feb28 ... bait um , kill um , skin um , eat um.. bucks , does, fawns, Game and Fish says get um all...
Hey folks, I just went state by state and updated the info on who has what. I've made a list that has 24 states that currently allow use of crossbows in seasons other than just during the gun season, other than just disabled or elderly people. If I'm wrong, please point it out so that i can correct it. I want us to all have an up to date list to go to. many of the lists out there are from a few years ago so lets keep this updated for all of us.
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Currently (as of 2/14/2013) there are 24 states that allow Crossbows as full inclusion to the archery season. Some of the states may not have the equal number of days as Archery, but do have some type of Crossbow season other than Disabled and age discrimination
Alabama Crossbows legal for all persons during the entire deer hunting season.
www.outdooralabama.com
334-242-3469
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
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.
www.dnrec.state.de.us
302-739-5297
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.
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.
http://myfwc.com
850-488-8573
Georgia
Crossbows legal in all seasons.
www.gohuntgeorgia.com
770-918-6416
Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn recently signed legislation allowing expanded use of crossbows during the Illinois archery deer and fall archery wild turkey hunting seasons. It is allowed after Thanksgiving through end of season.
www.dnr.state.il.us
217-782-7305
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. www.in.gov/dnr
317-232-4080
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
Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission now has the ability to establish a bow and arrow and crossbow season in special deer hunting seasons.
www.wlf.state.la.us/
225-765-2350
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.
www.dnr.state.md.us/
410-260-8540
Michigan
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.
www.michigan.gov/dnr
517-373-1263
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
Nebraska
In Nebraska, crossbows have been allowed as legal equipment during firearm seasons for decades.
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
New Jersey
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
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.
www.wildlife.state.nm.us
800-862-9310
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
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
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
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
South Carolina
Crossbows are now allowed in archery seasons.
www.dnr.sc.gov/
803-734-3886
Tennessee
Crossbows are legal during archery, muzzle loader and firearms season.
www.state.tn.us/twra
615-781-6500
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
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
Wyoming
Crossbows are legal during archery seasons, and must have a 90 pound minimum draw weight, shoot a 16 inch bolt and cannot be cocked with a leverage-gaining device.
http://gf.state.wy.us
307-777-4600
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Crossbow Hunting Allowed
Currently (as of 2/14/2013) there are 24 states that allow Crossbows as full inclusion to the archery season. Some of the states may not have the equal number of days as Archery, but do have some type of Crossbow season other than Disabled and age discrimination
Alabama Crossbows legal for all persons during the entire deer hunting season.
www.outdooralabama.com
334-242-3469
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
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.
www.dnrec.state.de.us
302-739-5297
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.
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.
http://myfwc.com
850-488-8573
Georgia
Crossbows legal in all seasons.
www.gohuntgeorgia.com
770-918-6416
Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn recently signed legislation allowing expanded use of crossbows during the Illinois archery deer and fall archery wild turkey hunting seasons. It is allowed after Thanksgiving through end of season.
www.dnr.state.il.us
217-782-7305
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. www.in.gov/dnr
317-232-4080
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
Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission now has the ability to establish a bow and arrow and crossbow season in special deer hunting seasons.
www.wlf.state.la.us/
225-765-2350
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.
www.dnr.state.md.us/
410-260-8540
Michigan
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.
www.michigan.gov/dnr
517-373-1263
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
Nebraska
In Nebraska, crossbows have been allowed as legal equipment during firearm seasons for decades.
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
New Jersey
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
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.
www.wildlife.state.nm.us
800-862-9310
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
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
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
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
South Carolina
Crossbows are now allowed in archery seasons.
www.dnr.sc.gov/
803-734-3886
Tennessee
Crossbows are legal during archery, muzzle loader and firearms season.
www.state.tn.us/twra
615-781-6500
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
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
Wyoming
Crossbows are legal during archery seasons, and must have a 90 pound minimum draw weight, shoot a 16 inch bolt and cannot be cocked with a leverage-gaining device.
http://gf.state.wy.us
307-777-4600
"The cannot be cocked with a leverage-gaining device" quote for Wyomings regulations is incorrect. That was taken out of the Wyoming regulations a couple of years ago and is no longer present in any Wyoming Game & Fish Department regulations. You can use whatever crank type cocking device you desire and no medical certificate is needed.
I like XD comments...its called a AT-4...anti tank, anti building warhead...lol.....XD cracked me up...and you cant shoot the AT-4 in a building....yet...lol
CT allows them in zones 11 and 12 during the late January season. We are awaiting the outcome of a formal meeting a few months ago in regards to full inclusion, rumor has it that it will pass but we have to wait until June to find out. I am also looking into hunting RI since they have full inclusion and it's only an hour away.
If you go on tenpoint's website, click on the link "hunters den", scroll down to crossbow seasons and regulations. click on that and you will see a color coded map of the United States, click on that and you will see a very recently updated map of showing state regulations. Even since this update, there has been more state activity, Iowa, Ct.. There is so much recent activity in different states, it is difficult to stay on top of.
Hope this helps out.
Hope this helps out.
Here in Ohio , we can hunt from Sept 28 to Feb 2nd xbows, hunt during gun season, as long as we wear the orange like the gun shooters. But I will stay home during gun season --smiling !!!
I recently joined Crossbow nation to comment on a forum, I now can't locate. Anywho, there was a question about scopes on crossbows in Colorado. The consensus on this forum was "Scopes on crossbow in Colorado were illegal. By going to Colorado DNR website and downloading their PDF file of regulations for 2013, I quickly found that scopes on crossbows are not illegal. However, the only restriction I found was that they, crossbows, are only legal for rifle season.
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