U.S. Crossbow Hunting Regulations
U.S. Crossbow Hunting Regulations
Updated: 06/23/2009
Below is a summary of crossbow hunting regulations in the United States. Although we believe this information is accurate and current, this page is intended as a quick reference, and as such there may be details about regulations in your state that are not mentioned here (e.g. are scopes legal? can I use a crank? etc.). Regulations can and do change frequently from state to state. Please contact your state agency or visit the DNR links below to verify all the regulations you must follow. This summary page SHOULD NOT be considered official legal advice and it may contain errors or omissions for which Hunter's Friend LLC will not be held responsible.
Alabama
Crossbows legal for all persons during the entire deer hunting season.
www.outdooralabama.com
334-242-3469
334-242-3469
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
907-267-2347
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
602-942-3000
Arkansas
Crossbows legal during archery seasons; must have minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and mechanical safety.
http://www.agfc.com/hunting/genregs/hunt-equipment.aspx
501-223-6300
501-223-6300
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
916-653-7203
Colorado
Crossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons and for handicapped hunters during archery season.
www.dnr.state.co.us
303-297-1192
303-297-1192
Connecticut
Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.dep.state.ct.us
860-424-3011
860-424-3011
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
302-739-5297
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
850-488-8573
Georgia
Crossbows legal in all seasons starting 2003.
www.gohuntgeorgia.com
770-918-6416
770-918-6416
Hawaii
Crossbows legal by special disabled permit only.
www.hawaii.gov/dlnr
808-973-9787
808-973-9787
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
800-554-8685
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.
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/Digest/
217-782-7305
217-782-7305
Indiana
Crossbows legal only in late archery season and only for antler less deer.
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3188.htm
317-232-4080
317-232-4080
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
515-281-8688
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
316-342-0658
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
800-858-1549
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
225-765-2350