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 717-787-4250

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 401-222-6647

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 803-734-3886

South Dakota

Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters during archery season.
www.sdgfp.info/index.htm
605-773-3485 605-773-3485

Tennessee

The use of crossbows is now permitted during all seasons including the regular archery season.
www.state.tn.us/twra
615-781-6500 615-781-6500

Texas

Full-inclusion of crossbows in archery seasons except Grayson County.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
512-389-45055

Utah

Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.wildlife.utah.gov
801-538-4700 801-538-4700

Vermont

Crossbows legal only for handicapped hunters by permit.
www.vtfishandwildlife.com
802-241-3700 802-241-3700

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:
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/
804-367-1000 804-367-1000

Washington

Crossbows approved (effective 5/5/04) for use by qualifying archers with disabilities.
http://wdfw.wa.gov
360-902-2519 360-902-2519

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 304-558-2771

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 608-266-2621

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 307-777-4600