U.S. Crossbow Hunting Regulations
Below is a summary of crossbow hunting regulations in the United States. 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? etcetera). Regulations also change frequently from state to
state. Please contact your local DNR (or equivalent) office or click the link
under your state for the latest information.
ALABAMA
ALASKA
You may use a crossbow in any hunt that does not restrict weapons. "Certified bowhunters
only", "bow and arrow only", or "muzzleloader only" hunts or areas specifically exclude
other weapons, including crossbows. Scopes and other optical enhancement devices are not
permitted.
http://www.state.ak.usARIZONA
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.
http://www.agfc.state.ar.usCALIFORNIA
California states that "a crossbow is not archery equipment and may not be used
during the archery season." Except with a Disabled Archer Permit, crossbows may
not be used during any archery season or during the general season when using an
archery only tag.
http://www.dfg.ca.govCOLORADO
CONNECTICUT
DELAWARE
A crossbow may be substituted for a shotgun from Nov. 11 - 19. Crossbows must
be from 150 to 200 lbs. and manufactured after 1980. May be used during archery
season by disabled hunters with a permit.
http://www.dnrec.state.de.usFLORIDA
Crossbows are prohibited during archery season without a Disabled Person Crossbow
Permit. Crossbows are permitted during other seasons for birds and mammals.
Crossbows are also permitted during the alligator hunting season.
http://myfwc.com/GEORGIA
HAWAII
IDAHO
Crossbows are legal in big game seasons restricted to short-range weapons.
Permitted for use during archery season by disabled persons with a permit.
http://www.fishandgame.idaho.govILLINOIS
INDIANA
Crossbows are legal hunting equipment during the late archery deer season. Deer
hunters may use crossbows to harvest deer of either sex only in the late
archery season.
http://www.in.gov/dnr/IOWA
KANSAS
KENTUCKY
Crossbows may be used from October 1-21 and November 10 – December 31,
2007. 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/LOUISANA
Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters by permit. Residents 60 years of
age and older may use a crossbow without a special permit or license.
http://www.wlf.state.la.usMAINE
A crossbow hunting license is required for hunters 16 years of age or older to
hunt bear with a crossbow during the bear hunting season, or to hunt deer with
a crossbow during the open firearm season on deer.
A resident or nonresident 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age may
hunt with a crossbow if that person holds a valid junior hunting license (no
crossbow license required).
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/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.
All hunters may use crossbows for four weeks of archery season and four weeks of
gun season.
http://www.dnr.state.md.usMASSACHUSETTS
MICHIGAN
Crossbows are legal to use by a person 12 years of age or older during the Nov.
15-30 firearm deer season. Disabled hunters with a permit may use a crossbow
during archery season.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/MINNESOTA
MISSISSIPPI
Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit and hunters 65 and
older.
http://www.mdwfp.comMISSOURI
Crossbows are classified as firearms and are permitted during firearms season.
Disabled hunters with a permit may use a crossbow during archery season.
http://www.mdc.mo.gov/hunt/MONTANA
NEBRASKA
Crossbows with a draw weight of 125lbs or more are legal to hunt deer and antelope
during the firearms season. Disabled hunters with a permit may use a crossbow
during archery season.
http://www.ngpc.state.ne.usNEVADA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Crossbows are legal for all hunters with a crossbow hunting permit during firearms
season and for all hunters on Long Island with a Long Island deer permit. Disabled
hunters may use a crossbow pursuant to disabled hunter regulations without
purchasing a crossbow permit. Crossbows are prohibited during the youth hunting
weekend for deer.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.usNEW JERSEY
Crossbows are prohibited, but a crossbow permit may be issued to a disabled hunter
who cannot use a conventional bow as described in the game code. This permit is
issued only if the need to use a crossbow is certified by a licensed and certified
New Jersey physician.
http://www.njfishandwildlife.comNEW MEXICO
Crossbows are legal sporting arms for cougar, bear, deer, elk, pronhorn, 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. Sights on crossbows shall not project light nor magnify.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.usNEW YORK
A Modified Crossbow Permit may be issued to permanently disabled individuals whose
disability is so severe that they are physically unable to operate a mechanical
device attached to a regular bow.
http://www.dec.state.ny.usNORTH CAROLINA
NORTH DAKOTA
Crossbows are not legal, except with a permit from the Game and Fish director. Contact
the Department for additional information on crossbow regulations.
http://gf.nd.gov/OHIO
Crossbows with a draw weight of not less than 75 lbs and no more than 200 lbs are legal
arms for archery firearms and muzzleloader seasons.
http://www.dnr.state.oh.usOKLAHOMA
Hunters who have a permanent disability to the extent that they cannot use a
conventional longbow, as certified by a physician licensed to practice in
Oklahoma or bordering state, may hunt with a crossbow. A person who qualifies
to use a crossbow shall have in their possession while in the field written
evidence of such certification signed by the physician.
http://www.wildlifedepartment.comOREGON
PENNSYLVANIA
With a crossbow of not less than 125 pounds and not more than 200 pounds, it is
lawful to take:
- Bear or elk
- Deer during any firearms season for deer
- Deer in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D
- Turkey during the spring gobbler season
http://www.pgc.state.pa.usRHODE ISLAND
Crossbows only legal for hunters who posses an official adaptive Aid/Crossbow
permit obtained through the DEM division of licensing.
http://www.dem.ri.gov/SOUTH CAROLINA
Crossbows are illegal during archery-only season. Crossbows are legal during
firearms and muzzleloader seasons; legal for disabled hunters by permit.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/SOUTH DAKOTA
TENNESSEE
Crossbows are legal during muzzleloader and firearms season. Crossbows are also legal
for disabled hunters during archery season by permit only.
http://www.state.tn.us/twraTEXAS
Crossbows are legal during a general open season or Eastern spring turkey season.
Telescopic sights are lawful. Only a person with an upper-limb disability may use
a crossbow to hunt deer and turkey during the Archery Only Open Season. Disabled
hunters must have in their possession a physician's statement certifying the extent
of the disability.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.usUTAH
VERMONT
VIRGINIA
WASHINGTON
WEST VIRGINIA
WISCONSIN
Crossbows are legal for disabled residents and nonresidents under Class A, B, C or
crossbow permit, and residents age 65 and older.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.usWYOMING
Crossbows are legal during archery seasons, and must have a 90 pound minimum draw
weight, shoot a 16 inch bolt and can not be cocked with a leverage-gaining device.
http://gf.state.wy.us/ 
