Crossbow Regulations - United States

(For information on international regulations, click here)

Below is a summary of crossbow hunting regulations in the United States. The primary goal here is to answer the question of whether hunting with a crossbow is legal in your state. Regulations vary quite a bit from state to state and contain many details that may not be mentioned here. Some states below have more information than others because either a) we found the extra information to be especially noteworthy, or b) because we've found significantly contradictory (and inaccurate) information commonly posted on other websites and want to provide our customers with the best and most accurate information available.

While we do make every effort to keep this information up to date (by actually researching the laws themselves rather than copying someone else's online interpretation of them), regulations do change often and at different intervals, so please be sure to contact your state's DNR (or equivalent) through the link by your state for the latest and complete information. Many states also publish handbooks that you can obtain from your local DNR office or from licensing agents.

ALABAMA

Crossbows are legal for all persons during the entire deer-hunting season.
http://www.outdooralabama.com

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.us

ARIZONA

Crossbows are legal only by permit for disabled hunters.
http://www.gf.state.az.us

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.us

CALIFORNIA

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.gov

COLORADO

Crossbows are permitted except during archery seasons without disabled permit.
http://www.dnr.state.co.us

CONNECTICUT

Crossbows are legal only for disabled hunters by permit.
http://www.dep.state.ct.us

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.us

FLORIDA

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

Crossbows (scopes legal) are allowed for hunting feral hog and any game except waterfowl.
http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com

HAWAII

Crossbows are legal by special disabled permit only.
http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr

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.gov

ILLINOIS

Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters by permit only.
http://www.dnr.state.il.us

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

Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit.
http://www.iowadnr.com/

KANSAS

Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit.
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us

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

New Bow & Arrow Regulations: Crossbows are now a legal means of take for all properly licensed hunters. Bow and arrow fishermen must have a sport fishing license and not carry any arrows with broadhead points unless a big game season is in progress.
It is unlawful to hunt with a bow or crossbow fitted with an infrared, laser sight, electrically operated sight or device specifically designed to enhance vision at night (does NOT include non-projecting red dot sights; RS 56:116.1.(a)(3)).
http://www.wlf.state.la.us

MAINE

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.us

MASSACHUSETTS

Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit.
http://www.masswildlife.org

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

Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us

MISSISSIPPI

Crossbows are permitted for disabled hunters with permit and hunters 65 and older.
http://www.mdwfp.com

MISSOURI

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

Crossbows are legal only during gun season. No provision for disabled hunters.
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting

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.us

NEVADA

Crossbows may only be used for hunting big game during an “Any Legal Weapon” hunt. Crossbows are not allowed for archery hunts. Crossbow must have:

A minimum draw weight of 125 pounds
A minimum draw length of 14 inches from the front of the bow to the nocking point
A stock that is at least 18 inches long
A positive mechanical safety mechanism

Crossbow arrows/bolts:

Must be at least 16 inches long and have a broadhead attached.
Broadheads: Fixed broadheads must be at least 7/8th inch wide at the widest point; mechanical heads must be at least 7/8th inch wide at the widest point when in the open position.

Sights may be illuminated or powered by: A battery contained within the sight, light-gathering fiber optics, a radioactive isotope such as tritium, or iridescent or fluorescent paint. A sight capable of casting or projecting a beam of light from the sight to the game animal is prohibited.
It is unlawful to:

Hunt a big game mammal with a crossbow during either an ‘archery-only’ or a ‘muzzleloader-only’ hunt.
Carry a cocked crossbow containing an arrow or a bolt while in or on any motorized vehicle while the vehicle is on a public highway or other public right-of-way. (Exceptions noted in Nevada Hunting Regulations Booklet)
Hunt any wildlife with an arrow or bolt that has any chemical, explosive or electronic device attached

http://www.ndow.org/about/pubs/index.shtm#huntreg

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.us

NEW 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.com

NEW 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.us

NEW 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.us

NORTH CAROLINA

Crossbows legal only for disabled hunters by permit.
http://www.ncwildlife.org

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.us

OKLAHOMA

Residents of Oklahoma who are 60 years of age or older may use a crossbow. In addition, 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 disabled 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.com

OREGON

Crossbows are not legal hunting weapons in Oregon.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us

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.us

RHODE 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

Crossbows legal for disabled hunters during archery season.
http://www.state.sd.us

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/twra

TEXAS

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.us

UTAH

Crossbows legal only for disabled hunters by permit.
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov

VERMONT

Crossbows may be used by disabled hunters (with permit) for any game that may be taken by bow and arrow.
http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com

VIRGINIA

Crossbows are legal to use by any hunter. A crossbow license is required during an archery season.
http://www.dgif.state.va.us

WASHINGTON

Crossbows approved for use by qualifying archers with disabilities.
http://www.wdfw.wa.gov

WEST VIRGINIA

Class Y permit holders may hunt with a crossbow in established archery seasons.
http://www.wvdnr.gov/

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.us

WYOMING

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/

We welcome you to help us keep this page one of the best crossbow resources for hunters on the Internet. If you know any of the above information to be incorrect, please contact us and let us know which regulation is incorrect, and cite your source for the new information. If our researchers verify it, we will include it on this page. Please do not contact us to add additional details to a currently accurate section. Again, this page is merely a quick reference guide and we are aware that the sections do not list the full text of the law.