Skip to content
StringandStock

Guides

Crossbow hunting regulations

The rules change annually and vary by state, so this is a framework for reading yours rather than a list we would have to keep correct.

By Mike M.Updated

String & Stock earns a commission when you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Prices come from Amazon and change; the date beside every price is when we last verified it. Full disclosure.

Burris Oracle X Rangefinding 2-7x from Burris

The short answer

States fall into roughly four groups on crossbows: full inclusion in all archery seasons, inclusion with restrictions such as an age or disability permit or a limited window, restriction to firearms seasons only, and a small number with other arrangements. Check your own state wildlife agency's current regulations each year.

The four categories

CategoryWhat it means for you
Full archery inclusionA crossbow is legal wherever a vertical bow is, for the whole archery season. The simplest case.
Inclusion with restrictionsLegal in archery season subject to a condition: an age threshold, a disability permit, a limited portion of the season, or a specific tag.
Firearms seasons onlyA crossbow is treated as a firearm-season implement rather than an archery one. Your season is shorter and later.
Other arrangementsSpecies-specific rules, zone-specific rules, or rules that differ between public and private land.
Which category your state is in determines when you can hunt, which is the biggest single question.

The eight things to check

  1. Season dates for crossbows specifically. Not the archery dates — the crossbow dates, which may differ.
  2. Whether you need a permit. Several states allow crossbows in archery season only with an age-based or disability permit, each with its own paperwork and thresholds.
  3. Minimum draw weight. Where a state sets one it typically falls between 75 and 125 lb. Every bow on this site exceeds that.
  4. Broadhead rules. Some states specify a minimum cutting diameter or a number of blades for big game. Ramcat's crossbow head is the only one on this site that states it meets regulations in all 50 states.
  5. Electronic sights. Several states regulate or prohibit rangefinding and illuminated electronic scopes. Garmin says so on its own listing. This is a four-figure purchase to get wrong.
  6. Lighted nocks. Prohibited for hunting in some states.
  7. Species-specific rules. Turkey regulations are frequently different from deer regulations in the same state.
  8. Hunter education. Many states require a certificate, and some have crossbow-specific requirements or minimum ages with supervision rules.

Where to get the answer

Your state wildlife agency, in its current published regulations — the printed digest or the equivalent page on its site. Not a forum, not a retailer, and not a blog post from a previous season.

Those five are examples of the kind of source to use rather than a complete list — every state has an equivalent, and yours is the one that governs you.

Why this changes so often

Crossbow access has been expanding across the country for years, and state legislatures and wildlife commissions revisit it regularly. A state that restricted crossbows to firearms seasons five years ago may have opened archery season since, with or without a permit requirement. That churn is why a static table on a website is a liability.

If you hunt across state lines

  1. Check each state separately. Neighbouring states frequently differ.
  2. Check each species separately within each state.
  3. Note that your broadhead may be legal in one and not the other — Ramcat's all-50-states statement is unusually useful here.
  4. Note that your electronic scope may be legal in one and not the other.
  5. Carry the permit paperwork for whichever state requires it.

Equipment choices this affects

  • A rangefinding scope is a thousand-dollar-plus purchase that some states will not let you hunt with. Check first. See rangefinding crossbow scopes.
  • Lighted nocks make low-light recovery far easier and are prohibited in some states. Several bolts on this site ship with them.
  • Broadhead cutting diameter, where a state sets a minimum.
  • Draw weight, which every bow here clears but which is worth confirming.

Frequently asked questions

Are crossbows legal during archery season?
It depends on your state and the rules change. States fall into roughly four groups: full archery inclusion, inclusion with restrictions such as an age or disability permit, firearms seasons only, and other arrangements. Check your own wildlife agency's current regulations each year.
Do I need a permit to hunt with a crossbow?
In several states, yes — typically an age-based or disability permit for use during archery season, each with its own thresholds and paperwork. The application has a lead time, so start it well before the season rather than the week it opens.
What is the minimum crossbow draw weight by state?
Where states set a minimum it typically falls between 75 and 125 pounds, and every bow on this site exceeds it comfortably. Check your own state's figure, because it is the one that binds, and some states specify kinetic energy or broadhead dimensions instead.
Are rangefinding crossbow scopes legal?
Not everywhere. Several states regulate or prohibit electronic sighting devices for hunting, and Garmin states this on its own product listing. Check before buying — these are four-figure purchases to discover you cannot hunt with.
Are lighted nocks legal for crossbow hunting?
In many states, and prohibited in some. They make low-light recovery far easier and several bolts ship with them fitted, so check your state's rules before buying a six-pack.

Sources

Read next

Bohning Tex-Tite Bowstring Wax from Bohning

Guides

Crossbow safety

The four crossbow safety rules that prevent real injuries, plus the hardware that backs them up and the storage rules.

Crossbows sorted by what you can actually cock, carry and shoot quietly.