REGULATIONS BY STATE
Click the State to go Directly to the States Website
The NCA does the best they can to keep these regulations as accurate as possible, however if you find that any of the regulations listed have changed please don't hesitate to reach out to us. For the most up to date regulations please check the States Website or call them directly.
334-242-3465
The law in Alabama that refers to Crossbow use is 220-2-.03 and basically states that Crossbows can be used for hunting Deer and Turkey as long as they meet certain specifications. For those specifications just click on the State.
907-267-2257
Crossbows are illegal in bow-only areas, but can be used where guns and bows are legal weapons. Legal during archery season for handicapped hunters with an approved Methods and Means Exemption Form.
602-942-3000
Crossbows are legal to hunt all game species in both the muzzleloaders and general hunting seasons. Crossbows may be used in the archery seasons by hunters with disabilities for big game species after obtaining a disability permit from the AZ Game & Fish.
800-364-4263
Crossbows can be used during both Archery and Muzzleloader seasons for Deer and Bear. Crossbows must have at least a 125-pound pull and a mechanical safety. Scopes may be used. Big-game hunters must use arrowheads at least 7/8-inches wide (including mechanicals). Arrows and arrowheads containing firearm ammunition or poison may not be used.
916-445-0411
Crossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons. Also, 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.
303-297-1192
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during firearms seasons and for handicapped hunters during archery season. Accommodation permits are available for those who need them.
860-424-3000
The use of crossbows for hunting deer, turkey, and all other species is permitted during Archery Season.
302-739-9918
Crossbows are legal during all deer seasons. Crossbows may be equipped with a scope. It is unlawful to transport a crossbow on or within any vehicle while the crossbow is in the cocked position. Deer may be hunted with crossbows provided hunter orange is displayed when it is also lawful to hunt deer with a gun. It is Illegal to hunt on Sunday in Delaware FYI.
850-488-3831
Florida has a separate Crossbow season, and in most cases they run at the same times as Archery season.
706-557-3333
Crossbows are considered Archery equipment in Georgia and treated the same as all other bows. They are also considered a Primitive Weapon seasons.
808-587-0166
Crossbows legal by special disabled permit only.
208-334-3700
Crossbows can be used during Short Range Weapons Season as long as their peak draw weight is less than 150 pounds & bolt length is at least 12 inches from broadhead to nock. For other seasons hunters with a physical disability may apply for a Reasonable Modification Permit to use a crossbow or a device that holds a bow at partial or full draw. Application available at Fish and Game regional offices.
217-782-6384
Crossbows can be used during archery season, and on private property during firearms season as long as the following requirements are met, Minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds, Minimum length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches, Has a working safety, and fletched bolts or arrows must be at least 14 inches long (not including point)
317-232-4200
Crossbows can be used during the entire archery season. Crossbows can also be used during the deer reduction zone season; however, to hunt with a crossbow, you must purchase a crossbow license, deer license bundle, bonus antlerless license, resident youth hunt/trap license, or already have a lifetime comprehensive hunting license.
515-281-5918
Crossbows legal for all hunters during the primitive weapons season. 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.
620-672-5911
Crossbows legal for all hunters during big game archery seasons.
800-858-1549
Kentucky has a specific season as it pertains to using a crossbow. The majority of the season goes hand in hand with archery season.
225-765-2350
Crossbows can be used during any Archery Season.
508-389-6300
Crossbows may be used by certain permanently disabled persons by permit only.
508-389-6300
Crossbows may be used by certain permanently disabled persons by permit only.
517-373-1263
Anyone who is 10 years old or older can hunt with a crossbow during any season when a firearm is allowed, for big game or small game, except that hunters in the Upper Peninsula may not use a crossbow during the Dec. 1-Jan. 1 late archery season and Dec. 2-11 muzzleloader season, unless the hunter is disabled. Crossbow use is not allowed in the Red Oak Unit during the archery-only bear season.
888-646-6367
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Also legal for anyone during firearms season and Turkey and Bear seasons.
Legal for 60+ for deer, bear, turkey and rough fish.
601-432-2400
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
573-751-4115
Crossbows have been voted a legal hunting method for all hunters, regardless of age or disability, during fall firearms turkey season as well as the archery deer and turkey seasons.
406-444-2535
Restricted to firearms season or by handicapped users only.
402-471-0641
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
775-688-1500
Restricted to firearms season or by handicapped users only.
603-271-2461
Restricted to firearms season or by handicapped users only.
609-292-2965
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
505-476-8000
Crossbow use is allowed by Certified Mobility Impaired Hunters during all hunts. Crossbows may now be used in "Any Legal Sporting Arm" or Muzzleloader" hunts unless otherwise restricted.
518-402-8924
The law treats crossbows as a muzzleloader. Hunters must possess a muzzleloader hunting privilege to legally hunt with a crossbow during any muzzleloader season OR during open portions of the early bowhunting seasons. There are a bunch more regulations on the DEC website which you can see if you click on "New York".
919-707-0050
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
701-328-6300
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit.
Deer Gun & Youth Deer Seasons–Crossbows are legal during the deer gun season. (see requirements on bow specs)
Muzzleloader Season–Crossbows must: a) have a peak draw weight of 75 pounds and not more than 200 pounds, b) be equipped with a working safety, c) have a stock at least 14 inches, d) use bolts at least 14 inches. No magnification (1X) scopes are legal to use on crossbows during the muzzleloader season.
614-265-6300
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
405-521-3851
Crossbows and conventional bows with draw lock devices are a legal means of hunting whenever conventional bows are allowed.
405-521-3851
Crossbows are illegal.
717-787-4250
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
401-222-6800
The crossbow is no longer classified as a firearm - it is now in the same classification as recurves, compounds and longbows. Crossbows are now Approved for use by all archery hunters during the Archery deer season. The use of crossbow for hunting wild turkey or any wild bird is prohibited by law (RIGL 20-14-7).
803-734-3886
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
605-223-7665
Restricted to firearms season or by handicapped users only.
615-781-6500
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
800-792-1112
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
801-538-4700
A person who has obtained an any weapon permit for a big game hunt may use archery equipment authorized in this section to take the species authorized in the permit, including a crossbow or draw-lok. - Crossbows are legal for handicap hunters during the archery season by permit.
802-241-3700
Hunters who are 50 and older will be allowed to use a crossbow without first obtaining a crossbow disability permit. Crossbows are legal for all hunters, and all species EXCEPT deer. Crossbow deer hunting is legal for handicapped hunters with permit.
804-367-1000
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.
360-902-2200
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during modern firearm seasons. Disabled hunters that qualify may get a special use permit that allows them to use a crossbow during archery or muzzleloader seasons. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds.
304-558-2758
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during modern firearm seasons. Disabled hunters that qualify may get a special use permit that allows them to use a crossbow during archery or muzzleloader seasons. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds.
Legal in all of Archery Season
307-777-4600
Crossbow use allowed by all in archery season.