does your state allow cross bows?

Wisconsin does in bow season but you have to be over 65 or have an injury that affects your ability to use a bow and you must have a permit for it.
 
During bow season in Idaho you can use one if your handi-capped to an extent you can't use a standard or compound bow and your doctor fills out a Fish and Game form attesting to that. I had open heart surgery and cannot pull a standard or compound bow and got the permit. Now just to take it hunting.
 
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British Columbia - Allowed in archery season, as they do the same basic priciples, just 90 degrees off kilter.



Packing around a crossbow with a smaller bolt, that does not need to be pulled up on the shot, and does not require much shooting or skill to use is different than a bow. I do not see how a crossbow is teh same thing as a bow. Thats like saying a modern center fire rifle is the same as a muzzle loader.

CO allows them during hte rifle season with certain minimums, but not during the archery season.
 
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In Tennessee they are legal to use during archery season - no age or handicapped restrictions.



correct, except they can be used season long(ie: during Muzzle loader and rifle seasons)

This has been this way for I believe the 3rd year now.

Our hunting regulations books are full of crossbow ads now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
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No crossbow for me, here's why.
Maine requires a license, cost R=$25 NR=$48 and....

Crossbow Hunting License: A crossbow hunting license permits persons 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).

A crossbow may not be used to hunt deer during the archery season on deer, muzzleloading season on deer, or the expanded archery season on deer.
 
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British Columbia - Allowed in archery season, as they do the same basic priciples, just 90 degrees off kilter.



Packing around a crossbow with a smaller bolt, that does not need to be pulled up on the shot, and does not require much shooting or skill to use is different than a bow. I do not see how a crossbow is teh same thing as a bow.




I am not going to get into this debat, as I know everyone has their own opinion......What I am saying is the mechaincs are the same...A string propels a stick with a broadhead on it, and an ethical hunter stays within the range limits that a compound shooter would (myself its about 45 yards).....

I took up a crossbow because 3 years ago I suffered a major shoulder injury and was unable to pull my Hoyt.....I am not considered handicapped, but it still gives me the ability to bow hunt for elk, which is one of my passions......

Whether you feel it is an advantage or not, I feel that if it gets more people out during archery season, enjoying their passion, why not???? If it was not an option, maybe some people would not be out hunting ($ for licences or tags) or may give up hunting all together.....I feel that anything that encourages participation is a good thing.....
 
PA does in three counties. There working on a law to make it legal across the state. Pa. has issued 60,000 handicap crossbow permits allready. Since hunting license has dropped 25% in the last few year they are looking for ways to get more hunters in the field. License sales is expected to drop another 10% in the comming years. They are also looking to allow Sunday hunting.
 
Can't use them for game animals in oregon i use mine to hunt urban coyotes.
My compound bows have sights to 60yrds my cross bow has sights to 30 yrds.
 
Illinois---

Allowed only if you are physically impaired, or you have reached your 62'nd birthday.

Why 62? No idea... probably some 61 year old bureaucrat last year wanted to use one this year... just guessing. At least the bureaucrat gets out there and hunts!
 
Wyoming allows crossbows during the archery season and any regular season. I believe the only stipulation is that you have to manually cock it and can not use a lever and a the draw weight must be a certain amount. Surprised by some of the responses to this thread. The effective range of a crossbow is no more than the compound bow I shoot. Some of the attitudes expressed are at odds with what we as hunters try to accomplish which is the humane harvesting of animals. Cutting lines and saying crossbows are bad is like me telling you that the AR-15 requires little or no skill to use compared to a Ruger number 1 I may choose. Let's remain a team here.
 
Ohio allows them, all season long and they are legal for any game other the waterfowl. there are restrictions on them but its not anything major, most crossbows full within the regs.

Heres the Ohio Regs I could find in a hurry.
Unless otherwise indicated, game may be taken with longbow, crossbow, or any caliber handgun, rifle, shotgun (10 gauge or smaller), or airgun. Be safe and choose the appropriate method for the species.

Longbows and crossbows may be used to take legal game. However, crossbows may not be used to hunt migratory game birds. Longbow hunters may use a hand-held mechanical release. Crossbows may be cocked with a device, but must have a working safety and a stock more than 25 inches long.

Arrows for longbow and crossbow must be tipped with a broadhead not less than 3/4 inch wide while hunting deer or turkey. The arrow tip must have a minimum of two cutting edges which may be exposed or unexposed.

It is unlawful to hunt deer or turkey with a longbow having a draw weight of less than 40 pounds, or with a crossbow having a draw weight of less than 75 pounds or more than 200 pounds.

Poisoned or explosive arrows are unlawful. While hunting, it is unlawful to have attached to a longbow or crossbow any mechanical, electrical, or electronic device capable of projecting a beam of light.

taken from this site
http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/hunting_general.aspx
 
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