Field Notes from the CrossbowHunting.org Community
Oregon does not recognize crossbows as legal archery equipment. Bowhunting seasons are limited to long, recurve and compound bows with a pull rating of at least 40 pounds for big…
Read More: Oregon Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsPennsylvania permits crossbows for all hunters during the archery deer season, muzzleloader deer season and the regular and special firearms deer seasons. A legal crossbow must have a peak draw…
Read More: Pennsylvania Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsMontana keeps crossbows out of its archery-only seasons. FWP defines a hunting bow as a hand-drawn longbow, flatbow, recurve or compound, and devices with a gun-type stock or a string-holding…
Read More: Montana Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsNevada separates archery-only hunts from Any Legal Weapon hunts, and crossbows are excluded from archery-only tags. Hunters with a permanent physical disability that prevents drawing and holding a bow may…
Read More: Nevada Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsNebraska allows crossbows during archery seasons without a special permit, as long as the crossbow is shoulder-fired, non-electronic and rated at 125 pounds or more. Bowhunter education is required for…
Read More: Nebraska Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsMissouri is one of the most permissive crossbow states: crossbows are legal during the full archery season and again during the Alternative Methods season in late December and early January.…
Read More: Missouri Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsMississippi treats crossbows as standard archery equipment, so no special permit or disability exemption is needed. Hunters need a hunting license that includes archery privileges and must report every harvested…
Read More: Mississippi Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsMinnesota made crossbow hunting permanent in 2026. After a trial period that began in 2023, the Legislature passed Chapter 64 (S.F. 1251), signed May 5, 2026, which removed the June…
Read More: Minnesota Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsMichigan gives crossbow hunters broad access: crossbows are legal during the full archery deer season and during any firearm season. The main exception is the late archery segment in the…
Read More: Michigan Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsMassachusetts is one of the few states that still restricts crossbow hunting to permit holders. MassWildlife regulates deer hunting under the state's archery, shotgun and muzzleloader seasons, and in 2026…
Read More: Massachusetts Crossbow & Bow Hunting Laws