Field Notes from the CrossbowHunting.org Community
Wyoming welcomes crossbows in archery seasons as long as they meet the state's specifications: at least 90 pounds draw weight, bolts at least 16 inches long and broadheads that cannot…
Read More: Wyoming Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsSouth Carolina defines archery equipment to include longbows, recurve bows, compound bows and crossbows, so crossbows may be used during all archery, muzzleloader and firearms seasons for deer, bear and…
Read More: South Carolina Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsSouth Dakota is a firearm-friendly state where crossbows are tightly controlled during archery seasons. Game, Fish and Parks reserves archery-only big game seasons for conventional bows of at least 30…
Read More: South Dakota Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsTennessee is one of the most crossbow-friendly states in the country. TWRA classifies crossbows as legal archery equipment, so any hunter can use one during the statewide archery deer season…
Read More: Tennessee Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsTexas allows crossbows for everyone during general open seasons, but the Archery-Only season carries a county-level catch: in Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall counties only hunters with a permanent upper-limb…
Read More: Texas Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsUtah keeps its big game archery hunts traditional. Crossbows and draw-locks are unlawful during archery hunts unless the hunter holds a DWR certificate of registration for a permanent physical impairment…
Read More: Utah Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsVermont is a full-inclusion crossbow state: crossbows are legal anywhere bow and arrow are allowed, including the October 1 - December 15, 2026 archery deer season and the September 15…
Read More: Vermont Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsVirginia treats crossbows as archery tackle, so they are legal throughout every archery deer season, from early and late archery to the Urban Archery Deer Season, provided the hunter holds…
Read More: Virginia Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsWashington draws a hard line between archery and crossbow hunting. Under WAC 220-414-100 it is unlawful to hunt wildlife with a crossbow during an archery season; crossbows are legal for…
Read More: Washington Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsWest Virginia runs a combined archery and crossbow deer season from September 26 through December 31, 2026, and crossbows are legal statewide except in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties,…
Read More: West Virginia Crossbow & Bow Hunting Laws