Field Notes from the CrossbowHunting.org Community
Illinois hunters may use a crossbow throughout the archery deer season, which for 2026-2027 runs October 1, 2026 through January 17, 2027, split around firearm and muzzleloader segments in counties…
Read More: Illinois Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsIowa keeps the crossbow out of its regular archery season for most hunters. Crossbows are legal for all residents during the late muzzleloader season, for resident hunters 65 and older…
Read More: Iowa Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsKansas treats the crossbow as legal archery equipment, so any licensed hunter with the right deer permit can use one throughout the archery deer season, which for 2026 runs September…
Read More: Kansas Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsKentucky gives crossbow hunters a dedicated statewide season, September 19, 2026 through January 18, 2027, opening two weeks after archery season starts. Youth hunters 15 and younger and resident hunters…
Read More: Kentucky Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsAlabama is one of the most crossbow-friendly states in the country: crossbows are legal archery equipment and may be used during the archery season, the special muzzleloader/air rifle season and…
Read More: Alabama Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsColorado treats a crossbow as a firearm-season weapon. Any licensed hunter may use one during general rifle seasons, but archery-only seasons are closed to crossbows unless the hunter holds a…
Read More: Colorado Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsCalifornia draws a hard line between bows and crossbows. Under Fish and Game Code and Title 14 regulations, a crossbow is not archery equipment, so it cannot be used during…
Read More: California Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsArkansas makes crossbow hunting simple by treating crossbows as archery equipment. They are legal during the statewide archery deer and bear seasons, including the short early buck-only archery window, and…
Read More: Arkansas Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsArizona crossbows are legal for big game in general (any-weapon) hunts but are restricted in archery-only seasons, where hunters need an Arizona Game and Fish Department Crossbow Permit backed by…
Read More: Arizona Crossbow & Bow Hunting LawsAlaska regulates crossbows as a distinct weapon, not as archery equipment. A legal big-game crossbow must be shoulder-mounted, pull at least 100 pounds, shoot bolts at least 16 inches long…
Read More: Alaska Crossbow & Bow Hunting Laws