NY Legalizes Crossbows … With a Catch
New for 2025, New York hunters can now use a crossbow in the identical season, locations and method as a vertical bow for looking deer and bear. There’s additionally no minimal limb width, no minimal size, and no most draw weight. Nevertheless, hunters should acquire a looking license in addition to a bowhunting privilege. To buy a bowhunting privilege, hunters want a bowhunter training certification which is offered by way of an internet or in-person course.
Crossbows can be utilized wherever and anytime bowhunting happens, together with within the archery-only parts of Albany and Monroe counties, and in Westchester and Suffolk counties. The minimal setback distance for discharge is 500’ in Westchester and Suffolk counties and 250’ in all different areas. Crossbows should have a working set off security and a minimal peak draw weight of 100 kilos.
In accordance with the New York Division of Environmental Conservation, different common crossbow necessities embrace:
Age requirement: Crossbows could also be utilized by hunters ages 14 and up with a sound looking license and bowhunting privilege to hunt deer and bear throughout any season and in any location the place a longbow is permitted. Hunters ages 12 and 13 which have a sound looking license and bowhunting privilege could hunt deer with a crossbow solely in these counties which have handed a neighborhood legislation permitting such hunters to take action. Licensees who’re 14 or older could use crossbows to hunt unprotected wildlife and most small recreation species.
With out landowner permission, crossbows might not be discharged inside 250 toes of any residence, faculty constructing or playground, public construction, farm construction in use, or occupied manufacturing unit or church. In Suffolk and Westchester counties, this setback distance is 500 toes.
Age requirement: Crossbows could also be utilized by licensees who’re 12 or older to hunt deer and licensees 14 or older to hunt bear, unprotected wildlife, and most small recreation species.
With out landowner permission, crossbows might not be discharged inside 250 toes of any residence, faculty constructing or playground, public construction, farm construction in use, or occupied manufacturing unit or church.
A crossbow might not be possessed in or on a motorcar except it’s un-cocked.
Whereas on lands inhabited by deer or bear, and in or on a motorcar utilizing synthetic lights, a crossbow might not be possessed except it’s unstrung or taken down or securely mounted in a case or locked within the trunk of the car.
