A new law began January 1, 2020 and lasts through December 31, 2022, which expands crossbow hunting to the regular October archery season on deer (October 2 – 29, 2021).
Unless you are 65 years of age or older, or have a special permanent disability permit to hunt with a crossbow, you may NOT hunt deer during the muzzleloader season or during the expanded archery season (except during the regular October archery season. Deer killed with a crossbow may not be registered with an expanded archery permit.)
Please ensure you are following the crossbow laws specific to your age category or permit type by viewing the fact sheet:
How can I purchase a crossbow hunting permit?
To hunt with a crossbow you must successfully complete a crossbow hunting education program in addition to completing an archery hunting education program OR a firearms hunter safety course. There is no set order in which the courses must be taken.
Crossbow hunter safety courses are now available online or in-person. Find a class today!
To purchase a crossbow hunting permit, you must first purchase a valid hunting license (big game firearms or archery license for big game species or small game license for turkey and small game species), and must provide satisfactory evidence of completing the required courses mentioned above.
