New York Crossbow Laws Explained
Knowing the laws that surround crossbows in New York is important for any archery enthusiast in the state. Failing to know or adhere to these laws can result in significant civil penalties or even criminal charges. Since they are used for both recreational and wildlife management purposes, it is vital for all crossbow users in New York to fully understand the regulations surrounding their use. It’s important to point out at the outset that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) determines who may crossbow hunt during the archery season for big game. The list of who may crossbow hunt during the regular season for big game are as follows: First of all , a crossbow shall be defined according to 6 New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Part 1.3 as "an implement consisting of a bow and arrow(s), the bow being a device drawn by a string and held under tension, and the arrow being projected from the bow by release of the string under tension." With all this information in mind, we’ll provide you with a complete overview of what New York crossbow laws entail, and provide some tips on how to stay fully compliant with all crossbow use regulations in the state.
Who Is Allowed To Use A Crossbow?
In New York, the eligibility criteria for crossbow usage vary depending on the circumstances. Generally speaking, most individuals are incidentally permitted to use a crossbow on their own property without any need for a license or to be part of a hunting party per se. Where the distinction lies is in the age and type of hunting involved. For instance, a big game license is required to hunt with a crossbow during the Big Game Hunting season. Big game is defined as including deer, moose, bear, and wild turkey, among others. To hunt big game, a hunter must be licensed, as per the Environmental Conservation Law. While hunters from the ages of 12 through 15 are eligible for a deer and bear junior license, those 16 years of age and older are eligible to receive the corresponding senior license. Additionally, anyone born on or after January 1, 1967, looking to hunt big game in New York must first complete and pass a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) 17-hour hunter education course. For bowhunting, individuals born on or after January 1, 1975, must also have a basic bowhunter education certificate.
Crossbow Seasons and Zones in New York
There are several crossbow hunting seasons and designated areas throughout New York State. These zones take into account topographical features, population density, and other local conditions. There are special conditions associated with each area and season that you must be familiar with.
Bowhunting Season: Unless stated otherwise, bowhunting season begins on the second day after the third Sunday in October and ends on the Friday before the third Sunday in December.
Muzzleloading Season:
Northern Zone: The Northern Zone muzzleloading season begins on the second Monday after the last Monday in December and ends on the following Friday.
Southern Zone: The Southern Zone muzzleloading season begins on the third Monday after the second Monday in December and ends on the following Sunday.
Big Game Season: The big game season begins on the first Saturday after the fourth Monday in October and ends on Nov. 18, 2023.
Special Conditions in Suffolk County: All Suffolk County wildlife management units (WMUs) in New York State have special crossbow regulations due to the overpopulation of deer. In WMU 1R, the season begins on the first Monday following the second Sunday in October and ends on Jan. 31, 2023. WMU 2E is open from the last Saturday in September through the first Sunday in January 2023. WMU 4S is open from Oct. 15 through Dec. 31. WMU 6B is open from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Certain WMUs have other restrictions as well, and a mix of crossbow, shotgun, and muzzleloading seasons.
Crossbow hunters using a scope sight are only allowed to hunt on those days when firearms are permitted. If you’re using a non-magnifying scope, you’re allowed to hunt on any legal day.
In the special CWD-affected areas of Suffolk County (WMUs 1C, 1F, and 1G), deer season is open year-round and does not require a special license. You may only hunt 1C during the daytime from dawn until dusk. In WMU 1F, you must use natural hunting camouflage. You cannot hunt at night. (WMU 1G is located on the eastern shore of the Great South Bay and is not open to hunting.)
Crossbow seasons are generally open throughout New York State during the big game season and are open at the same time as regular firearms seasons for deer and bear.
Crossbow Equipment Requirements
In addition to costume and orange requirements, there are a couple regulations specific to the crossbow you’re using. The crossbow itself must have a working safety and a minimum of a 150-pound draw weight. Not that a 150-pound draw is a bare minimum. That’s the bare minimum amount of force needed to send an arrow or bolt through the toughest targets in New York, often times with steel-penetrating tips. Many hunters opt to go with 175 or even 200-pound draws just so they can comfortably hunt in the tougher regions where they are hunting. Crossbow equipment also needs to have a stock length no shorter than 25 inches. This is probably the most flexible part of the regulations. It’s quite possible to create a custom crossbow with a 2-foot stock and still be legal, but you may be sacrificing some level of safety and comfort. This is not an area where you want to push the legal limits on a matter of inches just to get some extra style points. The broadhead on your arrow or bolt must also be a minimum of 7/8 of an inch wide. This again is highly flexible, and in almost any store that sells archery equipment you should be able to find dozens of options to choose from if you want to customize your bolts to fit your crossbow and hunting preferences. There are other regulations that concern bow features other than just draw weight. A never-take-your-vitals-without-it safety mechanism is required, so you know all your bases are covered on the safety front.
Crossbow Safety and Ethical Hunting Practices
When used properly, crossbows can be an incredibly efficient tool for hunting, but with that efficiency comes the responsibility for new and seasoned hunters alike to wield the power of such a tool with extreme caution. Because the crossbow is a highly effective weapon, inanimate objects are not the only possible targets to fire upon — people can become victims as well. Therefore, safety must be the number one priority . In addition to common sense safety measures, all NY Crossbow users must follow the below safety requirements: Crossbow users must also be aware of the safety precautions neutralizing the possible dangers of utilizing a crossbow when entering a tree stand: Responsible hunters will be careful to monitor the weather, avoiding heavy rain and low temperatures which might precipitate hypothermia. Properly tuned and maintained crossbow equipment will avoid excessive noise and vibration, and greatly reduce the likelihood of accidental injury.
Penalties for Defying Crossbow Laws
The penalties for disregarding New York crossbow laws vary according to the severity of the offense. In serious cases, including illegal capture or killing of wildlife, reckless hunting and other offenses, you could lose your ability to hunt in New York and perhaps other states, pay huge fines, or be incarcerated.
As a misdemeanor, illegal pursuit or take of protected species can result in up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. In tougher circumstances, you may also be charged with a felony, which can lead to up to four years in prison and a $25,000 fine. You could also be stripped of your hunting privileges.
Losing your crossbow privileges means you will be suspended from participating in any hunting activities across New York State. This suspension could extend to some other states as well, depending on the state in question and which New York permit you held. Your New York permit information is entered into a database used by a number of northeastern states (specifically, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia), and is accessible to their local law enforcement organizations. If a state uses the same database, it should be able to determine whether you have an active New York permit.
Some of the violations include: taking wildlife unless you have a permit, killing wildlife out of season, killing more than the daily limit on wildlife, possessing wild animal carcasses without tags, releasing wildlife into the wild, failing to tag wildlife carcasses before the end of the day out, not presenting tags to authorities when asked, and selling furbearers without a certificate of origin.
Updates and Changes to NY Crossbow Laws
In 2017, the New York State Legislature adopted a major change to the way it licenses and regulates crossbows. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the "Crossbow Bill" (originally introduced as A.5323), allowing crossbow hunting for all big game during all open big game seasons.
Previously, only hunters with limited disabilities or outside of the 1st and 2nd NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region could use crossbows to hunt big game. Most hunters, however, considered the use of crossbows for big game to be as natural as the use of muzzle-loading rifles, pistols and handguns, shotguns and slugs and rifles using shotgun or muzzle loader ammunition should it be legal to do so. The New York State Outdoorsman Association (NYOSA) proposed passage of this bill in order to "bring New York in line with surrounding states and many others across the country that allow crossbow hunting for all big game."
The new law also allows the DEC to issue Crossbow Permits to those who are age 14 or older if the person creates a hunt record and completes a Department-approved Crossbow Hunting Safety Course, participates in a minimum of 2 big game hunts while accompanied by a licensed big game hunter of any age, and pays an additional fee of $22 for residents and $5 for non-residents after receiving their initial license.
Importantly , the NYS DEC has banned the over-the-counter sale of crossbows due to "regulatory and safety concerns." The NYS DEC is not alone in its concerns, citing those hunters traveling to other states to hunt, experienced hunters needing to travel to specialty stores to purchase their crossbows, and "Joe Lunchbox" purchasing his crossbow at discount or sporting goods stores as reasons to limit the sale of crossbows to specialty retailers. Under the New York State Hunting Safety Course, the DEC will provide a free – yes, free — crossbow rental for all hunters obtaining a Crossbow Safety Certificate for the 2018 hunting season.
According to NYS DEC Officer Jeffrey P. Halo of Region 4, many of the hunters who had purchased crossbow permits for the 2017 hunting season in Region 4 were familiar with the use of crossbows and archery equipment. Halo told me that, of the hunters he encountered, the majority were able to successfully identify the site on which they had obtained a crossbow permit, complete with their assigned permit number.
I believe that the 2018 hunting season may be more difficult. I expect that dogs will be involved, along with cases of mistaken identity. I pray for our uniformed officers and our hunters. We will, no doubt, encounter significant criticism for our actions, even if we are acting in a proper and correct manner. It will be a difficult year for law enforcement, but we are professionals and will continue to give it our best.