Crossbow Hunting

Crossbow Hunting Qualifications and Certificate

To hunt with a crossbow in New York, hunters will need to read and have an understanding of the information on this page. They will need to complete the "Certificate of Qualification" below and carry the completed certificate while afield with a crossbow.

General Information

• Crossbows may only be used to hunt deer and bear.
• Crossbows may only be used during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons, late muzzleloader seasons.
• Crossbows cannot be used during bowhunting seasons or in ‘Archery Only’ areas of the state.
• The hunter needs a current year’s license to hunt big game.
• If hunting with a crossbow in the late muzzleloading season, the muzzleloading privilege is also required.

Crossbow Safety Rules

• Before shooting your crossbow, read and thoroughly understand your crossbow owner’s manual.
• Always identify your target and the area beyond it before shooting.
• Make sure your crossbow’s limb tips are free of obstructions before shooting.
• If hunting from a tree stand, always cock the crossbow on the ground before climbing into the stand.
• Do not place the bolt on the crossbow until you are safely in your stand.
• Never raise or lower a cocked crossbow with a bolt in it from a tree stand.
• Keep ALL fingers below the crossbow’s rail when shooting a bolt.
• Never carry a cocked crossbow with a bolt in it while walking.
• Never dry-fire (cock and fire without loading a bolt) a crossbow.
• Never use a cocking device to uncock a crossbow.
• To uncock a crossbow, shoot a bolt tipped with a field point into soft ground or a target.
• Always observe a maximum effective range for hunting of less than 40 yards to prevent wounding game.
• To understand how bolts function, though not mandatory, consider taking a bowhunter education course.

Legal Requirements for Crossbows

• A bow, a string, and either compound or recurve limbs with minimum width of 17 inches (tip of limbs, uncocked).
• Mounted on a stock with a trigger and working safety that holds the string and limbs under tension.
• A minimum peak draw weight of 100 pounds and a maximum peak draw weight of 200 pounds.
• A minimum overall length from the butt of the stock to the front of limbs of 24 inches.
• A minimum length of the bolt of 14 inches. (The arrowhead is to be nonbarbed, 2 or more cutting surfaces at least ⅞" wide).
• A crossbow is considered unloaded if the bolt is removed, regardless whether it is cocked or uncocked.

Suggested References to Review

• NYSDEC Crossbow Frequently Asked Questions
  www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html
• North American Crossbow Federation, Crossbow 101 (video)
  northamericancrossbowfederation.com/infoEdu2.php
• NYSDEC Sportsman Education
  www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7860.html

Practice safely, practice often, and learn the capabilities and limitations of the crossbow and the bolt it shoots.