crossbows

[vister]

does anybody know if a crossbow can be legally used as a firearm for hunting, especially in areas where the use of rifles is not allowed during hunting. Ya know, shotgun zones. Or would you need to have a disability form saying you needed to use a crossbow instead of a regular bow. This may sound confusing, but a guy at work wants to know if using the crossbow you are always considered to be archery hunting.

[DeanoB]

new regulation for this year: crossbows CAN be used by anyone during firearms season.

[lcornice]

Quote:

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does anybody know if a crossbow can be legally used as a firearm for hunting, especially in areas where the use of rifles is not allowed during hunting. Ya know, shotgun zones. Or would you need to have a disability form saying you needed to use a crossbow instead of a regular bow. This may sound confusing, but a guy at work wants to know if using the crossbow you are always considered to be archery hunting.

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Last year, the legislature allowed for crossbows during the firearm season. The simplest interpretation is that instead of a gun, you can use a crossbow instead. If an area is closed to gun hunting (say a state game refuge), you cannot hunt there with a crossbow during the firearm season. All the law does is allow you to use the crossbow instead of a gun. You still need a firearm license, the area has to be open to firearm hunting, etc. So, the answer to your question is no, you cannot use a crossbow during the gun season in an area that is not open to gun hunting.

What the legislature passed is completely separate from the disability statute that allows people to use a crossbow instead of a vertical bow. That regulation is unchanged from previous year.

[Jameson]

I cannot hunt deer with shotgun within 500 feet of house or livestock, correct?

Can I hunt deer with a vertical bow within 500 feet of house or livestock?

Can I hunt deer with a crossbow within 500 feet of house or livestock?