QUESTIONS CONCERNDING NY CROSSBOW LAW

[papabear]

I got this in E-Mail and wanted to shear it      Alexander B. Grannis

Commissioner

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT

NEW YORK’S NEW CROSSBOW LAW

Effective date 2011

Be sure to check DEC’s web-site (www.dec.ny.gov) for updates to this FAQ

The Basics

Question: What is the new law, and when was the bill signed?

Answer: During the 2010 Legislative Session, Assembly bill 924-e/Senate bill

6793-b was passed. Governor Paterson signed this bill into law on

September 17, 2010. The bill may be read in its entirety by going to

http://assembly.state.ny.us and using the bill search feature to look

for “A-924-e” or “S-6793-b.”

Question: Since the bill was signed, does this mean it’s in effect during the fall

of 2010?

Answer: No. Although the bill is now law, the major changes do not go into

effect until February 1, 2011. This means that you cannot use a

crossbow until license year 2011 - 2012.

Question: Does the bill expire?

Answer: Yes. The bill will expire on December 31, 2012, unless the Legislature

and Governor decide to extend the law.

Question: Is a new or separate type of license required to use a crossbow?

Answer: No. You will simply need any of DEC’s licenses that allow big game

hunting. If you are using a crossbow during the late muzzleloading

or bowhunting seasons, you will need to have the required

privileges for those late seasons.

Question: Is a crossbow and a bolt defined in the new law?

Answer: Yes. The crossbow must have a stock with a working safety, and a

minimum limb of 17 inches. It must have a minimum peak draw

weight of 100 pounds, and a maximum peak draw weight of 200

pounds. The overall length (butt of stock to front of the limbs) must

be at least 24 inches. A bolt (the term used for the “arrow” shot from

a crossbow) must be at least 14 inches long (excluding the point).

Use of Crossbows

Question: I heard that I may use a crossbow during the early bowhunting

season if I am hunting on private land. Is this true?

Answer: No. Crossbows may not be used by anyone during the early

bowhunting season.

Question: When can I use a crossbow to hunt?

Answer: Only during the REGULAR firearms seasons in the Northern and

Southern Zone, during the Suffolk County special firearms season,

and during the LATE muzzleloading and bowhunting seasons;

starting ONLY in license year 2011 - 2012, and continuing until

December 31, 2012.

Question: May I use a crossbow during the late bowhunting season?

Answer: Yes. You may use a crossbow during the LATE special seasons

(bowhunting and muzzleloading) after the close of the regular

season.

Question: I have a note from my doctor regarding an injury that prevents me

from using a regular bow. May I use a crossbow during the early

bowhunting seasons?

Answer: No. The new law does not allow a disabled person (temporary or

permanent) to use a crossbow during the early bowhunting

seasons.

Question: I am disabled and I am unable to hold and pull a regular bow. May

I use a crossbow?

Answer: No. In the past, you could obtain a special permit to hunt with a

longbow (of any type) equipped with a special modification to

draw and hold the bow string. The new law allows DEC to adopt

regulations to permit the modified longbow. In 2011, DEC will

prepare regulations to implement the new law and a special permit

will no longer be needed.

Question: I am 70 years old (or older). May I use a crossbow during the early

bowhunting seasons?

Answer: No. The new law does not allow a senior hunter to use a crossbow

during the early bowhunting seasons.

Question: May I use a crossbow in the bowhunting only areas of New York,

such as Westchester County, parts of Albany and Monroe counties,

and Suffolk County)?

Answer: No. However, you may use a crossbow in Suffolk County during the

January firearms season for deer.

Question: May I use a crossbow during the early muzzleloading seasons in the

Northern Zone?

Answer: No.

Question: May I use a crossbow to hunt small game, such as wild turkeys?

Answer: No. Crossbows may only be used to hunt big game (deer and

bear).

Question: May I use a crossbow at night?

Answer: No.

Question: Are the restrictions on the use of crossbows the same as a firearm or

bow?

Answer: Yes. A crossbow may not be loaded in or on a motor vehicle, it may

not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied building or

school, it may not be discharged across a highway, or in areas

where the discharge is presently prohibited for a bow or firearm.

Question: What tags would a crossbow hunter use to tag their deer?

Answer: During the regular season, a crossbow hunter could use a Deer

Management Permit (DMP) or their regular big game tag (antlered

deer only). During the late bowhunting and muzzleloading season,

crossbow hunters could use a DMP or their special season bow and

muzzleloading tags (either-sex or antlerless only). Additionally,

crossbow hunters could use their unfilled regular season tag for deer

of either sex during the late bow or muzzleloading season.

Question: Are Junior Hunters allowed to use a crossbow to hunt deer or bear?

Answer: Yes, once they complete the crossbow safety training.

Question: What kind of broadhead may I use on my crossbow?

Answer: You must use the same type of broadhead lawful for hunting big

game with a longbow. The broadhead must have two or more

cutting edges, it may not be barbed, and it must be at least 7/8

inches wide across the cutting surfaces.

Special Training Requirements

Question: Are there any special training requirements before I can use a

crossbow to hunt deer or bear?

Answer: Yes. The new law requires you to complete training in the safe use

of a crossbow.

Question: Where can I obtain this training?

Answer: DEC will develop a training program for new hunters using the

existing hunter education program. For current hunters, DEC will

develop on-line and home study materials on crossbow safety. DEC

will announce when these materials are available.

Question: Are Junior Hunters allowed to use a crossbow to hunt deer or bear?

Answer: Yes, once they complete the crossbow safety training.

SUMMARY

• You cannot use a crossbow in 2010 -2011. You must wait until license year

2011 – 2012.

• You may only use crossbows during a regular firearms season, during the

Suffolk County special firearms season, and during the late muzzleloading

and late bowhunting seasons.

• There are no special provisions for the use of crossbows for disabled

persons or hunters 70 years old (or older).

• The existing law about the use of “modified longbows” will be

implemented differently. Instead of a special permit, DEC will adopt

regulations to allow the use of modified longbows.

• This law expires on December 31, 2012, unless the Legislature and

Governor agree to an extension.

• DEC believes that crossbows should be available to all hunters during all

seasons in which other bowhunting equipment is allowed. In this manner,

crossbows may meaningfully increase hunters’ ability to enjoy the

bowhunting experience, and can play a valuable role in deer population

management.

[steve863]

This is very informative.  It looks like hunters won't be able to hunt with them in bow only areas and it looks like they will need to take a safety course before they can hunt with them which is unlike muzzleloaders where anyone can buy one and hunt with one.  Not that I think many will hunt with crossbows during the gun season anyway, but it's interesting that they are requiring a safety course.

[burmjohn]

Question: May I use a crossbow at night?

Answer: No.

If this was really a frequently asked question, then we have a issues...

[steve863]

Question: May I use a crossbow at night?

Answer: No.

If this was really a frequently asked question, then we have a issues...

That was a poacher with a crossbow asking the question.  He just wanted to make sure what he was doing was illegal!  LOL

[Doc]

That night-time question may relate to coon hunting or predator calling. It sounds like x-bows are not allowed for those activities after dark.

Nope it wasn't referring to that either since x-bows are not allowed for small game. LOL ..... it must be questions from poachers after all  ;D

Doc

[nyslowhand]

So if I'm reading this correctly;

The DEC is not in agreement with the law and thinks it should be allowed during early Bow season also.

Last bullet point.

[wztirem]

Question: May I use a crossbow at night?

Answer: No.

If this was really a frequently asked question, then we have a issues...

That was a poacher with a crossbow asking the question.  He just wanted to make sure what he was doing was illegal!  LOL

Now that is a truly funny comment. 

[Doc]

I get the distinct impression that the DEC would really like to see just about any weapon in the bowhunting timeslot except bows. Little comments that you pick up on from biologists and other DEC attending personel during side conversations at their public meetings and some of the quotes in the New York Outdoor News and other sources indicate that they really don't feel that bowhunting is the most efficient use of that part of the hunting year from the standpoint of harvesting deer and does in particular. I don't find that last paragraph shocking or surprising at all.

Doc

[sits in trees]

I get the distinct impression that the DEC would really like to see just about any weapon in the bowhunting timeslot except bows. Little comments that you pick up on from biologists and other DEC attending personel during side conversations at their public meetings and some of the quotes in the New York Outdoor News and other sources indicate that they really don't feel that bowhunting is the most efficient use of that part of the hunting year from the standpoint of harvesting deer and does in particular. I don't find that last paragraph shocking or surprising at all.

Doc

yea i'm sure all those DEC biologists are just dying to have bow season replaced by hunters using firearms. once again Doc your paranoia is laughable..

[Doc]

yea i'm sure all those DEC biologists are just dying to have bow season replaced by hunters using firearms. once again Doc your paranoia is laughable..

That's funny. We were just had a topic posted about comments like that.    right on que......lol.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Question: May I use a crossbow at night?

Answer: No.

If this was really a frequently asked question, then we have a issues...

10 to 1 it was asked because someone wanted to shoot coyotes, raccoons or something like that. Just my guess though.

[WNYBuckHunter]

That night-time question may relate to coon hunting or predator calling. It sounds like x-bows are not allowed for those activities after dark.

Nope it wasn't referring to that either since x-bows are not allowed for small game. LOL ..... it must be questions from poachers after all  ;D

Doc

Thats not the only question in the list that would be repetitive. Im sure they are not in order lol.

[WNYBuckHunter]

So if I'm reading this correctly;

The DEC is not in agreement with the law and thinks it should be allowed during early Bow season also.

Last bullet point.

Yep, thats how I read it. Im hoping that statement shows that there will be an effort to expand x-bows into all seasons when it gets redone in 2012.

[Doc]

Has anybody heard about what the "crossbow safety training" will consist of and who will administer it?

You know with all these safety training courses that sportsmen are required to take, there ought to be some sort of official degree that goes along with the completion of all of them.....lol. Kind of like a bachelor of science degree in outdoor safety.  Let's see there is bow training, gun training, trapping training and now crossbow training. Did I leave any out? With the number of hours required for each, this is getting to be quite an investment in time.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Its right in the OP Doc. Crossbows will be added to the currently required class curriculum for new hunters and current hunters will just take a short test online.

[Doc]

OP???

[bubba]

Has anybody heard about what the "crossbow safety training" will consist of and who will administer it?

You know with all these safety training courses that sportsmen are required to take, there ought to be some sort of official degree that goes along with the completion of all of them.....lol. Kind of like a bachelor of science degree in outdoor safety.  Let's see there is bow training, gun training, trapping training and now crossbow training. Did I leave any out? With the number of hours required for each, this is getting to be quite an investment in time.

you forgot waterfoul identification. As we were told current license holders will have to take and pass an online course and the rest will be done in regular hunter safety and bow courses as part of the curriculum. 

[WNYBuckHunter]

OP???

Original Post 

Sorry, the IT guy in me abbreviates everything. ;D

[wztirem]

I get the distinct impression that the DEC would really like to see just about any weapon in the bowhunting timeslot except bows. Little comments that you pick up on from biologists and other DEC attending personel during side conversations at their public meetings and some of the quotes in the New York Outdoor News and other sources indicate that they really don't feel that bowhunting is the most efficient use of that part of the hunting year from the standpoint of harvesting deer and does in particular. I don't find that last paragraph shocking or surprising at all.

Doc

C'mon, Doc, your comment is baseless and just your opinion. You are referencing hearsay and intimating that such "side comments" are factual. You should know better, shame on you! 

[bubba]

Doc and his mini me I love it

[ballbusta]

I like the fact that crossbows can not be used during the early bow hunting season and bow only hunting areas. After reading the last paragraph I wonder how long that will last?

[sits in trees]

Has anybody heard about what the "crossbow safety training" will consist of and who will administer it?

You know with all these safety training courses that sportsmen are required to take, there ought to be some sort of official degree that goes along with the completion of all of them.....lol. Kind of like a bachelor of science degree in outdoor safety.  Let's see there is bow training, gun training, trapping training and now crossbow training. Did I leave any out? With the number of hours required for each, this is getting to be quite an investment in time.

wait a minute there Doc'y, LOL, i'm pretty sure it was you who made claims of how dangerous it would be to allow crossbows into archery season, LOL, and how crossbow hunters would be shooting unsuspecting bow hunters by accident at over 100 yds, right, LOL. i would think that you would be the first to wanna see another "Gov Run" program for crossbow hunters.LOL, LOL ;D 

[Doc]

wait a minute there Doc'y, LOL, i'm pretty sure it was you who made claims of how dangerous it would be to allow crossbows into archery season, LOL, and how crossbow hunters would be shooting unsuspecting bow hunters by accident at over 100 yds, right, LOL. i would think that you would be the first to wanna see another "Gov Run" program for crossbow hunters.LOL, LOL ;D

That's a wonderful imagination you have there, but there simply is not a word of truth in anything you just said in that reply. Not a word. In fact, I don't recall anyone ever saying those things. So, I don't have a clue what the heck you are talking about.

Doc

[bubba]

there is a shock

[Doc]

Doc and his mini me I love it

Bubba-

I'm going to have to have that explained to me. I don't know what a "mini me" is.

Doc