It's begining to look alot like Christmas

[GooseGun]

Well not really but, Archery season is only 17 days away. I am so looking forward to it.

Washed and hung out all my gear this past weekend and it's still on the line.

Anyone else bow hunters?

[usmcveteran]

I want to hunt with crossbow that I have but still need to take course and get license and find someone show me what to do.

[camper4lyfe]

I want to hunt with crossbow that I have but still need to take course and get license and find someone show me what to do.

Did they reopen things for crossbow? I've lost track.

[usmcveteran]

Yea I thought so, when did they get rid of it?

[camper4lyfe]

They dumped it a year or two after they allowed it. I think they then brought them back to be used during rifle season rather than archery, where they first had it...I think.

[usmcveteran]

I found this on DEC website.
Crossbow Regulations Per Hunting Season

Big Game

License requirement:

• The new law essentially treats crossbows as a muzzleloader. Hunters must possess amuzzleloader hunting privilege to legally hunt with a crossbow during any muzzleloader season OR during open portions of the early bowhunting seasons. Muzzleloader privilege is not required when hunting with a crossbow during the early bear season or the regular firearms seasons.
• Bowhunting privilege is not required for use of a crossbow at any time.

Crossbows may be used during the following seasons:

• Crossbows may be used to take bear during the early bear season, early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone, regular firearms seasons in the Northern and Southern Zones, and the late muzzleloader season in the Southern Zone.
• Crossbows may be used to take deer during:
  • early and late muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone and late muzzleloader season in the Southern Zone using Bow/Muzz tags, DMPs, DMAP tags, or an unfilled Regular Big Game tag (late season only);
  • regular firearms seasons using a Regular Big Game tag, DMPs, or DMAP tags.
• Crossbows may also be used to take deer or bear during limited portions of bowhunting seasons as follows, provided that the hunter possesses the muzzleloading privilege:
  • During the last 14 days of the early bowhunting season in the Southern Zone;
  • During the last 10 days of the early bowhunting season in the Northern Zone; this includes the 7-day early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone;
  • Only Bow/Muzz tags, DMPs or DMAPs may be use during these times.
• See Deer and Bear Hunting Season dates
  Crossbows may not be used under the following conditions:
  • To take deer or bear in the following areas of the state:
    • Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 4J in Albany County
    • WMU 8C in Monroe County
    • In the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, or Westchester
  • Junior big game hunters (age 14-15) may not use a crossbow to take a deer during the Youth Deer Hunt weekend. Adult mentors who accompany a junior big game hunter on the Youth Deer Hunt weekend may not possess a crossbow (or firearm) while afield on those days.
  Small Game
  
  License Requirements: A hunting license is needed to use a crossbow to hunt small game species. A turkey permit is also required to hunt turkeys. All crossbow specifications remain in effect.
  
  Crossbows may be used to take the following small game species during their respective open seasons.
  • Wild turkey.
  • Any other small game or upland game birds.
  • Unprotected wildlife (e.g. red squirrels and woodchucks) at anytime.
  
  Crossbows may not be used under the following conditions.
  • To take waterfowl or other migratory game birds.
  • While hunting with a dog for any small game (except for coyotes) in the Northern Zone.