Crossbow rega

[wallysackett]

Looks like the crossbow bill was signed by the governor. Anyone know if the width / length / etc restrictions on the crossbow itself were brought up to current standards? Couldn’t find much online.

[Gator]

So far as I can see, the bill hasn't been delivered to her desk yet. Once it's delivered, she has 30 days to sign it or the result is a "pocket veto", which can't be overturned by the legislature. That tactic has been used extremely infrequently though, and only three times that I can tell by Hochul.

 

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8330/amendment/A

 

 

[Henry D]

 A Crossbow is now a legal implement for hunting Deer in NYS during ANY Archery season 

What  are your thoughts on this?

[GAMBLER]

17 hours ago, Henry D said:

 A Crossbow is now a legal implement for hunting Deer in NYS during ANY Archery season 

What  are your thoughts on this?

I was on the fence until they added everyone will need a bow class.  Will crossbow hunting all of bow change much?  I don't really think so.  

[Gator]

I'm guessing there will be more guys in the woods, particularly the public. It probably won't make much difference on certain private lands; for example, everyone around me hunts bow, so having the choice to hunt with a crossbow isn't going to increase local pressure. 

 

My fear is that there will be a class of hunter who looks at them like a gun rather than bow and thinks they can take 50 yard shots or more effectively. Hopefully education is the answer to this misperception.

[Henry D]

I agree with your statements, as far as me personally it will allow me to hunt during archery season again as I approach 70 I have had difficulty in the past 2 seasons Drawing my bow after sitting in a stand for awhile particularly in cooler weather

While I’m fortunate to hunt private ground in Italy Valley (8r)I have noticed a pronounced decline in the amount of hunters during firearms season  for a good number of years now so I’m not sure how much it will effect hunter numbers during archery season 

Good luck and be safe and successful 

[whaler1]

I’m in support of getting people in the woods. 

[tim]

My worry a lot of people will think easy deer kill and will treat a crossbow like a firearm. I’ve been hunting with a bow for 50 plus years starting with a recurve. Thats my time to get into a quiet woods. I’m just hoping that doesn’t change to everybody and their brother walking through the woods with a crossbow.Hopefully I’m wrong.

[Salty Nut]

Warm up the tracking dogs!

Long range shots and bad hits are coming like COVID!

Without the vaccine

[tim]

Yep

[orangediablo]

a significant number of more deer will be taken in archery.  This happened in PA, and we saw many less hunters in our area come gun season (as you only get one buck tag in PA).  I'm all for getting more people out there, but like everything, there are pros and cons

[Trorun]

New York hunters can now use crossbows during all archery big game seasons, thanks to Governor Hochul signing Bill S6360A into law in August 2025. A new requirement is the purchase of an archery privilege (an extra license) to hunt with a crossbow. Crossbows must have a working safety and a minimum peak draw weight of 100 pounds, while previous restrictions on limb width, draw weight, and bolt length have been removed.