You can expect a significant increase in the use of crossbows by hunters. The legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee voted to allow the use of crossbows in the fall archery deer season and the fall turkey season.
Crossbows are currently allowed in the spring turkey season but not the fall turkey season. And they are prohibited in the fall archery season for deer.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife supported these changes. The amended bill received the unanimous support of the DIF&W Committee, and is certain to be enacted by the full legislature and signed by the governor.
The changes apply in 2020, 2021, and 2022. After that, DIF&W will have authority to continue these uses through the rule making process.