Changes to Crossbow Hunting Now in Effect

New for fall 2025, hunters in New York State may use a crossbow in the same seasons, places, and manner as a vertical bow for hunting deer and bear.

• To hunt deer and bear with a crossbow during the bowhunting seasons, a hunter must have a hunting license and bowhunting privilege. To be eligible to purchase a bowhunting privilege, a hunter must have bowhunter education certification which is available through the online or in-person course.
• Crossbows may be used wherever and whenever bowhunting occurs, including the archery only portions of Albany and Monroe counties and in Westchester and Suffolk counties. The minimum setback distance for discharge is 500’ in Westchester and Suffolk counties and 250’ in all other areas.
• Crossbows must have a working trigger safety and a minimum peak draw weight of 100 pounds. There is no minimum limb width, no minimum length, and no maximum draw weight.
• Additional answers to commonly asked questions are available: Crossbow Q & A (PDF)