With everchanging technology and regulations, it is easy to overlook what each state deems as legal or illegal when it comes to what you can or can’t use on your bow setup, and it can be even harder to track that information down. To make it easier on you, we have gathered as much common information from each state as possible in hopes that this “quick guide” can help you plan for your next hunt. While this information was correct at the time of print, always be sure to check with each state for current information.

HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH STATE’S ARCHERY REGULATIONS

ALASKA:

• Crossbows are legal in archery season for diabled hunters with an approved form
• A minimum of 40-pound draw weight for hunting deer, wolf, wolverine, black bear, Dall sheep, and caribou
• A minimum of 50-pound draw weight for hunting mountain goat, moose, elk, brown bear, muskox, and bison
• A bowhunter may hunt in the general season with a lighted sight pin legally attached to their bow. However, during a “restricted” weapons hunt, the light/sight becomes illegal.

ARIZONA:

• Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters on a very restrictive permit basis
• A minimum of 40-pound draw weight is required to hunt bison and 30 pounds for all other species

CALIFORNIA:
·      Any person with a disability which prevents them from being able to draw a bow may use a crossbow
·      Telescopic sights, rangefinding devices, battery-powered or electronically-lighted sights, or other electronic devices attached to the bow or the arrow are not permitted. However, a lighted nock and recording devices which do not aid in rangefinding, sighting, or shooting the bow are permitted.

COLORADO:
·       Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters during the archery season
·       Scopes or any other electronic devices may not be attached to the bow

IDAHO:
·      Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters by permit only during the archery season
·      No electronic device may be attached to your bow or arrow. This includes lighted nocks.
·      Arrows must be at least 24" to hunt

KANSAS:
·      A crossbow is considered a legal archery weapon in Kansas

MONTANA:

• Montana prohibits the use of crossbows during the archery-only season. No exception for disabled hunters.
• No minimum draw weight in Montana, but arrows must be at least 20" overall and weigh a minimum of 300 grains with broadhead attached

NEBRASKA:

• A crossbow is considered a legal archery weapon in Nebraska
• Lighted nocks and recording devices which do not aid in rangefinding, sighting, or shooting the bow are allowed for big game archery seasons and are legal to use

NEVADA:

• Crossbows are not allowed during the archery season
• Arrows must be a minimum of 24" long and weight at least 300 grains with broadhead attached

NEW MEXICO:

• The use of crossbows is allowed by certified mobility-impaired hunters
• Sights on bows may not project light (lighted pins are acceptable)

NORTH DAKOTA:

• Crossbows are legal for disabled hunters by permit only
• Arrows must be at least 24" long, tipped with a metal broadhead

OREGON:

• Crossbows are not allowed during the archery season

SOUTH DAKOTA:

• A crossbow permit is available to any person who is incapable of using a conventional bow with a minimum draw weight of 30 pounds
• An arrow, including the attached broadhead, weighing less than 275 grains when hunting a big game animal or an arrow that is less than 26" long when measured from the notch of the nock to the end of the shaft, not including the blunt or broadhead, is illegal
• A minimum of 40 pounds draw weight when hunting elk
• A minimum of 30 pounds draw weight for hunting all other species

UTAH:

• Hunters who have a physical disability may legally obtain a crossbow permit for hunting big game
• Archery equipment may be used during any big game season, except during the muzzleloader season
• Arrows must be a minimum of 20" in length from the tip of the arrowhead to the tip of the nock

WASHINGTON:

• Crossbows are legal for qualifying archers with a permanent or non- operable disability

WYOMING:

• A crossbow is considered a legal archery weapon in Wyoming
• Crossbows legal during the archery season must have a 90-pound minimum draw weight, minimum draw length of 14", and shoot at least a 16" bolt
• Minimum draw weight of 40 pounds is required to hunt antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, deer, mountain goat, mountain lion, and wolf
• Minimum draw weight of 50 pounds is required to hunt elk and moose
• Magnified sights as well as rangefinding sights are legal

 
 

State	Lighted Nocks	Electronic Sights	Mechanical Broadheads	Minimum Draw Weight	Max Let-off %
Alaska	Legal	Legal	Legal	40-50 lbs., depending on species	N/A
Arizona	Legal	Legal	Legal	30 lbs.	N/A
California	Legal	Illegal	Legal	40 lbs.	N/A
Colorado	Illegal	Illegal	Legal	35 lbs.	80%
Idaho	Illegal	Illegal	Illegal	40 lbs.	85%
Kansas	Legal	Legal	Legal	N/A	N/A
Montana	Legal	Illegal	Legal	N/A	80%
Nebraska	Legal	Legal	Legal	30-40 lbs., depending on species	N/A
Nevada	Legal	Legal	Legal	40 lbs.	80%
New Mexico	Legal	Legal	Legal	N/A	N/A
North Dakota	Legal	Illegal	Legal	35 lbs.	N/A
Oregon	Illegal	Illegal	Illegal	40 lbs.	N/A
South Dakota	Legal	Illegal	Legal	30 lbs.	80%
Utah	Legal	Legal	Legal	30 lbs.	N/A
Washington	Illegal	Illegal	Legal	40 lbs.	N/A
Wyoming	Legal	Legal	Legal	50 lbs.	N/A