http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html
SEE Excerpt:
Crossbow Hunting
Features
- You may only use a crossbow during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons for deer and bear, late muzzle loading seasons for deer or bear, and the special firearms season for deer in Suffolk County.
- Crossbows cannot be used in "bow hunting-only" areas of the state or during bow hunting seasons.
- You will need to possess a signed "Certificate of Qualification" (available on our Sportsman Education page) while hunting afield with a crossbow.
- There are no special provisions for the use of crossbows for disabled hunters or for hunters 70 years old or older.
- Hunters with either temporary or permanent physical disabilities should refer to the Modified Longbow Authorization for information on use of specially equipped longbows or compound bows.
- The crossbow law expires on December 31, 2012, unless the Legislature and Governor agree to an extension.
The Basics of New York's New Crossbow Law
Question: What is the new law?
Answer: During the 2010 Legislative Session, Assembly bill 924-e/Senate bill 6793-b was passed. Governor Paterson signed this bill into law on September 17, 2010. The bill may be read in its entirety by going to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/ and using the bill search feature to look for "A-924-e" or "S-6793-b."
Question: When does the new law go in effect?
Answer: The changes went into effect on February 1, 2011. This means that a licensed hunter can use a crossbow during the 2011 and 2012 big game hunting seasons. The law will expire on December 31, 2012, unless the Legislature and Governor decide to extend it.
Question: Is a new or separate type of license required to use a crossbow?
Answer: There is no special crossbow license or tag. You will need any DEC license that allows big game hunting and carry a certificate of qualification (some training is required, see below). If you are using a crossbow during the late muzzle loading seasons, you will need to have the muzzle loading privilege.
Question: Is a crossbow and a bolt defined in the new law?
Answer: Yes. The crossbow shall consist of a bow, string, and either recurve or compound limbs, having a minimum width of 17 inches (tip of limbs, uncocked), mounted on a stock. The stock shall have a trigger with a working safety that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. It shall have a minimum overall length from the butt of the stock to the front of the limbs of 24 inches and be able to launch a minimum 14 inch arrow/bolt, not including the legal arrowhead. It shall have a draw weight of 100 to 200 pounds.
Use of Crossbows
Question: When can I use a crossbow to hunt?
Answer: Crossbows may be used only during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons, late muzzle loading seasons, and the special firearms season in Suffolk County for the 2011 and 2012 big game hunting seasons.
Question: May I use a crossbow during a bow hunting season?
Answer: No. Crossbows may not be used during any bow hunting season.
Question: I have a note from my doctor regarding an injury that prevents me from using a regular bow. May I use a crossbow during the early bow hunting seasons?
Answer: No. The new law does not allow a hunter with disabilities (temporary or permanent) to use a crossbow during any bow hunting season. Hunters with physical disabilities should refer to the Modified Longbow Authorization for more information.
Question: I am 70 years old (or older). May I use a crossbow during the bow hunting season?
Answer: No. The new law does not allow a senior hunter to use a crossbow during any bow hunting seasons.
Question: May I use a crossbow in the "bow hunting only" areas of New York, such as Westchester County, parts of Albany and Monroe counties, and Suffolk County?
Answer: Crossbow use is not allowed in any season in Wildlife Management Units 3S (Westchester County), 4J (part of Albany County), and 8C (Monroe County). For Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk County), crossbow use is not allowed during the regular season, but it is allowed during the Special Firearms Season in January.
Question: May I use a crossbow during the early bear or early muzzle loading seasons in the Northern Zone?
Answer: Crossbows may be used during the early bear season, but crossbows may not be used in the early muzzle loading season in the Northern Zone.
Question: May I use a crossbow to hunt small game, such as wild turkeys?
Answer: No. Crossbows may only be used to hunt big game (deer and bear).
Question: Are the restrictions on the use of crossbows the same as a firearm or bow?
Answer: Yes. A crossbow may not be loaded in or on a motor vehicle, it may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied building or school, it may not be discharged across a highway, or in areas where the discharge is presently prohibited for a bow or firearm.
Question: When is a crossbow considered unloaded?
Answer: A crossbow is considered unloaded when the bolt/arrow is removed, regardless whether the crossbow is cocked or uncocked.
Question: What tags would a crossbow hunter use to tag their deer?
Answer: During the regular season, a crossbow hunter could use a Deer Management Permit (DMP - antlerless only), Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP - antlerless only) tag, or their regular big game tag (antlered deer only). During the late muzzle loading season, crossbow hunters could use a DMP, DMAP tag, or their special season muzzle loading tags (either-sex or antlerless only). Additionally, crossbow hunters could use their unfilled regular season tag for deer of either sex during the late muzzle loading season. In order to fill any tag in the late muzzle loading season, the hunter must have the muzzle loading privilege.
Question: Are Junior Hunters allowed to use a crossbow to hunt deer or bear?
Answer: 14 and 15 year old Junior Hunters may hunt deer or bear with a crossbow once they complete the crossbow safety training (see below). Junior Bow hunters (age 12 and 13) may not use a crossbow to hunt big game.
Question: What kind of broad head may I use on my crossbow?
Answer: You must use the same type of broad head lawful for hunting big game with a longbow. The broad head must have two or more cutting edges, it may not be barbed, and it must be at least 7/8 inches wide across the cutting surfaces.
Special Training Requirements
Question: Do I need to take a special sportsman education course to hunt with a crossbow?
Answer: No. However, you must have completed the basic hunter education course, and hunters planning to use a crossbow to hunt deer or bear will need to complete training in the safe use of hunting with a crossbow and responsible crossbow hunting practices.
Question: Where can I obtain this training?
Answer: Training will be included in all basic hunter education courses now being offered. If you completed hunter education in the past, information on safe and responsible use of a crossbow can be found within the Crossbow Hunting Qualifications and Certificate located on our Sportsman Education page and in the 2011-2012 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. After completion of the training, all potential crossbow hunters will need to complete and sign a crossbow 'Certificate of Qualification' and possess this while hunting afield with a crossbow.
I have listened for years as to how the move from longbows, to recurves to compounds will decimate the deer herd, provide an unfair advantage to the compound users etc. NONE OF WHICH has manifested itself.
I listened to the same arguments during the special ML seasons from folks who felt the same way about allowing projectiles other than round balls, allowing scopes on muzzle loaders, the switch from flintlocks to percussion caps to musket caps to 209 shot shell primers, in line technology etc. These fears were also Unjustified. We now have in line muzzle loaders that will print respectable groups at 200 yards using rifle scopes and no apparent harm to the deer herd at large.
I personally believe the cross bows should be allowed for hunters with disabilities in NYS and for older hunters who may be unable to pull back their compound bow any longer. In case you haven't looked around, there are a lot more grey haired or white haired hunters and we are not getting any younger. We need to do what we can to promote the sport and hold the interest of younger hunters coming into the sport. Despite any one's best efforts, technology is going to continue whether someone approves of it or not. My opinion's are my own and I am not trying to talk you out of yours.
I am NOT looking for an argument and everyone has a right to their own opinion and conclusions.
That being said, here are some crossbows you might want to consider if your in the market:
Field and Stream magazine had regular guys like you and me, test (4) crossbows through an entire hunting season. The Carbon Express Covert CX1 at $500 suggested retail held down the number one spot. Testers agreed it took first place for the best combination of speed accuracy, and reliability. Fit and finish were praised and the bow was easy to cock. Negatives: "The trigger was too heavy". Never-the-less it earned the participants ***** award and for $500 it is worth a look.
The Barnett Penetrator also for $500 made **** 1/2 stars. Pluses were the bow was compact, comfortable, fast and accurate. There was concern over the foot stirrup designed to help anchor the bow during cocking has potential to risk fouling the mechanisms with mud or snow. There was also a concern over durability of the plastic bolt retainer.
Two other Cross bows were tested with the Wicked Ridge Invader at $550 earning a **** rating and the Excalibur Axiom SMF at $500 earning a *** 1/2 star rating.
All four of these were manufacturer's ENTRY LEVEL cross bows and not meant to compete with other models running the gamut up to $1,699 for a Carbon Elite XLT, a Scorpyd Ventilator at $1,349 and several other models in the $700 - $800 range.
Outdoor Life as mentioned also tested 11 crossbows in the $499 to $1,699 price range. Both magazines had excellent articles and fair informative tests. I suggest picking up a copy of each magazine at your new stand today (IF) you are not already a subscriber.
The unknown factor in all of these tests is your own personal opinion on the looks of the bow, how it feels in your hands and what features you consider important.
I would personally visit a Cabela's, BassPro, Gander Mountain or similar store near you to take a test drive at their indoor ranges before you lay down your hard earned cash.
Dan
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