AZFG restricting Crossbows

[Beendare]

AZFG decided to restrict Crossbow use in AZ during Archery season as of Jan 1, 2026.

Can I just say; YEAY!

 

[Beendare]

The bad news is they have taken away a bunch of Archery tags.....non Residents getting hammered- Again

 

[Cannonball]

Last December I woke up one morning with my trapezius locked up and i was unable to lift my left arm. Went through chiro/neuro/ortho and ultimately a 2nd opinion at Mayo after OrthoAZ wanted to fuse 6 vertebrae for the pinched nerve that caused the problem. It was scary being partially paralyzed in that arm and not knowing if it would ever get back to normal. I couldn't lift a bow much less draw it. After a few months of PT, I was able to lift a "kids" bow and draw 22lbs at 26" DL, down from my RX7 at 70lbs and 28". I slowly added poundage and DL to what I call my recovery bow and now here we are a year later to the day and thankfully I am able to shoot my RX7 again but my arm still isnt back to normal.

I wouldnt have qualified for a permanent xbow permit or CHAMP and wouldnt have been able to hunt a draw tag had I had one. I didnt so would only have lost out on OTC. Even if I had a tag it wouldnt have been the end of the world to lose a year of hunting, it would suck to lose points.

Im just sharing my experience where I feel the temp xbow permit was used as intended. BTW my temp xbow permit is good through next year but I'm hunting with the compound since I'm able to now. Its unfortunate that the xbow permits were so misused they have had to be eliminated.

 

[Article 4]

This was not well thought through, as often happens when GF decides on a rule. Go figure.

IMO there can be reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities. That does not mean that someone can use any 500 fps crossbow - perhaps thinking it through to a like and kind rule.

Say a 350 fps recurve crossbow - not too far off from many compounds at this point with a range of about 60-80 yards which is realistic in parts of the state.

 

[HuntHarder]

This was not well thought through, as often happens when GF decides on a rule. Go figure.

IMO there can be reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities. That does not mean that someone can use any 500 fps crossbow - perhaps thinking it through to a like and kind rule.

Say a 350 fps recurve crossbow - not too far off from many compounds at this point with a range of about 60-80 yards which is realistic in parts of the state.

You would have rathered them put fps requirements on existing crossbows? The Depts stance is crossbows are basically no longer similar to archery equipment.

 

[Article 4]

You would have rathered them put fps requirements on existing crossbows? The Depts stance is crossbows are basically no longer similar to archery equipment.

I think resetting the permits is fine. having people reapply is fine.

yeah. i mean we don’t limit how compounds operate or are designed do we? l

 

[canyonhunter47]

This was not well thought through, as often happens when GF decides on a rule. Go figure.

IMO there can be reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities. That does not mean that someone can use any 500 fps crossbow - perhaps thinking it through to a like and kind rule.

Say a 350 fps recurve crossbow - not too far off from many compounds at this point with a range of about 60-80 yards which is realistic in parts of the state.

How would you go about distinguishing 350 vs 500 fps crossbows in the field? Warden carries around chrono makes hunters shoot them at a target?

Also shooting 60-80 yards accurately in field conditions with a real bow takes lots of practice. With a cross bow you can do that in an afternoon

 

[MuleyFever]

AZ has been doing a good job of recognizing and limiting tech. Hope other western states follow.

 

[Article 4]

How would you go about distinguishing 350 vs 500 fps crossbows in the field? Warden carries around chrono makes hunters shoot them at a target?

Also shooting 60-80 yards accurately in field conditions with a real bow takes lots of practice. With a cross bow you can do that in an afternoon

Perhaps you buy a permit and have it attached the the crossbow. look you aren’t going to police every little thing. My sense is the # of crossbow apps will drop 80-90% just requiring a physician note

Vets with disabilities go through the same process. we have to show a disability letter stating 100% rating. why not others?

So are you against folks with disabilities hunting on archery season?

 

[canyonhunter47]

Perhaps you buy a permit and have it attached the the crossbow. look you aren’t going to police every little thing. My sense is the # of crossbow apps will drop 80-90% just requiring a physician note

Vets with disabilities go through the same process. we have to show a disability letter stating 100% rating. why not others?

They already require doctors notes and they’re being abused. From what I hear especially on Strip archery tags.

So are you against folks with disabilities hunting on archery season?

If the solution is easy to abuse and takes all the skill and discipline out of a method that is fundamentally limited and provides one of the few remaining OTC opportunities in the state, then yes 100%

 

[Article 4]

They already require doctors notes and they’re being abused. From what I hear especially on Strip archery tags.

If the solution is easy to abuse and takes all the skill and discipline out of a method that is fundamentally limited and provides one of the few remaining OTC opportunities in the state, then yes 100%

Abuse by a few predicates punishment for all? Should we punish every rifle hunter if a few break the law? That’s a pretty slippery slope.

So your solution is, even for disabled people, no archery hunting. period? No OTC availability at all? And don’t say they can opt for rifle. That’s not even a comparison to approach.

disagree completely.

 

[Davyalabama]

Hmm, be careful on the restricting things. Nope, a .30 cal or 6 is too much for deer, you can only use a .22 magnum that’s enough, all you .223 guys, nope too much, you don’t need it. No inline muzzle loaders, only flintlocks. Compound bow, nope that’s not traditional, too technical. Carbon arrows with nice fletching and mechanical heads, nope, those are out too. Wood arrows, heads made from real rocks, only real feathers. Lighted knocks? The ATF is going to throw you under the jail buddy. You also better not think about a pistol brace, matter of fact, turn any AR in to your local authorities. A compound bow better not even cross state lines if you have an arrow anywhere in the same vehicle.

 

[HuntHarder]

Perhaps you buy a permit and have it attached the the crossbow. look you aren’t going to police every little thing. My sense is the # of crossbow apps will drop 80-90% just requiring a physician note

Vets with disabilities go through the same process. we have to show a disability letter stating 100% rating. why not others?

So are you against folks with disabilities hunting on archery season?

Do you even hunt? Az has champ hunts for disabled...

Huge difference when crossbows can be cocked and locked and shoot 100+ yards accurately off a tripod.

 

[HuntHarder]

Abuse by a few predicates punishment for all? Should we punish every rifle hunter if a few break the law? That’s a pretty slippery slope.

So your solution is, even for disabled people, no archery hunting. period? No OTC availability at all? And don’t say they can opt for rifle. That’s not even a comparison to approach.

disagree completely.

When i can't hike up mountains anymore cuz I'm old, can I use helicopter to hunt from?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

One of my best hunting partners was hit by a drunk driver 4 years ago here in AZ. She permanently ended his bow hunting career when he was just 34 years young.

AZGFD has been helpful in approving him for cross bow permits for certain hunts and units since then. They aren’t just letting anyone go out and hunt with a crossbow are they? Guess I need to read up closer on the regs.

 

[Article 4]

Do you even hunt? Az has champ hunts for disabled...

Huge difference when crossbows can be cocked and locked and shoot 100+ yards accurately off a tripod.

yes i hunt - used to live in Az and hunt there almost every year.

Compounds are very capable of 100 yards shots without a tripod. what’s your point?

 

[Article 4]

When i can't hike up mountains anymore cuz I'm old, can I use helicopter to hunt from?

No you can’t. Sarcasm is going to be eliminated just like crossbows.

 

[HuntHarder]

yes i hunt - used to live in Az and hunt there almost every year.

Compounds are very capable of 100 yards shots without a tripod. what’s your point?

Notice how you left out the "cocked and locked" part. Draw locks are banned for compounds..

No point in arguing with you, azgf did the right thing...

 

[Article 4]

One of my best hunting partners was hit by a drunk driver 4 years ago here in AZ. She permanently ended his bow hunting career when he was just 34 years young.

AZGFD has been helpful in approving him for cross bow permits for certain hunts and units since then. They aren’t just letting anyone go out and hunt with a crossbow are they? Guess I need to read up closer on the regs.

Notice how you left out the "cocked and locked" part. Draw locks are banned for compounds..

No point in arguing with you, azgf did the right thing...

who has a draw lock?

true - Azgf is wrong and like many of Game and Fish decisions, poorly thought out and terribly managed

 

[HuntHarder]

No one... you cant
Pretty sure you don't know how a crossbow works. You even hunt?