Erict
WKR
Just recently, NY law was passed that makes a crossbow an archery implement (added to longbow, recurve and compound). This means that one can hunt the entire archery season with a crossbow as long as they have an archery license (and to get that license, you need proof of bowhunter education). Most of the details can be found HERE, and most of the hunting season maps can be found HERE.
For those wondering, for many years now, crossbows could be used to hunt during the "gun" deer seasons, and also during the last two weeks of the archery season, but only if you purchased a MUZZLELOADER privilege. Lots of politics involved with that initial decision.
NY issues a buck tag when purchasing a hunting license, and you get an additional buck tag if you purchase an archery or muzzleloader privilege that are good for those seasons. Time will tell if this leads to any significant changes to deer take, pressure, license sales, etc.
Being that it was a late change, thought maybe you NR may find this info useful. Good luck.
For those wondering, for many years now, crossbows could be used to hunt during the "gun" deer seasons, and also during the last two weeks of the archery season, but only if you purchased a MUZZLELOADER privilege. Lots of politics involved with that initial decision.
NY issues a buck tag when purchasing a hunting license, and you get an additional buck tag if you purchase an archery or muzzleloader privilege that are good for those seasons. Time will tell if this leads to any significant changes to deer take, pressure, license sales, etc.
Being that it was a late change, thought maybe you NR may find this info useful. Good luck.
