Keith Lusher 09.05.25
Hunters in New York will be able to hunt with crossbows during all archery seasons. Governor Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill S6360 into law this week, allowing crossbows to be used wherever compound and longbows are permitted. The legislation takes effect immediately and represents the culmination of a decades-long advocacy effort by the state’s hunting community.
The new law permits crossbows for hunting big game in any area where traditional archery equipment is allowed. Hunters will still need a Bow Hunter Education Certificate and an Archery Privilege to use crossbows during bow season, which opens September 27 in the Northern Zone and October 1 in the Southern Zone.
The legislation removes previous restrictions that limited crossbow use to certain areas and specific timeframes. It also eliminates equipment requirements including minimum bolt length of 14 inches, a minimum limb width of 17 inches, a minimum overall length of 24 inches, and a maximum draw weight of 200 pounds.
Supporters say the change addresses the needs of aging hunters who may struggle with traditional archery equipment due to physical limitations. New York’s hunting population has declined from over 800,000 in the 1980s to approximately 550,000 today, while deer harvests have dropped from 300,000 annually to 220,000.
“This is a golden opportunity for people like our seniors to be able to continue with the sport they love,” said Patrick McBrearty, legislative vice president of the New York State Conservation Council. The organization, along with the New York Crossbow Coalition and numerous local fish and game clubs, advocated for the change.
The bill received bipartisan support, with Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Deborah Glick and Senate counterpart Pete Harckham leading the legislative effort. Assemblyman Matt Simpson called it “a great win for our hunting community, both now and for future generations.”
Opposition came primarily from traditional bowhunting groups who argued that crossbows provide unfair advantages through their ability to hold arrows at full draw, use scopes, and achieve accuracy at longer distances. The New York Bowhunters organization fought the legislation for years, with members arguing that crossbow hunting lacks the skill requirements of traditional archery.
State officials view the change as both an accessibility improvement and a wildlife management tool. With declining hunter numbers and persistent deer overpopulation issues causing vehicle collisions and ecosystem damage, expanding hunting opportunities could help address these challenges.
Hunters interested in using crossbows during the upcoming seasons can find licensing information and bowhunter education materials on the Department of Environmental Conservation website.
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