Hunting News

All hunters can now use crossbows during archery seasons

All hunters can now use crossbows during archery seasons

By Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Hunters in Illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the state archery deer season and the fall turkey archery season beginning October 1.

The new law amends the Illinois Wildlife Code to repeal restrictions on the use of crossbows during archery hunting seasons in Illinois.

Previously Illinois law allowed the use of crossbows for archery hunting by persons age 62 or older, and those persons with disabilities who qualified for a crossbow permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources. The previous law also allowed certain youth hunters to use crossbows, and allowed all archery hunters to use crossbows beginning the Monday after the second firearm deer season.

The 2017-18 season dates for archery deer and fall turkey archery hunting in Illinois are Oct. 1 through Jan. 14, 2018.  Archery seasons will be closed Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30-Dec. 3 during the firearm deer season in those counties open to firearm deer hunting.

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd