Post by Doug/Va on Aug 12, 2005 7:22:30 GMT -5
I thought I'd post this here for anyone interested in hunting in Virginia this year: ;D
Crossbow Use Extended to All Hunters
At the June 23, 2005, meeting of the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries the Board approved the use of crossbows for hunting during the upcoming fall hunting season. Previously, only disabled hunters could hunt with crossbows.
Crossbows will be legal to use by any hunter during the upcoming 2005-2006 hunting season.
If a crossbow is used during any archery season (including the urban archery season) a hunter must have a crossbow license. The license fee is $12 for residents and $25 for non-residents plus the $.50 agent fee.
Crossbow licenses may be obtained from clerks or agents who sell hunting licenses. Licenses are now available from automated license delivery systems and through the Department's Web site. Paper licenses sold at non-automated license agent facilities will be available in early August.
Disabled hunters unable to use conventional archery equipment will no longer need a doctor's certification to use a crossbow. A disabled hunter will need a crossbow license when using the crossbow during any archery season.
If a hunter chooses to use both conventional archery tackle and a crossbow during any archery season they will need both an archery license when using the conventional bow and a crossbow license when using the crossbow.
If a hunter chooses to use a crossbow during the general firearms season, no crossbow license will be required (just as there is no requirement for a person to have an archery license if using conventional archery equipment during the firearms season).
The laws governing the use of archery tackle also apply to crossbow tackle (e.g., arrowhead widths, no explosive devices on tips, etc.)
View the final regulation amendments adopted June 23, 2005, and effective August 24, 2005 [PDF]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a big game license (bear, deer, turkey license) in addition to a crossbow license?
Yes, if hunting bear, deer, or turkey with a crossbow during an archery season.
Are crossbows legal to use during the general firearms deer season?
Yes.
Do I need a crossbow license to hunt with a crossbow during the general firearms season?
No. You will need the appropriate state hunting license and big game license, if applicable.
I am disabled and have a doctor's certificate. Do I still need a crossbow license if hunting with a crossbow?
Yes, but you will no longer need a doctor's certificate.
I am disabled and purchased an archery license last year to hunt with a crossbow during the archery seasons. Do I need to buy both an archery license and crossbow license this season?
No, all you need to purchase is a crossbow license to hunt with a crossbow during the archery season. Remember that you also need the appropriate state hunting license and big game license, if applicable.
Are optical sights (scopes) allowed on crossbows?
Yes. Scopes are allowed on crossbows.
Is there a maximum draw weight poundage?
Crossbows are considered a type of bow and arrow and therefore have the same requirements in archery tackle specifications as a conventional bow. Thus a crossbow must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
Does a youth buying a youth resident or non-resident combination license need a crossbow license?
Yes. The state law that established the combination license was not amended to include the recently established crossbow license. Youth with a combination license will need a crossbow license if using a crossbow during an archery season.
Crossbow Use Extended to All Hunters
At the June 23, 2005, meeting of the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries the Board approved the use of crossbows for hunting during the upcoming fall hunting season. Previously, only disabled hunters could hunt with crossbows.
Crossbows will be legal to use by any hunter during the upcoming 2005-2006 hunting season.
If a crossbow is used during any archery season (including the urban archery season) a hunter must have a crossbow license. The license fee is $12 for residents and $25 for non-residents plus the $.50 agent fee.
Crossbow licenses may be obtained from clerks or agents who sell hunting licenses. Licenses are now available from automated license delivery systems and through the Department's Web site. Paper licenses sold at non-automated license agent facilities will be available in early August.
Disabled hunters unable to use conventional archery equipment will no longer need a doctor's certification to use a crossbow. A disabled hunter will need a crossbow license when using the crossbow during any archery season.
If a hunter chooses to use both conventional archery tackle and a crossbow during any archery season they will need both an archery license when using the conventional bow and a crossbow license when using the crossbow.
If a hunter chooses to use a crossbow during the general firearms season, no crossbow license will be required (just as there is no requirement for a person to have an archery license if using conventional archery equipment during the firearms season).
The laws governing the use of archery tackle also apply to crossbow tackle (e.g., arrowhead widths, no explosive devices on tips, etc.)
View the final regulation amendments adopted June 23, 2005, and effective August 24, 2005 [PDF]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a big game license (bear, deer, turkey license) in addition to a crossbow license?
Yes, if hunting bear, deer, or turkey with a crossbow during an archery season.
Are crossbows legal to use during the general firearms deer season?
Yes.
Do I need a crossbow license to hunt with a crossbow during the general firearms season?
No. You will need the appropriate state hunting license and big game license, if applicable.
I am disabled and have a doctor's certificate. Do I still need a crossbow license if hunting with a crossbow?
Yes, but you will no longer need a doctor's certificate.
I am disabled and purchased an archery license last year to hunt with a crossbow during the archery seasons. Do I need to buy both an archery license and crossbow license this season?
No, all you need to purchase is a crossbow license to hunt with a crossbow during the archery season. Remember that you also need the appropriate state hunting license and big game license, if applicable.
Are optical sights (scopes) allowed on crossbows?
Yes. Scopes are allowed on crossbows.
Is there a maximum draw weight poundage?
Crossbows are considered a type of bow and arrow and therefore have the same requirements in archery tackle specifications as a conventional bow. Thus a crossbow must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
Does a youth buying a youth resident or non-resident combination license need a crossbow license?
Yes. The state law that established the combination license was not amended to include the recently established crossbow license. Youth with a combination license will need a crossbow license if using a crossbow during an archery season.
