New law allows crossbow hunting in New York State

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - After over a decade of pushing for it, it’s a win for state conservation groups as Governor Hochul signs a crossbow bill into law.

The bill gives hunters across the state the ability to use a crossbow for big game in any area where bowhunting is allowed.

Hunters looking to use a crossbow must have a hunting license and a bowhunter education certificate.

One advocate says that a benefit of the move is lessening the learning curve and improving access for new hunters.

“To try to hunt with traditional archery equipment like a longbow, or recurve, or even a compound bow, there’s a significant learning curve that goes into becoming proficient enough with those weapons to be ethical. A crossbow is a much easier ramp-up to be effective for hunting, so it becomes v