The Crossbow Hunting “Distance” Explained in New York State

What are the New York State crossbow laws for hunting? Now is the time to get ready and understand the laws as the deer hunting season starts very soon in New York!

The cooler nights and mornings are here in New York State and crossbow and bow hunters alike are getting their gear ready for the opening day! There is something special about this time of the year and the deer population seems very healthy and large in numbers.

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I have hunted with a bow for well over 30 years and can't wait to get in the woods this fall. My kids and I have been shooting our bows and getting excited for the season to start ever since turkey season ended in spring. There is just something special about spending time outdoors with a bow and a target. It's even more exciting when you are waiting for a big buck to walk in your shooting lane.

A few years ago, wife bought me a crossbow for my birthday and I started to shoot it and use it during the crossbow season. It is an amazing weapon to hunt with! The accuracy and speed of a crossbow are no joke. As much as I love my compound bow, the fact that we can use a crossbow all season is a game changer and hard to pass up. That being said, I may still take the old Mathews bow to the stand a few times.

The Crossbow Distance Law in New York State

As I was flipping through some of the hunting laws, I found the laws about how far you need to be from a house or dwelling to shoot a firearm, bow and crossbow. Each weapon has it's own law. If you hunt in a more populated area, you might need this information. We have all seen those "backyard bucks" stories and perhaps one can soon be yours to tell. Obviously you'll need to have legal rights to hunt in those particular areas.

The law in New York State says: it is illegal to shoot "within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow, except 500 feet in Suffolk and Westchester Counties) or 150 feet (for a bow) of any school, playground, or an occupied factory or church, within 500 feet (for a firearm), 250 feet (for a crossbow, except 500 feet in Suffolk and Westchester Counties) or 150 feet (for a bow) of a dwelling, farm building, or structure in occupation or use unless you own it, lease it, are an immediate member of the family, an employee, or have the owner's consent".

Good luck this fall and be safe! The season will start October 1st in the Western New York area and hopefully the cooler weather will also be here!