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Home > Hunting & Trapping > Hunting > Archery Hunting

Archery Hunting

The archery license allows bow and arrow hunting for all legal game (except deer during the muzzleloading season), and is required to hunt deer during both archery seasons on deer (October season and expanded archery season).

An archery license is also required in addition to a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit to hunt Wild Turkey with bow and arrow during the fall Wild Turkey hunting season.

Archery Hunting Season for Deer (Statewide): October 2, 2008 through October 31, 2008

New for 2008 Archery Season on Deer:

  • The 2008 archery season will be bucks only in Wildlife Management Districts WMD's 1 through 14, 18, 19, 27, and 28.
  • In WMD's 15 through 17, 20 through 26, and 29, archery hunters are still allowed to harvest one deer of either sex during the archery season.
  • One deer of either sex can still be taken by junior hunters on the Youth Deer Hunting Day.
  • All other laws pertaining to deer hunting shall apply to bowhunting.

Expanded Archery Hunting Season: September 6, 2008 through December 13, 2008

Fall Turkey Hunting Season:

Zone 1 (Archery Only): (WMD's 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 26) - October 11, 2008 through October 25, 2008

Zone 2 (Archery Only): (WMD's 21, 22, 23) - October 2, 2008 through October 26, 2008

Zone 3 (Archery & Shotgun): (WMD's 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) - October 18, 2008 through October 24, 2008

Bag and Possession Limit: One Wild Turkey either sex, any age.

Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hours after sunset.

Note: A fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and an archery license are required to hunt in Zone 1 and 2. In Zone 3, a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and a hunting license that allows hunting for big game are required to hunt with a shotgun, and a fall Wild Turkey hunting permit and an archery license are required to hunt with bow and arrow.

Legal Weapons for Fall Season:

  • Only bow and arrow may be used to hunt Wild Turkey during the fall Wild Turkey hunting season in Zone 1 and Zone 2.
  • In Zone 3, permit holders may use (with appropriate license), bow and arrow or shotgun guages 10 through 20 using shot sizes 4 through 6.

During the expanded archery season, hunters who have a valid archery license will be able to purchase multiple expanded archery antlerless permits for $12.00 each, and one expanded archery buck permit for $32.00. (Junior hunters 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age may hunt during this season with their junior hunting license, but must purchase the expanded archery permits.)

A person who applies for an archery hunting license must show proof of having successfully completed an archery hunter education course or of having held an adult archery license in any year after 1979.

Junior hunters (10 years of age and under 16) who hold a valid junior hunting license are allowed to hunt with bow and arrow when accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

Hunter orange clothing is not required when hunting with bow and arrow. Anyone who hunts with a firearm must wear hunter orange.

A handgun may be carried by licensed* hunters while bow hunting but may NOT be used to dispatch deer. (*License to hunt with firearms).

Laws which allow you to hunt without a license on your own land under certain conditions apply to archery hunting.

Deer may be taken under the archery provisions only by means of hand-held bow with a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds, and broad-head arrow. Arrow heads must be at least 7/8 inch in width. It is unlawful to use a crossbow during the archery seasons on deer. Exception: Disabled persons who have a special permit issued by the commissioner may use a crossbow during the archery seasons on deer. It is also unlawful to use a set bow or to use arrows with poisonous or explosive tips.

All deer killed by bow and arrow during the archery seasons must be inspected and registered at the first open deer registration station.

It is legal to hunt until 1/2 hour after sunset during both archery seasons on deer and during the fall turkey hunting season.

All other laws pertaining to deer hunting shall apply to bowhunting.

Crossbows: Crossbows may be used to hunt bear during the open bear season or deer during the open firearm season on deer only. For more information, see Crossbow Hunting License.