Crossbow

[Robin]

A guy told me yesterday that if your over 70 years old you don't need a doctors waver to hunt with it during the Bow Season. I poured through the handout booklet and can find nothing about it, but I know they don't always publish all the latest information.
Robin

 

[byron]

all I could find is this AI generated answer but could not find any ware else so I would not trust it

AI Overview
Learn more…Opens in new tab

Yes, in New York, you do not need a doctor's waiver to hunt with a crossbow during bow season if you are over 70 years old, but you do need a valid hunting license and to follow all other hunting regulations:

• Hunting license: You need a hunting license to hunt with a crossbow for small game.
  
  
  
• Senior hunting license: New York State residents who are 70 or older are eligible for a reduced-fee senior hunting license that costs $5. This license covers hunting, fishing, and trapping.
  
  
  
• Crossbow specifications: All crossbow specifications still apply.
  
  
  
• Muzzleloading tag or privilege: If you plan to use a crossbow during the muzzleloading season, you also need a muzzleloading tag or privilege.
  
  
  
• Turkey permit: You need a turkey permit to hunt turkeys.
  
  
  
• Modified crossbow permit: You can apply for a modified crossbow permit to use a modified crossbow to hunt small game and big game. The permit is valid for life and has no fee.

 

[Saltwater60]

What I know is they treat them as muzzle loaders and the last two weeks of bow season anyone can use them and then you can use them the rest of the season. I have one and it’s great. It hits like a ton of bricks.

 

[S&W Fan]

Usually The best way to get the skinny first hand is to call your local DEC satellite office . I’ve done that several times with excellent results.

 

[BMF JK]

For what it’s worth, my dad is 81 and had to get a doctors note.

 

[Bustedknees]

I tried carrying my son's xbow a few years back. I was about 57 years old then. I hated it! They're heavy, a very odd size to haul out to your place of hunt. And I see no point of carrying any weapon dry if I'm in the field but having all that string and limbs under such tension scares the shit out of me. Then lovely NYS makes it illegal to carry the very compact limbs that are on the market. I'd still like one to have in my collection but for hunting deer I'd rather buy myself a new compound bow.

 

[Saltwater60]

I tried carrying my son's xbow a few years back. I was about 57 years old then. I hated it! They're heavy, a very odd size to haul out to your place of hunt. And I see no point of carrying any weapon dry if I'm in the field but having all that string and limbs under such tension scares the shit out of me. Then lovely NYS makes it illegal to carry the very compact limbs that are on the market. I'd still like one to have in my collection but for hunting deer I'd rather buy myself a new compound bow.

Your points are certainly valid. I hate that you can’t set fire it. I agree it’s stupid the compact ones are banned for hunting. The regulations around crossbows are absurd. Mine when I bought it the box says it was 400 FPS but the limbs say 410 FPS so the box says I’m legal but the limbs say I’m illegal. The website specs say 400 as well. I should just remove the sticker and be done with it but I think I read they need to have the sticker?? So stupid. I can shoot one a week later with a 50 cal but not a 401 FPS bolt.

 

[Robin]

I have medical issues that keep me from bow hunting, I miss it terribly and spent countless hours in the woods for the last seventy years just wandering, and stump shooting with equipment I made myself. I started very young and had a pretty good run, its just the way of it. I refuse to get a note from my doctor like some truant child, fuck them!
Robin

 

[GTN]

Call DEC and ask to talk to a ECO.

 

[Robin]

Maybe next year.
Robin