MONROE - Any hunter who has passed a hunter's safety class can use a crossbow this year thanks to a decision approved by the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board on Wednesday.
The board decided to allow crossbow hunting for both big game and small game. Prior to this change, crossbows were only allowed to be used by those over 65 years of age or the disabled after they had filled out lengthy applications proving age or disability. According to the Department of Natural Resources website, a crossbow deer hunting license costs $24 for a resident and could be upgraded to include a bow license with an additional $3 purchase. Hunters are also allowed to use their crossbow or bow to bag a deer during gun deer season if they purchase a firearm license. Crossbow licenses provide one buck tag and one Farmland Zone antlerless tag. A purchase of the upgrade archery license does not include a new set of tags.
Area retailers have seen a growth in crossbow sales as a result of the rule change. Mike Maurer, manager of CTS Firearms and Archery in Monroe, said there is no waiting period or background check for those who want to purchase a crossbow. Maurer said crossbow sales have gone significantly up.
"Yeah, from before, sales have spiked hugely," Maurer said.
DNR Conservation Warden Ryan Caputo said a crossbow can be used on any kind of game that is permissible with a gun license. This includes turkeys, waterfowl, grouse, pheasant, deer, rabbits, coyotes or geese during their regulated seasons. He said hunters should have equipment like a string retrieval for their crossbow if they are hunting waterfowl.
"You can't just be flinging bolts into the water," Caputo said.
The only limit on crossbow hunting for deer, is that they have a minimum draw rate of 100 pounds. Most crossbows range from a 160-pound to 185-pound draw rate.
Archery and crossbow season for deer begins Sept. 13 and goes through Jan. 4. Gun season lasts from Nov. 22 to Dec. 10 with the holiday hunt for the Southern Farmland Zone lasting from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1. Baiting and feeding is not allowed in Green or Lafayette counties due to the close proximity of chronic wasting disease cases found within 10 miles of the counties.
The board decided to allow crossbow hunting for both big game and small game. Prior to this change, crossbows were only allowed to be used by those over 65 years of age or the disabled after they had filled out lengthy applications proving age or disability. According to the Department of Natural Resources website, a crossbow deer hunting license costs $24 for a resident and could be upgraded to include a bow license with an additional $3 purchase. Hunters are also allowed to use their crossbow or bow to bag a deer during gun deer season if they purchase a firearm license. Crossbow licenses provide one buck tag and one Farmland Zone antlerless tag. A purchase of the upgrade archery license does not include a new set of tags.
Area retailers have seen a growth in crossbow sales as a result of the rule change. Mike Maurer, manager of CTS Firearms and Archery in Monroe, said there is no waiting period or background check for those who want to purchase a crossbow. Maurer said crossbow sales have gone significantly up.
"Yeah, from before, sales have spiked hugely," Maurer said.
DNR Conservation Warden Ryan Caputo said a crossbow can be used on any kind of game that is permissible with a gun license. This includes turkeys, waterfowl, grouse, pheasant, deer, rabbits, coyotes or geese during their regulated seasons. He said hunters should have equipment like a string retrieval for their crossbow if they are hunting waterfowl.
"You can't just be flinging bolts into the water," Caputo said.
The only limit on crossbow hunting for deer, is that they have a minimum draw rate of 100 pounds. Most crossbows range from a 160-pound to 185-pound draw rate.
Archery and crossbow season for deer begins Sept. 13 and goes through Jan. 4. Gun season lasts from Nov. 22 to Dec. 10 with the holiday hunt for the Southern Farmland Zone lasting from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1. Baiting and feeding is not allowed in Green or Lafayette counties due to the close proximity of chronic wasting disease cases found within 10 miles of the counties.