Crossbow?

[Unkn0wN]

Got a question.... it's about crossbows. I have no idea when it comes to these as I don't own one or never even gave them a thought.

I was chatting with a good friend of mine who lives in North Carolina and it turned to weapons. He stated he wants to get a Crossbow, but it's a pain down there because he would need to get a concealed weapons permit first before he can buy one. I was a little stunned by this? You need a CWP to buy a crossbow down there? I tried searching the topic, but mostly came up with sites that discussed hunting in NC with a crossbow.

So, I thought, what does it take in VA to buy one? I wouldn't think it would take much...

[KaosDad]

I (literally) bought two cheap crossbow pistols out of the back of a truck. So, I think you just go to a sporting goods store & buy one. Or get that crossbow upper for your AR lower!!!

[AlanM]

Here's your answer about North Carolina:

North Carolina Allows Crossbows - Requires Concealed Weapons Permit

State law requires that anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina first obtain a pistol permit from the sheriff's office in their county of residence or hold a valid concealed handgun permit. Questions about obtaining pistol permits and issuance of concealed handgun permits should be directed to the local sheriff's department.

Searching hint: This worked in both Google and Yahoo! searches "crossbow concealed weapon nc"

[Unkn0wN]

I (literally) bought two cheap crossbow pistols out of the back of a truck. So, I think you just go to a sporting goods store & buy one. Or get that crossbow upper for your AR lower!!!

I have no intentions on buying one (although it was very useful in the Walking Dead series, lol). When he told me about the NC law, it got me curious about what it takes in VA.

Here's your answer about North Carolina:

North Carolina Allows Crossbows - Requires Concealed Weapons Permit

State law requires that anyone buying or otherwise receiving a crossbow in North Carolina first obtain a pistol permit from the sheriff's office in their county of residence or hold a valid concealed handgun permit. Questions about obtaining pistol permits and issuance of concealed handgun permits should be directed to the local sheriff's department.

Searching hint: This worked in both Google and Yahoo! searches "crossbow concealed weapon nc"

Thanks for the link. I usually do search better and do multiple searches, but I guess I was lazy when I did it today. I searched "crossbow permit nc" and left it at that, lol.

[meak99]

Yes.... anyone in VA can purchase and hunt with a crossbow. No extra permits to purchase, but you'd need a crossbow hunting license instead of the regular archery license.

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[zephyp]

Some states allow crossbows for hunting and VA is one. Nothing at all required to buy and as meak mentioned you need the extra crossbow tag to use one to hunt. My guess about NC is they see them as silent weapons capable of extended range which is somewhat true. I've got a decent one and you can drill 2" groups at 40 yards. I'm guessing max effective range around 100 yards. Quite difficult to conceal though but the performance over a bow is significant.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Wow, I would hate to see what it would take to get a gun in NC!

[Vahunter]

Wow, I would hate to see what it would take to get a gun in NC!

A permit is required from the sherrif to buy a handgun. But to buy a rifle or shotgun if you have a CHP you are exempt from the NCIS. The gun prices are a little lower in some places but the high sales tax makes up for it.

[meak99]

Some states allow crossbows for hunting and VA is one. Nothing at all required to buy and as meak mentioned you need the extra crossbow tag to use one to hunt. My guess about NC is they see them as silent weapons capable of extended range which is somewhat true. I've got a decent one and you can drill 2" groups at 40 yards. I'm guessing max effective range around 100 yards. Quite difficult to conceal though but the performance over a bow is significant.

I think some states allow crossbow only for disabled hunters, or hunters who have a doctor vouch that they cannot draw back a bow for medical reasons. I am not sure - did VA used to be this way?

[zephyp]

Some states allow crossbows for hunting and VA is one. Nothing at all required to buy and as meak mentioned you need the extra crossbow tag to use one to hunt. My guess about NC is they see them as silent weapons capable of extended range which is somewhat true. I've got a decent one and you can drill 2" groups at 40 yards. I'm guessing max effective range around 100 yards. Quite difficult to conceal though but the performance over a bow is significant.

I think some states allow crossbow only for disabled hunters, or hunters who have a doctor vouch that they cannot draw back a bow for medical reasons. I am not sure - did VA used to be this way?

Good point. Not sure about VA but MD was this way. Not sure about a doctor note though.

[AlanM]

Every state is different. For example Ohio:

I am not a bow hunter so this is just information from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Allowable Hunting Equipment

Archery Season:

Longbow or bow means a device for propelling an arrow by means of limbs, and a string which is hand-held, hand-drawn and held in a drawn position by hand, or hand-held mechanical release, or by a mechanical device with a working safety. This would include compound bows and recurve bows. Minimum draw weight 40 lbs. Crossbow means a device for propelling an arrow by means of transverse limbs and a string, mounted on a stock of at least 25 inches in length, and having a working safety: draw weight not less than 75 lbs. The arrow tip shall have a minimum of two cutting edges which may be exposed or unexposed and minimum 3/4-inch width. Expandable and mechanical broadheads are legal. Poisoned or explosive arrows are illegal.

The White-tailed Deer: Archery season in Ohio is the longest of the deer hunting seasons extending from September 25, 2010 through February 6, 2011.

No special licenses or permits are required to buy or own crossbows in Ohio.

[gunderwood]

Some states allow crossbows for hunting and VA is one. Nothing at all required to buy and as meak mentioned you need the extra crossbow tag to use one to hunt. My guess about NC is they see them as silent weapons capable of extended range which is somewhat true. I've got a decent one and you can drill 2" groups at 40 yards. I'm guessing max effective range around 100 yards. Quite difficult to conceal though but the performance over a bow is significant.

I think some states allow crossbow only for disabled hunters, or hunters who have a doctor vouch that they cannot draw back a bow for medical reasons. I am not sure - did VA used to be this way?

Good point. Not sure about VA but MD was this way. Not sure about a doctor note though.

I've never done it, but this right off the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/re ... s/deer.asp

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Archery Deer Seasons

Special restrictions may apply during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

* Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.
* Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
* Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
* It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical or toxic substance has been added.
* It is unlawful to use dogs.
* It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession except that a muzzleloading firearm, as defined in the muzzleloader deer seasons section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a muzzleloading deer season where deer hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted.

[DavidG]

Va. did used to require a Doctors voucher for crossbows and that ended about four or five years ago and anybody that wants to use one can do so now. It is correct that you will need to purchase a crossbow license to hunt with one unless you are using it to hunt with during regular firearms deer season. You may possess a concealed handgun during archery season, muzzle loader season, and general firearms seasons in counties where rifles are permitted for hunting,if you have a concealed weapons permit. Forty to fifty yards is about the maximum lethal range for a crossbow.

[kanata67]

I've heard that some states you need a doctors slip in regular bow season, in some you can only use them in blackpowder/gun season, in some states women and small children can use them in bow season, and as a rule if you are visibly handicapped you can use them and get away with it. Not worth cutting off a leg if you ask me.

nowhere can I find info about fishing with my -x-bow though. I know fl, and probably the rest of the rational world, will not allow explosive or other "modified" tips for any hunting purposes... but is fishing considered hunting