Assembly Allows Crossbows For Deer Hunters

More people would be allowed to hunt deer with a crossbow under a measure that passed the state Assembly on a unanimous vote.

Right now Wisconsin law only allows someone who’s disabled or at least 65 years old to use a crossbow during bow season. A plan by Irma state Rep. Mary Czaja would change that, letting all hunters use crossbows.

Czaja says it’s an option she’d use if she could. She says she used to bow hunt in high school, but she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40. After her surgery, she says regular bow hunting is no longer an option.

“I can pull that bow, and I can shoot, but the residual effects – the pain and the tearing – not worth it. So here I am, living in the north woods, wanting to enjoy the season of archery and hunting, but not able to.”

Czaja says she hopes her bill will help attract new hunters. It passed on a 95-0 vote and now heads to the Senate.