The Natural Resources Board has approved letting qualified hunters purchase a crossbow deer hunting license, for use at the same time as the archery or firearm deer season.
Disabled hunters and hunters ages 65 or older have already been allowed to use a crossbow to hunt deer in Wisconsin.
The board saw a crossbow demonstration at a Rod and Gun Club in Sawyer County earlier this week. Board member Gary Zimmer said he came away from the demonstration feeling a need to stress safety.
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“There is some danger to it,” he said. “It’s not just going into the store, buying a crossbow, walking away, and being an expert in being safe. There are injuries with this.”
At a meeting in Hayward, the board asked Department of Natural Resources staff to provide a note soon on how state hunter education programs will address the greater use of crossbows.
More information about crossbow hunting is at the DNR’s website.
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