Broadhead Hunting Regulations by State
The laws on archery equipment vary from state to state. We analyzed the regulation books to compile the broadhead laws and regulations for every state in the Union. We hope you find this reference guide helpful in determining what is allowed and what is not when it comes to tipping your arrows.
The laws on archery equipment vary from state to state. We analyzed the regulation books to compile the broadhead laws and regulations for every state in the Union. We hope you find this reference guide helpful in determining what is allowed and what is not when it comes to tipping your arrows.
_________________________________
Alabama Broadhead Hunting Regulations
All broadheads must have a minimum of two sharpened edges and a minimum weight of 100 grains. The minimum cutting diameter for any broadhead shall be 7/8-inch. The minimum thickness for a fixed-blade broadhead shall be .015 inch and the minimum thickness for mechanical broadheads shall be .025 inch.
Alaska Broadhead Hunting Regulations
A mechanical broadhead can only be used when taking black-tailed deer, wolf, wolverine, black bear, Dall sheep and caribou. Only a fixed or replaceable blade type broadhead is legal for the taking of mountain goat, moose, elk, brown/grizzly bear, musk ox and bison. Barbed broadheads are not legal.
“Broadhead” means an arrowhead with two or more sharp cutting edges having a minimum cutting diameter of not less than seven-eighths inch (7/8″). “Mechanical or retractable broadhead” means a broadhead with cutting edges that are retracted during flight and open upon impact to a minimum cutting diameter of not less than seven-eighths inch (7/8″) and does not lock open after impact to create fixed barbs. “Barbed” refers to an arrowhead with any fixed portion of the rear edge of the arrowhead forming an angle less than 90 degrees with the shaft when measured from the nock end of the arrow.
Arizona Broadhead Hunting Regulations
All broadheads used must be no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges.
Arkansas Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Deer, turkey and bear hunters must use arrowheads at least 7/8-inches wide.
California Broadhead Hunting Regulations
For the taking of big game and turkey, hunting arrows and crossbow bolts with a broad head type blade which will not pass through a hole seven-eighths inch in diameter shall be used. Mechanical/retractable broad heads shall be measured in the open position.
Colorado Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Handheld bows, including compound bows, using arrows equipped with a broadhead with an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 of an inch with no less than two steel cutting edges. Each cutting edge must be in the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface.
Connecticut Broadhead Hunting Regulations
An arrowhead must have at least two blades and must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point. Arrowheads that are designed to open on impact are legal provided they meet the above requirement.
Delaware Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Hunters may take deer and turkey using sharpened broadhead arrows (min. width 7/8”).
Florida Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Arrows used to take deer, turkeys or hogs must be equipped with broadheads having at least two sharpened edges with minimum widths of 7/8 inch.
Georgia Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are allowed for hunting any game or feral hog. Arrows for hunting deer, bears or feral hogs must be broadhead type.
Hawaii Broadhead Hunting Regulations
No person shall possess any arrows equipped with explosive heads or heads containing drugs or poison. Only arrows having a minimum blade cutting diameter width of 3/4 inch are permitted.
We hope you find this reference guide helpful in determining what is allowed and what is not when it comes to tipping your arrows.
Idaho Broadhead Hunting Regulations
In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and short range hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:
With arrows or bolts having broadheads measuring less than 7/8 inch in width and having a primary cutting edge less than 0.015 inch thick. With an arrow or bolt wherein the broadhead does not precede shaft and nock. With any chemicals or explosives attached to the arrow or bolt. With arrows or bolts having barbed broadheads, which is a broadhead with any portion of which forms an angle less than 90 degrees with the shaft or ferrule. With any electronic or tritium-powered device attached to an arrow, bolt or bow. Except disabled archery permit holders may use a non-magnifying sight with battery powered or tritium lighted reticles. With an arrow or bolt, and broadhead with a combined total weight of less than 300 grains.
Illinois Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Broadheads may have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, but they must have a minimum 7/8 inch diameter when fully opened. Broadheads with fixed cutting surfaces must be metal or flint-chert or obsidian-knapped; broadheads with expandable cutting surfaces must be metal.
Indiana Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Arrows must be tipped with broadheads that are metal, metal-edged, or napped flint, chert or obsidian. Poisoned or exploding arrows are illegal.
Iowa Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows shooting broadhead arrows are permitted. No explosive or chemical devices may be attached to the arrow or broadhead. There are no minimum draw weights for bows or minimum diameter for broadheads. Arrows must be at least 18 inches long. Draw locks on compound bows are legal.
Kansas Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Each arrow used for hunting shall be equipped with a broadhead point incapable of passing through a ring with a diameter of three-quarters of an inch when fully expanded. A big game hunter using archery equipment may possess non-broadhead-tipped arrows while hunting if the arrows are not used to take or attempt to take big game animals.
Louisiana Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Longbow, compound bow and crossbow or any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means will be a legal means of take for all properly licensed hunters. Bow and arrow fishermen must have a sport fishing license and not carry any arrows with broadhead points unless a big game season is in progress.
Maine Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Deer and bear may be taken under the archery provisions only by means of hand-held bow with a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds (for moose a minimum draw weight of 45 pounds is required), and broadhead arrow. Arrowheads (including expandable mechanical broadheads) must be at least 7/8 inch in width. It is unlawful to use a set bow, or to use arrows with poisonous or explosive tips. Hunters 70 years of age or older may hunt any wild bird or wild animal with a crossbow during any open season on that wild bird or wild animal.
Maryland Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Arrows used for deer or bear hunting must have a sharpened broadhead with a metal cutting surface having a minimum width of 7⁄8 of an inch.
Massachusetts Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Poisoned arrows, or explosive tips, or bows drawn by mechanical means, are prohibited except for crossbows as permitted. Mechanical releases are permitted. Arrows used on deer, bear or turkey must have well-sharpened steel broadhead blades not less than ⅞ inches in width. Expanding broadheads are legal. Recurve or long bows for deer, bear or turkey hunting must have at least 40 lbs. pull at 28 inches or at peak draw weight for compound bows. No arrows may be released within 150 feet of, or across, any state or hard-surfaced highway, and hunting is prohibited within 500 feet of any dwelling or building in use, unless authorized by owner or occupant thereof.
https://www.wasparchery.com/blog/broadhead-hunting-regulations-by-state
