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.
Take a look at Wasp’s fixed-blade and mechanical broadheads to find one that meets your state regulations.
Alabama Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Alabama? Yes
A legal bow for hunting is defined as either a long bow, a recurve bow, or a compound bow or a crossbow. It shall be unlawful, except as otherwise provided by law or regulation, for any person to hunt deer and turkey with bow and arrows that are not in conformance with the following specifications:
- Bows must have a minimum peak tension (within the user’s normal draw length) of 30 pounds. Crossbows must have a minimum peak tension of 85 pounds at normal draw length.
- Arrows shall be equipped with a broadhead which has a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inch and 2 sharpened edges.
- Crossbows must be equipped with a working safety.
Alaska Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Alaska? Yes
You may not hunt big game with a bow unless the broadhead is a fixed, replaceable, or mechanical/retractable blade type and not barbed.
Broadhead is defined as a fixed, replaceable, or mechanical/retractable blade-type arrowhead that is not barbed with two or more sharp cutting edges having a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8”.
Arizona Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Arizona? Yes
All broadheads used must be no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges.
Arkansas Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Arkansas? Yes
Deer, turkey and bear hunters must use arrowheads at least 7/8-inches wide. Poison may not be used on arrows.
California Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in California? Yes
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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Colorado? Yes
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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Connecticut? Yes
An arrowhead must have at least two blades and must be at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest point when hunting deer and turkey. Arrowheads that are designed to open on impact are legal provided they meet the above requirement.
Delaware Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Delaware? Yes
You may not hunt deer during archery or crossbow season while also having in your possession any weapon or firearm other than a knife, a longbow or crossbow and sharpened broadhead arrows having a minimum width of 7/8”. You may not use or have in your possession any poison arrows or arrows with explosive tips.
Florida Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Florida? Yes
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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Georgia? Yes
Crossbows, longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows are allowed for hunting any game or feral hog. Arrows for hunting deer, bear or feral hog must be broadhead type. There are no restrictions on broadhead cutting edges, broadhead material, or crossbow broadhead diameter.
Hawaii Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Hawaii? Yes
No person shall possess any poisonous, drugged, explosive, or barbed arrows. A barbed arrow is defined as one with points or barbs that protrude backward from the head or point of the arrow such that they may hook or keep the arrow from being pulled through the point of penetration without tearing the flesh of the animal. Only arrows having a minimum blade cutting diameter width of 3/4 inch are permitted.
Idaho Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Idaho? No
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 expanding broadheads
- 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
Illinois Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Illinois? Yes
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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Indiana? Yes
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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Iowa? Yes
Longbows, recurve bows, and compound bows shooting broadhead arrows are permitted. There are no minimum draw weights for bows or minimum diameter for broadheads. No explosive or chemical devices may be attached to the arrow or broadhead.
Kansas Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Kansas? Yes
Each arrow used for hunting big game 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. Devices capable of dispensing chemicals to take big game animals may not be used.
Kentucky Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Kentucky? Yes
Fixed blade or mechanical broadheads at least 7/8” wide (when blades extended), but broadheads may NOT be chemically-treated.
Louisiana Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Louisiana? Yes
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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Maine? Yes
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 65 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
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Maryland? Yes
An individual may hunt deer and black bear with a bow that propels an arrow at least 18” in length with a minimum speed of 300 feet per second at release, uses an arrow with a sharpened broadhead with metal points and a minimum width of 7/8 inch, and has a working safety if the device is fired by a trigger.
Massachusetts Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Massachusetts? Yes
Archery equipment may be used during archery season, shotgun season, and primitive firearms season. Arrows must have a well sharpened steel broadhead blade no less than 7/8 inches in width. Expanding broadheads are legal. All bows must have a draw weight of at least 40lbs at 28 inches or at peak draw. Poisoned arrows, explosive tips, and bows drawn by mechanical means are prohibited. Crossbows may be used by certain permanently disabled persons by permit only.
Michigan Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Michigan? Yes
When hunting deer, bear, elk, and turkey, crossbow hunters must use only arrows, bolts, and quarrels at least 14 inches in length and tipped with a broadhead point at least 7/8 inches wide.
Minnesota Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Minnesota? Yes
Arrowheads used for taking big game must have a minimum of two metal cutting edges, be of barbless broadhead design, with a diameter of at least ⅞ inch. “Expandable” broadheads may be used to take big game if they meet the requirements above and: 1) are at least ⅞ inch in width and no more than 2 inches in width at or after impact; and 2) are of a barbless design and function in a barbless manner
Mississippi Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Mississippi? Yes
Longbows, recurves, compound bows, and crossbows. There is no minimum or maximum draw weight. There is no minimum arrow length. Fixed or mechanical broadheads may be used.
Missouri Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Missouri? Yes
Methods allowed: Longbows, compound bows or recurve bows of any draw weight; no restrictions on broadheads.
Montana Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Montana? Yes
Arrows must have a broadhead with at least two cutting edges. Expandable broadheads are legal as long as they are 7/8 inches at the widest point and weigh no less than 70 grains.
Nebraska Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Nebraska? Yes
Arrows must have a sharpened broadhead with a blade no less than 7/16 of an inch and cutting radius from the center of the shaft. It is never legal to use arrows which have been chemically dipped or equipped with explosives in the state of Nebraska.
Nevada Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Nevada? Yes
Arrows used in hunting big game mammals must be at least 24 inches long, weigh at least 300 grains and have:
(a) Fixed broadheads that are at least 7/8-inch wide at the widest point; or
(b) Expandable, mechanical broadheads that are at least 7/8-inch wide at the widest point when the broadhead is in the open position.
New Hampshire Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in New Hampshire? Yes
Archers and crossbow hunters must have their name and address on arrows or bolts. Fixed blade broadheads cannot be less than ⅞ inches wide and no more than 1½ inches wide. Retractable blade broadheads are permitted (but cannot be less than ⅞ of an inch wide when open).
New Jersey Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in New Jersey? Yes
Arrows must be fitted with a well-sharpened metal broadhead with a minimum width of 3/4 inch.
New Mexico Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in New Mexico? Yes
Arrows must have broadheads with steel cutting edges. No drugs may be used on arrows. Arrows cannot be driven by explosives.
New York Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in New York? Yes
It is unlawful to hunt big game with arrows with barbed broadheads; arrowheads less than 7/8 inches at the widest point or with less than 2 sharp cutting edges.
North Carolina Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in North Carolina? Yes
When used to hunt bear, deer, elk, wild turkey, alligator, and feral swine, only arrows and bolts with a fixed minimum broadhead width of 7/8 of an inch or a mechanically opening broadhead with a width of at least 7/8 of an inch in the open position shall be used. Blunt-type arrow heads may be used in taking small animals and birds, including rabbits, squirrels, quail, and grouse. Poisonous, drugged, or explosive arrowheads shall not be used for taking any wildlife.
North Dakota Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in North Dakota? Yes
Arrows must be at least 24 inches long, tipped with a metal broadhead with at least two sharp cutting edges, and have a cutting diameter of at least 3/4 inch (i.e., not able to pass through a 3/4 inch ring). It is illegal to hunt big game with barbed arrows (barbed refers to an arrowhead with any fixed portion of the rear or trailing edge of the arrowhead forming an angle less than 90 degrees with the shaft). Broadheads with mechanical or retractable blades are legal. Arrows capable of causing damage or injury in excess of that inflicted by the cutting edges of the broadhead are prohibited (e.g., explosive arrow points, arrows tipped with drugs or chemicals, and pneumatic or hydraulic shafts are illegal).
Ohio Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Ohio? Yes
The arrow tip shall have a minimum of two cutting edges which may be exposed or unexposed and a minimum 3/4 inch width. Expandable and mechanical broadheads are legal. Poisoned or explosive arrows are illegal.
Oklahoma Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Oklahoma? Yes
Arrows / bolts must be fitted with a hunting type point no less than 7/8 inches wide, including mechanical broadheads with this width requirement when fully open.
Oregon Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Oregon? Yes
Broadheads must be unbarbed and at least 7/8″ wide. Broadheads with moveable blades that fold/collapse when withdrawn are not considered barbed. Western gray squirrel may also be hunted with small game arrow points/heads. There are no restrictions on the type of arrows or broadheads which may be used to hunt game birds.
Pennsylvania Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Pennsylvania? Yes
Broadheads must have a fixed or mechanical tip with sharpened cutting edges consisting of metal or naturally occurring stone. The broadhead must have an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 of an inch, and the length may not exceed 3.25 inches.
Rhode Island Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Rhode Island? Yes
You may use a long bow, recurve bow, compound bow, or crossbow for hunting deer.
The long bow, recurve bow, and compound bow must be set at no less than 40 pounds for archers using fixed blade broadheads. These bows must be set at a minimum of 50 pounds for archers using mechanical broadheads.
For the long bow, recurve bow, and compound bow, only broadhead-tipped arrows with at least two metal cutting edges are allowed. All broadheads must be 7/8 of an inch or greater at the widest point. This includes mechanical broadheads measured in the open position.
Crossbows must be set at no less than 125 pounds minimum draw weight. One field point arrow may be carried in the quiver for the safe discharge of the crossbow. The field point arrow must be a different color from the crossbow arrow so that they can be easily distinguished.
You may use archery equipment for small game hunting, meeting the minimum draw weight required for deer hunting. Arrows tipped with small game blunts or JUDO points may be used. However, broadhead or field point arrows may not be used for small game hunting.
South Carolina Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in South Carolina? Yes
There are no restrictions on draw weight/length, arrow weight/length, or broadhead weight, width, or style.
South Dakota Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in South Dakota? Yes
Archery hunters are required to use a broadhead when hunting any big game, including turkeys both in the spring and fall seasons. Archers can still possess an arrow tipped with any point while in the field for practice. In addition, archery hunters must use a bow with a minimum of 40 pounds of draw weight when hunting elk and of 30 pounds when hunting all other big game animals.
Tennessee Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Tennessee? Yes
Hunting arrows and bolts must be equipped with sharpened broadheads.
Texas Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Texas? Yes
While hunting game animals and game birds, a projectile may not be poisoned, drugged, or explosive. When used to hunt turkey and all game animals other than squirrels, a projectile must be equipped with a broadhead hunting point. An archer may have arrows/bolts with field, target, or JUDO points in the quiver with the broadhead hunting points. There are no restrictions or minimum requirements on arrow or bolt length, arrow material, arrow weight, lighted nocks, broadhead lengths or diameter, number of cutting edges, broadhead material, or mechanical broadheads.
Utah Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Utah? Yes
Fixed broadheads must have two or more sharp cutting edges that cannot pass through a 7/8-inch ring. Expandable, mechanical broadheads must have two or more sharp cutting edges that cannot pass through a 7/8-inch ring when expanded. Arrows with chemically treated or explosive arrowheads may not be used to take big game.
Vermont Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Vermont? Yes
The arrowhead must be at least 7⁄8 of an inch in width with two or more cutting edges.
Virginia Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Virginia? Yes
Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch. It is unlawful to use explosive head arrows or arrows to which any drug, chemical, or toxic substance has been added.
Washington Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Washington? Yes
Arrows used for big game hunting must weigh a minimum of 6 grains per pound, with a minimum arrow weight of 300 grains, including the broadhead. Broadheads must be sharp and be a minimum of 7/8″ wide. Barbed broadheads are illegal.
West Virginia Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in West Virginia? Yes
It is illegal to hunt wild turkey, bear, deer or boar with arrows with broadheads having less than two sharp cutting edges measuring less than 3/4 of an inch in width. It is also illegal to use an arrow with an explosive, drug-laced or poisoned head or shaft.
Wisconsin Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Wisconsin? Yes
Bows must have a draw weight of 30 pounds or greater, and metal broadheads must be at least 7/8 of an inch wide and kept sharp. Stone arrow heads may be used. You may not possess any poison, drug, or explosive-tipped arrow while hunting.
Wyoming Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Are mechanical broadheads legal in Wyoming? Yes
The broadhead used on arrows or bolts shall not pass through a 7/8 inch solid ring when fully expanded.
View All Posts
