Crossbow hunters, mark your calendars for Sept. 4, 2025.

Senate bill S6360, which would permit the use of crossbows for taking big game in any area longbows are allowed, was delivered to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday, Aug. 22.

The clock is now ticking.

Hochul has ten days (not including Sundays) to sign or veto the bill. If she doesn’t act by Sept. 4, the bill automatically becomes law.

And if that happens, hunters will be able to use crossbows during the traditional big game bow season, which opens Oct. 1.

Roy Dust, president of the New York Crossbow Coalition, said he’s confident Hochul will sign the bill into law, citing the unanimous support it received in the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee.

“That was traditionally our problem child,” he said, referring to past failed attempts to pass a crossbow bill.

Dust has been overwhelmed with questions from hunters since the bill passed the Assembly on June 17, chief among them: when will Hochul sign the bill?

“I can see why it’s happening right now, prior to the archery season opening,” Dust said. “It makes political sense. Unfortunately, I learned too much about politics through all this.”

Hunters hoping to hunt with crossbows this fall should act now to get their Bow Hunter Education Certificate and Archery Privilege.

NY State hunting licenses went on sale earlier this month.

Here’s a summary of the crossbow bill from NYCC:

  • Allows crossbows to be used anywhere longbows are permitted
  • Requires archery privilege to hunt with a crossbow
  • Crossbow usage will be taught in a bow hunter safety course
  • Removes all draw weight and width restrictions
  • Adds 500 feet discharge setback for Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com.

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