§670.30. Statewide Legal Bow and Arrow

a)         The only legal hunting devices to take, or attempt to take, deer are:

 

1)         Longbows, recurve bows or compound bows with minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw.  Minimum arrow length is 20 inches.

 

2)         Crossbows shall meet all of the following specifications:

 

A)        use a bowstring to propel the bolt or arrow and have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds;

 

B)        have a minimum length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches;

 

C)        have a working safety; and

 

D)        be used with fletched bolts or arrows of not less than 14 inches in length (not including point).

 

b)         Broadheads must be used for archery deer hunting.  Broadheads may have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, but they must be a minimum ⅞ inch in 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.  Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the possession of arrows with field tips or blunt tips for the purpose of legally taking small game or for target practice during the course of the hunt, but those arrows may not be used in any attempt to take deer.

 

c)         All other hunting devices, including electronic arrow tracking devices utilizing radio telemetry, are illegal.  It is unlawful to carry any firearm or sidearm while hunting deer with a bow and arrow unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act or during the firearm deer season with a valid, unfilled firearm deer permit.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18703, effective November 2, 2022)