The New Brunswick government will allow hunters to harvest deer with crossbows during the 2016 archery season, which gets underway next month. 

Energy and Resource Development Minister Rick Doucet says crossbows are currently permitted during all hunting seasons except for the deer archery season and for the hunting of migratory birds. This year marks the first time crossbows may be used in deer archery season.

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Doucet says crossbow hunters are subject to many of the same laws that apply to hunters using firearms or bows, including:

  • It is illegal to discharge a crossbow within 100 metres of a dwelling, school or place of business
  • Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 68 kilograms and be fitted with broadheads no less than 20 millimetres in width when hunting deer
  • It is illegal to carry a cocked and loaded crossbow upon any vehicle, including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles
  • Crossbows used for hunting purposes must be equipped with a safety
  • Crossbow hunters must wear hunter’s orange

The deer archery season in New Brunswick starts Oct. 3 and runs for three weeks, closing Oct. 22.

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