History

• According to Game & Fish Magazine, Arkansas was one of the first states to legalize hunting with a crossbow. According to the same source, the state also has one of the longest crossbow seasons in the country.
  
  

Requirements

• Crossbows used for hunting in Arkansas must have a mechanical safety and measure a minimum of 125 pounds of pull. Certain game require a minimum arrowhead size and poison is not allowed under any condition.
  
  

Season

• As of 2010, the crossbow season matches the majority of the bow hunting season. These seasons are four and a half months in length, starting in October and ending part way through February.
  
  

Popular Game

• Deer, bear, turkey and wild pig are all game that can legally be hunted with a crossbow. Elk are not to be shot with a crossbow under any condition.
  
  

Considerations

• Feral pigs are considered a nuisance in the state and there is no bag limit on them. Arkansas crossbow hunters need to keep in mind that when the bow season and gun season overlap, the legal limit is whatever is set by the gun season.