1. A. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

   “Disability” means a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities, but does not include typical or natural physiological conditions associated with age or gender that may affect physical abilities.

   “Qualified physician” means a currently licensed and board-certified medical or osteopathic physician (M.D. or D.O. only) who has an unrestricted license to practice medicine in any U.S. state or U.S. territory. Physician shall primarily practice or specialize in musculoskeletal or neuromuscular disorders, diseases or conditions that cause a physical impairment that substantially limits the use of a standard bow and arrow for hunting.

2. B. When authorized under R12-4-304 as lawful for the species hunted:

   1. 1. A person who possesses a valid crossbow permit may use any of the following during an archery-only season as prescribed under R12-4-318:

      1. a. A crossbow, as defined under R12-4-101, that is restricted to a single bowstring, capable of firing only a single arrow or single bolt with each loading and cocking action. The crossbow permit prohibits the following when using a crossbow:

         1. i. Magnifying or telescoping scope, magnifying red dot or other type of magnifying optic on a crossbow;
         2. ii. Attached accessories or built-in accessories that throw, cast or project an artificial light or electronically alter or intensify a light source for the purpose of visibly enhancing an animal image or placing a point of aim on an animal;
         3. iii. Any form of bipod, tripod or other device used to balance, rest or steady a crossbow when a crossbow is in use, except a permit holder with a missing upper body extremity as defined in subsection (E)(4)(a)(i) below, may use such a device. The use of illuminated reticles, illuminated sights or illuminated sight pins is not prohibited; or
      2. b. Any bow to be drawn and held with an assisting device.

   2. 2. A person who possesses both a valid crossbow permit and CHAMP, issued under R12-4-217, may use any of the following during an archery-only season as prescribed under R12-4-318:

      1. a. A crossbow, as defined under R12-4-101, that is restricted to a single bowstring, capable of firing only a single arrow or single bolt with each loading and cocking action, and subject to the same prohibitions on a the use of crossbow set forth in R12-4-216(B)(1)(a)(i)-(iii), except that a person with a valid CHAMP may use external structures or devices to stabilize the crossbow when in use;
      2. b. Any bow to be drawn and held with an assisting device; or
      3. c. Pre-charged pneumatic weapon, as defined under R12-4-301, using arrows or bolts and capable of firing only a single arrow or bolt at a time.
3. C. The crossbow permit does not exempt the permit holder from any other applicable method of take or licensing requirement. The permit holder shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

4. D. The crossbow permit expires one year from the date the medical certification portion of the application was signed by a qualified physician. A crossbow permit also expires when:

   1. 1. The permit holder no longer meets the criteria for obtaining the crossbow permit, or
   2. 2. The Commission revokes the person’s crossbow permit or hunting privileges under A.R.S. § 17-340. A person whose crossbow permit is revoked by the Commission may petition the Commission for a rehearing as established under R12-4-607.

5. E. An applicant for a crossbow permit shall apply by submitting an application to the Department. The application form is furnished by the Department and is available at any Department office and online at www.azgfd.gov. A crossbow permit applicant shall provide all of the following information on the application:

   1. 1. The applicant’s:

      1. a. Name;
      2. b. Date of birth;
      3. c. Physical description, to include the applicant’s eye color, hair color, height, and weight;
      4. d. Customer identification number, when applicable;
      5. e. Residency status;
      6. f. Mailing address, when applicable;
      7. g. Physical address;
      8. h. Telephone number, when available; and
      9. i. Email address, when available;

   2. 2. Affirmation that:

      1. a. The applicant meets the requirements of this Section, and
      2. b. The information provided on the application is true and accurate, and
   3. 3. Applicant’s signature and date.

   4. 4. The certification portion of the application shall be completed by a qualified physician. The qualified physician shall:

      1. a. Certify:

         1. i. The applicant has a disability;
         2. ii. The disability substantially limits the applicant’s ability to use a standard bow and arrow for hunting; and
         3. iii. The applicant’s physical limitations do not prevent the applicant from using a crossbow for hunting.

      2. b. The qualified physician must affirm on the certification that the applicant’s substantial physical limitation that prohibits drawing and holding a bow at full draw is due to one or more of the following conditions:

         1. i. An amputation involving three or more fingers at the proximal interphalangeal joint, wrist, elbow, or shoulder that prevents stable function to use a bow;
         2. ii. Spinal cord injury affecting a hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder;
         3. iii. Weakness resulting from a disability of the muscles, nerves, joints or connective tissue in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, or back used in drawing and holding a bow at full draw. The weakness is confirmed and documented using a reliable and appropriate functional capacity evaluation, upper extremity performance test or manual muscle test (MMT) where the results correlate with a physical impairment substantially limiting the ability to use a conventional bow. Using a MMT requires a score of 3 or worse on a scale of 0 to 5 to qualify an applicant for a crossbow permit. Weakness that is appropriate for age or gender or deconditioning not due to a chronic medical problem shall not be considered a reason for a crossbow permit.
         4. iv. Restricted range of motion, where range of motion is assessed using a medically-accepted goniometric evaluation system and the score correlates with a physical impairment substantially limiting the ability to use a bow.
      3. c. The qualified physician shall assess the level of impairment on the applicant’s ability to use a bow in relation to other people of same gender and age who have no physical limitations using a bow. An applicant should be assessed on whether the applicant’s disability prevents the functional equivalent of holding a bow steady in a full draw position with a minimum of 30 pounds of resistance at full draw and holding a full draw for at least 4 seconds. The qualified physician must include in the medical certification a narrative statement in lay terms explaining how the applicant’s impairment substantially limits the individual’s use of a bow based on the criteria in this subsection.

      4. d. Provide the qualified physician’s:

         1. i. Typed or printed name,
         2. ii. License number,
         3. iii. Business address,
         4. iv. Telephone number,
         5. v. Signature and date, and
         6. vi. Acknowledgment with signature that the attesting qualified physician understands that a knowingly false or fraudulent submission may result in a complaint of unprofessional conduct to the appropriate medical board.
   5. 5. A person who holds a valid CHAMP and who is applying for a crossbow permit is exempt from the requirements of subsection (E)(4) and shall indicate “CHAMP” in the space provided for the medical certification on the crossbow permit application.
6. F. In addition to the requirements listed above, at the time of application an applicant who is applying for a crossbow permit shall pay the applicable fee required under R12-4-102.
7. G. The Applicant shall include with the application records from the qualified physician’s evaluation of applicant’s disability and physical limitations. All information and documentation provided by the applicant is subject to Department verification.

8. H. The Department shall deny a crossbow permit when the applicant:

   1. 1. Fails to meet the criteria prescribed under this Section,
   2. 2. Fails to comply with the requirements of this Section, or
   3. 3. Provides false information during the application process.
9. I. The Department shall provide written notice to the applicant stating the reason for the denial. The applicant may appeal the denial to the Commission as prescribed under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10.
10. J. The applicant claiming a disability and requesting a crossbow permit is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the medical certification and documentation, re-evaluation of the information, or a second medical opinion.
11. K. When acting under the authority of a crossbow permit, the crossbow permit holder shall possess the permit, and exhibit the permit upon request to any peace officer, including wildlife managers and game rangers.

12. L. A crossbow permit holder shall not:

    1. 1. Transfer the permit to another person, or
    2. 2. Allow another person to use or possess the permit.
13. M. This rule is effective July 1, 2026. Any valid crossbow permit issued prior to the effective date is void on or after the effective date.

Historical Note

Adopted effective April 7, 1983 (Supp. 83-2). Repealed effective January 1, 1993; filed December 18, 1993 (Supp. 92-4). New Section adopted effective January 1, 1996; filed in the Office of the Secretary of State December 18, 1995 (Supp. 95-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 211, effective January 1, 2000 (Supp. 99-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 212, effective March 11, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 20 A.A.R. 3045, effective January 3, 2015 (Supp. 14-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 25 A.A.R. 1047, effective June 1, 2019 (Supp. 19-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 30 A.A.R. 2308 (July 12, 2024), effective August 10, 2024 (Supp. 24-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 32 A.A.R. 560 (March 6, 2026, Issue 10), with a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026; any valid crossbow permit issued prior to the effective date is void on or after the effective date (Supp. 26-1).