1. I. The executive director of fish and game, with the consent of the commission, may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to allow for the taking of deer by crossbow during the regular firearms season and the regular muzzleloader season, for persons holding a valid firearms or muzzleloader deer tag, or as specified in RSA 206:23-c. Persons 68 years of age or older holding an archery license under RSA 208:5 may use a crossbow as an alternative to traditional bow and arrow during the archery deer season without obtaining an additional permit.
2. II. The executive director of fish and game, with the consent of the commission, may adopt rules under RSA 541-A to allow for the taking by crossbow of any game bird or any game animal, other than deer, during the regular firearms season set for that species.
3. III. Rules may include, but not be limited to, conditions or limitations as to the portions of the state crossbows may be used, the manner and method of taking with a crossbow, mandatory education requirements for the use of a crossbow, and any additional licensing requirements and associated fees.

Source. 2001, 161:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2003. 2015, 123:1, eff. Aug. 7, 2015. 2016, 27:1, eff. June 24, 2016. 2017, 17:1, eff. June 16, 2017.