1. (a) Unless authorized by permit pursuant to RSA 207:10-c, a crossbow that is used for the purpose of a take shall have:

   1. (1) A minimum pull of 125 pounds;
   2. (2) At least one working mechanical safety;
   3. (3) A total length of no less than 25 inches; and
   4. (4) A rigid stock that permits only a single horizontally mounted bow with transverse limbs, a single string to be fully drawn, loaded with one bolt, maintained indefinitely in a firing position, and mechanically released. No crossbow fitted with 2 or more bows, limbs, or strings, or which permit 2 or more bolts to be released without re-cocking shall be permitted for the purpose of a take.

2. (b) Unless authorized by permit pursuant to RSA 207:7-a, a traditional straight, recurve, or compound bow used for the purpose of a take shall:

   1. (1) At 28 inches or less draw length have a minimum peak weight pull of:

      1. a. If used to hunt deer or bear, 40 pounds;
      2. b. If used to hunt moose, 50 pounds; or
      3. c. If used to hunt turkey, 30 pounds;
   2. (2) Be drawn or released only by hand, or with a hand-held release; and
   3. (3) Contain no manufactured or accessory device secured to or supported by the bow for the purpose of maintaining the bow at full draw in a firing position.

3. (c) No person shall use an arrow, bolt, or quarrel tip other than a broadhead for the purpose of a take that fails to meet the following minimum criteria:

   1. (1) Fixed blade broadheads shall not be less than 7/8 of an inch or more than 1 1/2 inches wide;
   2. (2) Retractable blade broadheads smaller than 7/8 of an inch wide in flight shall not be less than 7/8 of an inch wide when open;
   3. (3) There shall be no upper size limit on retractable blade broadheads; and
   4. (4) The hunter’s name and address shall be plainly and legibly printed on each arrow, bolt, or quarrel.

4. (d) Air rifles used for the purpose of take shall be charged from an external high-compression power source and meet the following minimum criteria:

   1. (1) Be 0.35 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, for taking deer and bear; and
   2. (2) Be 0.45 caliber or larger and produce at least 400 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle, for taking moose.

Source. #7922, eff 7-24-03; ss by #8085, eff 5-26-04; amd by #8931, eff 7-6-07; ss by #10142, eff 6-5-12; ss by #12591, eff 7-25-18; ss by #13211, eff 5-26-21; ss by #14308, eff 7-10-25, EXPIRES: 7-10-35