Section 670.30  Statewide Legal Bow and Arrow

a)         The only legal hunting devices to take, or attempt to take, deer are:  a long, recurved, or compound bow with minimum pull of 40 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw.  Minimum arrow length is 20 inches, and broadheads must be used.  Broadheads may have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, but they must be a minimum ⅞ inch in diameter when fully opened.  Broadheads with fixed cutting surfaces must be metal or flint-, chert-, or obsidian-knapped; broadheads with expandable cutting surfaces must be metal.  All other bows and arrows, including electronic arrow tracking devices utilizing radio telemetry, are illegal.

b)         A crossbow device is illegal except as provided by Sections 2.25, 2.26 and 2.33jj of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/2.25, 2.26 and 2.33(jj)].  Crossbow standards may be found in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 760 − Disabled Hunting Method Authorizations.  It is unlawful to carry any firearm or sidearm while hunting deer with a bow and arrow.

c)         Any mechanical device capable of maintaining a drawn or partially drawn position on a bow without the hunter exerting full string tension is illegal.

d)         Use of an unlawful device is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24), except that unlawful use of a crossbow is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 and maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(o)).

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 9337, effective June 13, 2008)