can a felon hunt with a crossbow in tx

I do believe that there are no restrictions on felons owning or posessing archery equipment or a hunting license. Only caveat is if the felony was a "Lacey Act" violation then a hunting license may become an issue.
 
As for bowhunting, I've never heard of any restrictions, except those which prohibit being able to buy a license in the first place.... such as some states won't let you buy a hunting license if you own back child support.


In some places you can still hunt with a gun.... can't own one but can use one... I have a relative who is a convicted felon who hunts every year in NY, just has to borrow a gun.

Now, let me say that I have no idea as to the ACTUAL legality of that, I've never looked, but if you buy a gun hunting license then you'd think they'd assume you're going to hunt with a gun...
 
thanks

Thank u. I just wasn't sure that crossbows were considered to be the same as regular compund bows. So if they are then it should be ok. Bcuz a felon can hunt with a bow here in texas.
 
Here in texas u can't use a gun if ur a felon. Legally anyway...lol :D

P.S. I am not a felon. Just to clear that up.
 
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It ain't Texas, but here in NC you can't. Know why???

Sometime ago some wag in Guilford Co (I think) killed his wife/girlfriend/significant other/baby mama/whatever with a crossbow. He used a crossbow because he was a convicted felon and thus prohibited from buying a gun. So he bought a crossbow. Guess what happened next because of that one case.............yep..........now you have to get a purchase permit from your local sheriff here to buy a crossbow. Just like we do for pistols..........don't get me started on that one.........:rolleyes:
 
I have a relative who is a convicted felon who hunts every year in NY, just has to borrow a gun.

Now, let me say that I have no idea as to the ACTUAL legality of that, I've never looked, but if you buy a gun hunting license then you'd think they'd assume you're going to hunt with a gun...
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Pete, I'd look it up if I were you. 'Specially if you're the one loaning him the gun :eek:.....
 
Pete, I'd look it up if I were you. 'Specially if you're the one loaning him the gun .....
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:D Not me loaning him the gun.... I've inquired with him about it.... he seems to think that if they sell the license then they must not mind if you use a gun... whatever, it's not my time in the slammer. Don't ask, don't tell I guess. Besides, the odds of his getting caught are.... well, there's not a lot of DEC around and there's a LOT of ground to cover. I have advised him to make sure it's legal, he doesn't care.)

(Note: This is not me condoning illegal activity. You should not construe this as advise.)
 
Well, from a federal perspective he's a felon in possession. I'd be surprised if NY didn't also have similar feelings..........

Glad you're not the supplier :D.
 
Your relative is probably pushing his luck, big time.
By federal law, if convicted of a felony, you may not own or possess a gun.
That means you can't hunt with one.
It also means, if you are visiting your buddy's house, and he hands you a firearm to look at, while you are holding that firearm you are committing a federal felony.
I know, it sounds insane, but that is federal law.

State laws vary, but I doubt that NY law is more lenient than federal law.

As for the guy in Texas, I bet he could hunt with a muzzleloader.
Muzzleloaders are legal for federal felons to hunt with.
 
I'm no lawyer, but my understanding is yes. There are circumstances where felons have had their RKBA restored through pardon, expungement, other legal means but that usually takes a lawyer and some $. Also has to be a relatively minor felony I would think.
 
peetzakilla, that is a complicated question.
If federal, yes.

In other words, the guy who murdered his girlfriend with a pistol in the National Forest is in the same boat as the guy who grew the marijuana in the National Forest, both committed federal felonies, neither may ever have a firearm again.
The only hope for a federal felon is a presidential pardon.

State laws vary widely.
In Georgia, they have a first time offenders waiver.
If you have one felony, do your probation, and stay out of trouble, they will clear your record, and you may have firearms again.

Some states are more strict. In New Jersey, a bb gun is considered a firearm, and may not be possessed by a felon.
You think I'm making that up, but it is true.
 
I don't know if this was a federal felony or not..... sexual contact with a minor is, I think, what the conviction was for. It was consensual, I guess the girl even wanted to testify as such but the court (and the parents) didn't seem to care (not that I blame either of them). The girl was 14, I think. It's all sort of unspoken legend at this point, had to be 30 years ago or more.
 
Sexual contact with a minor would almost certainly be a state crime, unless it happened on an Army base or some other federal property.

There is a good chance this guy is committing a felony every time he hunts with that gun.
He better find out the letter of the law.
In some states a felon may hunt with a muzzleloader.

Don't get me wrong, the law is not only wrong it is unconstitutional that this man is deprived of his firearms rights, but I would hate to see him get into more trouble.
 
If it happened on forest service land, or a post office parking lot, maybe an an indian reservation, or some such then it's likely federal.

I tHINK sexual miscondict on other-then-federal property would be prosecuted by the state, county, or local province, but I'm no lawyer.

Edit: woops! Simon beat me to it.

Daryl
 
muzzleloader

Wow this thread went a little crazy but anyhow. A felon can use a muzzle loader but it has to be an antique or something like that. Does anyone know anything about crossbows which ones are good for deer or eater size hogs ?
 
Does anyone know anything about crossbows which ones are good for deer or eater size hogs ?
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I know that they're loud and produce little or no more energy than a compound bow.... I'd use a bow unless I couldn't draw it for some reason, and then I'd use a bow with a draw lock if I could.
 
Does anyone know anything about crossbows which ones are good for eater size deer...
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I agree with peetzakilla on using a compound bow. Unfortunately, I`m one of those that can`t pull one anymore due to spinal injury. Remarkable improvements have been made in the crossbows made today. Once zeroed, are extremely lethal out to around 40yds. Excalibur and Horton are both excellent brands. I currently use a Horton Legend and love it. One note of caution, if your going to hunt from the ground, zero it from the ground. If from a treestand, zero it from on elevated position. As with many guns,your POI WILL be different. Its just very exagerated with a bow. Thats where the practice comes in. Shoot it on flat ground, uphill and downhill. Shot placement(although always critical) IMO is a bit more critical when bow hunting.
 
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