2005 Tennessee, Crossbows are now legal for all hunters to use during any hunting season that allows archery equipment, including the archery-only seasons, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).

 At its season setting meeting earlier this year, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission passed this new regulation. Previously, only qualified handicapped individuals could use crossbows during the archery-only seasons.

 A Big Game Archery License is required to use a crossbow (except holders of sportsman license, Junior Hunt/Trap/Fish license, Permanent Senior Citizen license, and those legally hunting without a license).

Legal Archery Hunting Equipment.

Turkey Hunting:
 Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.

Deer, Bear, Boar, Elk, and Feral Hog Hunting:
 Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
Hunting arrows and bolts shall be of a barbless design and shall have sharpened blades.
Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.

Small Game Hunting:
 Longbows, compound bows, crossbows and other bows drawn or held by a mechanical device.
Weapons may be equipped with sighting devices except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife. Night vision scopes are illegal.