WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Enrolled

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 470

Senators Cline, Hamilton, Pitsenbarger, Sypolt, Roberts, and Azinger, original sponsors

[Passed February 11, 2020; in effect 90 days from passage]

AN ACT to amend and reenact §20-2-5g of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the use of a crossbow to hunt; decreasing length of crossbow bolt; and specifying measurement method.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.

§20-2-5g. Use of a crossbow to hunt.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, any person lawfully entitled to hunt may hunt with a crossbow during big game firearms season. A person who possesses a valid Class Y permit may also hunt with a crossbow in accordance with §20-2-42w of this code. Further, the director shall designate a separate season for crossbow hunting and identify which species of wildlife may be hunted with a crossbow.

(b) Only crossbows meeting all of the following specifications may be used for hunting in West Virginia:

(1) The crossbow has a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds;

(2) The crossbow has a working safety; and

(3) The crossbow is used with bolts and arrows not less than 16 inches in length as measured from the leading end of the shaft, including the insert, to the trailing end of the shaft, including the nock, with a broad head having at least two sharp cutting edges, measuring at least three fourths of an inch in width.