Regulations Vary by State

A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

ALABAMA

  • Illuminated sight markings, pins, and beads are allowed.
  • Magnified sights are allowed.
  • Laser rangefinders with computational capabilities are allowed.
  • Electronics that increase the ability to see in the dark, including night vision and thermal equipment, are prohibited while hunting wildlife.

ALASKA

  • Laser sights are prohibited, excluding rangefinders.
  • Electronically enhanced night vision is prohibited.
  • Forward-looking infrared devices are prohibited.

ARIZONA

  • Electronic night vision equipment is prohibited.
  • Electronically enhanced light-gathering devices are prohibited.
  • Thermal imaging devices are prohibited.
  • Visible laser sights are prohibited.
  • Laser rangefinders projecting non-visible light are allowed.
  • Scopes with self-illuminating reticles are allowed if they do not project visible light onto an animal.

ARKANSAS

  • Scopes may be used.
  • Electronic, laser, or battery-powered aiming devices that aid in sighting are not permitted.
  • Lighted nocks are allowed.

CALIFORNIA

  • Artificial light or electronically altered light cannot be used to provide a visible point of aim on an animal.
  • Night vision scopes, infrared, heat-sensing, and similar non-visible spectrum devices are prohibited while taking or attempting to take big game.
  • Laser rangefinders are permitted.
  • Red-dot scopes with self-illuminating reticles are permitted if they do not project visible light onto an animal.
  • Fiber optic sights with self-illuminating pins are permitted if they do not project visible light onto an animal.

COLORADO

  • Telescopic sights are prohibited.
  • Magnifying sights are prohibited.
  • Electronic or battery-powered sights are prohibited.
  • No electronics may be attached to the bow or arrow except lighted nocks.
  • Non-magnifying red dot sights are allowed only for disabled hunters with a permit.
  • Cameras attached to bows are legal if they do not aid in rangefinding, sighting, or shooting.

CONNECTICUT

  • Lighted nocks are allowed.
  • Recording devices are allowed if they do not aid in sighting or shooting.
  • Other electronic devices attached to the bow or arrow are prohibited.

DELAWARE

  • Crossbows may be equipped with a scope.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

  • No restrictions listed.

FLORIDA

  • No special restrictions on magnification, illumination, or optic type.

GEORGIA

  • No restrictions listed.

GUAM

  • No restrictions listed.

HAWAII

  • Scopes cannot be attached to bows or arrows.
  • Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be attached to bows or arrows.

IDAHO

  • Electronic devices attached to equipment are not allowed.
  • Simple illuminated reticles, including battery or tritium, are allowed.

ILLINOIS

  • No specific restrictions listed on scopes or optics for crossbows.

INDIANA

  • No listed limits on magnification, illumination, or reticle type.

IOWA

  • No listed rules on magnification, illumination, or reticle type.

KANSAS

  • Optical sights are allowed on crossbows.

KENTUCKY

  • Scopes are legal for deer and turkey hunting.

LOUISIANA

  • Magnified scopes are specifically allowed on crossbows.

MAINE

  • Using a scope or sight on a hunting crossbow is legal.

MARYLAND

  • Scopes are explicitly legal, including magnified scopes.

MASSACHUSETTS

  • No scope restrictions listed.

MICHIGAN

  • No scope restrictions listed.

MINNESOTA

  • Scopes are legal.
  • No restrictions listed.

MISSISSIPPI

  • Scopes are explicitly allowed, including during specialized seasons.

MISSOURI

  • Night vision equipment is not allowed when used for hunting wildlife.

MONTANA

  • Scopes are generally allowed.
  • Electronic, battery-powered, or illuminated sights are illegal for archery equipment.

NEBRASKA

  • Night vision is not allowed.
  • Infrared scopes are not allowed.
  • Thermal or light-amplifying devices are not allowed.

NEVADA

  • Magnified scopes are legal.
  • Sights may be powered by batteries, light-gathering fiber optics, or tritium.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

  • Scopes are legal for use.

NEW JERSEY

  • No listed restrictions on sights or magnification used for archery equipment.

NEW MEXICO

  • Devices may not project light.
  • Magnification is allowed.

NEW YORK

  • No listed restriction or prohibition on scopes for crossbows.

NORTH CAROLINA

  • Optical sights are legal.

NORTH DAKOTA

  • Telescopic sights with a maximum power of 8x are allowed with the special permit.

OHIO

  • No listed restriction on magnification.

OKLAHOMA

  • Scopes and optics are permitted.

OREGON

  • Magnifying scopes are illegal on crossbows.
  • Electronic sights are illegal on crossbows.
  • Range-finding scopes are illegal on crossbows.

PENNSYLVANIA

  • Magnified scopes are legal on crossbows.
  • Red-dot scopes are legal on crossbows.
  • Illuminated reticle scopes are legal on crossbows.

PUERTO RICO

  • No restrictions listed.

RHODE ISLAND

  • Magnified scopes are allowed on crossbows for hunting, provided the equipment meets specific requirements.

SOUTH CAROLINA

  • Magnified scopes are permitted for use on crossbows.
  • Red dot sights are permitted for use on crossbows.

SOUTH DAKOTA

  • No restrictions listed.

TENNESSEE

  • Electronic light-amplifying devices are illegal.

TEXAS

  • No restrictions listed.

UTAH

  • Crossbows may not have electronic devices attached, except for illuminated nocks.
  • Electronic range-finding scopes are prohibited.
  • Standard magnified or non-magnified scopes are allowed if they do not include prohibited electronic functions.

VERMONT

  • No restrictions listed.

VIRGINIA

  • No restrictions listed.

WASHINGTON

  • No restrictions listed.

WEST VIRGINIA

  • No restrictions listed.

WISCONSIN

  • No restrictions listed.

WYOMING

  • No restrictions listed.

Disclaimer: Regulations can change and may vary by season, weapon type, permit status, species, and hunting method. Buk Ops does not guarantee this information is current or complete. Please consult your state wildlife agency before hunting.