South Dakota Inches Toward Crossbow Use For Hunting

A new bill, HB1116, has been introduced into the South Dakota House that would permit people who are 65 and older to hunt only antlerless deer with a crossbow. Current law allows the use of a crossbow for hunting under certain handicap cases.

(4) A person who is aged sixty-five or older and holds a resident or nonresident big game license that is valid for taking antlerless deer may use a crossbow or other legal bow equipped with a draw-lock device to take antlerless deer .
A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

I’m not sure the reason for such a law to be honest. Many in South Dakota believe there are too many deer and are looking at ways to reduce the deer population. I can’t see how this bill would do much of anything to aid in that purpose. The questions I have are, why 65 and older and why only for only antlerless deer?

Does this also mean no special safety course is required? All that a 65 or older hunter needs is a big game hunting license?

Tom Remington