Retailers eye crossbow sales with expanded use for hunters on the horizon in New York

While bowhunting enthusiasts wait to see if Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign new legislation that would significantly expand the legal use of crossbows for hunting in New York, archery retailers across the state are anticipating a surge in demand for the sometimes-controversial weapon.
After years of political maneuvering, and opposition from groups that believe crossbows give hunters an advantage other archers don’t have, both houses of the state legislature overwhelmingly approved a bill this session that would redefine crossbows as longbows, and regulate their use in similar fashion to longbows, recurve bows and compound bows.