The News Outside

Question on the new state hunting laws. I was wondering if the crossbow law passed or is it still pending. If not when will the finally vote be. Any other new laws passed would help everyone. Thank you.

The bill has passed the IL house and senate.  Its just waiting for Gov. Rauner to sign the bill into law.  I’m not sure when he will sign or veto the bill.

It will pass.  A lot of times the governor will wait until the state fair to sign hunting and fishing bills… in Conservation World. All about the fanfare.  The bill was sent to the governor on July 24th.  He has 45 days (I think) to act.  If he doesn’t act, it automatically becomes law.

Will be interesting to see if IDNR cleans up the administrative rule language.  Right now, it still has the old crossbow language.

Also through ad rule, the minimum poundage for archery equipment has been lowered from 40 pounds to 30 pounds.

The new Hunting Digest is normally out about mid-August… normally in time for the State Fair.

Thanks for the details Kevin.  Whats the deal with going to a 30lb minimum?  Are newer bows that much more efficient at generating energy that the 30lb is now equivalent to producing similar energy of a 20 year old 40lb pull?  Or do we have a congressman whose grandson who wants to bowhunt but can’t pull back 40lbs?

Modern 30lb bows easily surpass the 40lb bows that were available when the minimum draw weight was established

Totally agree with BW.  This has been around forever and today’s bows are so much more efficient than when this was established.  Groups had been trying to change this for 10-15 years, and IDNR would never do it.  Crossbow proponents always wanted to get more youth and women involved in hunting, but would never ONCE help get this passed.

It is my understanding that if/when legislation is signed by the Governor, the crossbow will be considered to be legal archery equipment (just another bow).  No ad rule change required.  Anything which currently can be legally taken with bow and arrow, will be allowed to be taken by crossbow, once signed into law.  Tom

Kevin - please correct me if I am wrong - but signing the bill or it automatically becoming law is only the first step in the process. It will still have to go through the admin rule process (although they might short list it as an “emergency” rule. Current digest still shows old language, and just my opinion, I am suspicious it won’t take effect until next round of annual admin rule changes. I am nearly certain there is always an admin rule change required.

State fair has come and went without the bill signed.  Anyone have any new info they are willing to share?

Best as I can get out of anybody it’s still just sitting there. Was sent to governor on 7/28. So, that would. Put the 60 days at 9/28. After that, will just have see if IDNR does fast rule change, or leaves it to next round and makes it effective next year.

The youth crossbow bill a couple years ago took a similar path.  And it was in effect for an entire season before most people knew about it…..including myself.  It didn’t make the book and it wasn’t publicized.  I wouldn’t have known this if I didn’t have a friend who found out through one of the guys who worked on the bill.