Senate committee advances bill to keep crossbows legal during archery season
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Summary
The Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee voted to send Senate File 1251, as amended, to general orders after testimony from hunters, conservation groups and opponents debating recruitment impacts and hunter safety.
Senate File 1251, a bill to expand crossbow use during archery season, was advanced out of the Minnesota Senate Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy on Feb. 26 after testimony from the bill author, hunting advocates and opponents and a voice vote in favor.
The bill’s author, identified in the hearing as Senator Pa, asked the committee to eliminate a June 30, 2026 sunset and said the change is about "access and ethical hunting," particularly for women, older hunters and newcomers who struggle with drawing a compound bow.
Elizabeth Wafel, testifying for the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, told the committee the organization’s 20,000 members "strongly support" the proposal and that DNR data shows increases in female and youth participation after earlier crossbow-access changes. Wafel said allowing crossbows "can really help ensure that we add and retain many more hunters."
Nick Almerud, president of Minnesota Bow Hunters, urged a compromise and argued that "this bill is going to sell a lot of crossbows to existing hunters, but it is not solving any of the underlying problems" affecting recruitment. He warned of possible negative effects on firearm-season opportunity and urged alternatives such as a separate license or other limits.
Pat Rivers, deputy director of the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, said the state has "around 400,000 deer hunters now" and acknowledged a long-term, slow decline in participation tied in part to demographic change; he said the agency pursues recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) activities.
Committee members asked about data collection. Barbara Keller, big game program leader for Minnesota DNR, said the agency added registration questions in 2023 asking whether hunters used a vertical bow or a crossbow and that those data were reflected in the DNR report.
After questions and discussion about licensing and data, Senator Hoffman moved that Senate File 1251 "do pass and be sent to general orders" as amended; the committee proceeded by voice vote and the motion prevailed.
The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the hearing transcript; committee members asked DNR and stakeholders to provide further data about licensing options and harvest-reported weapon types. SF 1251 will next appear on the Senate floor calendar for additional action or debate.