Broadheads have been the arrow point of choice for countless generations of hunters. However, these once primitive tools are now governed by today’s laws, and knowing the broadhead regulations in your state will help you avoid hefty fines orworse, your hunting license getting revoked. But not to fret, this guide breaks down broadhead hunting regulations by state so that you can experience the thrill of bowhunting without breaking your local archery laws.
Why Do Broadheads Have Specific Safety Rules?
Field points and broadheads are two of the most popular arrow tips used in archery. Points are designed for target practice, but broadheads are what bowhunters need to bring down big game. Since broadheads are lethal weapons, there are certain rules regarding their use that vary from state to state.
The main types of broadheads are fixed-blade and mechanical. As the name implies, fixed-blade broadheads have stationary blades and are most commonly seen in two, three, and four-blade configurations. On the other hand, mechanical broadheads have enclosed blades that open upon impact. There are other types of broadheads, such as replaceable and barbed, and local laws govern the use of each type of broadhead in specific ways. Keep reading to learn what broadheads are legal in your state so that you can hunt ethically and legally without worry.
What States Don’t Allow Mechanical Broadheads?
Let’s just cut to the chase here. There’s only one state that currently doesn’t allow the use of mechanical (expanding) broadheads, and that is Idaho. However, the law was recently changed to allow the taking of wildlife with mechanical broadheads starting July 1, 2022. That means once the summer is in full swing, ALL 50 states will allow the use of mechanical broadheads for hunting big game. That’s a big win for big game hunters!
What Broadheads Are Legal in My State?
Most states allow the use of fixed-blade broadheads and mechanical broadheads for hunting, but each state has specific laws regarding broadheads, which you can view below. These restrictions involve the number of cutting edges, the diameter of the cutting surface, and the materials used for the cutting edges.
Alabama Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Alaska Broadhead Regulations
Barbed broadheads are illegal in Alaska.
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Arizona Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Arkansas Broadhead Regulations
Poison-tipped broadheads are illegal in Arkansas.
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
California Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Colorado Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Each cutting edge on the broadhead must be in the same plane throughout the entire length of the cutting surface.
Connecticut Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Delaware Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads with poisoned or exploding tips are illegal.
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Florida Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Georgia Broadhead Regulations
Georgia has no restrictions on broadheads regarding the amount or material of sharpened edges.
Barbed broadheads are also legal in the state of Georgia.
Hawaii Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads with poisoned or exploding tips are illegal in Hawaii.
Barbed Broadheads are illegal in Hawaii.
Broadheads must have a cutting edge of at least 3/4 inches.
Idaho Broadhead Regulations
Mechanical broadheads are currently illegal in Idaho. However, starting July 1, 2022, hunters will be allowed to use mechanical broadheads in the taking of wildlife.
Broadheads must measure at least 7/8 inches in width and have a primary cutting edge thickness of at least 0.015 inches.
Broadheads with chemicals or explosives on the tip are illegal.
Barbed broadheads are illegal.
Illinois Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Mechanical broadheads must be made of metal.
Indiana Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Broadheads with chemicals or explosives on the tip are illegal.
Iowa Broadhead Regulations
There are no restrictions on draw weights for bows or minimum diameters for broadheads.
Broadheads with chemicals or explosives on the tip are illegal.
Kansas Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be able to pass through a ring with a diameter of 3/4 inches when fully expanded.
Arrow tips that are not broadheads may only be used on small game.
Broadheads that can dispense chemicals are not allowed for hunting big game.
Kentucky Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Broadheads treated with chemicals are not permitted.
Louisiana Broadhead Regulations
Fishermen who use bow and arrows must have a legal sport fishing license and cannot carry broadheads with points unless it is within big game season.
Maine Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch in width.
Broadheads with exploding or poisoned tips are not permitted.
Maryland Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch in width and have sharpened metal points.
Massachusetts Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inches in width and have sharpened metal points.
Poisoned arrows, explosive tips, and bows drawn by mechanical means are prohibited. Crossbows may be used by certain permanently disabled persons by permit only.
Michigan Broadhead Regulations
When hunting deer, bear, elk, and turkey, broadheads must be at least 14 inches in length with a broadhead point at least 7/8 inches wide.
Minnesota Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Barbed broadheads are not allowed in the state of Minnesota.
Mississippi Broadhead Regulations
Fixed or mechanical broadheads are allowed for hunting.
Missouri Broadhead Regulations
There are no restrictions on the use of broadheads for hunting in Missouri.
Montana Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches and weigh no less than 70 grains.
Nebraska Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have a sharpened blade no less than 7/16 of an inch and cutting radius from the center of the shaft.
Broadheads tipped with explosives or chemicals are not allowed.
Nevada Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
New Hampshire Broadhead Regulations
Fixed blade broadheads must be at least 7/8 of an inch wide but cannot exceed 1 1/2 inches in width.
Mechanical broadheads must be at least 7/8 of an inch wide when expanded.
New Jersey Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have a sharpened metal point that is at least 3/4 inches wide.
New Mexico Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have cutting edges made of steel.
Broadheads with chemical or exploding tips are not permitted.
New York Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Barbed broadheads are not allowed in the state of New York.
North Carolina Broadhead Regulations
While hunting bear, deer, elk, wild turkey, alligator, and feral swine, broadheads must have a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 of an inch.
Broadheads tipped with explosives, poison, or other chemicals are not permitted.
North Dakota Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 3/4 inches.
Barbed broadheads are not permitted.
Broadheads tipped with explosives, poison, or other chemicals are not permitted.
Ohio Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 3/4 inches.
Broadheads tipped with explosives or poison are not permitted.
Oklahoma Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inches wide with a point designed for hunting.
Oregon Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inches wide.
Barbed broadheads are not allowed.
There are no restrictions on the type of arrows or broadheads used to hunt game birds.
Pennsylvania Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have a cutting edge made of metal or naturally-occurring stone with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches and must not exceed 3.25 inches in length.
Rhode Island Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 of an inch at the widest point.
Broadheads are not permitted for hunting small game.
South Carolina Broadhead Regulations
There are no restrictions on the use of broadheads for hunting in the state of South Carolina.
South Dakota Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads with explosive or poisoned tips are not permitted.
Tennessee Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have sharpened hunting tips.
Texas Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads with poisoned or explosive tips are not permitted.
There are no restrictions on broadhead lengths or diameter, number of cutting edges, broadhead material, or mechanical broadheads.
Utah Broadhead Hunting Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Broadheads with explosive or poisoned tips are not permitted for hunting big game.
Vermont Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Virginia Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Broadheads cannot be used with tips that have explosives, poison, or other chemicals on them.
Washington Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must have a sharpened tip with a minimum cutting diameter of 7/8 inches.
Barbed broadheads are not allowed for hunting.
West Virginia Broadhead Regulations
For hunting wild turkey, bear, deer, or boar, broadheads must have at least two sharpened cutting edges measuring at least 3/4 of an inch in width.
Broadheads with explosive, poisoned, or chemically-enhanced tips are not permitted.
Wisconsin Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 of an inch wide with a sharpened tip.
Stone arrow tips are allowed.
Broadheads with explosives, poison, or chemicals on the tip are not permitted.
Wyoming Broadhead Regulations
Broadheads must be at least 7/8 inches wide when fully expanded
Straight to the Point
So there you have it. These are the current broadhead regulations for all 50 states in the year 2022. Sticking to these bowhunting rules will help you keep your license (and freezer stocked with venison). As always, make sure to check your local state legislature on the use of broadheads for hunting before you head out since these regulations may change at any time. If you’re looking to buy broadheads for your next hunting trip, come check out our selection of archery gear to stay equipped with the latest and greatest equipment for your bowhunting needs.