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Pa. crossbow hunting restrictions fail on tie vote

Harrisburg, Pa. (AP) - A proposal to restrict crossbow use in Pennsylvania for the 2009-10 hunting seasons has failed after a deadlock vote by the state Board of Game Commissioners.

Commissioners voted 4-4 Thursday on the proposal, meaning the previously approved regulations will remain in effect.

Crossbows may be used by hunters participating in the archery deer and archery bear seasons for the 2009-10 seasons, as well as turkey seasons and the two-week firearms deer seasons. Crossbows must have a minimum drawn weight of at least 125 pounds and there are restrictions on the bolt size.

Crossbows cannot be used in place of muzzleloaders for the October antlerless deer season or late flintlock muzzleloader season, but can be used in the overlapping archery deer seasons.

Board members will be required to vote on the expanded crossbow use again before the end of June 2012.