Can a Felon Get a Hunting License?

Q: Can a felon get a hunting license in all 50 states?

Yes, but they still cannot use a firearm unless their rights are restored.

Q: Is it a federal crime for a felon to hunt with a gun?

Yes. It's a felony under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Punishable by up to 10 years in prison .

Q: Can a non-violent felon ever get gun rights back?

Yes, through pardon, expungement , or court-ordered rights restoration .

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), anyone convicted of a felony is generally prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. This falls under 18 U.S. Code § 922(g)(1). However, the ATF does not regulate hunting licenses—that’s up to state wildlife agencies.

Contents

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Can Felons Get a Hunting License?

Yes, felons can usually obtain a hunting license, but most cannot legally possess or use a firearm, even while hunting. Some states make exceptions, and many allow hunting with archery equipment or muzzleloaders.

Types of Weapons and What Felons Can Use

Weapon Type	Can Felons Use It?	Notes
Firearms	❌ No (federal ban)	Only legal if rights restored
Bows/Archery	✅ Yes	Legal in most states
Crossbows	✅ Sometimes	State-dependent
Muzzleloaders	⚠️ Maybe	Legal in some states; check ATF/local law
Air Rifles	⚠️ Depends	Legal in some states but may count as firearms in others

Federal Law vs. State Law

Let’s make this super clear:

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Federal Law (ATF): Felons can’t own, use, or possess firearms or ammo.
State Law (Wildlife Agencies): They decide if someone can get a hunting license.

So yes, you might have a hunting license in hand—but still break the law if you go out with a rifle.

More Opportunities: Can a Convicted Felon Get a Security Clearance?

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State-by-State Hunting License Laws for Felons

State	Hunting License for Felons	Can Use Firearm?	Can Use Bow?	Can Use Crossbow?	Special Notes
Alabama	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Crossbows legal during archery season
Alaska	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (with permit)	May regain rights via pardon
Arizona	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Disabled permit only	Crossbow limited to disabled
Arkansas	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Muzzleloaders may be legal
California	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	⚠️ Restricted	Crossbow only during rifle seasons
Colorado	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearm use only after rights restored
Connecticut	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Crossbow legal statewide
Delaware	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	No felon firearm possession allowed
Florida	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Felons may apply for clemency
Georgia	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearms ban applies to all felons
Hawaii	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	⚠️ Uncommon	Firearms heavily restricted
Idaho	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Rights restoration possible
Illinois	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (with permit)	Crossbow requires permit
Indiana	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Hunting license does not override firearm ban
Iowa	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Must use archery or apply for rights restoration
Kansas	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearms off-limits unless pardoned
Kentucky	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Crossbow legal in some seasons
Louisiana	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Muzzleloader may qualify as a firearm
Maine	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	No firearm access for felons
Maryland	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearms restoration requires court process
Massachusetts	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Disabled only	Strict crossbow laws
Michigan	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Restoration of firearm rights allowed
Minnesota	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearm ban permanent unless restored
Mississippi	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	No special restrictions on bows
Missouri	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Rights may be restored after 7 years
Montana	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Legal process for rights restoration available
Nebraska	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Felons must avoid firearms completely
Nevada	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Disabled only	Crossbow limited use
New Hampshire	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Archery allowed statewide
New Jersey	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Gun rights restoration difficult
New Mexico	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ With permit	Crossbow legal with restrictions
New York	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Rights restoration possible via court
North Carolina	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Crossbow unrestricted since 2010
North Dakota	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Bows legal, no firearm possession
Ohio	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Governor pardon restores rights
Oklahoma	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Bows fully legal, firearm off-limits
Oregon	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No	Crossbow banned except for disabled
Pennsylvania	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Crossbows allowed during archery
Rhode Island	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ With permit	Crossbow permit needed
South Carolina	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Felons cannot possess modern firearms
South Dakota	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Bows and crossbows widely permitted
Tennessee	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearm possession is felony offense
Texas	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Firearm rights may be restored by pardon
Utah	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Gun rights may be restored after 7 years
Vermont	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	No special firearm exception for felons
Virginia	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Restoration via court petition possible
Washington	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Bows allowed, guns not without legal relief
West Virginia	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Bows common alternative for felons
Wisconsin	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Full hunting access except firearms
Wyoming	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Archery unrestricted; firearm ban applies

How Can a Felon Legally Regain Hunting Rights?

To legally hunt with a firearm, a felon needs their rights restored. There are 3 main ways:

1. State Pardon

Offered by governors or parole boards
Removes disabilities like firearm bans
Timeframe: Typically 5–10 years post-conviction
Example: Texas & Virginia allow restoration after a pardon

2. Expungement

Some states allow record sealing
May eliminate firearm ban
Example: California and Utah offer limited expungements

3. ATF Relief of Disabilities

Federally managed process
Currently not funded (as of 2025)
Rarely approved, but worth watching for future availability

Common Misconceptions

Let’s bust a few myths.

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❌ “If I can get a hunting license, I must be allowed to hunt with a gun.”
Wrong. You can legally buy a license, but you still can’t use a firearm if you’re a felon.

❌ “A bow is a weapon, so I can’t use it either.”
False. Most states don’t classify bows as firearms, so they’re usually legal for felons.

❌ “I’ll be fine if I hunt on private land.”
Still illegal with a firearm. Federal law applies everywhere in the U.S.

Application Tips for Felons

If you’re a felon applying for a hunting license:

Stick to archery-only seasons
Always check current state laws (they change)
Avoid muzzleloaders or air rifles without checking local classifications
Talk to a criminal defense attorney before restoring rights
Keep written records of expungements or pardons

Final Thought

If you’re a felon looking to reconnect with the outdoors, here’s the simple truth: you can legally get a hunting license in all 50 states, but that doesn’t mean you’re cleared to use a firearm. Unless your gun rights are officially restored, firearm hunting remains off-limits under federal law. The good news? Archery and crossbow hunting are legal alternatives in most states and offer a rewarding way to stay active in the hunting world.

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While the path to restoring your rights may be long and complex, it’s not impossible. With the right steps, patience, and legal guidance, you can find your way back into the field—safely and lawfully. Whether you’re rebuilding your life or just trying to keep a family tradition alive, hunting can still be part of your journey. Just do it the right way.

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