PIERRE - State law may be changed to allow more people to shoot deer with crossbows.

A bill introduced in the South Dakota House would permit those who are 65 or older to shoot only doe deer with crossbows.

State law already allows people who are missing arms or confined in wheelchairs to use crossbows when hunting deer and game birds if those people first obtain disabled hunter permits.

Most hunters must use either firearms or bows and arrows to hunt small- and big-game animals and birds. Those caught using non-approved weapons can be put in jail for 30 days and be fined $500.

The crossbow legislation, which would apply to resident and nonresident hunters, is HB1116.