As expected, at its regular meeting March 21, the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission voted to expand crossbow use for the entire statewide archery deer hunts by the 2013 season.

Crossbows will now be legal for all hunters during archery deer seasons in Kansas.

For many years, crossbows were permitted in Kansas only for those with physical limitations.

Last year the commission approved permitting persons 15 and younger, and 55 and older, to use crossbows during the statewide archery season.

Also in 2012, legislative mandate required KWPT to implement a two-year pilot program to permit crossbow use through the entire archery-only deer season in in four deer management units.

Wildlife and Parks secretary Robin Jennison, who supported the expansion, said it will help increase hunting overall hunting opportunities in the state without a significant affect on deer numbers or quality.