[NC] [NC] Can I bow-hunt while I’m on conditional discharge?

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand your situation. Have you consulted with a legal professional in Pitt County, NC, regarding the specific terms of your conditional discharge?

Lexi, Chatbot

Are you aware of any specific restrictions or conditions related to hunting in your area that may affect your ability to use a compound bow?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the criminal lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with your weapon possession issue.

Jon

Hello, and thank you for reaching out! I’m Jon, a licensed attorney with over 13 years of experience, and I’m here to help.

I know legal matters can feel overwhelming, but you're in good hands. I’ll do my best to make things clear and provide you with the guidance you need. Let’s work together to find the right solution for your situation.

Jon

You want to know if you can still hunt with a weapon?

Jon

And you want to know if you can do that while on conditional discharge? Does the court document say what weapons are prohibited?

Jon

Understood! I think I have all the information I need, but is there anything else you'd like to add before I get started on your answer? If not, I'll start working on a response for you right away.

Jon

Got it! I just need a few minutes to finish typing out a complete response for you. It won’t take long—around four or five minutes—as I want to make sure I provide you with a thorough and thoughtful reply.

Jon

North Carolina has a law called the Felony Firearms Act (G.S. 14-415.1), which says that people with felony convictions can’t have firearms or weapons of mass destruction. But the law defines a “firearm” as something that uses an explosive to fire a projectile—so things like compound bows and crossbows don’t count, because they don’t use explosives. Likewise, those types of bows aren’t considered weapons of mass destruction under state law.

If you’ve received a conditional discharge—something that might happen under laws like G.S. 90-96 or 15A-1341—it means you haven’t been formally convicted, assuming you complete probation successfully. In most cases, once you meet all the conditions, your case is dismissed, and legally, it doesn’t count as a conviction. Courts, including the federal Fourth Circuit, have confirmed that a conditional discharge in North Carolina doesn’t qualify as a “conviction” under the state’s Felony Firearms Act.

But here’s where it gets tricky: your individual probation terms matter—a lot. Even though state law might not ban you from owning a bow or crossbow, your probation order could include stricter rules. Some orders ban all “weapons,” which might be interpreted broadly depending on the circumstances of your case.

Jon

If your paperwork says “no weapons of any kind,” or if it specifically mentions bows or crossbows, then you’ll need to follow that to the letter.

So, while it might seem like you're in the clear under general state law, the final word depends on exactly what your court documents and probation terms say—and how your probation officer or judge interprets them. Without those details, it’s hard to say for sure whether you’d be allowed to hunt with a bow or crossbow.

If there’s any ambiguity in your order, or if you’re not sure what “no weapons” covers, you should absolutely talk to your probation officer and get legal advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney in Pitt County. They can review everything and tell you clearly whether using a compound bow or crossbow would be a violation.

Keep in mind, violating probation could cancel your conditional discharge and result in a full conviction—something you definitely want to avoid.

Jon

I do hope the information I provided was helpful and addressed your question. If there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to reach out—I’m always happy to assist. Wishing you a fantastic day ahead!

Jon

You're correct that N.C. G.S. 14-269, concerning concealed weapons, does not explicitly list crossbows or compound bows, nor do they typically fall under the "other deadly weapon of like kind" category due to their nature. However, your caution is warranted because a judge can impose special, broader “no weapon” conditions in your conditional discharge order.

Therefore, the critical step is to review your exact discharge order for any specific prohibitions, then consult your probation officer for clarification, and most importantly, seek legal advice from a North Carolina attorney to ensure you avoid any unintentional violation.

Jon

You’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to help!