DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa House has approved a measure that would allow expanded crossbow hunting of deer.  Lawmakers unanimously passed the bill Wednesday and it now moves to the Senate. The measure would let residents hunt deer using a crossbow during the late hunting season, from Dec. 17 to Jan. 10. They would not be required to purchase a separate crossbow hunting license.

Under current law, only muzzleloader and archery hunters can hunt deer during that season. But a physically disabled person incapable of shooting a bow and arrow can get a special crossbow license to hunt deer and turkey.

Department of Natural Resources spokesman Kevin Baskins says if the legislation passes he doesn’t expect an increase in crossbow hunters to significantly reduce the state’s deer population.