AUGUSTA – A bill that advanced Thursday would put Maine among the states that allow hunting with crossbows.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Stan Moody, D-Manchester, LD 67, would allow using crossbows to hunt bear and deer during the regular seasons for those animals.

Crossbows could not be used to hunt deer during an expanded season, in expanded archery zones or in the muzzle-only deer season.

Moody’s bill received preliminary approval Thursday, but still faces additional House and Senate votes.

It would require a person to hold a valid big game hunting license to be eligible for a crossbow hunting license, and bar the use of pistol-type crossbows or crossbows with a draw weight of more than 200 pounds. Crossbow and archery hunting education would be required in order to get a crossbow license.