I'm a pro-crossbow endorser who has done much research on the Crossbow vs. Stick Bow debate since the first article appeared in Deer & Deer Hunting magazine many years ago.

Having said that - I have owned nearly every brand of compound bow, many recurves, one longbow, and two crossbows.

First - my testing showed that my crossbows to had no greater range nor velocity than my $250 compound bows shooting normal alum arrows with a release. The only advantage I found both crossbows to have was the ability (and ease) for good grouping and arrow flight right out of the box.

I've seen and heard all the arguments:
[ul][*]A crossbow isn't a bow[*]A crossbow will increase poaching activity[*]Crossbows are dangerous[*]If crossbows are legalized the woods will be full of more hunters[*]If crossbows are legalized the deer numbers will decrease[*]Crossbows give the archer an unfair advantage[*]Etc.[/ul]


Let me say that I found my crossbows (Horton Hunter and Excalibur Exocet) to be no faster than my 65# compound shooting 2117's and a 125 hr broadhead shot with a release. Crossbows are no more dangerous than any other bow. I don't see where a crossbow offers any more of an advantage than today's compound shooters using hi-tech sights, releases, carbon arrows, mechanical broadheads, limb savers, 85% Let Off cams, etc.

States such as Ohio have had a legal crossbow season for over 20 yrs. They have recorded no increase in poaching since its introduction. There has been no increase in poaching (ever try to stick a crossbow out a car window? Try it sometime!) since its introduction. In fact, the .22 caliber rifle is still considered to be the #1 choice of poachers. Bow-shot deer travel way too far for a poacher to mess with.

Ohio's deer herd hasn't suffered in the least since the crossbow became legalized. Ohio's successful bowhunters are reported to have less than a 10% (if that) success ratio in harvesting a whitetail deer. So the argument that legalizing the crossbow is going to reduce the deer herd or increase the hunters chances of bagging a deer doesn't hold up. Isn't that what we want anyway? Don't we want hunters to be successful and reduce the deer herd size annually?

Crossbows give the archer an unfair advantage. Hogwash! A crossbow shoots no father than a compound bow. Yes, it does allow the new archer (or any archer in fact) the ability to shoot well - and shoot well faster and with less practice than other archers. And this is a bad thing I ask? How many deer are wounded - or worse, lost due to poor shooting archerswho can't hit the broadside of a barn or violate the Rule of 'Know your effective range limit and do not exceed it.' Plenty. Having archers shoot well is what we are all after. Tight groups and accurate shooting.

And last but not least - "If crossbows are legalized the woods will be full of hunters." BS. As a prior NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation employee in NY I can attest to the fact that our state has suffered decreasing numbers of hunters every year for the last 20 yrs. This is of great concern to state agencies not only in decreased sporting license sales (dollars)but also decreased state revenues to other agencies and vendors. Others that also suffer loss of income are: taxidermists, sporting goods stores, ATV sales, hunting clothing manufacturers, hunting radios, hotels, motels, gas, insurance (on ATV's, 4x4's), etc.

So - my vote goes for legalization of the crossbow in NY state.

Pro Crossbow all the way baby! If another bowhunter would rather not use crossbows - fine - use your stickbow. But don't take any MY ability or right to use the crossbow. The crossbow has as much place in history as the recurve or longbow. In fact - the crossbow has more history than the compound bow does.

I've seen to many bowhunters have to give up bowhunting due to shoulder injuries, aging, post cardiac surgery, arthritis, etc. While I don't endorse those who abuse the requirements of permits to use the crossbow if not allowed in their state I do feel that if someone hasa physical limitation they be allowed to use one. And I also feel we should just legalize them and be done with it. Pennsylvania has just legalized crossbows and other neighboring states have done so as well. Good for them.