AK - At least you have an opinion and can post it !
<font size=2>" Once you've committed to allowing non-archery equipment (crossbows) into an ARCHERY season (particularly by reasoning of "it's easier" or "I don't have the time to become proficient with bows" or "I want every technological edge I can get to help me kill a deer if one comes by"
, you may as well accept flintlocks, in-lines, shotguns, rifles into the archery season as well. "</font id=size2>
First off, crossbows go back centuries as archery equipment. To say they are not simply isn't so. Also, as crossbows are easier than compounds, certainly compounds are much easier that longbows/recurves. Your analogy doesn't take into account maximum range of a weapon. With todays techonology, I think thats important. Why ? An inline muzzleloader is legal in most if not all states, and it certainly isn't as traditonal as a cap lock or flintlock. Neither are the sabots and rifle bullets and podwer pellets that make them accurate at 200+ yards with scopes ! But they are legal. See the comparison ? Look at the HUGE changes in compounds in the last 15-20 years - they are nowhere near the same weapons as before.
<font size=2>If you feel that you would have no chance of killing a deer with a bow and that your chances of killing game would be nill or your time spent would be little more than a "nature walk", then hunt the general big game seasons like everyone else who doesn't use a bow. If you are afraid you can't shoot a bow well enough to kill a deer cleanly beyond 10 or 15 yds, then don't shoot at one past 10 or 15 yds. No one said bowhunting is easy. If your kids can't pull a 35# or 40# bow back, bring them along to sit in the woods with you. They'll learn alot and enjoy the experience until they've matured the following year. </font id=size2>
Personally I feel like I am capable of killing a deer with my longbos and I know when to shoot and when not to. I haven't proved it yet obviously, but both shots I missed "felt" good had I not hit branches. I did not have the confidence last year, and I didn't hunt with my longbow. I agree though, be able to hit what you aim at/look at and practice and work hard at it.
<font size=2>Some people seem to care less if archery season were done away with altogether. I think some would be quite pleased to have one 3 week season where anything goes. As for me, I'll be damned if I want to risk Pennsylvania's already-short archery season get cut back due to increased kills by an influx of crossbows or guns into the ARCHERY season...particulary not for people who wants to use "easier" or "less demanding" equipment.</font id=size2>
I don't know about Penn, but Arkansas is 5 months, liberal bag limit with does, the woods are never crowded and we allow crossbows, have for over 30 years I believe. I don't believe the reality of crossbows taking season and limits away - its certainly never happened here. HOWEVER, as with IL and archers taking 40+% of the kill, then I can see the possibility now. But in that crossbows need a seperate season, so do compounds, right ? Keeping crossbows out now becomes a selfish issue, wanting to keep hunter numbers down to keep archery season open longer, right ? Thats the track I get from VC's post, can more hunters EVER be a bad thing ?
<font size=2>If crossbow hunters aren't content using their weapons in the general seasons, then they can fight for their own season instead of trying to ride in on the coat tails of bowhunters. They sure don't belong in ARCHERY season.</font id=size2>
Same exact thing can be said of compounds, and was 25 years ago, wasn't it ? Following your line of logic, we shouldn't allow more advances in archery products for fear of something else like the compound to come along and totally revolutionize archery, right ? P&Y is still hung up on 65% letoff when most bows that are being bought are 80% or variable, right ? And again I ask, what did Matthews and Bow Tech do for creating archery seasons 25 years ago ? Nothing. What they HAVE done is create radical techonology and the best damn shooting compounds available that take accuracy, forgiveness and quietness to a new level - making for a more efficient hutnign tool that is easier to use.
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