Can of worms time again, huh?

History:

Crossbows were developed in China, and there is documentation that they used in battle more than 400 years BCE. That is some 1,600 years before guns. Crossbows are not bows mounted on gun stocks, guns are mounted on crossbow stocks.

Using the crossbow in battle against fellow Christians was banned by order of Pope Innocent I and the Lateran Council in the late 12th century, but they were fine and dandy to use against the Moslems in the Crusades.

They have a long history of being the hunting weapon of choice among the nobility, especially in Germany and Switzerland. Until guns were introduced.

Our disdain of the crossbow comes directly from our English ancestors who faced the crossbow in the hands of mercenaries hired into the French army. Since the combat crossbows of the time were drawn and shot mechanically instead of by the strength and skill demanded of longbowmen, crossbows have been always been considered an 'unmanly' weapon by the English yeomen.

Crossbows have competed in their own division in National Archery Association competitions since the late 1940's.

My opinion: If all bowhunters were shooting stickbows these days, I feel the answer to the question 'should crossbows be included in bowhunting seasons' would be an unqualified NO. But trads only make up some 5-6% of all bowhunters. Except for a small minority of compound shooters, almost all of the rest use high letoff bows, high tech sighting systems, high velocity arrows, mechanical releases, high tech vibration absorbing systems.... Hunting with compounds is practically as mechanical as hunting with crossbows. There is very little difference left between the two and the crossbow manufacturers are taking full advantage of it.

If I was King, I would outlaw mechanical releases, except for the disabled. I would institute a minimum arrow weight of 450 grains. Outlaw mechanical broadheads entirely. No electronic devices on the bow or arrows. No telescopic sights. 40" minimum bow length. No devices that lock a bow at full draw. There would be no need to even mention crossbows except for the severely disabled ('bad' shoulders don't count) because they could not meet those requirements.

But, I would give crossbows their own, exclusive two week season. Hey, bowhunters don't want to share their season with crossbows. Crossbows shouldn't have to share their season with bowhunters. Fair is fair.



Edited by - Arthur P on 01/05/2003 20:31:52