I hunt predominantly on public land in Oklahoma. We have three seasons; archery, primitive, and gun. We can hunt with archery gear in all three, muzzleloaders in primitive and gun, and some areas are restricted to shotguns with slugs during gun season. Orange and tags must meet the respective season's requirements. I have hunted all three seasons with my recurve. I also have hunted the same area with a 30-06 that I had started hunting in the fall with my bow. I have never heard of anybody being shot on this place, and there are a lot of fellows that hunt here every year. The camps consist of everything from camper shells and tents to motorhomes with generators that run 24 hours a day (that ain't camping). I've had several of them tell me that there aren't any big ones here, and then I've proven differently. I dont think that allowing crossbows in would make a lot of difference. There are times when a few more hunters (especially the ones who can't sit still), would be beneficial to me. These deer are used to hunters, and I see most of them, (especially the bucks) between 10 and 3, when the camps are full of hunters. I think most guys who want to hunt already do, with something. I doubt many would give up there high-tech compounds for a crossbow. I won't be buying one, because I don't like them. I think they're going to get in though, and I would hope that they get stuck in muzzleloader season, as I don't think they deserve their own season because they are not a large enough, or different enough group to command a piece of the pre-rut,rut pie. They are, however, obviously, a primitive weapon, and a successful hunt with one would be an achievement. More hunters means more money to buy more public land, and pay for management, which was part of the reasoning behind the first archery seasons and has had substantially favorable results. It also makes inroads by the anti's less likely.
I'm proud of the deer I've taken with my rifle, but more so the ones Ive taken with my bow. I don't care what you hunt with. I congratulate you on any animal you've taken, provided it was fair chase, by whatever means. If you think I go to the woods and worry about what somebody else is shooting, or the fact that I don't have the woods all to myself,then you are wrong. I'm too busy trying to outsmart the deer that have outsmarted the other hunters.










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