What makes it LEGAL to use during archery season depends on the state's definition--that doesn't make it a different weapon.
EXACTLY ! So what DOES make something this weapon or that ?
Regardless though, most states do not recognize a crossbow as standard archery equipment. As I keep saying--if it were, then no special permit would be required.
My crossbow in Arkansas is 100% archery. Its State defined as such. Like its already been stated, its steeped in Archery history, unlike compounds which you recognize as archery right ?
I cross the Mississippi river and that weapon changes into a non-archery thing, right ?
Exaplain that to me LBR. How does it CHANGE ?
You didn't use a good analogy there, you neglected to mention the limbs of the bow, and THAT is what delivers the energy to the arrow via the string.
Thats what makes a bow, isn't it ?
Why call it a bow? Here's my take on it. A bow doesn't have a stock, it doesn't have a forearm, it can't be propped up to steady the shot, it can't sit at ready for hours on end but rather must be drawn in the presence of game.....personally I'm not too fond of trigger releases and 80+% let-off, but that's a different discussion.
Chad why is it a differnt discussion ? I sense elitism in that statement, that you too feel technology has come to far with teh 80% letoffs, triggered releases etc. True ?
Every year more and more is allowed in the definition of archery. Every year more states allow crossbows for everyone too.
If a crossbow can be considered a bow, then why can't a slingshot that fires arrows be a bow? Or a converted rifle that fires bolts? I see it as a slippery slope, possibly leading to one season for all.
Does a slingshot have limbs ? If it does, I guess it COULD be a bow. Your firearm doesn't have limbs either, and it uses gunpowder for it source of energy. That exclude it from being a bow
Wyvern Crossbow do you agree that allowing scopes on crossbows is a mistake ? Take the scopes away and they are not nearly the weapon they are with them.
Ok, I was willing to have an intelligent conversation with you until this statement. Anyone that has been in archery at any length, knows this is not the norm.
bigcountrywhat are your experiences with a crossbow ?
Can ya'll not see how this thread is going though ? I feel somewhat elite in that I choose difficult archery tackle. I FEEL like I'm doing it the hard way, and seeing people take shortcuts ....... compounds & crossbows .... I wonder is they're missing something, or maybe I'm getting cheated out of something. This is a true feeling, its not something I'm rabid with but it IS something I think about.
And ya'll thing EXACTLY the same way - but its not towards the compounders but towards the crossbows.
Elitism, thinking, feeling, knowing that "they" are taking all the shortcuts and hunting the same seasons as you and you're working so much harder with much more primitive weapons. Aint fair is it ?
If compounders can say that about crossbows, why can't I (as a recurve shooter) say that about compounds ? And why can't a self bow shooter say that about me ?