ORIGINAL: Cornelius08
petropedro, I pay over 1000 for my bow set ups and I dont even have to worry about being arrested because Im not a poacher. I have no doubt a poacher would do the same with so much to lose.
Why on earth wouldnt a poacher buy one if they could use them both legally in season AND out of season for poaching if they so chose?
On the other hand, it wouldnt reallly pay for them to pay that much CURRENTLY when they arent even supposed to be in the woods with them.
As for your 22 "subsonic" theory I say BULLSQUAT!
I use many of the low velocity 22s for trapping and some of them wont even kill a danged trapped coon with the barrel inches from its head! Ive seen coon need be shot 4 times or more with the bullet not even penetrating the skull with rounds like minicaps etc. Let alone a large buck at 20 to 50 yards! And the rounds I use that do kill coon readily have the barrel a foot from its head and the skull is thinner by far than a deers.
Crossbows are the poacher dream tool. Im not some asnine poacher but If I were, I GUARANTEE i would have one. ITs the best tool for the job. Plenty effective unlike hit or miss kills with "subsonic 22 crap" and quieter than everything else that is easy and convenient to use.
poacher wants a QUICK KILL so he can load deer up and get out of there.
using say a 22 mag , he aims for head of deer.
deer will go right down.
nows, on crossbow, he has to take a behind shoulder shot,most likely the deer is going to run away at night,poacher takes a chance at getting caught.
respectfully to you, you are right but i feel the 22 mag is one they use most unless a shot will alert others like in a state park area or near homes .