ORIGINAL: tky1187
I'm really not sold on the fact that allowing crossbows and inlines is going to hurt the deer population any more than it already has been. I'm a die hard archery hunter and haven't had to use a rifle in quite a few years to fill my buck tag, and I don't think that allowing crossbows would reduce my chances at taking my buck with the bow. After hunting ohio this past year where you can use crossbows while hunting over bait even, I just don't think it would have the impact all you think it would. And before you say well ohio doesn't have the hunters PA does let me tell you that I was also out for there gun season and it looked as bad or worse with the amount of hunters that were there. Also you will say well it's shotgun only and that saves alot of deer. I agree that this does save some deer but I know that at 100yds a deer is as sure of being dead with most slug guns as it is with any rifle.Also the area I hunted you would not shoot beyond 100yds very easily, just like most your shots on state game lands are not goign to be beyond 100yds. Just a few things to think about before everyone thinks it's officially doomsday.
yes, it will impact the deer as in-lines season has.
right now, you dont see driving of deer to much in archery.
when the crossbows are legal, i see that happening.
it will bring in more hunters, more times of year.
it will also get hunters to see a buck or doe and then plan on coming back to hunt in gun season.
it will make hunting a buck more of challenge in archery as they will be more spooked than now.
so, archery could be tougher if crossbows are allowed.
look at early oct week here in pa. you can use gun.[:@]
that whole week it was hard to even see a deer with my bow do too allhunters in woods and road hunting.
wasted week for me and archery hunters.
i also see more bear hunters coming in the week of archery with a crossbow for bear.
i also see more illegal baitng behind camps and more bear shot at 4 am with crossbow that bear week.[:@]
i dont hate crossbow, i hate all the new hunters it will bring to woods.
in one way its good for our local business,stores etc but we are finding out that most hunters are bringing their own food, gas not shopping locally.
thats depressing too.
if anything, ITS GOING TO BE HARD AS HECK TO GET BUCK ON STATEFORESTLAND WITH ALL THESE NEW HUNTERS.
its already tough,i did not see a DEER for 2 weeks here in clinton county,first in 47 years of hard hunting.
