ORIGINAL: datamax
You definitely got this backwards, the FACT is that crossbows are not allowed in archery season in almost every state, but your Opinion is they all have it wrong and it should be changed. Those are the simple facts.
I never questioned that its fact that states dont allow crossbows, much like they use to didn't allow compounds, mechanical release, mechanical broadheads etc etc. Most are glad those rules were argued and changed though, huh ?
My opinion is based on facts that crossbows, where allowed, has made no negative impact.
Hey Data, a "P&Y" would not be an accurate way to gauge a deer with a crossbow in your hands .. as they aren't eligible for their record books. Archers uses the P&Y standard to measure deer, Crossbow guys use B&C or some other local way of measuring.
True, P&Y Club HATE crossbows. Its like the anti-crossbow thing is their only objective in life anymore. But P&Y and B&C ........ they are the standard on which to gauge deer of different sizes. Remember when P&Y didn't allow compound kills ? Remember when P&Y didn't allow >65% letoff kills ??
You may be the hardest to debate with of the 3 Crossbow supporters here.
Theres a lot more than 3
Data, you of all people should know (I mean seeing is how you think you know everything) it takes several well planned observational experiments to gather any sort of statistically significant data that can be called factual. The problem here is that there is not a single person on the face of the planet that is collecting any factual data related to the crossbow's negative effects on archery season. Do you want to know why? Most of the variables that would signify a negative impact are, for the most part, immeasurable. I mean come on, you don't expect us to think that harvest numbers are going to show all of the possible impacts crossbows are having do you?
Well, I can say this with 100% facts backing me up. Not one time has the anti-crossbow zealots conducted any kind of "observational experiments" to prove crossbows evil, have they ? What we know is the G&F of the states allowing crossbows KNOW that they are a non-impact on the overall scheme of things as far as impacts on the deer herds. The G&F KNOW this, or they'd take actions.
Over harvest, too many bowhunters, shorters season ............ all factless fears that IF they were true we'd clearly see in states like AR, OH, GA and yes, even Canada.
Wouldn't we ?
The day you can show me a peer-reviewed scholarly study into the effects of crossbows on archery season is the day I will buy any of your crap you claim to be facts.
Excellent. Arkansas has had them legal for 30 years. Never have we lost a single day of archery season because of crossbows. Never have our bowhunting numbers been so high as to ge the G&F to consider measuers to reduce archer numbers. Never have we lost bag limits because of bowhunter success rates. Never have crossbows been any more likely to be dangerous in the woods nor more likely to be used for poaching.
You can make phone calls, look up the stats ........... ask the people who actually live and hunt where crossbows are legal ............ everything point to having them in legal archery season as a non factor. It does not negatively affect archery in any way, it really doesn't.