This discussion is going no where, neither side will budge. So I present you with this.

Im a reasonable person, Ive seen EXACTLY what you're talking about since the begining.

In some cases it does seem unfair that a short range weapon lauching broadheaded arrows is made part of firearm seasons. I can see your point.

I also see your point about recurves and longbows being more difficult to hunt with than a comound. There is NO denying that, I tried to make the switch, but just couldnt master it well enough to justify shooting at an animal.

I also agree that there are some advances in compounds that make it much more unfair. I dont believe hunting bows should have over 75% let-off. These new concept bows that are 99% let-off are too easy to hold back. Its unfair.

Ive mentioned all of that from the start though.

So we agree on most of this, right?

Now that we agree on most of this, please answer these yes or no questions for me;

Do you see the difference in having the bow cocked (drawn) back, and having to draw when the animal is near you? (Yes) (No)

Do you think its fair to incorporate draw locks into the archery seasons? (Yes) (No)

Should we eliminate the compound bow, and not allow the crossbow, allowing only primitive archery tackle to be used (hoyt gamemasters and the like, would be included)? (Yes) (No)


Data, you're right on a LOT of your points, but to say that you're not drawing a compound in the presence of the deer is incorrect. Not all deer stop behind foliage or a tree. Sometimes you have to draw when they turn their head. Recurve and Longbow users rarely draw in the "presence" of game then either. I was taught much of what I know by a die-hard traditionalist. He taught me to draw the bow at the moment you cant see the animals eyes. So by your definition, hardly any bowhunters are drawing back in the "presence" of the animal.

However, the definition of presence is; pres·ence Pronunciation Key (przns)
noun
The state or fact of being present; current existence or occurrence.
Immediate proximity in time or space.
The area immediately surrounding a great personage, especially a sovereign.
A person who is present.

A person's bearing, especially when it commands respectful attention: “He continues to possess the presence, mental as well as physical, of the young man” (Brendan Gill).
The quality of self-assurance and effectiveness that permits a performer to achieve a rapport with the audience: stage presence.
A supernatural influence felt to be nearby.
The diplomatic, political, or military influence of a nation in a foreign country, especially as evidenced by the posting of its diplomats or its troops there: “The American diplomatic presence in London began in 1785 when John Adams became our first minister” (Nancy Holmes).


Seems rather clear that any animal with in close proximity would be in your PRESENCE.

Cocking the bow back when you are 500 yards from your stand, or even when your in the stand and do not have the animal within your presence would be different. I dont think you could say that you drew in the animals presence. Which to me is the challenging part of bowhunting. Taking this away, is removing the reason we bowhunt. Do you really disagree with that?


Think about it this way; Why not allow motorcycles in a bicycle race?
Why not allow motorcycles in a car race?

Where are the negatives there? Sure the motorcycle has an engine and can blow the bike away, but both have wheels. One guy just chose the easier ride.

Why not allow the motorcycle into the car race then? They both have wheels, and a motor powers those wheels. Wheres the negative? So the motorcycle can out accelerate the car, and out handle it in turns. The guy on the motorcycle chose the better tool for the job.

How about suicide, there arent any negatives, yet you're not allowed to do it. Why, you arent harming anyone else? You want to take your life, and the law wont allow.

What Im getting at is, sometimes there arent clear and valid negatives to disallow stuff. Somethings just arent fair, or they dont fit into the category well enough. Some things just dont make any sense. This falls in between.

In a way it makes seems unreasonable to disallow a cross"bow" from a "bow" season. But when you look closer you can see how it doesnt really fit into the category that all the allowable bows do. They are all hand-held, and hand-drawn in the presence of game. Granted some of them are becoming so far advanced, they have almost lost the whole draw in the presence of game aspect. But they still barely retain it.

Sorry I got nasty in my last post, I wasnt in a very good mood.