First of all, I have nothing against Illinois Crossbow regs...when they are truly needed. That being said I was in the woods today when a forty year old man was setting up stands for the upcoming season...This guy was building a permanent wooden stand 20 feet in the air, carrying boards up ladders swinging a hammer with both hands. You get the picture. During general conversation I ask him about his bow and he says I use a crossbow. So I asked him how he got his permit, his answer I have pin in my right ankle from a high school football injury.
Sorry about the long post, Just had to vent.

I'm a pro-crossbow endorser who has done much research on the Crossbow vs. Stick Bow debate since the first article appeared in Deer & Deer Hunting magazine many years ago.

Having said that - I have owned nearly every brand of compound bow, many recurves, one longbow, and two crossbows.

First - my testing showed that my crossbows to had no greater range nor velocity than my $250 compound bows shooting normal alum arrows with a release. The only advantage I found both crossbows to have was the ability (and ease) for good grouping and arrow flight right out of the box.

I've seen and heard all the arguments:
[ul][*]A crossbow isn't a bow[*]A crossbow will increase poaching activity[*]Crossbows are dangerous[*]If crossbows are legalized the woods will be full of more hunters[*]If crossbows are legalized the deer numbers will decrease[*]Crossbows give the archer an unfair advantage[*]Etc.[/ul]


Let me say that I found my crossbows (Horton Hunter and Excalibur Exocet) to be no faster than my 65# compound shooting 2117's and a 125 hr broadhead shot with a release. Crossbows are no more dangerous than any other bow. I don't see where a crossbow offers any more of an advantage than today's compound shooters using hi-tech sights, releases, carbon arrows, mechanical broadheads, limb savers, 85% Let Off cams, etc.

States such as Ohio have had a legal crossbow season for over 20 yrs. They have recorded no increase in poaching since its introduction. There has been no increase in poaching (ever try to stick a crossbow out a car window? Try it sometime!) since its introduction. In fact, the .22 caliber rifle is still considered to be the #1 choice of poachers. Bow-shot deer travel way too far for a poacher to mess with.

Ohio's deer herd hasn't suffered in the least since the crossbow became legalized. Ohio's successful bowhunters are reported to have less than a 10% (if that) success ratio in harvesting a whitetail deer. So the argument that legalizing the crossbow is going to reduce the deer herd or increase the hunters chances of bagging a deer doesn't hold up. Isn't that what we want anyway? Don't we want hunters to be successful and reduce the deer herd size annually?

Crossbows give the archer an unfair advantage. Hogwash! A crossbow shoots no father than a compound bow. Yes, it does allow the new archer (or any archer in fact) the ability to shoot well - and shoot well faster and with less practice than other archers. And this is a bad thing I ask? How many deer are wounded - or worse, lost due to poor shooting archerswho can't hit the broadside of a barn or violate the Rule of 'Know your effective range limit and do not exceed it.' Plenty. Having archers shoot well is what we are all after. Tight groups and accurate shooting.

And last but not least - "If crossbows are legalized the woods will be full of hunters." BS. As a prior NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation employee in NY I can attest to the fact that our state has suffered decreasing numbers of hunters every year for the last 20 yrs. This is of great concern to state agencies not only in decreased sporting license sales (dollars)but also decreased state revenues to other agencies and vendors. Others that also suffer loss of income are: taxidermists, sporting goods stores, ATV sales, hunting clothing manufacturers, hunting radios, hotels, motels, gas, insurance (on ATV's, 4x4's), etc.

So - my vote goes for legalization of the crossbow in NY state.

Pro Crossbow all the way baby! If another bowhunter would rather not use crossbows - fine - use your stickbow. But don't take any MY ability or right to use the crossbow. The crossbow has as much place in history as the recurve or longbow. In fact - the crossbow has more history than the compound bow does.

I've seen to many bowhunters have to give up bowhunting due to shoulder injuries, aging, post cardiac surgery, arthritis, etc. While I don't endorse those who abuse the requirements of permits to use the crossbow if not allowed in their state I do feel that if someone hasa physical limitation they be allowed to use one. And I also feel we should just legalize them and be done with it. Pennsylvania has just legalized crossbows and other neighboring states have done so as well. Good for them.

Sounds like he is abusing the system. Here in TX the rules say you must
have a upper limb disability to use a xbow during bow season. Seems like a
crooked doctor he must have too.

Very well said Scoobiedoo. I live in Ohio and most guys I know hunt with a crossbow or at least own one to have the choice. Hasn't hurt the deer heard at all like you said. In fact they upped the limit in my county this year to 3 deer. 1 Buck and 2 Doe. Seems like heard gets bigger every year and we're doing all we can to keep it in check. We have record #'s killed almost every year and the heard still rebounds to bigger numbers than the year before. Anyone want the exact facts got to ODNR web site for the numbers.

hey scoobie...I don't believe he was bashing using the cross bow. He was upset that a guy used the system to be able to use a cross bow. However...I did not see the original post before editing..so if I missed something that caused your response, I applogize.

In Illinois you have to be handicapped to use a cross bow. How the guy got a Dr. to signthe form saying he wan't able to use a regular bow is the question.

I wonder if I can get one because I blew my knee out 10 years ago?

Here in Ontario crossbows have been legal for over 20 years and there are no issues at all with the stories the anti crossbow guys like to spin. They have no more effective range than a regular bow either. What they are is obviously much easier to shoot and kill with. You still need the same "HUNTING" skills as the guy shooting a compound. You still need to find a deer, hang in a tree and take him within @ 30 yds. The deer does not die any quicker or slower. Its still a broadhead that does the job in the end. I would rather a guy admit he can't shoot a bow well enough and switch to a crossbow than go out every year and wound game. Its not entirely as challenging to be sure (the shooting part ) but it allows more people to hunt. I could use one if I wanted, I don't but have absolutely no problem with a guy who does. Hunters should help each other not try and prevent each other from hunting.

Oh I know he wasn't bashing them...I just thought this might be a good time to discuss crossbows and the stigma that surrounds them. Seriously - I have a bad shoulder (I'm not on disability or nothin') from drawing an overly heavy compound of a relative one day trying out his bow (must have been 80# or better!). Still not enough of a disability here in NY to obtain a legal permit!

Teamster - thanks for sharing!

Anyone interested in the Ohio DNR figures they can be found in .pdf format at: http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/Hunting/WildlifeStatusReport_04/white-taileddeer.pdf

They are very interesting. Seems OHIO has suffered no ill effects - thats for sure!

Teamster - are their any good Non-Resident State Lands for crossbow hunters to hunt? I'd love to have the opportunity to harvest a deer via the crossbow!

????

TerryM,
Thanks for sharing! Honestly - this wasn't the kind of reply I was anticipating! I was expecting to get lynched for my opinion!

Seriously - its very impressive that the stigma of the crossbow is slowing fading. We have a group here in NYS that absolutely detests crossbows and their organization has been THE reason we still do not enjoy the crossbow. Your right - its not terribly challenging in the fact that they are easier to master - but the guy does still have to guess the yardage (unless close) and do everything else right. My guess if legalized here after the initial excitement dies off some guys will find that they want more challenge and still use their stickbows (or both).

I think the perceived fear is worse than the actual threat!

Please do not judge those who may use or choose to use crossbows in conjunction with disability based upon the supposed statements of one person.

According to the Illinois DNR and state statutes ...

The Department of Natural Resources offers two special permits for people with disabilities:

Crossbow: Special permits may be issued by the DNR to qualified handicapped persons allowing them to use a crossbow to hunt species during regular archery seasons. This permit must be carried by the hunter along with all required hunting licenses, stamps or permits. To qualify for a crossbow permit, a person must either have a permanent physical impairment due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, that renders him/her so severely disabled as to be unable to use a conventional bow and arrow device, or must be legally blind.

Permanently handicapped persons, as defined by law (520 ILCS 5/2.33), may apply to the DNR’s Office of Law Enforcement for an exemption to allow the use of a crossbow. A physician’s certification is required (see Disabled Outdoor Opportunities - Special Permits on page 27).

(jj) Nothing contained in this Section shall prohibit the use of bow and arrow, or prevent the Director from issuing permits to use a crossbow to handicapped persons as provided by administrative rule. As used herein, "handicapped persons" means those persons who have a permanent physical impairment due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, which renders them so severely disabled as to be unable to use a conventional bow and arrow device. Permits will be issued only after the receipt of a physician's statement confirming the applicant is handicapped as defined above.


Unless your " pin in the ankle " person has another disability that prevents his from using a conventional bow, then both he ( definately ) and any physician(s) ( likely ) are violating the law.

Unless of course it can some how be proved that his ankle pin prevents him from drawing back a regular bow, which I doubt.

I would suggest finding out who this person is. ( name, address, vehicle plate, etc ) and perhaps consider having him investigated.

Unless he is BS-ing you as to his reason for a permit and has another legitimate condition, his actions could have a negative effect on those who are legitimately disabled who may seek to obtain a permit for a crossbow.

His actions can also have a negative effects on other states like New York where there is legislation to change crossbow laws that are so strict that even people striken with Multiple Sclerosis are unable to qualify for a permit. The New York bowhunters association unfortunately opposes such legislation in the belief that if qualifications are relaxed that every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a hangnail will be out there with a crossbow. While the proposed New York legislation shouldn't relax restrictions to such a degree that anyone with a hangnail would qualify, having this person being qualified in Illinois as disabled with an ankle pin does not help the situation.

If what you say about him is true, then JERKS like him hurt legitimately handicapped persons who may not be able to bowhunt as is the case in places like New York.