RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

Do us compound and traditional bowhunters think there should be a TOTALLY separate season for bows? I mean....should they EXclude bows during firearms seasons?

SLIPPERY, slippery slope, guys............

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

I dont see them the same, Ive shot both, and a crossbow is much more forgiving and doenst rely as much for the shooter to be consistent. Also you have to draw your bow when the animal is in range, unlike a crossbow where you pull a trigger.


I think they should only be allowed for the disabled and/or have a seperate season.

After all, they have seperate seasons for Muzzleloaders dont they?? Which in my mind is a similar concept.

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

Do some research, no faster, no further than a modern compound, and no more accurately. Accuracy is in the shooter more than the weapon.

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

I AGREE WITH BOWHUNTER46!!

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

NO WAY ARE THEY THE SAME. WITH A COMPOUND YOU HAVE TO DRAW THE BOW AND HOLD IT WITH OUT SPOOKING THE DEER. CROSS BOW YOU JUST POINT AND SHOOT DUHH JUST LIKE A GUN

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

I've been through this debate many times and my views have changed based on the arguments made from both sides. I have also setup crossbows when I worked in an archery shop and shot them there as well.

Are they archery equipment: Yup.
Do they "belong" in bow season? Well that depends....

In my view, the onus of justification belongs on the side requesting the change. If you want a change, in this case inclusion of crossbows in archery season, you need to justify the change.

This comes down to two areas, in my opinion:

1) Does it "belong"?
2) Will it have adverse effects on the hunted species.

Deal with #2 first. Some states, such as NH where I hunt and live, could not handle the increased participation and subsequent increased deer kill. We simply don't have the deer population. Other states where deer are like rats and need thinning out, could use increased kill. Hunting among other reasons to hunt, is a wildlife management tool. #2 should be settled by the F&G biologists. Crossbows will probably increase hunters in the woods and increase the deer kill. Can the deer herd handle this?

Now #1, do they belong. A well tuned compound, in the hands of a practiced shooter, is AT LEAST as accurate and at least as long of a range as a well tuned crossbow in the hands of a practiced shooter. Having tuned both I can tune a compound to shoot tight groups easier than a crossbow. The short/heavy bolt combined with the short and powerfull power stroke lend itself to some tricky tuning issues.

I see advantages/disadvantages in the crossbow infour areas:

1) How fast can the "average" guy get proficient with it? Most people who would be hunting with a crossbow, or bow, already hunt with guns, the firing of a crossbow is very close to a gun and the change to being accurate would be quicker with a crossbow than a gun. However, given any hand/eye coordination, I can have most people shooting a compound, that fits them, decently in under an hour. Advantage here goes to the crossbow, albeit not a huge one. If you consider 40 yds as the goal distance, it is easier to get there with a crossbow than a compound and easier to stay there.

2) Drawing in the presence of an animal. Simply put, you don't with a crossbow. Now most of us who bowhunt learn how to not get caught, but we still get caught. My first arrow shot at a deer was my 4th deer encounter in range where I tried to shoot. First 3 caught me moving or drawing. Crossbow in this aspect comes very close to a gun and you get the shot off with much less movement. Advantage here to the crossbow.

3) "ease of use" in the woods. Advantage here goes to the compound. Its easier to carry in the woods, easier to "load", possible to get a second shot if need be and easier to "hang" up in a treestand. Not a huge issue, but small advantage to the compound.

4) "fit". With compounds bow fit is an issue, to much draw weight or to much draw length will kill accuracy. Crossbows won't have this problem (with the possible exception of crossbows where you have to manually cock them). Crossbows are more "portable" between people. I could shoot the same one my wife shoots. This might just go back to #1 but it MAY make it easier for people to get more accrate quickly. The crossbow will "fit".

Pesonally it comes down to the deer herd and the management of the deer herd. Can the deer handle increased hunting pressure and increased harvest that will result if you put more hunters into the woods??

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

TrophyHunter,

Its OK to be honest here, you can tell us how you really feel. (Ha! Ha!)

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

to me i think cross bows are and are not archery. I have seena man that can not shot a compound becouse of some reasons and he used a crossbow during archery. But those people who just shot crossbow becuase they are to lazy to shot a compound is not archery to me. I belive you should have to worka nd hold the bow back to be considered archery to me. but if you can not hold it back becuase of problems like wrist problems our somthing then that is different.

RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

I first off have to say how surprised I am at some of the peoples responses. There are alot of people that I would have thought to be hard core that are OK with a CB. It is nice to see this much support.

The part that I have quoted is one of the fears that I think comes up the most. Ohio and AR have had the seasons for over thirty years now, AR may not be over thirty but they should be or are close. Ohio opened it up in 75 I think may be off by a year, could be 74 or 76, not sure. I will paste some data from the Ohio's DNR web site as to what the CB has done to the deer numbers. I will say that I think if a state that currently has heavy restricted CB use and then opened it up may see a bump in the road the first year. There will be gun hunters that see it as a new and longer season opportunity. So that could make a jump in numbers, but if they score with a CB maybe they will not even go out for gun? It could call it even. There also may be some long Bow or Compound people make the switch, this could mean more kills. If this does happen I think with proper DNR regulations you should be fine, Ohio and AR is proof that you will be. Or numbers have only been going up and I owe that to a great DNR that knows how to manage a deer population. Will also post a image of how many states are realizing the CB is a good tool to allow and use for the hunter. This last season eight states allowed there use and currently there are several more states joining the ranks. Thanks to all for the positive post!




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RE: Are Crossbows Considered Archery???
 

Hi Dave...
For thos that didnt look at the CB thread its nice to know not all are against it.
I have hunted with Bow for 23 yrs,I have invested well over 4 thousand dollers in the sport in the last 3 years,2-Mathews,2-Recurves and a Longbow.Ive been haveing pains in my arm and neck lately and found out my c4and c7 cervical disc are ruptured(spl),had my 5 an6 fused 10 yrs ago so you see where Iam going.I still want to Archery hunt,so what did I do ?...I just spent 1,073.00 on a Tenpoint CB and add ons...(my crossbow with add ons is right around 10 pounds)I would prefer my recurve..
I spent most of the summer shooting recurve,compound and longbow and was planning on going 100% Trad nxt year...The Doc gave me two yr disability and might be total disability after 2009.
Iam glad I never thought bad of the CB before cause I would definitly have mud on my face.....
Once again Iam glad there are other archers out there that dont put down someone elses Bow.....