New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Just read about a new law on the books in IL. Anyone 62 years of age or older can bowhunt with a cross bow without having to get a medical excuse. Just have proof of age and buy the permit.

Not sure why this is needed. I am sure there are plenty of 62 year olds that can still draw back a bow with enough pop to kill a deer. Specially with all of the advances in bow technology we have today. And I don't believe it is that hard to get a medical excuse if you want one.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I don't see a problem with it,it just saves them some hassle.


HopefullyI won't need to go to a crossbow at that age but it would be nice to not have to run to a doctor and go through the red tape if I needed too.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I agree with yajmbuckhunter!

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I totally agree.

I really feel sorry for all who opose the crossbow. I sure hope that your health hold out so that you can use a compound the rest of your life. With all the there is not much difference in compounds and crossbows and their advantages they give the shooter (different advantages but generally equal over the longbow or recurve). For someone with a disability or has age that restricts them or their ability to safely pull back the compound, they are severly discriminated against. They are forced to go though major hoops just to get back into the woods. But then again, you with healthy bodys, would not know what they would have to go though, because you have no need to either know or go though it.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I had downloaded and printed out the necessary forms for my fatherinlaw to have his doctor fill out a couple of months ago when the state informed us he didn't need to(he is 69). Trust me when I say my fatherinlaw would much rather shoot his compound but can no longer do so.

Added note* IMO its only a beginning to legalize crossbows for anyone, of which I am totally against unless physically unable to do so. ;)

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Cougar Mag did the traditional archers not complain the same thing when the compounds came into the market. I do not want to get into a bashing of one method over another, but if your hunting with a compound, then you have as great an advantage over the recurves and long bows as do the crossbowsl just different advantages. Now why restrict people that want to go hunting, but no longer have the ability to use the vertical bows, other then to keep them from doing what they want. Once people see and learn that crossbows are only a different form of hunting tool, then there will be alot less discrimination against humans.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Theyloosened a regulation! I like the sound of that. Maybe they'll loosen thetag cost by about 400 bucks.

Always liked crossbows. When I was a kid the thought of putting a gun and a bow together thrilled me.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Good to hear and good to get them back in the woods :)

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To the hard liners. Go pick one up and compare it side by side in an all day comparison and come back here with your conclusions. You might get an education. BTW, I don't use one, don't need to but when the day comes if it ever does I will not hesitate and I feel most of you won't either;)

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AMEN!!

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I'll use one when the day comes that I have to, but until I am physically unable to use a traditional or compound.......not.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I used to be hard core anti-crossbow until about8 years ago. Until I turned around and looked behind me, and opened my eyes to what the archery world I was trying to protect was doing behind my back. I considered what I saw behind me as just as bad as what I was facing.

Then everyone started raising hell about P&Y's 65% let-off rule, said there shouldn't be one, and forced P&Y to sell out their principles. So... 100% let-off is okay. Mechanical releases are okay. Short little dingleberry bows are okay. More speed! More performance! Everything you can do to makebowhunting easier is okay.

Came to the conclusion that nobody will be happy until the compound bow is reinvented into a crossbow anyway. "Not sure why this is needed..... Specially with all of the advances in bow technology we have today, " says jmbuckhunter, so he's seeing it too. He just hasn't figured out he's seeing it though.

So what's the point in opposing them any longer?

Nowadays I've got times I want to shoot but my shoulders hurt too bad to do it. I get out my crossbow, the midieval-type one I made a couple of years ago. I enjoy it almost as much as shooting my compounds,and not nearly as much asshooting my recurves and longbows. But at least it's shooting. Oddly enough, the guys at the all-traditional club don't mind it a bit.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

My father hunted with both bow and gun until a few years ago when health problems made it very hard for him to use a bow effectively. He then switched to a crossbow whichis now allowing him to continue to bow hunt. He can only afford a basic model that has less range than most of the high-tech compound bows. I just don't see the problem with that, but then again am not looking for a problem.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Thank goodness your father had the opertunity to use the crossbow. For someone that has hunted and fished all their life, then all of a sudden you remove their enjoyment of the outdoors because of medical issues, well it could and has removed the will to live for many. It was a choice for him to have, and he took it, good for him. I hope he has many more years of successful trips into the woods.

That is your choice and that is what you have the right to choose. And it is only a choice between two equal hunting tools.

Now tell me if this is fair:

A few years ago I knew someone with a disability and needed a crossbow to hunt. THis person had disability permits to hunt in 3 different States (the States he was most likely to hunt in). One day he got an invite to go on a hunt into another State, 3.5 months before the trip date. He imediatly applied to that State for the permit. WEll he had to make a trip into that State to see a Dr from that State, pay for the visit, the form to be fill out, then make a second trip. The cost of off this is unbelievable, espically to someone that is on a disability. By the way, he never got the permit until after the trip date as that State takes aprox 6 months (average) to process the permit.

The trouble is that in this world, we never know what is going to happen tomorrow, let alone next week or next year. IF it is an accident or illness, your health can be taken away from you in a split second and then what you love to do (archery hunting) will be gone without the possible use of a crossbow. I have known many that have used a crossbow to hunt while they were injured, then after they got better, they sold it and went back to what they did before. But again that was their choice and some of these people were real hard core anti-crossbow, but not anymore because that is their choice and now they know the truth about crossbows.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Cross bows are not a big deal to me. But I will bet that the lobbyists for the crossbow industry were wining and dining a lot of politicians to get their foot in the door.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I have been unable to use a verticaql bow for over 25 years so I do have alot of first hand knowledge on them. You above statement is not true. Not sure if your major companies in the USA are doing that, but the Owner for Excalibur has constantly stated that he does not lobby politicians as this would not help promot crossbows. You know the arguement that you just put forth ..... COMPANIES ONLY AFTER MONEY ......

With Excalibur did was put forth a web site to help educate people about the truth on crossbows. The more people learn the truth, that crossbows and compounds are equally compareable, then they apply the pressure on the politicians to change the laws. I would have to say that it is the people, not the companies that are changeing the laws, as well as the HIGHEST COURT in the USA deeming that it is DISCRIMINATING to exclude people from archery hunting becasue of their disability.

Your right that crossbowsare not a big deal, they are just another tool for a hunter to choose from. I know many that hunt with all three methods, traditional, compound and crossbow. what ever they like using that day. Again ..... just a choice.

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Let me start by saying I'm not opposed to the crossbow rule for next year, but make no mistake. Our illustrious governor Rod Blagojevich only did this to increase revenue from add'l liscense sales and crossbow sales taxes. This is the same man who raided the Habitat fund to help decrease his deficit leaving most of the public hunting grounds for dove hunting here in the north w/o any plantings like sunflower and as a result very few doves. He also knows that Sportsmen in this state for the most part despise him and is looking to "nice-up" to them. As contentious as this issue is it may backfire on him.
BTW, I look forward to buying a crossbow in 12 yrs!

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Why 62? Is that the age we startsoilingour pants trying to pull a regular bow or what?

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I agree - 62 seems a little young. Men don't really start to lose their strength until what age? 70?

Tommy Bolt says once you turn 80 you lose 10 yards a year off the golf tee - that's flexibility as much as anything, I would think.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

Very cool!

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I can only assume that 62 was used because it is (i think) the earliest retirement age for social security. I guess that crossbow hunting could be viewed as another privileged for the retired.

As for who has or hasn't the strength to pull a bow, that may be a question best left to the 62 and older members here.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

What I always find interesting about crossbow haters among the compound crowd is that if company X comes out with a compound that shoots 350 fps and could be drawn and held by a 10 year old...........they would sell a million of them.


Most people are selfish and/or jealous.......and even more are hypocrits.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

That can be said for more than just choice of archery weapons. Gunners hating bowhunters, bowhunters hating gunners, fly fisherman hating baiters, unsuccessful hating successful etc...that's never ending atlasman but it's a good point none the less.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I better not catch no poachers drownding worms in this part of the river!!!

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

It's a great Law IMO

Will get more guys out hunting IMO.

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I am for crossbows regardless of age.

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I have converted from the anti crossbow crowd. I've shot both and much prefer my compound but I no longer buy into the unfounded argurments that the crossbow will cause shorter season, make archery too easy etc etc

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It does seem to be a little premature to me to say... "62?? You're old and disabled". I'm past that and still think 70 pounds is a pretty easy thing. I like a bow and will use one as long as I can... but if the day comes that something happens and I can't, well I'm getting a crossbow probably or I'll just give up hunting all together. I've shot enough deer. All I need to do is find a source for a venison meal or 40. With the decrease in hunter numbers, perhaps the point of the new rule is another attempt to INCREASE the number of people hunting the bow seasons. You know, to eliminate all the hassle with doctors statements and bring in some people that think they're too old to start real bowhunting. God knows they can pick up a crossbow and be a killer tomorrow. I sure hate that they may think I'm too damn old at 64 to shoot a real bow. LOL

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davidmil that statement it seriously misleading. The crossbow has the same basic range that a compound has. You stiull need to get the animal inside that range. A crossbow does not shoot flat (the speeds of bow bows are generally equal) so the shooter needs to learn the arc for the arrow as well. The incorrect statements that a crossbow hunter is a killer as soon as he picks up the crossbow, does nothing to help out the hunting word, only misleads the uneducated.

But I believe that the age they chose was just a number. If your past that age and you still can use a vertical bow, then great, you have that choice.

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I don't think it's misleading at all. If you know how to shoot a gun you can pick up a crossbow and shoot bullseyes at 20 and 30 yards almost instantly. There is no learning curve other than range. And really, most deer are shot at 40 yards and under in the deep woods anyway. You can be a killer with a crossbow immediately if you can shoot a gun. You just have to shorten the distance. And honestly, that's not a big deal if you have the woods and the property or the time to find it. The skill of the kill is pretty basic.

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You can sure tell that you have not truely hunted with the crossbow just by your faulse statements. You still need to practice with the crossbow, just not as much as you need with the compound. Just luike you need to practice more with the recurve or longbow, more then you need with the compound. When people make statements like you just did which are blantantly incorrect, misleading, and does unjustice to the whole hunting world.

I have watched people that buy a compound which was set up in the pro shop (they never owned a bow before) and went out hunting the next day. Is this eithical, I do not believe so, just like if someone takes a crossbow out with out practicing is just as uneithical. I have also know of people that have hit bullseye after bullseye the first time they have picked up a compound. Also if your talking about accuracy between the two, why is it that compounds will out score the crossbow at the national championships.

But like I said, your ignorance is showing in your statements.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

I was going to make the same remark ^ . I think rifles should be outlawed for hunting because they have a much larger advantage over shotguns and Ohio is Shotgun only, i mean ANYONE can pick up a rifle and shoot 150 yards and have 3 inch groups...

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

LOL .................. I have witnessed 3 and 4 inch groups out to 200 yards (two different guns) ............ from shotguns.

But we digress here. This topic was about a new law that was brought out to give older people the choice to contimue to hunt with a crossbow if they do choose to do so, not to debate compound/crossbow arguements pro or con. I could do so. I could prove with data, not personal feelings that crossbows and compounds have generally equal advantages (although different) over the recurve and long bow.

The thing is, the choice should be free for the hunter to make if they choose to do so.

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i Exactly. If you know how to shoot a gun and have some basics, like breathing and not jerking the trigger, you can do that. If you can do that, you can shoot a cross bow at 20 and 30 yards with no problem.. and I say again, almost instantly. No I haven't hunted with a crossbow, but I shot one. I've shot thousands of rounds of ammo down range and can shoot a crossbow tomorrow. It's not rocket sciences. As a past gun totter, veteran and bowhunter.... a crossbow is a done deal within range. Don't make it more than it is. It's a quick fix to all the hours and days and weeks and months and years a guy spends with a recurve or long bow to become half proficient at 20 yards. You give the same old 62 year old a recurve and he can't hit your pickup at 20 yards. With a crossbow I'll have him taking out your backup mirror in 10 minutes.

RE: New Bowhunting Law in IL
 

EXACTLY the same can be said for compounds, davidmil. In fact, the whole industry has beenraking inmoney off making it easier for at least the past 20 years. There used to be as much difference between crossbows and compounds as between compounds and recurves. Not any longer. Compounds have reached and, in some ways, surpassed crossbows in ease of use.

How many do you know who put theircompounds away on closing day and don't get them out again until just before next opening day? A whole lot more do that than there are practicing and shootingyear round. I'd bet for every one of uswho does shoot regularly in the offseason, there are a thousand who don't. And most of them have never once shot a bow with their God-given fingers. Mechanical release is all they know. It's so-o-o much easier just to buy one of those than spend the time and effort to learn how to properly execute a fingers release, now isn't it.

So, where's all those hours and days and weeks and months and years of practice with the compound? What does it matter in the overall scheme of thingsif it takes 10 minutes with a crossbow in order to hit that mirror vs a half hour with a compound? It's still feeding into that buy today, hunt tomorrow frame of mind. NO DIFFERENCE!

Seriously, if not having todo all that workin order to be proficient is a valid reason to keep crossbows out of bow season, then you've just closed thedoor on compounds as well.

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QFE, well said Arthur.

David, Id like to see you pick up a crossbow and be as good as you say you can be almost instantly. Theres more too it than picking it up whipping the string back and using gun basics. The fact that you think that just shows how little you actually know about the subject.

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I canhonestly say I don't know anyone that does that. Noone. As far as the challenge to shoot one and do as well as I think I can. Fair enough, next time we're together we'll give it a whirl.:D Can I borrow youXbow. And Arthur, you made mypoint, yes it's easier with a compound, a gun etc etc That's my point.Just about anyone can pick up an XBow and beable to kill something with it. And no, it won't close the door on compounds. Ohio has been a Xbow state for a long time. Still more compounds and recurves out there than Xbows.

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A crossbow is not the same as a compound bow. You don't have to draw it back at the moment of truth. Very little movement required. Setting an age for crossbow use is not right in my opinion. I know many bowhunters older that do just fine. A medical condition fine, but not for everyone. Maybe crossbow and ML season could be at the same time.

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I'm not going to rack crossbows any longer, there is no point in it with the evolving mindset of hunters these days, but I will tell this story that I know to be true:

My fatherinlaw who is 69 bought a Ten Point crossbow from Gander Mtn. just before deer season. he can no longer pull a bow because of shoulder problems and numbness in his right hand. The guy at the store shot a couple of times and sighted the dot in the scope in at 20 yrds. After he cocked and loaded another bolt my inlaw proceeded to put the bolt right in the bulls eye. I also watched my inlaw sight it in at home for 30 and 40yds. in less than 10 minutes. Though 30 yds. seems to be near the most effective range for those short bolts.

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And there are plenty who cannot.

I take it you are for making it illegal to use groundblinds and treestands over 10 ft high? Both hide the drawing motions quite effectively.
Better outlaw lettoff as well.

And I know may who cannot.

We all know how easy it is to get a deer to within 40 yds and less with guns goining off.

I am very pleased to see the anti side weakening.
I too was rabid anti xbow until I started making objective comparisons of them to the modern compound.

Steve