RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

like i said on the first page:eek:

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

Just for the record Sliverflicker.....a crossbow is HELD like a rifle but it SHOOTS like a bow. In other words while you may hold it like a gun it uses the same principles of propulsion as a bow...agreed? It would be best described as a "shoulder mounted (and fired) bow" right?

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

Gus, I dont care what they shoot, I just care what season they shoot it in, and have never looked down my nose at any one for shooting one.
I have had this discussion with BigJohn and several others befor and the bottom line is, it is shot like a gun, not like a bow, and no one on here is going to change that!

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

In Texas for years, bowhunters were lumped int the same "general" season. Thanks to strong support by determined bowhunters and organizations like LSBA, we rallied and had a archery only season implemented. Personally I like that 4-5 weeks that we get at he beginning of season. Pressure is lower, deer herds are more relaxed, etc....

Not that I believe there would be a huge influx of additional hunters, but it's more of the part about fighting to get the archery only season. IMO crossbows should be reserved for general season, MLD properties, exotics and elderly or disabled that cannot physically draw a bow. However, to throw another monkey wrench in the plans, Texas Parks & Wildlife in their infinite wisdom decided that the 40# minimum draw weight should be abolished this year. We now have ZERO restrictions on minimum poundage for hunting game in Texas so where dos that leave us?

All we ask for is 5 weeks at the beginning of season to be archery only. Texas has very liberal seasons, usually 3 months or more depending the county in which you hunt. Also there the MLD III properties where any legal weapon can be used from Sept 1 to Feb 28 in most parts of the state. Then add to that the fact that we can use any legal weapon to hunt exotic species year round.

I personally would like to own a crossbow for hunting pigs and exotics and maybe even deer during general season. But the archery only whitetail season should be left as is IMO.

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

I agree with this!

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

The use of Crossbows has been legal in Arkansas for a long time. I hunted with a Crossbow for a few years, and I have the experience and knowledge to speak on this. Is a Crossbow easier than a Compound ??? Yes , a little.... Is a Compound easier thana Recurve ??? Yes, but that in no way makes it easy or negates the basic idea of getting close to a deer and being quiet and scent free.....ect....

A Crossbow has no real advantage over todays Compound bows.... in fact the reverse could be said.... Crossbows are bigger, bulkier, and heavier.... They have no more effective range than a Compound bow.... I can shoot a Compound 50 yards ( doesn't mean I would ) .... My Crossbow was effective to 45 or 50 yards.....

As far as the influx of new hunters storming into the Archery season, and taking over ??? A whole bunch of folks said the same thing about the season in Arkansas , and it never happened. Did some new hunters come in ??? Yes ..... ( and thats not a bad thing ) .... Did some existing hunters take up the Crossbow ??? Yes, but their change in the impact of the Archery season was very very minimal ..... and Finally, did the allowing of Crossbows, and the addition of Crossbow hunting , decimate the deer herd, the season, or ruin it for all the other hunters......... NO !!!

It is all hype and trying to scare folks. Crossbow hunting being added will not do anything to your State or Season or Herd..... Look here in South Arkansas ........ the deer herd is in better shape than ever, and we have had Crossbow hunting for 25+ years ... with ZERO ill effects or problems.

Relax, and enjoy....

God Bless

MET

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

My turn to put one out for the record. It is not quite correct that a crossbow is held and shot like a rifle. Since the crossbow is far older than firearms, by some 1,600 years as far as is currently known, it's the reverse. A rifle is held and shot like a crossbow. :) In fact, early gunmakers stole the idea of stocks and, later, triggers from crossbows in order to improve their guns.

That's how they went from this



To this

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

Now we did all this befor Big J, I dont care if it has a flee fart for propulsion, its still shot like a gun, not like a bow!

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

It really doesn't bother me what season they (crossbows) are put in and they could be put in the gun season or the bow season for all I care. But the plain and simple truth is they are more bow like than firearm. They share the same effective range as a compound, the same energy, the same type of projectile propelled by the exact same means ie: energy in limbs via a string. Other than shouldering it and squeezing a trigger they are nothing like a firearm. Sure they hold their draw but there are devises for compounds that do the exact same thing. Also there are bows on the market with 90% to 99% let off so you can draw well before the deer spots you and hold it there for as long as you can...which is probably longer than you can hold a heavy crossbow without some sort of assistance from a rest. Sure they use a trigger but so do most compounds these days too...other than that there are no similarities...none. A bow (in whatever form) is COMPLETELY different that a firearm......completely.

I don't think it's too unreasonable to understand why some folks think them to be archery tackle. In fact the entire state of Illinois considers them archery tackle becausethey can only be usedduring the archery seasons, use archery tags and the kills are counted as archery kills. So while other states still separate them there are some (like Illinois) who consider them archery tackle.

RE: Opinions on Crossbows
 

As does the Archery Trade Association, National Archery Association and IBO.