RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

ArthurP to follow up about what you stated about my reply is not even in the same ball park. It is so easy to see that a crossBOW is more of a bow that a (as you stated iron sighted handgun) No way JOSE. NO primer no gun powder no lead comming out the end. No fire ignition from a primer boy do I need to go on. So still nothing like a gun it a funny bow.

Brian

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Thanks for pointing that out, Super. Well done. I'd hate to think someone would read my post, go out and put a hot handload in their crossbow and blow their face off.

Nothing like a gun... except for a buttstock, forend, safety, 4X32 5-point reticle scope and trigger.

You know, I really don't think they would make 5-point reticle scopes for crossbows that aren't accurate past 25 yards. I also don't think they'd need to be 4X for only 25 yards.

I bet they are made for something more along the lines of the Barnett Quad 300 that the advertising copy says will shoot a 20" 2219-series, 480 grain bolt at 300 fps. That's right at 96 ft lbs of energy from a 150 pound draw crossbow.

I don't know a whole lot of guys that go out of their way to draw a bow that will give that much speed and energy with a 480 grain arrow. Do you?

Now, Ohio says you can use a crossbow up to 175 pounds of draw weight. That means the manufacturers have got room to make them even faster and more powerful. I've heard there are a few custom rigs like that already out there. When we talk about making them legal, we're talking ALL models of crossbows, present and future, not just the 'classics' like buckforme's or the cheap junkers like mine. It includes the high end tactical crossbows too.

So, considering all the crossbows on the market, I really don't think my comparison of crossbows with iron sighted handguns is all that inappropriate, considering their respective effective ranges and firearm-type firing system.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Iron sighted handguns are accurate enough way out past any crossbow's capabilities. Try 150 yards ironsited. stock as you say like a riser of any bow just different looking. cope on a CrossBOW you can have them on a regular bow if you want it too. YOu do have me on the safety but not the trigger as most people use releases and they have triggers. For people who use a draw lock is like the same thing as a safety. YOu have me on the stock so you do have me on that but still no bang so its a bow that is funny looking.

brian

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

445 supermag - Not for the average Joe Hunter they are not. I've shot a few handguns, and have shot with a few people. At 40 yards, I could group better with my arrows (compound) than most guys group with their handguns. Thats a true for most people I think. Now, I had a Model 29 S&W 44 mag, scoped, 8 3/8 barrel that shot darn well, but not off handed, not iron sighted. Dirty Harry shots don't happen in the real world very often.

That was my point - its the weapon and not getting close that creates the divided hunting seasons. If it were simply about getting close (limited range weaponry), then crossbows should be legal, as would iron sighted handguns. But I think I proved that that is not the case, and that crossbows do offer an advantage because of their ease of use.

Big Country - You asked why anyone not handicapped would use one - you didn't get any responses to that really, did you ? Because NO ONE wants to admit they are going the easy route and using a crossbow, though it is mostly the truth.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Stealthy: I will answer that question, however i use both a compound and a crossbow and it all depends on what stand location i will hunt that day along with terrrain and yardage. I like the crossbow in heavy terrain, short distances where for me to have a shot is withing 10 to 12 yards, with open lanes, less dense terrain i use my compund. Now, i disagree with you about getting close to the game versus the weapon.....The acutal hunt is getting prepared, knowing your hunting area, the deer movements, the location of beds, food sources, wind, trails, etc...... Then getting in there in the morning / evening close enough and quite enough with out odor.....or being seen.......using your calls, scents,,,,for that moment of truth. Now i will agree that compounds are more accurate out past 20 yards then a crossbow......so in all your infinite wisdom how can you say that crossbows are easier....sure maybe easier to "trigger" but harder to actual hunt due to you HAVE To get real close to game due to accuracy.......Thats in my own humble experience only.

The outdoors is yours, treat it with RESPECT!!!

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

I am pleased with many of the responses to this Question. I especially like big country's. How many of you guys have practiced shooting your re-curve, long bow, or compound from the back seat of a car or truck at 2am. They will not wake your neighbors up either. I think x-bows are ok for those who are physically challenged .&lt; big period. <img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle> X-bows are a great tool for a poacher.

LIVE FREE OR DIE

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Nitro, somehow I missed your post until now. You commented something like not knowing how I could have problems with large body movements. Well....

I'm 6'6&quot; tall and weigh in around 330 pounds. I don't have any small body movements. :0)

I'm pretty sure you pick up that bow or crossbow when you see the deer coming in instead of waiting until it's right in front of you. So, it comes down to preparing to take the shot. Your crossbow is already drawn and ready to fire. The bow has to be drawn before it can shoot. And if you can show me how you can draw and shoot a bow with the same amount of movement as squeezing the trigger to shoot a predrawn, precocked crossbow...

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

buckforme - I can say that because you cannot go a year without shooting your compound without losing your edge. You can pick up a crossbow a year without shooting it and be deadly. We all know this, who are we trying to kid ?

I went years shooting a compound because simply, a recurve/longbow was tougher and I didn't want to put the time into it. Crossbow hunters are the same.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Well one thing Ohio laws state that you can use a crossbow that has a draw weight of on more than 200 lbs.
Also Ohio has an Archery Season. Not a just compound season, Long bow season,or Recurve season,nor just a crossbow season. Its called Archery meaning ALL BOWS.
Which are regulated by draw weight.
So if your Hunting Regulationsin your state has an Archery season this should include crossbows because its an archery tool as well. It dosn't mean that something has to be Hard or easy to be used. only if it indangers the public that it shouldn't be used. Like using a Rifle in Ohio to Deer hunt . This would follow under this line.
So a crossbow dosn't indanger the public as a bow in the Archery season so it should be used . Not because its easy to use or harder to hit something past 25 yards.
its an Arthery tool for an Archery Season.
But let people make there own choiceon how hard or how easy thay hunt. The more we can get as hunters Like the ladies and young kids,and the guys that work 6&7 days a week and can't get out like you and me and use a Compound bow and be good at it. Thats just not Fair to those people, and for me when I feel like using mine. For a different archery bow to use sometimes or I should say style of bow.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The more we can get as hunters Like the ladies and young kids,and the guys that work 6&7 days a week and can't get out like you and me and use a Compound bow and be good at it. Thats just not Fair to those people, and for me when I feel like using mine. For a different archery bow to use sometimes or I should say style of bow.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Frankly, I am tired of the &quot;poor ladies and children who must be terribly malnourished and seriously misinformed if they think they can only hunt with a crossbow because a compound, recurve, or longbow is just too darn hard to pull back story line.&quot;

The crossbow manufacturers that went to the Game Commission meeting in PA pleading the need for crossbows used the same line. The game commission seemed seriously interested until a woman bowhunter stood up an offered a list of 45 different bows that are suitable for women and children. I wasn't really against crossbows until they said this.

So no excuses for the women and children, I am a woman, I can pull a bow set at 50lbs. just fine. I have a child too, a daughter in fact, age 11 she can pull her bow too, 25 lbs. worth. She will not hunt until she can pull at least 40 lbs.

As for the people who work six and seven days a week, if they have so little time that they can't shoot a few arrows into a target in the backyard every few days than I bet they don't have time to scout out their hunting areas, check there equipment for wear, or have time to practice shooting a couple of bolts to be sure of their shot.

Hunting is serious business that requires skill, knowledge, time and respect for the animal and the land. Regardless of your weapon, if you cannot devote the time required than you shouldn't be in the woods. I am not saying you have to spend as much time in the woods as I do, but I don't want the 7 day a week worker who never had time to practice that thought it would be cool to slam a deer with a crossbow bolt in a tree near me.