RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

tribalscream - nice post .....

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Nitro, I made my post from memory and didn't check the Ohio regs. 200 pounds instead of a mere 175? Thanks for clearing that up.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Tribal...You said a mouthful, and you said it right.

The women, infant, 7 day employees thing is wearing on my nerves also. All you need to kill a deer is 40 pounds pull...and most women can pull that back. As far as a kid goes...he can wait till he can pull a bow back to bowhunt. It's not like he's got to wait till he's 18 or anything.

It boils down to one thing...Some folks don't want to take the time to:

1. Learn to shoot some sort of longbow
2. Scout out an area
3. Practice prior to and DURING the season
4. Hang stands
5. ASK PERMISSION TO HUNT

Since Ohio has allowed crossbows, as I've stated, the # of hunters has gone up probably 25X. I realize the crossbow is not the only factor.

This has gotten people involved in bowhunting that were previously gunhunters or not deer hunters at all. Many of these folks don't understand bowhunting ethics and respect.

The more time/energy (NOT $$$$) you invest in something the more respect you have for it. If you don't have the time or energy to do it with respect, stick to golf/bowling.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Its funny, the only argument you come up with is "its easier to kill a deer with a crossbow" simply becasue its easier to sight in and shoot. My agument here is, YOU HAVE TO BE CLOSE ENOUGH to get that shot, which requiers, scouting, stand placement, time on stand.....etc....... It appears to be the "ethcis" behind allowing crossbows and the folks who will not take the time to prepare" ethically" because a crossbow is easier to sight in. It would introduce more people to bow hunting and as with anything the more numbers you have the more unethical people you have.......I have encountered alot of compunders who should not have a sling shot let alone a BOW. So your sterotyping of current crossbow hunters is unfair, as i use both a compound and a crossbow and i practice extensively with both.

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

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

buckforme "Its funny, the only argument you come up with is "its easier to kill a deer with a crossbow" simply becasue its easier to sight in and shoot."

So you have no problem me using an iron sighted handgun with a 6 inch barrel during your archery season ? I mean, its easier to use than a crossbow, but the accuracy and distance isn't any greater, so you'd be cool with that, right ? No, you wouldn't be. Why ? Because its the WEAPON, and not the distance of the shot that matters. And a crossbow, because of its ease of use (like the draw-loc mechanism) takes it outside the realm of what is suppose to be a challenging sport. Challenging includes difficulty in preparing and making the shot after the challenge of getting into position.

Do you or do you not shoot a crossbow because its easy and allows you extra hunting days ?


" My agument here is, YOU HAVE TO BE CLOSE ENOUGH to get that shot, which requiers, scouting, stand placement, time on stand.....etc....... It appears to be the "ethcis" behind allowing crossbows and the folks who will not take the time to prepare" ethically" because a crossbow is easier to sight in."

Again, yeah, thats basically it. Crossbows make it easy, and archery isn't suppose to be about easy. Its suppose to be about your skills as a hunter, including scouting, stand placement, time on the stand and the time you've put into getting proficient with your bow, which a crossbow doesn't require. What you are saying is that its getting close to the deer thats the challenge, and adding the challenge of handling and using a compound, recurve or longbow is just too much to add to the hunt, am I right ? I shot a compound because it was more difficult than a rifle. Had zero, nothing to do with getting closer to animals, my stands already did that as did my scouting (although archery has honed those skills). Going to a logbow was yet another way for me to challenge myself, for me to add another dimension to the Hunt. If I used a crossbow, any deer within 30 yards of my stand would die if a shot was presented. I couldn't say that about a compound (factoring in the drawing of the bow and all) and certainly can't about my longbow (the distance is too far)

Crossbows are easy to use, thats why people use them (with the exception of handicap persons).

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

"It would introduce more people to bow hunting..."

That comment comes up on each and every crossbow argument I've ever been involved with and still, NOBODY has ever given any data from any surveys or studies to support that statement.

So, if it all boils down to unsupported opinion, I will leave the discussion with mine.

The crossbow would NOT introduce people to bowhunting. It would introduce them to CROSSBOW hunting. And that is the entire reason the crossbow manufacturers want their products introduced into bow seasons. They are not out to promote, protect or preserve bowhunting. They are only interested in promoting their products. They are interested in making money off a product that could very well end bowhunting seasons in a lot of places if they are successful.

And they are more than willing to raise such a stink that they will get bowseasons incorporated into general weapons seasons. If they can't get into a special season, then they want to make sure nobody else has one either.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Where i live, using a crossbow versus a compund does not give me extra hunting days, its a combined 4 month season, and LIKE I HAVE SAID ON MANY POSTS: I USE BOTH A COMPOUND AND A CROSSBOW.....its all a matter of preference for me that day, and what terrain / stand location i am using that day. To answer your question about me using a crossbow becasue its easier is NO.....that is not why i use it in certain areas. Its a matter of terrain, and distance of my lanes that will designate what bow i use. (READ MY EARLIER POSTS!!) I see why you dislike the xbows so much, you claim to be able to kill any deer that presents a shot with a xbow, but woould not say that about a compound. My only suggestion to you....is if you have a shot on a deer and you cannot gurantee a high probability of a clean kill, THEN DONT TAKE THE SHOT.......go back an practice with your compound more until you feel as confident as you claim you are with your xbow. But in reality, i would strongly challenge you on that claim of 100% kill with a xbow on all presented shots. MHO only

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

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

ok guys, crossbow hunters have every right to hunt with their weapon of choice just like I have the right to hunt with a bow. I think most states allow them under different situations. my dad is handicaped & this is the only way he can enjoy the early bow season here in KY. he has a special permit for it, I would never attack his right to use it.

this is the way I see it, we all need to stick together & stop fighting between ourselves. if we continue to express hate to others who choose a weapon that is not to our liken then we will loose the battle with the antihunters. we need to stick together, end of topic as far as I am concerned!

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

Well I'm really sorry you feel that way. People should be able to use what Bow they what to. Like people have the right to use what shot gun to use in gun season. or Rifle in Rifle seasonor if the seasons are combined than so be it.
UNTIL IT GETS TO A POINT THAT ENDANGERS THE PUBLIC.

RE: Why are crossbows illegal?
 

I thought I would clear at up for you Arthur. Because you sounded like a person that shouldn't say anything WRONG.