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PABowhntr

I was under the impression that most states allowed crossbow use in one season or another.

Some states may still prohibit the crossbow in any season....and if they do then I would be willing to bet that it is because they are still mistaken as a "poacher's weapon". Many folks still seem to think that they are a "quiet rifle" when that is not the case. But, because of this view, people tend to view them as the ideal weapon to use to poach...

...at least that is my take on it.

Arthur P

Texas regs. Crossbows are legal in bow season for any hunter with a PERMANENT upper limb disability that prevents him from using a conventional bow. They are legal to use, without restriction, for any general season, including spring turkey season.

That makes 4 months of legal crossbow hunting. 5 months for the disabled that can crossbow hunt during bow season. That doesn't include bowfishing with a crossbow which is also legal. It doesn't include hog and varmint hunting, which is also legal for the crossbow. You add that in and that makes 11 months of legal hunting with a crossbow.

Only the bow season, the month of October, is restricted.

I have to say that not once since the crossbow was granted legal hunting status in Texas have I ever seen anyone, except a couple of disabled hunters, with a crossbow in the woods. If there were any demand for crossbow hunting in this state, there would be crossbow hunters out there hunting in those general seasons, just like the bow hunters I run into during those seasons.

bogobble

crossbows are legal in Ar, to anyone disabled or not, during the archery season.
heck, that's the way it ought to be!

Pro-Line

I hunt in Ohio, where the crossbow is legal. I don't use one. I'm not a fan of them. Not to alienate anybody that uses them, I just don't care for them.

I feel they should be legalized for anybody who is disabled, only.

What they have done is open bowhunting to anybody...whether they take time to practice or not. A fella can go to any store (not even a true hunting shop) buy a crossbow, bolts, and broadheads...and be shooting bulls in a couple hours. A hunter shooting a longbow can't be ready to hunt for a month at least.

I've always considered bowhunting to be much more than that. Bow hunters are a different breed than gun hunters. They spend hours practicing...they know shot placement...they know stand placement...They put more stock in their hunting. (AS A WHOLE...I'M NOT RIPPING GUN HUNTERS)

With a crossbow, these aspects are liable to disappear.

Crossbows also filled the woods in Ohio. I used to see nobody during bow season, not I see lots of folks. Whether this is due to the x-bow or hunting popularity...I can't say.

All this said, I don't look down on somebody for using a X-bow. I have buddies that use them. I just ride them a little harder---<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>---

JMHO

buckforme

THe only difference between a bow hunter and a crossbow - bow hunter is the draw and release. The actual prep, scouting, practice, stand placement, knowlege of deer patterns, trails, beds, food source, etc... all go into the &quot;bow hunting&quot; ethics. The difference as mentioned is only 10% of the actual &quot;bow hunt&quot; hunt.

I use both a compound and a crossbow and i practice the same amount of time with both. And just because i didnt buy my gear at a &quot;true hunting shop&quot; as you mentioned does not mean anything. Hitting bulls in a few mins with a crossbow is a bit far fetched. However when i practice i do it at different angles, heights, etc....... so that may have a bit of difference to your comment, maybe those folks were on level ground, 15 yards away??

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

Edited by - buckforme on 01/24/2002 12:05:08

Arthur P

Buckforme, hitting bulls in a few minutes with a crossbow is NOT far fetched. Last summer I wanted to experiment with a crossbow. I bought probably the sorriest POS crossbow made, a Barnett Wildcat, and was shooting CONSISTENT 2&quot; groups at 20 yards within a half hour.

Now, I had a crossbow back in about 1965, but have had nothing to do with one since then and forgot everything I ever knew about them. If someone like me who has almost no experience with a crossbow, no real knowledge other than reading the directions, can do that kind of shooting with that piece of junk Wildcat topped with a cheap .22 scope, I'm certain that someone buying a top of the line Tenpoint or Excalibur mounted with good glass can be wearing out a target in no time.

I'm pretty certain the only reason crossbows are so popular in Ohio is that week long gun season you guys have. You reckon it's just possible that you're overrun with people that want to hunt, but don't have the stones to learn how to shoot a bow?

I'm curious. Does anyone remember how long Ohio's gun season was before the crossbow was legalized?

Edited by - Arthur P on 01/24/2002 13:52:39

Ky_buttonbuck

As far as i know....crossbows are not illegal...i know in some states you have to be disabled to hunt with them....i just got a new crossbow for christmas and i was told by my local pro shop that i could hunt with it sometime in December.....

buckforme

ArthurP: I am sorry you have that perception of Ohio hunters, its a shame that you dont recognize the true aspect of the actual hunt, and that the release, and draw is only about 10% of the hunt. Now mind you i practice alot with both my compound and crossbow from all angles, heights etc...and maybe the majority of hunters do not take the time to practice enough with whatever weapon they use. Do a search on here and you can see that even the high and mighty compound users wound and loose alot of deer!

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

Arthur P

Hunting with a crossbow is no different than it is with a .44 mag iron sighted revolver. Gotta get close with both. Gotta get the sights on the ribcage with both. Gotta squeeze the trigger.

What you DON'T gotta worry about is getting busted by the deer because you DON'T have to make large body movements in order to fire the preloaded and precocked weapon.

I have a very good grasp of the true aspect of the actual hunt, thank you. And you're totally wrong about how important the actual draw of the bow is to the entire process. Finding the animals and getting within range is the 10%. Having the skills and knowledge to be able to camoflage those large body movements in order to draw on a wary animal without being detected is 90%. In fact, it is the essence of bowhunting.

Raising a stock to your shoulder, leveling the crosshairs on the ribcage and pulling the trigger is the essence of gun hunting. Whether the projectile is a bullet or a bolt, it doesn't matter. In that case, I agree. The shot itself is worth about 10% of the hunt.

Of course, that makes crossbow hunting about 90% easier than bowhunting. Doesn't it.