I thought it was about drawing the bow back ? You've added another element. But okay, theres a WORLD of difference drawing on an animals when they are right there, in the right shooting position and drawing before they step from behind a tree or bush or after holding for 15 second up to 3 minutes or more.

Kinda like holding a 80% letoff bow at full draw with a release - all ready to shoot while only holding a fraction of the weight with mechnical aids ?

You're right of course. A gun shoots arrows ... errr, no, they don't. A gun is limited to 20-25 yards .... errr, no, they aren't. A gun has wheels and pulley and propels an arrow ... errr, no, they don't. A gun has limbs ..... errr, no, they don't.

How were crossbows like guns again ? A stock, and ....... ??????? I can list 15 similarities between crossbows and compounds - easily. What does that mean ?

Oh heck.

Let's get this one out of the way.

CASE knife BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Buck Knife BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Old Timer BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Uncle Henry BLAH BLAH BLAH.

[8D]

Of course I am right, why would I argue wrongly ? Unless I am trying to stimulate debate by presenting the wrong side, which will in turn force you to prove the right side, which will reinforce the debate and ideas that are right and always have been, at least right in my mind.

Unless I am wrong in presenting the wrong, in whcih case I'll start presenting the right so we wont' be wrong any anymore and can all be right together.

Right ?

I feel dumber just reading that.[>:]

You have lost Stealthycat.....admit it. Just turn around and take your lumps, its ok.

Is it legal in your state? Do you enjoy shooting the crossbow over other types of equipment? Are you a proficient shooter with your crossbow? If you answered yes to all these question then use it bud.

Dave

On one thing, I agree with Stealthy. I've been saying for years that compound technology has blurred the line between crossbows and compounds. Used to be, we could point to holding weight and time at full draw as a distinguishing factor. That argument has been obliterated by the number of people that ignored the old 65% letoff rule, and even more by P&Y's new rule which accepts anything.

The 'hand drawn and hand held' argument has a weak spot. Most people don't have to touch their bow's string at all to shoot it any more because of releases. Compounds are technically NOT 'hand drawn' when shot with a release. Don't explain the finer points to me, 'cuz I understand it. Instead, explain it to the game commissioners who don't have a clue.

We really have nothing left to argue on other than philosophical grounds. I'm afraid philosophy won't go a long way toward overriding the obvious income potential of selling more licenses and tags... Most especially when you can't point to a glaring difference in hunter success ratios.

The only way to keep bow season for bows is for our compound shooting brethren to back off from their ultra short, mechanically released, high letoff bows and re-establish an easily apparent distinction between bows and crossbows.

I won't be holding my breath, waiting for THAT to happen.[:'(]

Rarely do I lose Cougar. I never lost on abortion, I never lost on when life begins and I am not losing now. Why ? Because I debate this and other issues thoroughly and have for a long time. I know your stance, I even HAD your stance at one time and argued on it until I realized I couldn't even answer simple questions - a lot like you are right now.

Now, I say I haven't "lost" but I might well "have lost IT" ... I cant prove that one way or the other !

Arthur, by not bringing up the "finer" points you give in. The release is not really mechanical. The bow must still be hand drawn! The release will only work by using your hand to draw the bow back. Besides, nobody says you cannot use a release with a recurve or longbow. I am sure it can be done, but it would partially defeat the reasons of why people use traditional equipment.

Fact is, technology keeps forging on, sometimes not for the good. Its all about money, each manufacturer trying to take a bigger share of the market, and many times fooling the public into thinking its better.

You don't know how close to starting hunting with traditional equipment I am Arthur! Its just going to take a lot of practice...been a long time since I shot a recurve and I currently have none.

Arthur P - I see in the future more crossbow legalized in many more states. I also see higher tech bows ... how I am not quite sure but they WILL do it. Mathews, Bowtech, Hoyt ... they are every bit as much out to sell products and make money as Horton and Excalibur. Geesh, compounds are already accurate enough that guys out west regualrly shoot 50-60 yards - farther than most trad hunters and crossbow hunters would think !

Want to sell $1,000,000 worth of bows ? Make them easier to use, more accurate and make one that allows a guy to pick it up and hit quarters at 75 yards everytime. You do that, you make millions and people would buy the heck out of 'em. In doing so you'd remove most of what archery IS - the dicipline, the practice, the pure love of shooting ... but you'd sell bows !

Sad but true.