Crossbows?
 

In the Regional Northeast Forum there is thread going on about Crossbows in NY for the Handicapped. I'm interested as too what the bowhunting group here has to say about the Crossbow. Would or Do you hunt with a Crossbow? Do you think they should be legal? And any other opinions?

RE: Crossbows?
 

OH MAN.... hold on to your hat, you just opened up a big can of worms!!:D:D

RE: Crossbows?
 

I don't mean too. I have my reasons for not wanting Cbows during Archery season, but I understand some don't want Cbows at all. I'm just interested in the percieved pros and cons.

RE: Crossbows?
 

I will take the first stab at this. I was at my local archery range last Sunday with my wife enjoying an afternoon of shooting when this guy shows up in a BMW and a crossbow (sounds like the start of a joke). I watch him fumble around with it for a few minutes and take a few shots. It was obvious he did not really have an understanding of what he was holding. He then proceeded to load the WEAPON and then held it parallel to his hips while doing a 360 of the area around him, looking at nature or whatever. Point is, it was a loaded weapon and it was not pointed down range. I quickly responded by asking the gentleman (trying to be polite) to keep the weapon pointed down range and he replied with "the safety is on" and kept the crossbow pointed at me and my wife. I bit my tongue and had my wife quickly pack up her things and we vacted the area. I reported the idiot to the park police and went home.

My point is, I feel a crossbow for anyone who does not have some sort of handicap is a poor excuse for archery and should not be included in the normal season. Primitive season fine, but not the time set aside for the true stick flingers of the woods. If someone does not have the patience to learn how to pick up a compound or traditional bow then they have no buisness in the woods during archery season. Any idiot can load a crossbow and line the sights up, as was demonstrated at the archery range. Taking an animal with a bow is a spiritual thing that culminates after hours of practice with the weapon and learning the animal that you are hunting.

(IMPORTANT FINISH OF POST) If someone has a disability and wants to enjoy hunting during the archery season then a crossbow is a wonderful way to get them into the woods and I do not mind that, but no disability, no crossbow.

Thanks for letting me get on the soap box.

OH Redneck

RE: Crossbows?
 

OH_RedNeck ,
I find your stance surprising considering that you come from a state where the crossbow has been legal for all since the mid Seventies . It all comes down to personal preference , but why denigrate a tool that has proven itself so well in your own state ?

According to your state's F&G 2003 Harvest Summary , which I have a copy of , crossbow hunters accounted for more archery kills last year that vert bow hunters . They acheived this feat with very few accidents , and contributed to acheiving the state's goal of keeping the deer population in check . That sounds like a very efficient and practical tool to me .
Granted , that fool at the range could use some "hunter education" , and hopefully the park police did just that . [:@] Nobody likes a slob .

One thing that I've never understood is the typical bow hunter's stance that a tool has to be difficult to use before it's acceptable to hunt with . If you want your own hunt to be hard then more power to you , but why should someone else be forced to hunt your way ? I'm also puzzled by the typical stance that a crossbow shouldn't be allowed in the regular archery season , but should be relegated to the gun season . I've never seen a crossbow that can fire bullets , only bolts(arrows) .

The handicapped hunter is more than welcome to hunt with whatever they can take game with as far as I'm concerned , but the able hunter should be able to choose from a wider array of tools if they can handle them responsibly .

RE: Crossbows?
 

Alot of controversy in PA over this issue. The Game Commission just made it legal for their use during any firearm deer season and during any deer season in special reg. areas....including archery. Down at the local shop there has been a large increase in crossbow sales since the new regs. went into effect. Only time will tell though what impact they have on the seasons, bag limits etc...

I do plan on buying one though....for our "after Christmas" hunt. I like the idea of not having to worry about string slap with bulk clothing or stiff muscles in cold weather. Other than during that time I do not intend to take it out to hunt with.

RE: Crossbows?
 

I was only expressing MY opinion. I do not wish to force my methods on anyone, but if I had to vote, I would vote against allowing the use of crossbows during the normal archery season unless special permission was obtained (disabled huters, elderly hunters, etc).

As far as accidents and the number of deer taken, I am really not interested in numbers unless they are showing a dangerous trend.

Someone asked the question about what we all thought about the use of crossbows. I do not want them included in the regular archery season. In Ohio there is a primitive season for black powder and other non-standard but specified type weapons. I feel that the crossbow belongs in that primitive season.

As far as making my hunt harder, it is not about the kill, it is about the hunt from the first scouting trip (I never stop scouting actually) to grilling the steaks. I love the hunt, and for me I love using my bow. If you want to shoot deer with a potato gun, be my guest.

This is only my opinion, I am not running for congress or president any time soon so those who wish to use crossbows during the legal season where it is allowed, enjoy the hunt and I wish you luck.

Redneck

RE: Crossbows?
 

My personal fealings are a crossbow is for a confused gun hunter with exception to the handicap. Should only be legal during gun season. A compound bow can't accidentaly go off a cross bow can. Just my opininon not meant to offend.

RE: Crossbows?
 

Someone posted once about a guy riding on a 4 wheeler with a loaded crossbow thrown on the back. He said the safety was on.

RE: Crossbows?
 

I say crossbows are OK, but only for those who cannot physically shoot a compound bow, longbow, or recurve. And personally I dont even like the idea of people using them during gun season.