RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

You want a positive effect of allowing Crossbows into archery season? Read above and tell me if it would not be a positive thing for those HUNTERS who are less fortunate than us.

The states that allow handicapped hunters access to the ENTIRE archery season are on the right track. But some of you don't even want that, you would rather see them hunt in the gun season because of some selfish twisted logic that makes you think they are not BOW HUNTING! Do me a favor and the next time you see an old timer or a handicapped person with a crossbow walk up to them and tell them to their face they aren't bowhunters.

Only at that moment you will realize just how wrong you are, and may God forbid you should ever find yourself in the same situation as them. I would like to hear it from YOUR mouth that YOU are no longer a bow hunter just because you can't pull back your precious compound bow anymore.

How quick you are to judge others.....Don't tell me they aren't BOW HUNTERS

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

And there in lies the problem.. your ultimate response is "what would it hurt?". At the root of all of the posts is this point. Silent calls it "Archer Greed" for not allowing Crossbows to be included. What Archers call it is defining and defending the sport of archery. Add a crossbow and then there is no way you could ever limit the technology added to a compound bow. How could you not allow a draw lock if you allow a crossbow? How can you not allow a laser sight but allow a 3X9 variable scope on crossbow? The fight against crossbows is not against crossbows per se, it is against shredding the sport of archery. Allowing crossbows hurts archery on so many levels .... it takes away the need to "learn" archery, it opens the doors to ANY technology advancement to be allowed, it ends the concept of defining seasons by weapon types. Lumping them together is the same as saying there should be 2 seasons .. powder propellants and limb energy weapons. Then why not just 1 hunting season? For all .. equal, with any legal weapon of your choice? It's not a stretch.. your arguments could just as easily be applied to all these scenarios.

By allowing a crossbow to be a crossbow, and bows to be bows and and ML's to be ML's allows them to be managed individually, develop their own unique followings and allow for a diversity of hunting experiences. It gives us as hunters an opportunity to try and hunt at different times, with different weapons. I say "what does it hurt to keep them separate"? If it is a few crossbow hunters who want a longer season ... I don't want to exclude them, I just don't want the baggage they bring. I don't want the precedent they set.. and I don't wan't the division they cause. By allowing their own seasons, you avoid these elements .. and they are not made up.. they are real. If you doubt what I say .. then refer to the 47 states that don't allow them, and truly ask yourself, why have they been separated? The reason is right there in front of your faces.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Yes

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

BigJ ... a moving post. The reason they are allowed to use a crossbow is because they can't use legal archery gear any longer. We could debate the point that years of archery hunting mean they are a bowhunter still, just not able to use a bow. Or they are now a crossbow hunter doing the best they can with what they have .. and we should admire their effort. But I'll be the first and step up, they are not "Bow Hunting" any more.... I don't think less of them, or that they are inferior .. in fact I admire the zeal with which a challenged person attacks the woods when they no longer have the strength to archery hunt. I hunt each fall with 3 such guys. 2 still carry their bows .. and sit on a log and watch nature. Knowing they can't draw their bow any longer, but don't care about the harvest any longer. 1 guy uses a crossbow, my fathers uncle .. and yes, we all give him grief about it. As he says .. he may not be able to shoot a bow any more, but he stills loves venison. Of course he has not shot anything with it .. but he still goes. I don't think he is bowhunting ... but he is no less a hunter.

That isn't exactly true. They grab a crossbow because it allows them to hunt a season they always have hunted. They would grab a gun if it was legal. They don't grab a crossbow because they think it "is" bowhunting, they grab a crossbow because it is the only weapon they can shoot that allows them in the woods ... as most true hunters would.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Data, Here you go (I found it on pg 93)

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Uh, actually, I CAN argue that. Your compounds are only 10-20% away from full letoff. Your compound however, is 80% MORE letoff than my recurve, isn't it ?

So if its all about the drawing of the bow, you have to admit that a compound is a lot farther away from what real bows are than a crossbow is from a compound :)

MA Jay -


It changes every other year with the advancements of the compound, doesn't it ? Remember when >65% letoff was blasphemey ? Remember when mechanical releases were against the law ? Fiber sights ? Mechanical broadheads ? Archery definitions are redefined every year thanks to the compound - aren't they ?

There will be no limits anyway - you should know this. Even the P&Y club caved into the 65% letoff rule - why ? Compounders demanded it.

The "shredding" or archery is not being done by recurve, and its not being done by longbows, is it ? Compounds are responsible for all the shredding - aren't they ? They push and stretch the legalities and definitions of what archery is - every year - with new technology, new designs etc etc.

There is little learning anymore with compounds - you know this. Almost all technology IS allowed - in great quantities - thanks to the compound. Aren't they ?

Another thread perhaps :D I will say this - one season will see most trad hunters still shooting their trad bows, most compounders going back to guns and almost all crossbowers going back to guns. Thats a true

Would you be for a seperate compound season based on the same argument ?

The reason ? Compounders hate crossbows, don't want to share their season even in the face of the facts from AR, OH and GA. More states WILL allow them in the furute, get ready for it. And the results of them becoming legal will not be great and they won't affect your season one bit.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

You are wrong, handicapped and the elderly can use a firearm, They CHOOSE to pick up the crossbow so they can BOW hunt. I don't believe for a second you would allow someone to tell YOU that YOU were no longer a bow hunter just because you had shoulder surgery and could no longer pull back your bow. Yeah keep telling me that:eek:

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

No once again I am saying it would help women and kids and those with shoulder injuries and it help all bowhunters in general by strengthening our numbers. Two big positives IMO. You are choosing to only hear "what would it hurt?"

I don't care how you define archery. It's bowhunting I am concerened about. I don't think your personal preference should determine how others should have to hunt. I don't think your unwillingness to share the woods should determine how others are allowed to hunt.

Archery or bowhunting? Your view of what bowhunting is doesn't make it the right one. That should be left up to the individual. Again if it won't affect you and gets others involved int he sport what do you care other than you might not be perceived quite as pretigiously as you once wer or at least thought you were.

No it doesn't. Weapons are grouped by the projectile and how it is propelled. Muzzloader = baclk powder and a bullet Modern Fire Arm = cased powder and bullet Bow = arrow propelled by limbs and a string. It makes a lot of sense to me;)

That's a different thread.

You are resorting to the illogical. If we open the door to crossbows they will all come rushing in but it's rediculous. They all shoot arrows and they have identical ranges, trajectories and KE energy and they all kill via broadhead surely you can see the distinction is much different to that of allowing firearms.

Exactly and a crossbow is a boe it's just a different kind of bow just like a compound is a different kind of bow than a trad bow.

You know what all of those statements have in common. The word "I";) That's what this is really all about is "you" you aren't thinking about anyone but yourself and you have the nerve to call me bitter:eek::([:'(][&:]

I will it you will ask the other states where they have been introduced how unfounded your fears really are;)
There have been a lot of things seperated over the years that turned out to be wrong, women and blacks come to mind. Were we right in seperating them at one time also?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

By allowing the handicapped and elderly to use a crossbow they are infact saying it's LEGAL ARCHERY GEAR it's just only allowed to them. I don't remember the state rules saying you can use this stuff but it's not legal archery gear. No it allows another form of LEGAL archery equipment to those who cannot pull back a compound, long, or recurve. Just because it's not ok for the rest of the population in your state to use them does not in it's self make crossbows illegal archery equipment.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Thats not really true, and you and I know that. Check out the guys with one arm shooting with a mouth tab or like my Dad - 70 years old and shooting a 52# Q2 and he's got more shoulder pain than most crossbow shotoers with handicap permits.

Its a cop out that G&F allows so they can't say they descriminate against handi-cap people.
...

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

BigJ12 - 8th round ? EEEEK ! :D

I started Fantasy Football 2 years ago and got addicted.

Matt Jones will be a WR like Bennett I'm guessing but with more bulk, or a TE like Antonio Gates. In Arkansas he'd play WR maybe once a game or two for a down or two - he was just such a winner as the QB they never moved him. Not a great QB as far as skills- but he won games. His running I believe was 2nd all time in the SEC for yards in a season and career. Kids got size and speed - I sure hope he goes first round

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I have ask 3 times for REAL numbes on bow hunters and xbowhunter in the states that alow xbow. But all I get is some BS web sight by some nobody.

If ALL the states keep track of a xbow killing a deer and a BOW.Than why dont some one post last years numbers? REAL numbers from fish and game not some dumb a_ _ that says he is a bow hunter and has only missed 2 deer in his life.


MA jay
Sorry for your eldery one. I to have many old guys in my family. The ones that are to proud do not get the xbow lisens. The few that apliyed did get the right to hunt with a xbow.Sorry to here it is so hard there where you live.I do think the old should beable to go on it there hunting.


As for your wife she will get 10 times better reword out of waiting to bow hunt. Than just poping one with the xbow. If you do not beleave this think back to all the time you spent with girls. If they just layed on there back YES you may do it but you would NEVER remember how great it was. If it took a year to get to that point with a LADY you will remember till DEATH.

I feel real bad for you if you buy a tag for the kill. To me that is rifle hunting. I buy a tag to spend my time in the woods. Yes I like to kill a elk or deer with the bow BUT that is not why I buy a tag.Last year I passed on a 350 bull 2nd day for that main reasion.[it was allso hot] I ended my season with a very little bull.I do not regeat it at all,and will probly do it agin this year :}

Silentassassin
From the poeple I chat with VERY few of them even read you post any more. In every post you read you turn as many of the posters words areond as you can. You allso lie about facts or just put what ever ones in you would like to.

BigJ12
My uncle shoots a XBow becouse of limb loss.Every time I see him hunting I tell him he is not a bow hunter.He will allso tell you HE is not a bow hunter.He is a rifle huter with a xbow in bow season.I called and talked to him,about how many deer he killed IN HIS LIFE WITH A BOW. How about this crap.I his HOLE life bow hunting he killed LESs than 20 deer he can not remember ever one [We added 5 deer just to make sure it was over his lifes kill]
Now I the last 3 years he has killed 27 deer in 3 years. And he brages about his long shots to any one.He allso say there is not one thing better than laying the XBOW on a REST.
I donot EVER beleave he was a bow hunter OR EVER will be.Just a rifle hunter with a XBOW.

I do however think that not all hunters are like him. I allso beleave that xbow should be used BY THE OLD AND HANDICAPPED sould be able to use the xbow all bow season.I do not think that kids or ladys should get the right. In life there is an endless list of things you can do becouse of sixe and sreath AND SMARTS.Evey one has there limets of what they can do and cant do.

As you can see in the pic below I will PUSH my son to get stroung enough to bow hunt when his time comes.I do not and will not let him set on the couch till he can shoot a XBOW to go hunting.It is not uncomon for there to be 2 to 6 kids at my house learning to shoot bows or trap.If all the xbow hunters are so woried about there sport get them to teach kids. NOT just get something else leagle and HOPE more kids come to bow hunting.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Now data don't forget about solocams and parrallel limbs and binary cams and drop away rests and tritium sight pins that glow in the dark etc. etc.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Well I have posted this about 3 times already but I will post it again for. Last year in Arkansas there were 6,232 deer killed by compound and traditional equipment and 2,946 deer killed by crossbows.

Straight form the game and fish website just like the last 3 times that I posted it but if you would take a litte initaitive and go find the info for yourself you wouldn't have to take my word for it you could see it for yourself. But here you go incase you feel the need to verify03-04 Deer Harvest Report

You don't know that. You can't decide for other people how much reward they get out of something. We are all indivduals and we are all different and we put different value on different things. The guy that I told you about that switched from compound to crossbow still hunts with a compound could pick a crossbow up tomorrow and it wouldn't make a bit of difference to him whether he killed a deer with the crossbow or whether he killed it with a compound. He travels quite a bit and if he hasn't been able to shoot then he'll pick the crossbow up in a heartbeat and go hunt because a compound has 0 more reward for him. Quite honestly I think the main reason he doesn't switch back is because he knows I will give him a hard time.

Elk, I know it's tough getting your words shoved back down your throat but if don't want them shoved back down your throat then you really shouldn't join in. As far as others not reading my posts, i don't really care. There are several people here who's post I don't read either. I am not here to have a popularity contest and I am not here to make friends. I come here to read opinions and debate issues. But I cahallenge you to show me where I lied about anything. You're wasting your time because you can't do it but I will leave that challenge out there for you.

That's right force him to do it so he can be a real man like dad:eek:[:'(]

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I don't even know how to respond to that. I would like to believe you are not as cold hearted and cruel as you have made yourself sound with that sentance.


Crossbows have the same effective range as a compound bow does.

Hey I understand that you can use a rest with a crossbow (I listed that as one of only three things a crossbow and compound bow DO NOT have in common) But you don't seem to understand that not everybody has a rest to use. Not every stand has a rest on it. Mine don't, and not every shot will allow you to use the tree or anything else for that matter as a rest. Face it alot of crossbow shots are done offhand with no help from rests.

I'm glad you can see that. I hope you can also see that saying that someone who has done NOTHING BUT BOW HUNT their entire life is NOT a bow hunter just because they can no longer pull back their bows anymore is wrong. No I say they pick up those crossbows because with the exception of what is in their hands NOTHING changes in their hunt.

Please tell me what changes about their hunt BECIDES what they are using to shoot with?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Is it me or is this site acting up? I can't read the last post posted. I have to wait for someone else to post before I can read the one before.

I won't be able to read this post until someone else posts....then I can't read theirs until someone else posts etc....[:@]

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

bigj12
My uncle is an ass.and not a bow hunter. I beleve if xbows can be used for the genaral public there will be a ton of poeple JUST LIKE MY UNCLE.

If a man get to the point that he can not pull a bow of the pounds expected to use in the state he is in.By all meens let him use a xbow.I shoot a 90# bow for elk. I do not want to see the time if I cant draw this poundage I get to use a xbow.

My uncle talks all the time about how far he can shoot with his xbow. This is a normal thought proses to THE NEW hunters that xbows would bring to bow hunting. I do not think the old bow hunters will try to shoot long shots.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

To all those compound shooters who think that if you hunt with a crossbow it's not bow hunting......

I say you better be careful. Someone might just say that the contraption in YOUR hands, while held and drawn like a bow is NO WAY NEAR the same as the original long bows that were used and are still used by TRUE BOW HUNTERS. They just might say that YOU are not bow hunters either.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I know someone who uses a crossbow. He shoots it out the window of his truck at nite with a spotlight. I have herd him talking about it. I would love to catch him. It's hard to hear a shot from a crossbow.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Im going out during bow season with a toothpic, match, and a rubber band. If you cant kill a deer with that, you need to stay at home.:D



This bickering can be taken to the extreme. I have a buddy who makes his own bows and arrows. He doesn't even use electric tools, nothing more than hand saws, draw knives, ect. He has never bought any thing factory made. None of use should be allowed to hunt anymore even all you pure traditionalist, that is unless you hand craft all you equipment. You are betraying the true meaning of traditional bow hunting if you buy your equipment.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

While I understand you fears, it has not come to pass in the states that do allow crossbows. Why would you think it would in yours?

What you just described is a slob hunter that dosen't take the time to research what the capabilities of their weapons are. It is not normal nor has is come to pass in the states that do allow crossbows. So again I understand your fears, they just have not come to pass in the states that do allow crossbows and again why would you think it would in yours?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I know someone who uses a crossbow to shoot deer. He shoots it out the window of his truck at nite with a spotlight. I have herd him talking about it. I would love to catch him. It's just impossable to hear the shot from a crossbow.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

This has been covered many times, poachers are poachers and it's never gonna stop. Just because crossbows are allowed in the archery season does not mean poaching will be on the rampage. Again, I understand your fears but it has not come to pass in the states that do allow crossbows, what makes you think it will in yours?....please take the time to read all of the posts before typing garbage like that.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Sounds like it runs in the family to me;)

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I know a guy that has shot them out of the cab of the truck with a compound. He is a heck of a nice guy and I like him but he will poach in a heartbeat so we don't hunt together. He shoots a short ATA bow (30") and he has shot them from the cab or at least says he has. I know a couple of toher guys that poach them with a compound and one drives and shines the light and the other lays down in the back of the truck and then raises up when it's time to shoot. But's that's kind of like elk argument about his uncle. It's irrelevant because corssbow don't cause poaching and guns don't cause crime, do they?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Does anyone know if we have broken any records yet? I mean I know you guys sound like a broken record [8D]but have we broken any records for number of posts in this forum?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

As Horton and Tenpoint crossbows are made in Ohio, its understandable that they would be legal there. Bet some DNR bigwigs get treated real nice by the manufacturers. My guess is the other states where they are legal have some similar type influence. This thread is such a joke. Its primary goal is to slam compounds. No, if compounds were outlawed most of us would shoot trad. We may not be archery gods as some on here claim to be just because we shot trad and we certainly would harvest less and have more lost deer but we would still shoot bows. As stated before, here in Texas, people can shoot compounds during the gun season which is approximately 1 month longer than archery season and handicapped people can shoot crossbows during archery season so there is nothing really for them to complain about. Even in gun season I still bowhunt. Some people need to get a pivot man and hold their own little trad party and tell each other how bad compounds are. Yes, compounds control things now. Get over it. Its a bow....no its a gun....no its got limbs...no its got a lock ............ none of which is worth arguing about. The bottom line is crossbows are not hunted with in the same manner as compounds, recurves, and longbows and that is the separating difference. ANYBODY who will not admit to understanding this is either lying just to stir it up to give themselves a platform to slam compounds or truly too dense to be worth the time.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

That is silly. True a compound bow is not the challenge that a long bow is. But IMO compound to longbow is apples to apples. Xbow to ANYbow is apples to oranges. The only challenge of xbow is getting the deer close enough. Real bows you have to draw undetected.. Thats the real difference. I think xbow is ok for handicapped but should not be allowed for the lazy slob who just wants to kill more deer and is to lazy to learn how to shoot a real bow.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I have looked at sevral sights I have not found numbers of how many deer where killed by xbows to the nuber using them.Nor about bow there self.

I did however see the xbow killed 10% more bucks and was less does than the real bows.

I did allso SEE the states do not classify XBOWs as bows or they would separate long bows and compounds.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Spoken right.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

BigJ12 , All did was make a statement. And like I am going to read 99 pages of posts to make a 2 1/2 line statement.

" Just because crossbows are allowed in the archery season does not mean poaching will be on the rampage."

You said this I did'nt . Maybe you should accually read my post. I have never seen such rude people.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Ya'll SOB's are something:D

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

BigJ12 , All I did was make a statement. And right, I am going to read 99 pages of posts to a type 2 1/2 line statement.

"Just because crossbows are allowed in the archery season does not mean poaching will be on the rampage"

You said this not me! Maybe you should read my post before you write your garbage. I have never seen such rude people.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

ELKINMTCWB - you got the internet, right ? Look the numbers up yourself !


All the compounders would get 10000000000 times the reward if they'd learn to shoot a real bow.

I believe you believe that - but its an unfounded fear. How ? Geeeeeez man, look at Arkansas and Ohio. We're not overrun with degenerates shooting crossbows. In fact, I'd hazard theres more worthless rifle huntersa and compound hunters than crossbow hunters. Your fear is just that - a fear. Its not real.

As for your uncle -- you did say he was an ass and if he shot a compound he'd still be an ass, wouldn't he ? The weapon doesn't make the ethics of a man

I have said exactly that - dozens of time. Seems no one wants to call me on my "elitist" views though ???


I know someone who does that with a compound, and his sister's friend's wife's husband does too. Lets ban compounds

I'm telling you - and I've hunted with crossbows, longbows and compounds, theres a VAST difference in drawing on game with a recurve/longbow compared to a compound. VAST - VAST. Its a totally new ballgame that is equivalent to comparisons between crossbows and compounds.

Its true and until you're gone trad and hunted trad and realized it ? You don't have any idea how difficult it really is.

And because of that, I can stand on a pillar - just like you - and bash compound just like you are bashing the ease of use of the crossbow.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

You could not be further from the truth.

Your sentance SHOULD have said " The bottom line is crossbows are not USED in the same manner as compounds, recurves and longbows and that is the separating difference"

Now, I AGREE that crossbows are USED differently but they are HUNTED with the same! Tell me how they are HUNTED with differently?

No it is not silly and if you could for one SECOND forget that crossbows even exist you will see what I'm getting at! I'm trying to prove that there is an elitist attitude by some of you when it comes to "YOUR" choice of bows and NOTHING can be said bad about them or heaven forbid someone may just point out the FACT that compound bows are SOO different from long bows that long bow shooters HAVE THE RIGHT to tell YOU that YOU are NOT a bow hunter either.

In other words "some of you compound bow shooters need to get off of your high horse" and realize yours is not the only type of bow out there and it's CERTAINLY not what the original BOW HUNTERS had in mind when they started the bow hunting movement many years ago.

Where would YOU be now if everybody took your position back when compounds were introduced?

Hey I shoot an love my compound bow but I'll be damned if I think for one second it's not very and I mean VERY different from long bows. While the differences are not the SAME between the two, compound to long vs compound to crossbow, they EACH still have many many BIG differences

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Well maybe you should have. This way you would not have posted what you did.

You implied it. If not, then just what did you want to translate with your post? That people can shoot out of a window from a moving vehicle? Thanks for the tip:eek:

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

It is a thrill, but once you learn your bow the way you should, there is no real difference. I can draw my recurves more quietly and quicker than I can a compounds. Where as my compounds are harder to get a full draw, due to hitting the breaking point, but is easier to hold. I use them all, except a long bow. I find enjoyment in all of them as well as guns and knives. If you really want a thrill, you need to go hog hunting with nothing but a knife. That is the biggest rush I have ever had.


We need some theme music or something for this never ending thread.:D

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I have said exactly that - dozens of time. Seems no one wants to call me on my "elitist" views though ???
[/quote]


I will call you on your elitist views.

You ARE an elitist - and a hypocrite. You rail against compounds, but you use them. And you advocate crossbows - most likely because you just hurt shoulder and can no longer use either your precious traditional or hated compound bow.

I'll put your panties in a twist, data. I have a 45# Martin recurve that I added a stick on flipper rest, put a stip of duct tape on the riser so I could stick in a finishing nail as a 20yd pin, and I even use a (shudder) release aid to shoot it. I'm a traditionalist, what can I say? (It is a recurve, right?) By the way, it shoots great!!!

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Happy Anniversary! Happy Anniversary! Happy Anniversary!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

100 pages!!!!! woo hooo!!

Whos hosting the party?:D



Crossbow guys...the anti crossbow people have made some good points. I just want to touch upon them again, because I wonder if they have valid concerns.

One of the concerns I saw was poaching. Now I fully understand that its the person and the poor attitude that causes someone to be a poacher...BUT....certain weapons lend themselves to poaching. Enabling people to poach "easier" if you will. I would think a crossbow would be one of those weapons. Silent, easy to fire from a truck or car window, etc. Now I dont want to say ban them all, because, as mentioned, I really dont want to prevent people from pursuing this wonderful sport. But....in a way, they are bad because they are a silent weapon that can aid in poaching. Does anyone agree?

Of course silenced pistols would be another weapon to aid in poaching game, but I think they would be harder to get your hands on. Im not sure though....Im not into guns, so I dont know much about them. I guess each state would have different laws pertaining to handguns and silenced weapons. Maybe someone else can speak more knowledgeably on that topic.

Like I said, I understand its not the weapon. Even if you banned crossbows, there would still be people figuring out a way to poach. But I think it would be harder for them to do so. Right?

Also, someone mentioned the number of hunters increasing causing the seasons to be shortened. I understand that many of the hunters would be "crossover" hunters, and the answer was that they would use up their tag. So the harvest would remain the same. That works.....but not in all states. My state has separate tags for firearm, bow, muzzleloader....I know, I hate that too.....too many dang tags per person if you ask me. But introducing a crossbow, and allowing more hunters may infact shorten some states archery seasons. Right? I would think so. Though I doubt they could honestly effect the season that much.

But then again, that contradicts what was said about introducing more hunters to the sport. If it isnt going to bring enough people into the sport to impact the harvest or the seasons, is it worth bringing it in, and upsetting all the hunters who already hunt with the currently legal bow equipment?
Sad to say, but there are probably bowhunters who would quit, JUST because of the crossbow introduction. Maybe not a lot, but there might be a few. You know, the hard-headed guys who would boycott the season because of their unhappiness with the new "unfair" weapon. This may raise, lower, or keep bowhunting numbers about where they are at. Hard to say. Hasn't been introduced everywhere, so....you cant know for sure until its in your own woods. Right?

Thats why I think the states interested in crossbow hunting during archery season should survey the three states with it already in place. Numbers, solid factual numbers, thats what the states need. Then each state needs to take a look at the way in which the xbow states seasons are arranged. Compare that to the way they arrange their seasons, and see if the effects would be the same or close. Im sure in most cases they would be.

A trial period would be neat for research purposes too, but it would probably upset too many people. Either way, I mean if you introduce it some people are gonna flip cause its there, and then if you take it away, others are gonna flip cause its gone.

I think if the states want to introduce it, they have to do as I said above, look into it, and from all aspects. Who it helps, who may be effected by it. Might it shorten seasons...Might it introduce too many people, too few, etc.....

You cant just throw it in the mix. But I think it would be beneficial if we could alter the laws to include; youngsters, seniors and females who may not be able to draw a legal weight bow. Handicapped people go without saying. They are already legal everywhere I know of. Is there anywhere that doesnt allow handicapped people to use xbows? Regardless....

I can see both sides here. I guess Im still on the fence....I just need a good push either way!:D I hope its not a high fence, cause I hate heights....dont look down....DONT LOOK DOWN!!!!hahahahah

100 pages..still not a record though boys....go over to Archery talk....they have one thats even longer...I cant remember how many, but I think they are going for a world record or something. Im not really sure, I never asked, but its a thread of funny pics and stuff....

---Matt:)

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

If you've never hunted with a recurve - you don't have a clue how hard it is.

If you've never hunted with a crossbow, you don't know how that is either.

I've hunted with all 3 - compounds give me by far the best chance to fill a tag. Crossbows come in next, recurves last. I have much more fun with my recurve/longbow though.

Compounds are faster, more accurate, easier to adjust when you're in the stand to deer coming in etc, quieter, lighter - they are THE BEST ARHCERY HUNTING WEAPONS out there - bar none.

Now, you can shake your head (even though you use one) and banter and gee and haw and stomp your foot all you want to boys - I've shot them all, so has silent - we kinds know what we're talking about here whereas all ya'll are doing is pretending you know something that in reality is just a bunch of unfounded, regurgetated P&Y rhetoric and fears.

:D