RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I think this might be my last post on this subject for a while and it may be long so please bare with me.

To all those who dislike the crossbow (in archery) because it's not what most PRESUME as "archery" ie: a hand held bow that must be drawn at (or about) the time of the shot and not 3hrs before or whenever. I think I understand this view more than all of the others because this is where the two are the most different. I think I got caught up in the letter of the definition and not the spirit of the definition. That being said It still does not change the definition, but I understand very much the problem some have with it. I myself have the hardest time with that part of it.

If you noticed I spent most of my time posting about the firearm vs bow debate. This I am stead fast on. I think there have been enough examples given to prove a crossbow is not a firearm.

So where do I stand on the matter? I don't shoot a crossbow, they are not legal in Illinois unless you have an handicap. But if I could I would probably try one to see what they are all about. I honestly do not think it would hurt anyone or anything if allowed. I say this because the states that do allow them seem to have no problems with them. Again I base my answer on the track record of the states that do allow them. After all what better case study than that?

Another hard question I have asked myself is, if allowed, what season would I want them allowed in? This one really got under some people's skin, and for the life of me I don't know why. I know some of you think you are alpha hunters and this is a "slap in the face" for "true" bow hunters if crossbows are included. I can tell you one thing for sure. I am as dyed in the wool hunter as you will ever find. I don't just hunt deer. As I stated before I have hunted pretty much anything you can in the lower 48 states. My passion for hunting is as strong as any on this board.

Because I have been around all types of weapons and all types of hunters I can safely say that you will find those who underestimate, overestimate and simply have limited knowledge of the weapon they are using. Some to the point that it's scary. My point is you find these types of people in every aspect of hunting and it would shock you as to the number or them. I know a guy who has been a bow huntng for 5 years now. The other day we were talking about his bow and I asked him what his draw length was....he didn't know! When I pressed him on it he said " my proshop sets up my bow for me"

I can't tell you how many hunters I talk to that have no idea the capability and range their slug shot gun has. They are either way underestimating it or overestimating it, both could spell disaster in the field. I had one tell me that a modern sabow slug could not kill a deer at 200yds. I was in shock and thought I hope he is never near me when I'm hunting, as he has no idea the killing range his gun has and would be the type to take a shot at a deer knowing there are other hunters a few hunderd yards away thinking his slug would never reach!

So what season? I wish there could be a way to separate them but I feel it would cause too much fighting because some group would have to give up some days and I can't see that happening. In some states it might work, but most no. The only logical one for me is the archery season if not for any other reason than a crossbow is not a firearm.

So can I find a negative about crossbows? No...... at least no more than I can find about any other type of weapon as none are perfect are they? Thats where I stand, it's not how everybody thinks and that's fine with me.

Thanks for listening.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I do not think that people as my uncle shot be in the same class as I am or any other bow hunter.If xbows are alowed than any one that can look thogh a scope can kill a deer in bow season.

There is a young boy up the road that is 17 years old. He is a green heared skate bord boy with no respect to hunting at all. When him and his bro [younger bro is a hunter] came to my house today day I talked to them about this cross bow thing. The yougher boy said he will kill a deer with his bow. The older boy siad I hope they make it legal to hunt with that xbow I would start hunting.

I thought mmmmm MABY this is a good thing.

Then I talked to them about how they would voat if the time came to help bow hunting.The jim the hunter said I will vote every time I can for bowhunting. His bro said heck I would not voat at all I would just go back to rifle hunting and if they take that away I will just ride my dirt bike quote[ the heck with hunting]

So I do not think the people that will join in on the xbow rush will stand stroung anyway. I shure do not see them posting on here how much the like to hunt with there xbows.

There is a place for a xbow it is in the hands of the bow hunters that can no longer hunt with a real bow.


I went on a ton of hunting trips with no wepion at all WAY befor I could draw a bow.This is the time I learned to hunt.You do not have to kill to learn to hunt.This is one of the main problems in rifle hunting.I would hate to see it come to bow hunting.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Other than the PETA comment I don't think it's true. I hunt with about everything you mentioned but a crossbow and I don't hate anybody?

I have to admit though the crybabies who are always crying for some rule change or another like a baby with a wet diaper are pushing it though. But it's got nothing to do with what ever LEGAL WEAPON they choose to use in a LEGALY REGULATED SEASON for that weapon. They are all the same whether they are balling for crossbows in archery, rifles in shot gun, or some antler restriction or one kind of buch moratorium. It's all a bunch of sour grapes and whining as a direct result of their own lack of hunting skill or percieved lacking there of.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

So go ahead an use them in your state however you see fit. I don't oppose that in any way what so ever. If your state chooses or not to allow something is no business of mine what so ever.

Same goes for those who use them in their home state when they are guests somewhere else. Read the rules, follow the rules, shut up and quit crying about the rules or go home.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Well you know what they say, ugly is only skin deep but stupid goes all the way to the bone!!!!! I would like to thank jacko and elk for once again making that so painfully obvious.:([:'(][&:]

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

BigJ12, Good post. I don't have a problem with crossbows at all. I may even try one someday. At least here in Texas they are legal to use during general season which is a month longer than archery season so there is no need to lobby to get them a season or legalized. Yes, its pretty obvious a crossbow is similar in some of its parts to a bow. However, its use is more similar to a rifle or shotgun. And whether a compound is soooooo easy to master or not, one still has the challenge of pulling the bow at the right time, holding steady with no aid (and I know of nobody that would use the "STEADY READY" contraption), making the shot without a high powered scope. There may be a few more differences but those alone are enough for me to be content with them in gun season. Would I stop hunting if they were allowed in archery season? Hell no. Do I believe there could be adverse effects? Yes. What are some of the things most of us like about archery season? Less people in the woods. No noisy guns. Less sloppy hunters. Yeah, yeah, there are sloppy bowhunters and we all know anyone shooting a compound is obviouly a lazy slob. But the truth is alot of gun hunters do not bowhunt even with a compound because they do not want to put forth the effort, an effort not required to shoot a crossbow. So I believe yes, there would be more hunters in the woods making noise and other distracting things making is less enjoyable for those bowhunting. If they want to hunt archery season then get a recurve, longbow, or compound. I think crossbows should be legal but should be allowed during gun season. I wonder why some states don't allow them even during gun season.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Are you saying there is a 100% success rate for crossbow hunters ? And as people have said before, if the technology gives the hunter a better success rate ......... thats GOOD, isn't it ? Fewer animals missed/wounded, right ?

Fact is, the above is just another wives tale. With a crossbow you still got to get within 20 yards and with them being so bulky and loud .... a compound is still a better weapon to hunt with.

Jack Ryan - thank God for the crybabies and rule changers that allowed your precious compund huh ? You know, the ones that bucked the rules and forced their way into invading archery season and taking it over ? And according to your grand philosophy, when then become legal in YOUR state, you'll immediately switch sides and become Pro-crossbow and defend their legality to anyone who questions it, won't you ?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I have to admit I am finding myself siding with similar views to BigJ. The only point we really differ -
and we come to our reasoning by almost the same exact path. The reason I feel crossbows should have thier own season is that a crossbow is not a bow. Similar yes, but different. They should be allowed to hunt, and should be managed as their own line of weapons, and here's why.

The crossbow is also evolving as bows are. Some crossbows utilize cams similar to compounds to create extra energy and some use limbs similar to traditional. The laws that manage archery season are all bow centric, draw weight minimums, legal sights and others. As crossbows evolve they WILL require their own unique rules and laws to govern them, such as multiple bolt firing crossbows, remote controlled firing and others we haven't even imagined. They will be unique to crossbows and should be managed that way. I do think crossbows should be legal to hunt with, and they are in many states. I agree with the majority that does not consider them legal archery gear, but they should have similar access as their weapon does not differ much in effectiveness. Today most states have 3 "types" of seasons .. Archery, MuzzleLoader and Firearms, and in many states these overlap. Since they can overlap, we can fit 1 more and keep all reasonably happy.

One last point .. I agree with Data that compounds are a much better weapon to hunt with than crossbows. While he grossly over states how easy they are to master, with consistent practice and good shooting form they are an awesome weapon. I shot my recurve better due to the form I worked so hard on with my compound. But...
your "truck analogy" was HORRIBLE. Comparing GMC's to Ford's as being the same as bows and compounds was funny. I think comparing a truck and station wagon may have been better. They are different but do a similar thing, and from insurance and licencing perspective are different, but still will get your groceries home. Of course you know the crossbow is the station wagon!

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

My brother in law uses a crossbow and he misses deer at ranges under 30 yards. I'm giving him my old compound bow and will try to teach him to shoot it. I still think that even old compounds are more accurate than crossbows.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

So too are compounds. They are similar ......... but very different.

Look, its absolutely 100% fact that compound have revolutionaized archery. Never would have archery come as far as it has without them. Think of everything that has come from the compounds being allowed into archery season - hundreds of thousands more archers nationwide, 3D shoots, tourneys, clubes, organizations ............ look at the impact compounds have had on manufacturing, they are a large part of the whole archery world of clothing, gizmos and gadgets that fuel Bass Pro, Gander Mtn and Cabela's. Hunting shows and videos cater to bowhunting - and bowhunting IS compounds.

Trad shooting is more popular than it was even 10 years ago but still far from the popularity of compounds.

Compounds have redefined archery. And you won't hear hardly a negative word about it.

Why ?

Thousands more compound hunters is GOOD. isn't it ?
More accuracy, more success, less wounds/misses is GOOD, isn't it ?
Easier shooting for the archer is GOOD isn't it ?
The ultra high letoff, the triggered releases, high tec sights - its GOOD, isn't it ?

All that is viewed as GOOD - but the crossbow is all that too and viewed as BAD

Why ?

"because it isn't a bow" - is that the absolute best reason anyone can give ? An open ended generalized comment that isn't even true ? By definition it IS a bow, has been for thousands of years. Its in the dictionary - is compound bow ? A crossbow is every bit the bow as a compound is. Both vastly different than recurves/longbows.

Think about all that. Compounds 'invaded" archery season 40 years ago and did exactly what ya'll fear of crossbows - tens of thousands more hunters, easier to shoot weapons, more accuracy, higher success rates - same fears guys except archery seasons were NOT cut because of compounds, nor were bag limits and in AR, TX, GA, OH and other states its been shown that fear isn't reality either.

So it comes down to this - compounders ARE the very thing they claim crossbows to be. Hate crossbows in legal archery season and you're arguing against the very weapon you choose to use. Everything you say against a crossbow IS what a compound it.