RE: crossbows
 

I figured I could get a few replies writing what I did.
I'm with you J-bow on your 100% dedication to the archery sport. That's great and I wish everyone that bowhunted or hunted in general was that dedicated.That's a great statement MA Jay. It's the same in all seasons no question about it. But, I'm not sure putting a separate crossbow season in would be the answer to any of this. Would any one like to give up 2 weeks in peak-rut for a crossbow season? I know I wouldn't. All I'm saying is, if it came down to it, whether or not to legalize crossbows, I'd vote to do it. If for nothing else, to draw more people into the sport. We live in Massachusetts, I feel the more people we can attract to the sport, the longer we'll be able to enjoy it. Massachusetts is certainly not a "hunter friendly" state. That's a statement I wish I never read. We have a hard enough time keeping our gun rights now, with all the anti-gun activists, never mind a fellow hunter writing something like that. You're entitled to your opinion though and I respect that.
In reponse to a statement I made that's been quoted a few times in other posts My favorite method of hunting whitetails is with the muzzleloader. But, I hunt every season because it's there and I enjoy the outdoors and they taste great!
Finally, last but not least in reply to Jbow Maybe we should have a "real archer" season.

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RE: crossbows
 

I'm against them, unless one has a LEGITIMATE disability. I found it odd that a man with open heart surgery who has a cross bow permit is still physically able to climb 20' up in a tree. Just seems odd. JMO.

RE: crossbows
 

While I respectfully disagree with allowing Crossbow's to be used during archery season, I appreciate your tone and thoughtful replies Pace Maker.

I also wouldn't want to give up any of my beloved archery season for a crossbow only season. My point was more that rather than lump crossbows into the same category as archery equipment, perhaps start with authorizing their use during a muzzleloader or primitive firearms season. If there was interest in utilizing crossbows during a firearms season I would think there may be some justification of opening up other opportunities for them. I know many archers who hunt all season with just their bows, if crossbow hunters (or potential crossbow hunters) are really out there .. I would imagine they would welcome this opportunity.

I'm going to switch gears for just a moment. I personally don't believe there is a large contingent of gun hunters who "want" to shoot crossbows. There may be some .. but I don't think there is many. I base this on the ease of purchasing a bow to take advantage of the longer, early season. If hunting the early season was important to a hunter .. not unlike Pace Maker, they would pick up archery to take advantage. Like I said .. there may be a few .. but I really doubt many would choose the crossbow. I think more bad archers would start shooting a crossbow than new hunters would pick it up.

I don't think we are even having this conversation unless the Crossbow companies weren't pushing so hard for this. When a company is pushing to change wildlife policies .. and not a true ground roots hunter push .. well, let's just say I doubt the actual validity of the claim.

As much as I cringe at the thought of people walking the woods during archery season with their crossbows cranked back .. 12" bolts at the ready. I to would vote to legalize them. Here in Massachusetts they have made it so hard to hunt with any weapon, allowing them to take away another weapon would be just wrong. I feel strongly that place is in a primitive fire arms season .. not archery season. If it were to run during archery season .. it should be just a small part of it.

RE: crossbows
 

Nothing at all is stopping people from picking up a compound and hunting with it. The crossbow would be just another option to the bow season as is the flintlock, percussion and inline to the muzzleloader season. Compound users don't ask longbow or recurve users to participate in another season. Maybe it wouldn't draw anyone to the sport, but maybe it would, who knows. I guess what it really boils down to is the number of people in the woods during archery season. It seems that a lot of the posts I read just don't want the added pressure to the bow season. The only disadvantage I can see is the poaching aspect. But, then again, if someone is going to poach, chances are they are going to do it anyways. I strongly agree that anyone worth their salt shooting a bow can out shoot a crossbow. There is no question in my mind about that. I have a friend who has a crossbow permit and we shoot together all the time and I can see it's not a miracle weapon by any means. I hunt with a lot of older guys, who have had a hard time with the compound in recent years. One bought a crossbow and a few of the others have shot it and yes for them it shoots better than the compound. It doesn't matter to me if the person is 12 or 80 to get them in, or back in the sport is what I was talking about. I just figured it was another choice people would have. I know quite a few people, mostly older that cannot comfortably pull back a compound and therefore do not hunt the archery season. Is that fair? Watch 6 weeks of prime deer hunting time go by in Massachusetts because you can't participate? I don't believe there is a large group of people out there waiting to jump into the sport if they legalize crossbows, all I'm saying is it gives people another option................John

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RE: crossbows
 

i knew when i posted this i would get this responce out of the so called(archers)what makes you a archer.lets put the disability thing aside.i am so tired of hearing the same thing out of the so called archer we practice we have to draw our bow with out spooking the quarry,this is our season we don't want others intruding on our season.do you think a crossbow is invisable that you don't have to do the same other than drawing it back.you still need to pick it up,get it into position,and know theyardage.a couple yds. different you still get the same result a bad shot or a good one.and as for the dedication,i have personally seen bows being bought the nite before the season they called themselves archers i know they are want a bees.but neverless they were archery hunting.also was mentioned about the crossbow bolt well when you put a broadhead on it it still does the same damage as an arrow.(just shooter),which i have arrows laying herethat are 24"long for a compound with overdraw now this wouldn't be considered trational but its only 1"longer than my bolt.whether you use longbow,recurve,compound,or crossbow the thing that comes out the end still has two things on it.broadhead,and feathers and is used to do the same thing harvest a deer,elk or what else.we don't want time in rifle season that would be insane how many animals would be recovered by the person using a crossbow and not being taken by another hunter,they don,t drop like fly's with the crossbow. now to end this long reply what my intentions in this was to show everybody the bickering between fellow hunters, no matter what tool you use enjoy the sport of hunting and protect our rights against the growing anti hunters. macbe..............

RE: crossbows
 

The guys who buy a bow the night before the season shouldn't be allowed in the woods. PERIOD. The problem is, that's JUST the type that will buy a crossbow if they become legal in archery season. The crossbow manufacturers have done their homework. they know a sizeable number is out there waiting for an easy way into a difficult sport.
DONT GIVE IT TO EM GUYS!!!!