John,
I too will share my campfire with any hunter who respects the game they chase, respect the land they hunt, and become proficient with their weapon of choice. Just because I don't like to use crossbow doen't mean that somone else should be banned from using one. I don't like golf. Try and get that banned! Dick

What if someone wanted to golf on the field during your softball game?

I don't like softball either! Besides, it would be 9 against 1. Dick

If all bowhunters take a stand against crossbows, then there is a move to regulate technology this raises a thought. Wont compound users say its the trad folks stabbing us in the back? We helped the crossbow
stand how come they want to regulate us now?. Its the perception not the fact I see causing a rift in the future. While a good many compond users may go along with new regs.It will all ways be "percieved" that it was stick bow shooters that pushed for the new regs.Even if we are in the minority.

Yes. Traditional shooters can't be the driving force behind compound bow restrictions.

I hunt predominantly on public land in Oklahoma. We have three seasons; archery, primitive, and gun. We can hunt with archery gear in all three, muzzleloaders in primitive and gun, and some areas are restricted to shotguns with slugs during gun season. Orange and tags must meet the respective season's requirements. I have hunted all three seasons with my recurve. I also have hunted the same area with a 30-06 that I had started hunting in the fall with my bow. I have never heard of anybody being shot on this place, and there are a lot of fellows that hunt here every year. The camps consist of everything from camper shells and tents to motorhomes with generators that run 24 hours a day (that ain't camping). I've had several of them tell me that there aren't any big ones here, and then I've proven differently. I dont think that allowing crossbows in would make a lot of difference. There are times when a few more hunters (especially the ones who can't sit still), would be beneficial to me. These deer are used to hunters, and I see most of them, (especially the bucks) between 10 and 3, when the camps are full of hunters. I think most guys who want to hunt already do, with something. I doubt many would give up there high-tech compounds for a crossbow. I won't be buying one, because I don't like them. I think they're going to get in though, and I would hope that they get stuck in muzzleloader season, as I don't think they deserve their own season because they are not a large enough, or different enough group to command a piece of the pre-rut,rut pie. They are, however, obviously, a primitive weapon, and a successful hunt with one would be an achievement. More hunters means more money to buy more public land, and pay for management, which was part of the reasoning behind the first archery seasons and has had substantially favorable results. It also makes inroads by the anti's less likely.
I'm proud of the deer I've taken with my rifle, but more so the ones Ive taken with my bow. I don't care what you hunt with. I congratulate you on any animal you've taken, provided it was fair chase, by whatever means. If you think I go to the woods and worry about what somebody else is shooting, or the fact that I don't have the woods all to myself,then you are wrong. I'm too busy trying to outsmart the deer that have outsmarted the other hunters.










a

I have to agree with Wahya, I see nothing wrong with the crossbow for use as a legitimate hunting tool as it exists in our home state of California (here on the left coast, of all places<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>). The crossbow IS an effective hunting tool. Fortunately for us, it is allowed for use only during the regular firearms season. According to DFG regulations, the crossbow is NOT CONSIDERED ARCHERY EQUIPMENT, and is not allowed during ANY archery season.

My rationale is, whether or not there would be an &quot;archery season&quot;, I would still hunt with my recurves, because I enjoy them more than hunting with my guns. I might even pick up my gun once in awhile to hunt with it too (only during a legal gun season of course), but I would CHOOSE to hunt with my recurve regardless of the season, whether rifle, archery or otherwise as long as it is legal to do so.

The motivation of most who choose the crossbow is not so much because they are drawn to the mystique of this modern weapon with primitive roots, it is simply to log more hunting time, even if it has to be done with a &quot;lessor&quot; weapon. The crossbow is indeed fascinating, but it is not endearing to most, including me. Rifle hunters are drawn to it because of it's partial similarity to the rifle in form and function.

Even the rifle hunter will never be fully given over to the crossbow, converted, so to speak. Most rifle hunters develop endearing favorites within their battery of firearms, and rightly so, but will never have such an attraction to the crossbow. It is simply a half-breed, a freak-rifle which offers a weak simulation of their preferred weapon. They carry it afield due to regulation rather than choice, the whole time wishing it to be their trusty '06 instead.

I have never believed myself to be disadvantaged while hunting with my recurve. Quite the opposite, it is a privilege, a challenge, and yes, even an ADVANTAGE to do so, satisfying, whether or not a shot is taken.

How many crossbow hunters will CHOOSE to hunt through ALL legal seasons with the crossbow as their primary weapon? Bowhunters fought hard for special bow seasons, while choosing to bowhunt during regular deer seasons, regardless of the far greater number of firearms in the field with them! We still choose to do so today, even share camps with our rifle-hunting friends.

Crossbow hunters want to ride on archery's coattails rather than hunt alongside rifle hunters, proving the worth for their own season. Let them do so with endearment for the crossbow, choosing it with their hearts and not just their heads. The crossbow is not a rifle, nor is it a bow. It finds primary favor with neither the archer or the rifleman. It IS a hunting tool of it's own accord. As such, let it stand or fall on it's merits and/or limitations, with the support of those who hold it first and foremost in their heart.

Even muzzleloading hunters had to CHOOSE to hunt during regular firearms seasons in order to validate their own special season. What they didn't do is ask for inclusion with archers or anyone else. They fought for their own seasons. Today they have them. Their heart was in it.

Which brings us to the root of the crossbow issue. It is indeed a matter of the heart, a question of motive. This is why bowhunters remain so passionate, but leaves the crossbow issue as yet unresolved.




YBIC,
Dave &gt;&lt;&gt;

Matt 6:33,34/Rev 3:20

Edited by - str8narrow on 01/21/2003 23:10:55

Greetings ya'll guess it's time to throw my 2 cents in the pot.Here in Ohio crossbows are legal and as long as I've been hunten and or enjoyen the outdoors(since I was around 4 yrs old 30 now) they have been.To be honest to me it depends on the person behind the crossbow or compound or trad bow.I know guys that i wouldn't want to share the woods with that shoot all of the above and also know guys that regardless of what they are shooten are always welcome. Granted I personally think usen a crossbow is no different than usen a low yardage gun and I do rag on the guys a I know about not being &quot;real bowyers&quot; but it's all done in fun.....I guess since all I've ever known is that it's legal here(and that bow season runs from 1st weekend in Oct. till Jan 31) that I don't have the hard feelens alotta ya'll do about it. guess if it was the other way around i would.I'm sure that if all sides truly sat down and put there heads together some sort of a workable deal could be arranged where all side(but the anti's) win.
Anyhow just my 2 cents worth of opinion.

If god didn't want us to eat animals....Why did he make them outa meat?
Jerry

WOW!!!! The pot has exploded. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

In Indiana our late archery season starts when muzzleloader does, but runs 'til the first Sunday in Jan., two weeks after the end of muzzleloader. Crossbows are legal only during the late season and only antlerless deer are allowed to be harvested.

With that said, I agree that crossbows are not archery. But I do from year to year hunt with one. Usually 2-3 days of late season and mainly because it is another legal form of deer hunting.

I am more accurate with a bow than with a crossbow out to 40 yards (practicing), and have yet to take a shot on deer with either over 30. Therefore I believe there is really no advantage with a crossbow.





Shoot often - Hunt always

Gforce&gt;
I am a hoosier too, and what you said
&quot;With that said, I agree that crossbows are not archery. But I do from year to year hunt with one. Usually 2-3 days of late season and mainly because it is another legal form of deer hunting.&quot;

This is true of most who use a crossbow, and a good many who buy inline,209 primered, pyrodex fired, scope sighted &quot;Muzzle loaders&quot;
It's just another way to extend their season, or take another deer.
Nothing against you guy, but I think we should only have Primative and Modern seasons. Primative would mean weapons of pre-1860 design, and Modern should be everything else (including modern compounds) I can hear the howls now! Certainly the &quot;Modern&quot; season should be longer.



Your life is made of time, not money.