For those who live in states that just recently legalized crossbows (within the last 5 years or so)
My home state of Indiana is currently proposing some equipment changes for the early archery season that would allow crossbows for all hunters. We've got a somewhat heated thread going on in the IN HTF debating the pros & cons of legalizing crossbows. From what I'm hearing from the anti-crossbow crowd we'll be swamped with additional hunters that were pretty much gun season only types. Have you noticed an explosion of additional hunters in the archery season as a result of recently legalized crossbows? I was informed by another member (moderator I believe) that Ohio reportedly had a 1491% increase in crossbow hunters since it was legalized by them around '82 or '83. I use a vertical bow to hunt with but really am fine with allowing anyone else the choice of using the crossbow as I've researched them and can't see where they offer any significant advantage.
In Virginia I haven't really noticed any more hunters than usual. seems like some older archers convert to crossbows when they have a hard time pulling a vertical bow back. crossbow has a few advantages, mostly you don't have to draw back and risk getting busted while drawing back. Even with a crossbow you still have to know how to sneak into a stand or tree and get close to deer, most hardcore gun hunters don't seem to have the inclination or patience to figure out how to get within say 20- 30 yards of a deer.
I would shoot one if it kept me in the stand, due to an injury or whatever.....But, it'd be kinda like kissin your sister!!!
Some proponents of the crossGUN say they are heavy, clumsy, slow, loud, not all that accurate.....Yet, in the same sentence, say that they are the perfect weapon to get a kid or female involved in hunting??? Archery season is for bows, not crossguns!!!! That whole not having to draw, at the moment of truth, takes the challenge of bowhunting, and chucks it out of the stand.
The main people pushing for allowing crossguns during archery season are the crossgun manufacturers!
I'm in for replies.......
Originally Posted By VenomousDuck:
My home state of Indiana is currently proposing some equipment changes for the early archery season that would allow crossbows for all hunters. We've got a somewhat heated thread going on in the IN HTF debating the pros & cons of legalizing crossbows. From what I'm hearing from the anti-crossbow crowd we'll be swamped with additional hunters that were pretty much gun season only types. Have you noticed an explosion of additional hunters in the archery season as a result of recently legalized crossbows? I was informed by another member (moderator I believe) that Ohio reportedly had a 1491% increase in crossbow hunters since it was legalized by them around '82 or '83. I use a vertical bow to hunt with but really am fine with allowing anyone else the choice of using the crossbow as I've researched them and can't see where they offer any significant advantage.
I wouldn't say that I have seen a explosion of additional hunters, BUT I have seen quite a few more "Slingers".
I have seen people who have no idea what hunting is about, hitting the woods. Shooters not Hunters.
I do believe that Crossbows/Cross"guns" have their place in the hunting community. However, I believe they should not be lumped into the "Regular" archery season. They should have their own archery season, just as there is ML, and Modern Gun.
Of course this does not apply to those with a LEGITIMATE injury/illness/disability.
Of course this just my opinion, and is biased, based on the way I was raised.
What I consider hunting/tradition might not be what someone else considers.
They offer the advantage of allowing the crossbow to remain at the drawn/loaded/ready position full time. Vs... the traditional/recurve/compound shooter who has to wait for the right moment to draw without being seen (animal detecting the movement). Depending on Model, some also increase the distance of taking an animal.
Just as some traditional ML argue about the unfair advantage of inline ML.
FWIW I think that anything we can do to improve or increase the amount of hunting individuals is good thing, to increase the sport of hunting in general.
I believe this past year was the 1st year crossbows were allowed for archery seasons here in PA, and I did not see a proliferation in cross bow hunters. I could of gotten a Dr's letter to allow me to hunt with a crossbow many years ago because I've had shoulder surgery that was less than successful but I didn't, mostly because I was just to embarrassed to do it.
Yesterday though I bought my 1st crossbow because it was a display model and I got a huge discount, I can't wait to start shooting it.
When it comes to hunting, I believe I'm going to have to be even more careful now because hunting with no snow cover in the fall, still means quick kills are a must and follow up shots are much slower than with any vertical bow. Hopefully I'll learn to shoot more accurately than I did with my compounds!
Originally Posted By supremeweasel67:
I wouldn't say that I have seen a explosion of additional hunters, BUT I have seen quite a few more "Slingers".
I have seen people who have no idea what hunting is about, hitting the woods. Shooters not Hunters.
I do believe that Crossbows/Cross"guns" have their place in the hunting community. However, I believe they should not be lumped into the "Regular" archery season. They should have their own archery season, just as there is ML, and Modern Gun.
Of course this does not apply to those with a LEGITIMATE injury/illness/disability.
I share these sentiments 100%. The crossbow debate is a pretty heated topic in many circles.
I believe they have their place to provide those with physical limitations, etc an otherwise missed opportunity.
I am by no means lumping everyone with a crossbow in the following statement, but around me, there are many, many people that are now hitting the woods with something that is held like a rifle and therefore have the misconception that is has the same effective range. Again, that's a bit stereotypical as there are plenty of traditional bow hunters that don't know their limits either. What I see around me in the influx of new "archery" hunters is just more time to be in the wood, as previously stated, "slinging" vice learning a new method of hunting. If many would invest the time to understand what it take to become a successful archer, perhaps they'd appreciate the opportunity even more rather than be all grumpy when they miss at 75yds and can't understand why.
To me, 90% of my enjoyment of archery is learning new tactics, learning, watching and studying deer and having to get close. It has made me a far better all around hunter over the years. If I had to make another generality, I just don't see that out of first time cross bow hunters that never started out with a traditional rig and changed over due to some form of physical limitation.
Sorry if I offended anyone, I know this can be a hot topic. Merely my observations around my AO.
Ive heard that new PSE can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards. If that is true its a major advantage over traditional archery equipment.
Pro side is that kids who cant pull back a regular bow...may be able to start archery hunting (crossbow) at an earlier age...any time you get kids in the woods and off the xbox...thats a good thing!
I have not seen a great increase in the number of hunters during bow season in Georgia (still too hot for most folks), and I also do not see much advantage at all in a crossbow.
Originally Posted By Crowkiller:
I have not seen a great increase in the number of hunters during bow season in Georgia (still too hot for most folks), and I also do not see much advantage at all in a crossbow.
It could very well be b/c I'm adjacent to a bow only county.
Originally Posted By Katman6360:
Ive heard that new PSE can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards. If that is true its a major advantage over traditional archery equipment.
Pro side is that kids who cant pull back a regular bow...may be able to start archery hunting (crossbow) at an earlier age...any time you get kids in the woods and off the xbox...that's a good thing!
I doubt that very many cross bows have enough power to get adequate penetration at 100 yards. Still its good to know the accuracy potential is much higher which is "to me " what makes it worthwhile.
