I know the study well. It was published as part of the proceedings from the first Bowhunting Summit.
Mike Tonkovich is part of the Midwest Association of FIsh and Wildlife Agencies Recruitment and Retention Committee. I chaired that committee this past year.
I have talked to him numerous times about what conclusions can or can not be made from his states data related to crossbows.
The claim that there is zero increase in new hunters as a result of crossbow inclusion cannot be determined by simply looking at harvest data or license sales data. This is what is available from both Arkansas and Ohio.
You would need to mine that data further, typically by surveying crossbow users, to get at the value or lack of value crossbows may or may not have as a tool in hunter recruitment or retention.
Thanks for the good discussion.
Jay
Posts: 1076 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Illinois being Illinois and Gov Quinn being himself I have to believe it all comes down to dollar signs. The state is miserably broke and he's running out of options on how to raise revenue.
We buy separate tags for archery season and gun season. There are far more gun hunters than there are bow hunters. So if they can get gun hunters to buy extra tags by allowing xbows then they are going to do it. No matter what the people really have to say about it. They don't care about tradition, conservation, the deer herd, or anything except gettIng more money ultimately for themselves.
Just my thoughts. As Chicago goes so does the state.…
-------------------- "For man only stays human by preserving large patches of simplicity in his life, while the tendency of many modern inventions...is to weaken his consciousness, dull his curiosity, and, in general, drive him nearer to the animals." -George Orwell Posts: 347 | From: Metro East (not Chicago), IL | Registered: Jul 2011
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Looks like it passed, from what I gather they can't be used until after the first gun season though. Not sure if it goes into effect this year or next though. Either way I don't like it at all.
-------------------- "I would rather be lucky then good, any day!" Posts: 1874 | From: Georgetown, IL | Registered: Mar 2006
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I will apologize upfront for not reading the entire thread. Michigan adopted a cross gun season that runs right along the regular archery season. As far as my circle and where I live most people that have tried them where shunned an teased enough that most went back up for sale and the wheelies bows came back out. The folks with physical impairments continue hunting with them as they have for years up here. I was mad at first because I thought I should be, not anymore. Its not such a big deal as I had expected. The local buck pools and such all had "bow" killed critters with a VERY few xgun critters in pics. Im sure its a geographical thing as well.
Posts: 2831 | From: CENTRAL MICHIGAN | Registered: Feb 2010
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They will take down every state... they do not care and have been bragging about victories on their forums. They have momentum, they have backers, and they are going to win. Because in the end the $$$ always wins... as do "Easy Buttons", in this day and age.
However, I am hopeful that in a few years... maybe many, that someone will come to their senses and fix the problem we have created. My suggestion... push for a single season, single weapon tag. That should put an end to the crossovers.
Posts: 14 | From: Kansas | Registered: Jun 2012
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Yes money is what wins out , however, we as a hunting community can turn the tide by our attitude towards crossbows. Now,they have a place for the disabled hunters and seniors who can't shoot a regualar bow. For the young able body hunter who wants to use one because they do not want to practice or master a trad bow or compound bow then in my opinion should not get the respect from others in the archery world. I know that I am going to get the typical argument about how we shouldn't fight wwithin our community but I don't buy it. Crossbows for able body hunters is not archery and they should be used during gun season, see how many use them during that time, very few, or give them a special season just like firearm season. For the last few years everytime you turned on a hunting show they had more and more crossbow hunts so you knew it was a matter of time, but it's funny how public opinion can change attitudes. jmo
posted
I had this discussion with my good friend who owns a large archery shop. My idea was to let the crossbow hunters buy over the counter tags and let them hunt all the gun seasons. That would give them quite a few days to hunt if they wish. It won't be long before they will be allowed to hunt the entire bow season . With our access problem, Shawnee is going to fill up pretty quick.
Posts: 512 | From: Belleville, IL | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:However, I am hopeful that in a few years... maybe many, that someone will come to their senses and fix the problem we have created. My suggestion... push for a single season, single weapon tag. That should put an end to the crossovers. [/QB]
It is already in the works here in Illinois. Most sportsman just can't see the forest for the trees. Sometime back somebody in the DNR said the goal was 1970's deer numbers. We are on our way with the slaughter house rules that are currently SOP. That's a one tag season. Pick your poison.
When the cross overs can only buy one tag...it will be the easiest method possible. Crossguns will never go away...but they will never be given any respect.
-------------------- "A man is best judged by what he does when nobody else is watching." Posts: 169 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jan 2006
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Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about crossbow hunting.
I believe that we ultimately reached a compromise that should satisfy most people. While I understand your concerns about crossbow hunting, I also have learned that there are some able-bodied people who cannot easily operate a traditional bow, but who are interested in bow hunting. To accommodate their needs while still protecting your right to practice traditional bow hunting, we established a short cross-bow hunting season that runs from the second Monday after Thanksgiving to the end of bow-hunting season. If you find that crossbow hunters are interfering with your hunting experience, please let me know, as we could revisit this legislation in the future.
Please visit my website, www.SenatorForby.com, to learn more about my work on your behalf. Feel free to contact me again if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Senator Gary Forby 59th District – Illinois
District Office: 903 W. Washington, Suite 5 Benton, IL 62812 Email Senator Forby Office: (618) 439-2504 Fax: (618) 438-3704 Capitol Office: 537 Capitol Building Springfield, IL 62706 Office: (217) 782-5509
-------------------- If it's in your way, move it. Posts: 2376 | From: Illinois | Registered: Sep 2004
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Interesting....In speaking with the Senators during the spring session, they are using the traditional bow term interchangeably with compounds, recurves and longbows. When they say "traditional bows" or "traditional hunting", they really mean non-crossbow archery hunting.
The "compromise" was not accepted by all organizations and I believe this legislation will be used as another stepping stone for a full inclusion bill next year.
Posts: 1843 | From: Peoria, IL | Registered: Oct 2008
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I just received the EXACT same message from Sen. Forby as Bucksrack7, obviously a generic reply to all those who contacted him in opposition to the crossgun bill. And in that reply he gives his reasoning for the bill. Quote: While I understand your concerns about crossbow hunting, I also have learned that there are some able-bodied people who cannot easily operate a traditional bow, but who are interested in bow hunting. :Unquote, note the words able-bodied, his reasoning for the bill was one of my major arguments against it.
Posts: 236 | From: Southern ILLinois | Registered: Dec 2003
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able bodied but crappy shots, lol... no such thing as an able bodied person not being able to operate a compound bow with any sort of practice. Now a 'no wheels' bow, sure, I can understand that.
In this case able bodied = too dang lazy to practice.
Posts: 265 | From: Spanish Fort, AL | Registered: Jan 2012
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people all worked up how other people choose to participate in a recreational activity. funny really
Posts: 68 | From: Winnipeg Manitoba | Registered: Aug 2010
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Imagine yourself flyfishing, but the recent reg changes allowed for the use gill nets. Here you are, enjoying the integrity of flyfishing, but just a few hundred yards away, there are a bunch of guys dragging a net that spans the breadth of the stream. It's still called fishing right?
That is the basic difference. It compromises the integrity of the archery season. You simply cannot compare a device that requires little or no learned skill to master, to one that requires constant practice to remain proficient at.
-------------------- Vice President Life Member New York Bowhunters, Inc. All the best to you and yours >>>>------------------------> Posts: 1103 | From: New York | Registered: May 2003
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