8 crossbow resolutions were brought up at the state wide CC hearings by the general public in April. 4 of the 8 passed and have been moved onto committees. You can see all the resolutions at this link.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/congress/s....tions_index.htm Resolution 110208: Crossbows for youth hunters in the archery season. Failed 15 to 34
Resolution 110308: Late season crossbow use for deer hunting. Failed by only 2 votes 26 to 24
Resolution 140108: Create a "lesser weapon" statute allowing crossbows. Passed 31 to 30 moved on to committee
Resolution 460308: Special crossbow season during the late archery season only. Failed 12 to 22
Resolution 520708: Legalize crossbows for all during the entire archery dear season. Failed 24 to 36 (to close for my comfort)
Resolution 600708: Lower that age of crossbow eligibility from 65 to 50. Passed 61 to 36 moved on to committee
Resolution 680908: Create a "lesser weapon" statute allowing crossbows. Passed 62 to 31 moved on to committee
Resolution 690108: Lower the age of crossbow eligibility from 65 to 55. Passed 58 to 6 (holy crap!) moved on to committee
On a National level, It appears that the ATA (Archery Trade Association) is a real and driving force in promoting crossbows for bowhunting and is actively working to lobby for increased crossbow usage. They have even gone so far as to produce several documents to support the crossbow agenda. In this first one, they claim that because crossbows are archery equipments as defined by the IRS that is should be allowed for Bowhunting. You can read it here;
http://www.bowsite.com/BOWSITE/features/....w_Statement.pdf What they fail to also realize is that a 15 pound Bear cub recurve shooting a rubber tipped blunt head is also considered archery equipment but I don't think anybody will consider it to be Bowhunting gear. In this document they complain that they are being unjustly beaten up over their stance on crossbows.
http://www.archerytrade.org/downloads/ataaction07-05.pdf Lastly, they took the time to produce this document that lobbyists and others are using to sway State wildlife management officials and Lawmakers as to why the crossbow should be allowed in the deer hunting season and used as a management tool. Click the line that reads "Fundamentals of Crossbow Dynamics and usage"
http://www.crossbow.com/newsarticle/41 If you happen to hear about a new Bowhunting association called the "Bowhunting Preservation Alliance" Don't be fooled. While they have a great sounding name, their association with the ATA is reason for concern. They list their main objective as:
"The main objective is to recruit new bowhunters while retaining experienced bowhunters. To do this, the BPA strives to provide leadership and vision while building strong alliances among and between the archery and bowhunting industry, bowhunting organizations, and state and federal agencies across North America."
http://www.saveourheritageprogram.com/Bowhunting_Preservation_Alliance.asp This is getting scary. Crossbows are getting closer and closer to the archery season. It's on it's way and just passed the house of Representatives in Michigan and has moved onto the Senate. protecting the archery deer season is of utmost importance. Luckily the two lesser weapon resolutions that passed the WI Conservation Congress were worded to protect the archery deer season. For those that are unsure of what a lesser weapon rule is, I will try to explain. Any weapon considered lesser than the weapon for which a tag is issued would be allowed in that season. For example; in the firearms deer season, a lesser weapon rule would allow the usage of vertical bows as well as crossbows. This would be true of any season and for any species where a firearm is currently allowed including, small game, Turkey and bear (Both turkey and bear hunters are already allowed to use a firearms and vertical archery gear)
Here is the catch. Fall turkey season starts on Sept. 13 and runs the entire archery season. Bear season starts Sept. 3rd and runs until Oct. 7th which means that a hunter that possesses a Fall turkey tag and/or a bear kill permit as well as an archery deer tag could be sitting on stand with a crossbow and be legal for both the bear and the turkey but not for deer. This leads to enforcement issues. I have talked to the President of the WI NWTF and he tells me that a member has requested that the WI NWTF pursue the weapons change to allow the use of crossbows for turkeys but at this point they are not actively seeking any change. As far as the bear hunters go, while I have not spoken with anybody from the WBA, I have been told by someone close to the association that they too are not actively seeking any such weapons change.
Right now, it appears that the 8 resolutions coming from the general public as well as efforts made by the ATA are the current push and we all need to be very concerned about where this is headed.
Topic: WI at risk of expanding crossbows usage (Read 1510 times)
