New York Crossbow Threat

[JCJ]

If you look at license data from the state of OH that has had full inclusion of the crossbow in archery season since 1982 what I think you will find is that if given the choice a higher percentage of the youngest hunters about 16 years of age and under and a higher percentage of the oldest hunters about 50 and older will choose the crossbow versus a traditional or vertical bow.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Think of all the used compounds you will see! LOL.

who cares! These guys wont see any deer anyhow,let them carry their cross bows a field.

I'm not pro Crossbow but I am certainly not against it.  I would also be for more conservation officers and more game/property management.  If the state wants more money, they could increase the deer herd where needed. When hunters see deer it makes them want to come back. I know a lot of guys that are not into it anymore due to the lack of excitement.

Think about it, would you count sheep, if you are floating in a boat in the ocean? Ok that was stupid but... I love to hunt because I love to be out there, a lot of guys go because they love to see deer.  If the herd is so small they see one deer every 3rd year they will give it up.

If crossbows get more people out, great!  On opening day of rifle season I heard about 4 close shots and maybe a total of 15 shots since (total).  There is not many hunters out anymore.

In other states, it seems as if everyone hunts.  You have gas stations and every store welcoming hunters. Every other car has camo and blaze orange in it. People drive around with tailgates down to show off their deer.

NOT IN NY!!!!  Anything we can do to bring that back is a plus, crossbows may help.  Now if we can do something with crappy attitudes toward hunting ( I'm talking about hunters acting like idiots here) then we will make a huge advancement in non hunters eyes.    

[maxwell]

Never on my property.....

[don s]

i don't mind crossbows at all. the thing that would upset me is if the crossbow season was put in the early archery season. they ended up putting it in the late season archery/muzzle loader season and thats bad enough. why not give it it's own season and extend new yorks too short deer season. give it from the end of late archery into january for a couple weeks.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

In WI their Archery season starts in September.  Gun season is 9 days and late season can extend into January.  Of course there are little nuansces that change the legths here or there.

NY should adpot a similar season philosophy. I dont understand why they do what they do and assume its more tradition than logic.

[Al Dente]

It is up to you, the entire hunting brethren to get the youth involved.  Blame it on nobody but the person looking back at you in the mirror.  Take a kid hunting, and let him or her shoot that deer, or turkey, or rabbit that you were going to shoot.  

As far as numbers go, bowhunting in NYS has risen, and participants continue to flock to the early season opportunities.  The numbers 5 years ago were at 179,000 bowhunting licenses sold, last year 204,000 were sold.  That's around 20% in 5 years.

The crossbow is a very effective tool for killing deer, but it is a far cry from archery equipment, even the most modern, tech-advanced compound is still harder to master than a crossbow.

The big-tent theory of a house divided will fall has no merit here.  The crossbow does not belong in archery season, but in the regular big game season where the state legislature voted to do this past session.  A hand grenade is very effective, and easy to master at killing fish, should it be legal?  What about the spear, atlatl, spike pits, etc...?  All are effective and primative, where should they be placed?

It's all about the money.  And, you still had two "hunters" in Ramapo who shot a deer with a crossbow, at night, in front of a house.  The bolt was stuck in the woman's house, under her front bay window.

[briarpatch]

Al Dente...I enjoy reading your posts...you make some excellent points...but your math is severely flawed....based on your numbers.....the increase is 25000....which is an increase of 14%, not 20%....not busting your chops, but I'm a stickler for accurate data.....

[Fischman]

Keep vigil men because if you let your guard down they may try to sneak it into your archery season as they hve here in Neb ! Big money and Outfitters leasing ground have put big pressure on lawmakers to just about allow anything in some states!Good Luck !

[Al Dente]

I would not say that 6% is severely flawed, I did a quick calculation in  my head while browsing through here.

[briarpatch]

Point taken, Al Dente....'severely' was, well...too severe....

[Al Dente]

10-4.  I just wanted to point out that bowhunting participants have been and contiue to be on the rise.

[SteveB]

The crossbow is a very effective tool for killing deer, but it is a far cry from archery equipment, even the most modern, tech-advanced compound is still harder to master than a crossbow.

 

Harder by about an hour or less - the time needed to get a new shooter with a properly set up compound to get pie plate or better groups which is a common hunting accuracy standard for traditional equipment.

[Bonebuster]

True, a modern compound with all the accessories can be shot with pie plate accuracy by a newbie in a very short time. BUT...put that newbie in a hunting situation, with a pounding heart, and swirling winds, and the need to get to full draw without being caught...it is THERE that the crossbow proves it is NOT archery equipment.

I know a fella here in Michigan, where crossguns are newly legalized, who has shot his new crossgun a total of SIX times. Two of those six shots killed two bucks. It is something he brags about often. Even HE admits, the major difference between the lever action .44 mag he normally uses during firearms season and his crossgun, is the .44 does NOT have a scope.

[SteveB]

Not sure how he missed the gunpowder and bang  

[wheelie]

I say to each there own. If one wants to shoot a crossbow, that's fine, need more hunters or we could all lose your rights as hunters. Numbers talk. Crossbow is big and cumbersome and not as easy as people think. They have been legal here for 20 years for archery season yet you never see anyone hunting in the bush with them. If people think they automaticly shoot deer, well it is your option to buy one to. If it was not for deer, there would not be such a debate over them. Would one rather a guy buy a compound bow and go out deer hunting the next day with it? They let people go out into the woods who would normally not be out there. Everyone should stick together for the sake of our sport we choose to do. Killing has so little to do with this sport for me. Let more things walk than I shoot. I enjoy being out in nature, going into there envirement, We should be more concerned about losing woods to big deveopers and loggers instead of worring about crossbows. My opinion only.

[JCJ]

"If one wants to shoot a crossbow, that's fine, need more hunters or we could all lose your rights as hunters. Numbers talk."

Wheelie: Yours is the "big tent" philosophy that is shared by many hunters but not so popular with those opposed to the crossbow.

[wheelie]

JCJ  you are right, I am not trying to change anyones mind nor will anyone change mine. All I say, if one wants to use a crossbow, it is more people I can shoot a deer infront of. Plenty to go around. I am sure some are apossed to me using dogs for rabbits. Most are scared of the unknown.

 I find most that oppose crossbows are the ones that have never even tried one. If one tried hunting with them they are certainly not easy. Take your recurve or longbow, tie a cement brick to it and where ever you go hold it sideways. When you shoot watch for limbs cause you will get quite a jolt if limb hits a tree branch.

[JCJ]

Wheelie:

I have English Setter bird dogs and this time of year I often wish I had a good Beagle! Rabbits and hares are a underutilized game resource here.

Good hunting!
JCJ

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by wheelie:
 All I say, if one wants to use a crossbow, it is more people I can shoot a deer infront of. Plenty to go around. I am sure some are apossed to me using dogs for rabbits. Most are scared of the unknown.

 I find most that oppose crossbows are the ones that have never even tried one. If one tried hunting with them they are certainly not easy. Take your recurve or longbow, tie a cement brick to it and where ever you go hold it sideways. When you shoot watch for limbs cause you will get quite a jolt if limb hits a tree branch.

I believe the nail has been hit right on the head.