Crossbows in Oklahoma!

[Michael Arnette]

Okay guys in Oklahoma, I'm in NC right now for a few months and while I am missing the season back in OK I just learned that they have legalized crossbows statewide for all hunters! Yikes, it sounds like it was very underhanded to me. How has it been effecting the state and what is your opinion on it all?

Just so you know I think it is an serious affront to the overall bow-hunting experience and a devestating problem for the sport.

Let me know what you guys think and how we can fight it. Also keep in mind that for those who are handicapped the crossbow is a wonderful thing and also, it is a touchy issue so please keep your comment nicey-nice.

[BOWMARKS]

Pennsylvania did same thing last year,personaly I think it SUCKS and I am one of those handicappers!!    

MARK

[Humming]

The shame of it all is when you try to fight loosing our bow seasons to gun hunters wanting to get in the woods early the only organization,you have to count on is your state and with all the so called real bowhunters out there not enought will join to help fight.What good are all of these other "Bowhunting organizations doing to help,I won't name-names but when you join a club ask why."

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

This kills me, how is it a problem for the sport?  Tell me one way that crossbows are negetively going to affect the sport.  They've been legal in Ohio for as long as I can remember and haven't hurt anything.  What is it with all these crossbow threads?  That's all that's on this forum anymore.  No one is asking you to use one so let people hunt with what they want.  It's about the money so no matter what you do you won't win.  If they don't get it from more hunters by allowing crossbows then they'll raise your tag and license prices, then we'll all have to hear everyone complain about that.  Don't want them in your archery season?  Tell the state to establish a crossbow only season.  They'll take time out of your bow season for it.  

I don't use or endorse crossbows but I'm tired of hearing the same thing over and over about it.  By the way, a type of weapon doesn't make someone an unethical slob.  Morons can carry trad gear just the same as a crossbow.  I'm sorry if I've offended anyone wiht my thoughts on this but those are the facts of the matter and not what some guy told me about it.

[JCJ]

"The shame of it all is when you try to fight loosing our bow seasons to gun hunters wanting to get in the woods early"

The vast majority of current "bowhunters" came to this sport form the ranks of existing "gun" hunters. I would bet my Bruin recurve that this will continue to be the source for growth going into the future with or without the crossbow.

[Steve in Canton]

I agree with Buckeye Trad Hunter, I hunt with 2 other people on a regular basis, on uses a crossbow, on a compound and I use both a recurve and longbow.  Since I moved to Ohio in 2000 our state has increased its deer season by @ 3 weeks, there is more deer killed now than ever before and the bucks keep getting bigger and bigger.  i could be wrong, but I do not know of one state that has legalized crossbows that has cut time from bowhunters.  we need to worry more about animal rights groups than crossbows.

[owlbait]

The inclusion of crossbows into the ARCHERY season dilutes the quality of the archery experience. Crossbows BOUGHT their way into Michigan's ARCHERY season. They had seasons of use, and Zones to use. Our DNR went against their own trial period and made them statewide with a lower age limit, except the Upper Peninsula. The bowhunters I know in Ohio feel their archery season has been lessened by the inclusion of crossbows. More hunters afield, more alert/alarmed animals. How many of those bigger bucks are more the result of private ground.outfitters and your firearms season? The crossbow hasn't helped.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by owlbait:
The crossbow hasn't helped.

No one said that the cross bow helped.  Put the smoke and mirrors away and don't try to divert the topic.  The argument is that crossbows didn't hurt the season.  Don't dilute the facts with opinions.

You also said that the bowhunters you know from Ohio said that the animals where more alert and the woods were more crowded.  What, everyone doesn't deserve the right to be in the woods?  What if all those crossbow hunters where packing trad gear?  Oh, that's right they would all be great hunters because the only slobs in the woods hunt with crossbows.

By the way, how many Ohio bowhunters do you know?  I'm sure that Steve and I know a few more.  I can't speak for Steve but I don't know ANYONE who says that their ARCHERY season sucked because people are allowed to use crossbows.  What if all the gun hunters said their season was lessened because you're allowed to use a bow during their gun season?  How would you feel?  I'm not trying to be rude but I hate fake fairness.

[owlbait]

Let's just have a deer season. Everyone welcome!

[OkKeith]

I don't expect this thread to stick around very long (the last one didn't) so as an Oklahoma Trad Bowhunter I will try and get my comment in.

I don't think it's that big a deal. Not in this state anyway. I can't speak to what's happening in other states.

As I said in a previous thread, their impact is not any greater than whatever the newest and fastest compound would be. It seems that there were a lot of them sold at the local sporting goods shops. Then again that could be said of the latest compound model as well.

From visiting with my Regional Biologist, the sales of deer tags hasn't increased beyond the five year average. So no new rich pot of money is being generated in-state. Increased sales of gear will filter more Federal dollars into Oklahoma, only if crossbows produce NEW licenses buyers.

Most folks will figure out that if you want to storm a castle or invade a village a crossbow is great! For hunting, they are heavy, unwieldy and very noisy. Even a compound bow is a better hunting tool. It's just another craze. Just like overdraws, big cams and parallel limbs.

I have visited with two guys that were practicing with them on the range in my park. On both occasions I hung around watching and helping out. By the time both guys were ready to go home, some serious buyer’s remorse had set in.

Knowing that there are people out there, somewhere, hunting with crossbows is no big deal to me. It doesn’t change a thing for me. I might as well be upset about someone having a fancier car or bigger house. It won’t change how much I like my truck or how much I value my home.

You can sit and stew about it or get on with it. I say just “drive on”.

OkKeith

[Steve in Canton]

One of the nice things that crossbows have done for our season is that it has helped thin the doe population.  Alot of people want deer meat and with Ohio only allowing 1 buck per year any season many people will hold onto their buck tag for gun season and go out and kill a few does during bow season.  Througout the state of Ohio we have great deer hunting that I wold put up against any other state.  do not desparage all hunters by thier choice of equipment, I have met just as many unethical hunters using traditional equipment on average as those who use modern equipment,

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by Steve in Canton:
I have met just as many unethical hunters using traditional equipment on average as those who use modern equipment,

That can't be possible Steve.  According to popular opinion, only crossbow hunters wound deer.  Oh wait, that's what makes our deer so big.  

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by owlbait:
This is obout Oklahoma crossbows not the State of Ohio or Michigan's poor deer management choices.

I can tell Ohio makes horrid deer management choices, just look at the size of our deer.  Oh no wait, I'm wrong again, that's cause everyone in Ohio owns 100 acres of private land to hunt on.

[owlbait]

Opinions are just facts waiting to be proven. Ohio is a wonderful place to hunt, they have the MOST ethical, experienced, and welcoming hunters in the States. Oklahoma should follow thier shining example, it WILL lead to happy hunters everywhere and BIGGGG bucks!