Look, I'm not trying to defend xbows in any way. I'm merely suggesting that you prepare to at least get some lemonaid from the coming lemons. I'm just saying what happened in Michigan and other states and it's happening to you folks too, right before our eyes. You may not see it because you're so close to it. But having gone thru it, Illinois traditional bowhunters are getting swept into the same trap.
It's like watching the film of an old game we lost over and over.
In Michigan, the majority of input thru emails, phone calls and public speaking at meetings to MDNR, the NRC and to legislators was that hunters, especially older hunters, liked the idea of the xbow option. Not a big majority, but a slight majority is still a majority.
The moral highground of "an xbow is not a bow" is irrelevant to the debate. We tried that here in Michigan too.
State DNR's and legislatures will only look at if a regulation change negatively impacts the resource in a noticable way. It they believe there's no downside to the resource to a change, they'll make it, especially if it increases participation.
So far, the only stance we have is "I don't like xbows, I don't want xbow hunters in bow season, an xbow isn't a bow, etc, etc".
All I'm saying is, while those arguments are noble and totally true, it's running off in the wrong direction of the real debate.
All the states that have so far legalized them in recent years have the same reasons, increasing opportunity in the face of falling and aging deer hunter number trends.
And wait until a couple CWD deer show up in northern Illinois, which they eventually will. Then look for legislators to run to anything that'll kill more deer. You'll see calls for legal baiting and rifles, when that happens. Bet on it.
I'm done commenting on this because I've already made my suggestion, so take it for what it is. At least think about it.
Your situation is like watching our trainwreck again, in slow motion. Many here in Michigan had your same position. It's all or nothing...and we got nothing. And it's happened over and over in other states.
If the position is that "nobody wants xbows", well then there should be nothing to fear, right? Because if nobody wanted them, nobody would buy them. The truth is, when xbows get legalized, there's going to be a boom of xbow sales and most will be guys already using decked out compounds.
Again, just my suggestion, figure out what additional things you want for deer seasons and be prepared to "head them off at the pass" for the next time this comes up, and then the next-next time.
Here's one of the blue prints state DNR's use for recruitment and retention. Everyone should read it...
http://www.responsivemanagement.com/download/reports/AMOdist.pdf Go ahead and fight the good fight and stand fast if you feel you must. All I'm saying is, the exact same thing happened here in Michigan and those who etched a line in the sand with their swords and said no xbow shall cross this line are still trying to figure out how they got destroyed and got virtually nothing from negotiations with the DNR or NRC.
Just my suggestion, realize that eventually xbows are coming to Illinois. It may not be this year or two years from now, but in 5-7 years, you'll have them.
I'd make a long list of things you'd like to see changed in Illinois, then as a group approach the DNR or legislature and say "ok, we'll accept xbows, but here's 20 changes we want made and we want an additional 2 months of bow season". Then at least you may get those things. Otherwise, just like all the other states, you'll get nothing and xbows will still be legal, eventually.
Anyhow, that's just my post-game recap of a loss here. Do whatever you feel you need to do and best of luck!
Topic: Crossbow bill in Illinois (Read 5822 times)
