brnsvllyjohn
Active member
I thought I would start a discussion here rather than on the archery forum since some do not consider a crossbow archery equipment.
This is obviously just my opinion and I know most of you will disagree. I live in California and I am a hunter so I am used to the majority of the people around me disagreeing with my opinions.
I don't think that saying crossbows are unfair or in some way cheating is a useful discussion. Some states allow them and some states don't. California only allows those that have a disability that prevents them from drawing a bow to utilize a crossbow in archery season. Some other western states have similar rules. Most archery hunters assume that the crossbows are just too deadly at long range to be archery equipment. That is not true with any crossbow I have ever handled. All of my friends with compound bows can shoot at long ranges far better than I can with my crossbow. But lets just say that there are crossbows that can shoot accurately further than is fair. Then we should have limitations an the crossbows. We have regulations on rifles, on black powder and on regular bows. Things that put maximum and minimums on the weapons. I would have no problem with placing limitations on crossbows and honestly we need to. Crossbows that shoot over 400 fps should not be allowed. Scopes could become illegal. They already are in a lot of areas. I think a logical discussion about regulating the power and range of crossbows makes sense just like not allowing 50 cal. guns to be used for hunting.
Now as far as using one for a hunter that is not capable of shooting a conventional bow eliminating that possibility eliminates a lot of older hunters. Saying that you can learn to draw your bow with your teeth or you might try another surgery just isn't going to happen or be successful for most of us. You are then saying sorry you can no longer play the game. At the same time many hunters are trying to get the next generation involved in hunting. Who better than granddad to do that?? If granddad cannot go hunting and actually participate he might not go. We will only go along as a spectator a limited amount.
I have been arguing with Idaho about the requirement for a disabled archer permit in Idaho. Their application states I have to have lost the use of one arm but be able to draw and fire the crossbow unassisted. Not sure how to do that yet so I do not have a permit for Idaho. I cannot draw a bow but I can use my arm. My doctor is the one who told me 10 years ago to never ever try archery again. My 40 year old son wants to archery hunt Idaho badly and I will go and be camp boy but only one time.
I had an older brother who recently applied for and received his permit come to my house to shoot my crossbow over the weekend. He was only able to load it about 5 times with the string cocker. I then showed him my winch system to draw my crossbow. He thought I was kidding. No when you cannot draw your crossbow you have to use the winch. He may change his mind and not utilize his permit.
So I know some of you will still feel that I should not archery hunt but I will as long as I can legally participate.
This is obviously just my opinion and I know most of you will disagree. I live in California and I am a hunter so I am used to the majority of the people around me disagreeing with my opinions.
I don't think that saying crossbows are unfair or in some way cheating is a useful discussion. Some states allow them and some states don't. California only allows those that have a disability that prevents them from drawing a bow to utilize a crossbow in archery season. Some other western states have similar rules. Most archery hunters assume that the crossbows are just too deadly at long range to be archery equipment. That is not true with any crossbow I have ever handled. All of my friends with compound bows can shoot at long ranges far better than I can with my crossbow. But lets just say that there are crossbows that can shoot accurately further than is fair. Then we should have limitations an the crossbows. We have regulations on rifles, on black powder and on regular bows. Things that put maximum and minimums on the weapons. I would have no problem with placing limitations on crossbows and honestly we need to. Crossbows that shoot over 400 fps should not be allowed. Scopes could become illegal. They already are in a lot of areas. I think a logical discussion about regulating the power and range of crossbows makes sense just like not allowing 50 cal. guns to be used for hunting.
Now as far as using one for a hunter that is not capable of shooting a conventional bow eliminating that possibility eliminates a lot of older hunters. Saying that you can learn to draw your bow with your teeth or you might try another surgery just isn't going to happen or be successful for most of us. You are then saying sorry you can no longer play the game. At the same time many hunters are trying to get the next generation involved in hunting. Who better than granddad to do that?? If granddad cannot go hunting and actually participate he might not go. We will only go along as a spectator a limited amount.
I have been arguing with Idaho about the requirement for a disabled archer permit in Idaho. Their application states I have to have lost the use of one arm but be able to draw and fire the crossbow unassisted. Not sure how to do that yet so I do not have a permit for Idaho. I cannot draw a bow but I can use my arm. My doctor is the one who told me 10 years ago to never ever try archery again. My 40 year old son wants to archery hunt Idaho badly and I will go and be camp boy but only one time.
I had an older brother who recently applied for and received his permit come to my house to shoot my crossbow over the weekend. He was only able to load it about 5 times with the string cocker. I then showed him my winch system to draw my crossbow. He thought I was kidding. No when you cannot draw your crossbow you have to use the winch. He may change his mind and not utilize his permit.
So I know some of you will still feel that I should not archery hunt but I will as long as I can legally participate.