Looks like the crossbow guys weren't satisfied with getting to use their bows during regular archery season. Now they need scopes. Release #029-09 March 5, 2009 For Information Contact: Jerry Feaser 717-705-6541 [email protected] BOARD TAKES STEP TO REVERSE PROHIBITION ON MAGNIFYING SCOPES HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, in a notational vote, yesterday gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change that would allow hunters to use magnifying scopes on bows or crossbows during the archery deer and archery bear seasons. At its January meeting, the Board gave final approval to a regulatory change to permit the use of crossbows in archery deer and bear seasons. Prior to that vote, however, the Board accepted an amendment to prohibit the use of magnifying scopes during the archery deer and bear seasons. “The agency has received significant public comment about that vote, the Board decided it would be appropriate to revisit this aspect of the recently approved use of crossbows in the state’s archery seasons,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “This notational vote will require final adoption at a future meeting of the Board, and we are hoping to have that vote take place at the Board’s scheduled public meeting in April.” The Board will meeting on April 20 and 21, in the auditorium of the agency's Harrisburg headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81 in Harrisburg. A copy of the agenda for the upcoming meeting will be posted on the agency's website prior to the meeting. On Monday, April 20, the Board will gather public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony - limited to five minutes - also will begin at that time. On Tuesday, April 21, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Game Commission will take up its prepared agenda. Among other items on the agenda will be final approval for hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2009-10, as well as antlerless deer license allocations. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Harvest results from the 2008-09 deer seasons will be announced in mid-March.
90 percent of the people out there that were going to use a cross bow were going to anyhow IMO. There's not enough money out there to pay to police it.
Not getting into whether I agree or disagree with this one. Ben and I were discussing this months ago. We left somewhere in this part of the coversation and I would like your guys opinions. I know little about bows and less about crossbows. What I do know is that over the last 20 years bows have progressed exponentially. What about crossbows? Are they really that much more advanced than a new compound bow? If no, what's the big deal about crossbows being legal? Again, I'm not saying I'm for it, just curious in your responses.
A good woodsman with a crossbow would be a killing machine.The amount of time necessary to become proficient with a crossbow is very little.Obviously the perfect poachers tool! Likely the biggest winners of crossbow introduction are the excellent rifle hunters who never had time to practice with a bow and the maggot poachers.
If you want to see how crossbows have evolved, check out the new PSE that is designed to be used with an AR-15 frame. It is amazing, definitely a crossgun, not a crossbow Some of the best crossbows out there have more kinetic energy at 40 yards than the best compound off the string. Capable of putting 4 arrows in a grapefruit at 90 yards with a scope. Obviously this is determined by shooter ability, but amazing none the less.
There are plenty of people that claim they can shot standing targets very close to that distance with a bow, 60-70 yards. I'm not nearly one of them, but 80-90 yards doesn't seem too far off from a really good bow shooter. Are the compounds so much more powerful that a lot more people could shoot 90+ yard w/ them? I do see an issue with using them for poaching as it is much more convenient from a vehicle, but if you're going to poach, does the legality of a crossbow really make a difference to someone that's poaching?
Ever try to fire a crossbow from inside a car? There's no room. Far from an ideal poacher's tool. To get back to the original thread; If you look you'll see that it's not crossbow specific, it's for ALL bows. Is it better to have scoped bows out there that make clean kills or to have pins out there that increase the wounding loss? The sighting system doesn't change the inherent limitations of the equipment.
Unfortunately, yes I have seen it. Knew a farmer that did it years ago for crop control. Luckily the farmer and farm are no more. I haven't shot one in... 12+ years so I'm a little out of it when it comes to their capabilities, which is why I was asking.
I respectively disagree with you. Distance of the shot Jeff. It's much easier hitting a target at 40 yards with cross hairs then It Is with open sights.
I could agree with that. Scopes do kind of take away from the "art form" or "finesse" of bow hunting.
If any one thinks the legalization of Cross Bows in a state would not lead to an increase in illegally taken deer,I personally believe they are mistaken.Not all poachers are lazy,some get dropped off by a buddy and are not inside their vehicle when they shoot,some use vans with sliding doors on them and shoot through an open side door.I have the pleasure of knowing two very prolific reformed poachers,I have gotten quite an education listening to them.To be able to use a weapon that takes very little skill to master and to be able to discharge that weapon without making a sound will make a very good poacher in to a hall of fame(or shame) poacher. I respect everyone's opinion but I wont be convinced other wise. I have no problem with having a crossbow season,a number of states have excellent quality deer hunting and they have crossbow hunting.The issue is management practices combined with season dates and bag limits.The unfortunate reality has to do law enforcement with the game departments.They are spread so thin now that they cannot be effective,I don't see that getting better.
I don't blame them either but you asked why It matters (scopes) and I just gave you my take on It. Scopes and a bow just don't sound right to me whether It's on a xbow or compound.
The new crossbows are absolutely amazing pieces of equiptment. Here's why, the new PSE TAC-15 (and Bowtech STRYKER) shoot 410-420 fps thats over 276 mph. Sick! Marine snipers were shooting 1" groups at 100 yds with the PSE. Both models shoot full length arrows. This allows the stabilization necessary to be accurate at those speeds. Plus, they both have "de-cocking" devices that allow you unwind the arrow, before, you had to let it rip into the ground. Many others pluses, too many to list. Check out youtube. I've never shot one, but I must own one after seeing those videos! PS - New Jersey plans on opening up cross bow next year. I love all projectiles, and I wouldn't mind the the crossbow being in my arsenal! De-roostering = decocking lol! lol! it won't let me type "dekocking"
Got that email today as well. Here's the take on it, guys (from a PA standpoint). We already have a TON of mixed seasons and bag limit modifications intertwining each other. Sounds great, right? Offer more opportunities and get more involved in the sport? Well, PA hunters as a rule (I'm not saying I or we should have the power to decide the mentality of hunters) want to kill anything that comes in sight. This attitude has been amplified within the past 8-10 yrs with the AR and HR plans, because more PA hunters are complaining of a lack of deer. With this attitude, you will soon realize more of these hunters are going to want to take any crack shot opportunity they can at the first deer that presents itself (because, who knows, that may be the LAST deer they see all season). Now, crossbows with scopes. Not that I think the addition or subtraction of scopes makes a difference one way or another. My fear (and I feel it's legitimate) is that it's going to encourage more hunters to pick up this weapon and fire it at ranges exceeding their abilities (it looks like a rifle, it has a scope, why can't I shoot out to 150+ yds?). Couple that with the fact that it offers and attractive option for rifle (non archery) hunters to get out in the woods during a prime time that many despise archery hunters for having sole access to in the past (yes many rifle hunters in PA have adamantly stated they don't like archers having 6 weeks of hunting before the rifle season). The result of this is more hunters in an already over hunted state, with people toting weapons that can give a false sense of confidence. Now, I'm not saying ALL crossbow hunters are untrained or are going to make poor shot choices, but I can be MORE will be as a result of this legislation.
Funny thing is that this and arguements like it are EXACTLY what was being said by traditional shooters back in the 70's when compounds came on the scene.
All I have to say is I hope I'm wrong on this, but believe me, they're legitimate concerns especially if you have hunted in PA.
It's a can of worms that will continue to spill out. I truly feel for the public land hunter who is already over crowded and I also trespassing on the increase.
