Good for them. Hasn't changed a thing for me here in PA. There's more archery tags sold which benefits the state (I'm for that), and it's getting my dad into the woods more (also a plus). 4 of my biggest bucks taken have, ironically, come after the crossbow allowance went into effect here in PA.
Why would you have a care about what someone else considers recreation in the deer woods as long as they follow the rules? So, cheating is any method that does not serve your definition of hunting? The only reason anyone could possibly care about what someone else uses as a weapon is if they are worried about comparing their own accomplishments to others. This is a real peeve of mine. Hunt for yourself and don't worry about what kind of success others have or the weapons they used. They are enjoying their right to be outdoors.
Yes, in MY opinion it is cheating....compared to those that are using a compound bow or a recurve. Shooting a deer with a bow is an accomplishment. Doing it with a crossbow is much easier than using a compound or recurve. I love bowhunting for many reasons but first and foremost becuase it is such a challenge. I have been within 20 yards of lots of shooter bucks with a bow that I wasnt able to get a shot on but could have easily shot with a crossbow. This is what makes bowhunting such a cool sport to me. Doing it with a crossbow wouldnt be the same.....in MY opinion.
I am for it. I hope that now my daughter, who has some trouble pulling the bow back will continue her interest in this GREAT sport. If it will help introduce and get more of our youth into the sport, I think its a good idea... my 2 cents.
If you have never used a crossbow then u can't speak to the cheating part. Xbows are bulky and are a pain to use from a stand. They are harder to use in all situation compared to a wheel bow or stick bow. Just try holding a x-bow on target for 3 or 5 mins before pulling the trigger and see what it does to your accuracy... I have watched a good shot with a bow smoke a x-bow shooter out to 70 yards time and again... We fought this battle two years ago in Indiana.. It was a wasted fight.. And i was like you to start with...Cheating, not fair, will ruin bow hunting.. It just ain't so!
I get what you're saying but your point is all about you and what you take away from hunting. The law isn't about you. It's about allowing others to get out and enjoy the outdoors and create their own experiences and memories. If they enjoy hunting with a crossbow as much as you do with a compound why not let them? Having an opinion about what is more enjoyable is one thing. Not allowing others to legally partake in something that they enjoy is another.
I am all for this, it gives different people an opportunity to enjoy and experience hunting. IMHO, there is not that much of difference between shooting a crossbow and a newer compound bow. My dad hunts with a Barrnett Ghost, and I hunt with my Mission Craze. The more I practice with him and see the crossbow in action, the more I believe there is not much kill difference in power and distance. I would not take a shot with his crossbow at further than sixty yards, and the same truth holds true with my bow. Further, I actually don't like hunting with the crossbow, because I don't like to the need to have support, such as a bi-pod or mono-pod. I like to be flexible, mobile, and in a tree when possible. But I really like the fact that in Nebraska my dad and I get to hunt together. This year we both harvested deer together for the first time over the halloween weekend. He shot his deer at 25yds, and I shot mine at 35yds. We can't do this together in Iowa. So get out in the woods and enjoy the hunt, in whatever way you are legally able. View attachment 40975 View attachment 40976
Plus our Gov. approved it. So it must be right because lawmakers ALWAYS have our best interests in mind!
Sounds like you are able bodied and under 65. Is there a reason you aren't using a long bow? Using a compound is easier, so isn't that cheating? I'm waiting for IL to open up crossbows for the entire season. I don't get any enjoyment out of shooting a bow honestly. I shoot enough to stay sharp, and thats about it. If/when IL allows crossbows for the entire archery season, I'll buy one. I'm there to extend my hunting season and put some meat in the freezer. Crossbows would still allow that, and I can get a very nice crossbow for less than what the new top of the line compounds are selling for.
How so? If no shot for compound you would have no shot for crossbow. If blocked by limbs, it's still blocked by limbs. If can't move to draw, you can't move to raise up a rather bulky at times and large crossbow. I personally don't like them or use them, but it isn't like point and squeeze shotgun blasting through briars and such.
passed that law last year in RI.....didn't affect a thing except sales at the local bowshop!!! $$$$$$$$$$ I was against it at first, but now it doesn't bother me at all, let em have at it!! as long as they don't go after MY deer.....lol jk
My prediction. After the 2014-15 season there will be a large amount of barely used croosbows for sale in Wisconsin from folks that thought it would be some easy way to kill deer during bow season. It happened in VA, there will also be folks who enjoy the crossbow and bowhunting with it and they will stick with it. The impact will barely be noticeable but will be talked to death. Why? I have no idea since crossbows have been around FOREVER and hunting with them is not really much easier. In hunting situations their accuracy and power are not that much different than high end compounds, having bowhunted with both I find the crossbow heavy and cumbersome in the stand. Now a ground blind that's a different story. Good for Wisconsin
You must use a shooting stick in the ground blind. I have gotta agree that of all the setups that is where the xbow shines.
My grandfather uses a cross bow as it's the only way he can Bowhunt anymore. I've fooled around with it and I don't think I'd enjoy luggin it around myself, even he doesn't like it that much but it's his only option. I doubt many will choose the option, but I'm ok with it being an option. I like being given freedoms versus taking them away. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I understand it's just your opinion but hunting with a crossbow is not that much different than a compound . My recurve is by far my favorite thing to hunt with, I suck but it's still very fun to shoot and hunt with. My compound is actually much easier to hunt with than my recurve so to me your opinion on crossbows would be like traditional guys saying compunds shouldn't be allowed because the challenge isn't the same as traditional gear. In that scenario traditional guys are right(as far as the equipment comparison) it is easier with a compound and the performance differences are very measureable between compounds and traditional gear whereas the differences in a high end bow and a crossbow are negligible making most agruments against crossbows the same.
My only concern is will I see a lot more pressure on the public lands. I don't think I will, but that would be my only worry. Ultimately I am going to get my daughter a crossbow instead of a bow and this will extend her hunting opportunities and get her outside with me more and less on the cell phone and computer.
That's the most important thing so many of the complainers forget, it's not about THEM...it's about getting people involved into hunting. I've seen this argument up and down from Ohio to Michigan where I hunt and it's hilarious to see grown adults say how unfair it is or call it cheating when they themselves aren't running through the woods in loin cloths napping flint heads for their arrows. Until those people trade in their hi-tech bows for that then they just need to understand how important it is these days to get people involved and keep them involved. Everything from our rights as hunters to sales of hunting equipment are at all at stake. Pull your heads out of :p ......the sand and look in the mirror.
I think that able bodied people that want to hunt with a crossbow are too lazy to use a hand drawn bow. I'm against this rule change. That's why they make 30, 40 and 50 pound bows. 60 pounds of pull is usually always too much for a women who is just learning to shoot a bow.
