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January 23, 2012
The Crossbow War is Finally Over - 13
I recently attended the annual Archery Trade Association (ATA) show in Columbus, Ohio and am pleased to report that the 20-year (or more) war over whether or not crossbows should be legalized for hunting seems to be over. Almost all of the major archery equipment manufacturers and industry observers attend ATA, the biggest and most important show of the year and I visited with most of them. I made it a point to ask about one of my favorite topics: “the crossbow controversy.” Those in the know pretty much had the same response: “What controversy?” More and more states are legalizing crossbow hunting and business couldn’t be better. Music to my ears; another black eye for the hunting fraternity finally put to bed. A History of Controversy Opponents claimed they were unsafe, were more like guns than bows and would propagate poaching. They also claimed that crossbow use would lead to shorter bowhunting seasons (due to increased deer harvests) and too many hunters in the field during bow season. Also, they said it would encourage hunters to take unethical shots at long range. These were the more rational objections. I won’t get into the crazy ones (over the past 40 years or so I have heard some real beauties). I’ve also witnessed “crossbow throws” and offensive slurs aimed at crossbow hunters at some bowhunting gatherings. For a while there, things got pretty destructive. Crossbow opponents gained traction in the 70’s and 80’s as very little data were available to counter their arguments. The physics of the crossbow were relatively easy to document, but for every technical report that found the crossbow performed pretty much like a compound (with light arrows) the anti-crossbow camp would release its own study reporting crossbows performed somewhere between a 1,000-yard sniper rifle and a scud missile. In other words, they behaved just like a bunch of Washington politicians inventing their own facts. In the anti’s defense, we didn’t know all that much about what impact the crossbow would have on deer herds back then and we weren’t all that sure about how safe they were with bowhunters walking around in camouflage. In other words, the jury was still out on some of the issues surrounding crossbow use. Facts Come to Light For starters, states like Ohio and Arkansas (that have been using crossbows for some 40 years) report that use of the crossbow has not led to shorter bowhunting seasons, nor has it resulted in more accidents, or increased poaching or the end of bowhunting as we know it. In fact, there have been few if any negatives associated with crossbow use in any of the many states where they are widely used today. The Upside of the XBow Not to mix business with pleasure but in today’s economy, jobs are pretty important. The folks at 10-Point, Barnett, Horton, Maximus and Excaliber are growing in leaps and bounds and that means jobs and paychecks and groceries on the table. The Sporting Goods Manufacturer’s Association reports about an 80% increase in nationwide crossbow sales since 2006. Last year, crossbows made up 25% of all bow sales. Almost 50 companies were listed under crossbows and crossbow accessories in this year’s show directory. This included almost a dozen manufacturers of crossbows. Why the sudden growth in popularity? Well, states are finally opening their eyes to the opportunities presented by crossbow hunting. Traditionally states have allowed crossbow use for handicapped hunters but now state after state is expanding crossbow hunting opportunities. Studies show a majority of hunters are in favor of legalizing crossbows for hunting in most states. Crossbows are legal to use in all or part of the bowhunting season in 17 states. They are legal in 13 others during firearms season and 6 states allow seniors to use them. In fact, crossbows are legal to hunt with (in one way or another) in every state except Oregon. Most observers of the crossbow wars predict a gradual movement toward more liberalized use of crossbows for hunting. As more and more states report positive results, the nay-sayers are gradually backing off their extreme positions. This is one hunting controversy that has been put to rest, and the hunting community is all the better for it. More on Crossbows |
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Comments (13)
Hi...
Yes, I'm a New Yorker...and I think that our current hunting, fishing and trapping laws are already WAY too complicated.
Cross bows? What's the big deal? If the wimps in office are too paranoid to allow full crossbow use...at least start letting the fully and partially handicapped citizens use of same. After which they MAY come to their senses and allow unrestricted use.
I'd like to know what those wimps in office have against the use of them, too. I feel that any of their excuses could be easily countered by the saner majority...!!
So there...!!
New york Crossbow Coalition is a new Grassroots pro crossbow group dedicated to full inclusion of the crossbow in all archery seasons. nycrossbowcoalition.com
Good comment on dissabilities. My home state of NY has a highly restrictive dissability requirement. Basically, you have to be soseverly disabled that the only way you can discharge a x-bow during regular bow season is with a blow-tube. Thats the definition of a disabled bowhunter who can legally use a crossbow in NY. That has kept thousands of disabled bowhunters out of the woods during bow season including vets who sacrificed their limbs for our freedom. Kinda stinks doesn't it?
LOBBY TO CHANGE YOUR GAME DIRECTORS, WHEN THIER JOB IS ON THE LINE ALL WILL BE INVITED TO HUNT WITH A X-BOW
In WI, you can only hunt with a cross bow if you have an approved Class A, B, or C disability permit. Or are over 65. Recient attempts to lift the restrictions have met with resistance. So I question any declairation that they "war" is over.
I am an Indiana resident who without the crossbow opening up in Indiana prevents me from hunting in the bow season. I welcomed the change in the crossbow season this fall. I would not "qualify" as disabled but I am not able use a regular bow.
I'VE never used one, but when the time comes I can't pull the string I'll shoot one .
Unfortunately this episode is typical of hunter’s “my way or the highway” attitude. While PETA and Hollywood are brainwashing a generation of kids against hunting- we battle each other. When did (some) bow hunters turn into such snobs? I’m just happy to have more people involved in the sport.
Sure there are still plenty of places and seasons where crossbow use is still prohibited and/or restricted And yes,some bowhunting organizations are still fighting the x-bow wars but the facts don't lie, 25% of last years bow sales were x-bowsand and state after state is expanding opportunities to use x-bows.
Sorry, that's just the facts and the trend is clear. Don't worry, no one expects them to replace replace vertical bows but the fat lady has sung it's time to bury the proverbial hatchet.
Anyone ask Pope & Young if it is over? I doubt they will ever agree on allowing crossbows during any archery season - anywhere! NY is a good example - You may only use a crossbow during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons for deer and bear, late muzzleloading seasons for deer or bear, and the special firearms season for deer in Suffolk County.
Crossbows cannot be used in "bowhunting-only" areas of the state, or during bowhunting seasons, or during the regular season in Cortland County (due to recent rifle and crossbow legislation).
Been to Massachusetts? The form your DOCTOR needs to fill out has to state that you have a permanent disability that would prevent you from using a regular bow under serious threat of penalty.
They must also evaluate your condition based on the State standards for a disability.
Long story short. Four shoulder surgeries and advanced arthritis in both shoulders don't begin to meet the standard.
As of right now crossbows are only legal during the November RIFLE season in Missouri.
Tell that to the people in Indiana who didn't want xbows legalized for all for the 2012 season and beyond. There is a movement afoot right now to try and open a special "archery season" in September to "vertical" bows only.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)
Tell that to the people in Indiana who didn't want xbows legalized for all for the 2012 season and beyond. There is a movement afoot right now to try and open a special "archery season" in September to "vertical" bows only.
Unfortunately this episode is typical of hunter’s “my way or the highway” attitude. While PETA and Hollywood are brainwashing a generation of kids against hunting- we battle each other. When did (some) bow hunters turn into such snobs? I’m just happy to have more people involved in the sport.
Been to Massachusetts? The form your DOCTOR needs to fill out has to state that you have a permanent disability that would prevent you from using a regular bow under serious threat of penalty.
They must also evaluate your condition based on the State standards for a disability.
Long story short. Four shoulder surgeries and advanced arthritis in both shoulders don't begin to meet the standard.
Anyone ask Pope & Young if it is over? I doubt they will ever agree on allowing crossbows during any archery season - anywhere! NY is a good example - You may only use a crossbow during the early bear season, regular firearms seasons for deer and bear, late muzzleloading seasons for deer or bear, and the special firearms season for deer in Suffolk County.
Crossbows cannot be used in "bowhunting-only" areas of the state, or during bowhunting seasons, or during the regular season in Cortland County (due to recent rifle and crossbow legislation).
Sure there are still plenty of places and seasons where crossbow use is still prohibited and/or restricted And yes,some bowhunting organizations are still fighting the x-bow wars but the facts don't lie, 25% of last years bow sales were x-bowsand and state after state is expanding opportunities to use x-bows.
Sorry, that's just the facts and the trend is clear. Don't worry, no one expects them to replace replace vertical bows but the fat lady has sung it's time to bury the proverbial hatchet.
I'VE never used one, but when the time comes I can't pull the string I'll shoot one .
I am an Indiana resident who without the crossbow opening up in Indiana prevents me from hunting in the bow season. I welcomed the change in the crossbow season this fall. I would not "qualify" as disabled but I am not able use a regular bow.
In WI, you can only hunt with a cross bow if you have an approved Class A, B, or C disability permit. Or are over 65. Recient attempts to lift the restrictions have met with resistance. So I question any declairation that they "war" is over.
LOBBY TO CHANGE YOUR GAME DIRECTORS, WHEN THIER JOB IS ON THE LINE ALL WILL BE INVITED TO HUNT WITH A X-BOW
Good comment on dissabilities. My home state of NY has a highly restrictive dissability requirement. Basically, you have to be soseverly disabled that the only way you can discharge a x-bow during regular bow season is with a blow-tube. Thats the definition of a disabled bowhunter who can legally use a crossbow in NY. That has kept thousands of disabled bowhunters out of the woods during bow season including vets who sacrificed their limbs for our freedom. Kinda stinks doesn't it?
New york Crossbow Coalition is a new Grassroots pro crossbow group dedicated to full inclusion of the crossbow in all archery seasons. nycrossbowcoalition.com
As of right now crossbows are only legal during the November RIFLE season in Missouri.
Hi...
Yes, I'm a New Yorker...and I think that our current hunting, fishing and trapping laws are already WAY too complicated.
Cross bows? What's the big deal? If the wimps in office are too paranoid to allow full crossbow use...at least start letting the fully and partially handicapped citizens use of same. After which they MAY come to their senses and allow unrestricted use.
I'd like to know what those wimps in office have against the use of them, too. I feel that any of their excuses could be easily countered by the saner majority...!!
So there...!!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)