this looks like a problem to me

[kg5388]

cross bows are now legal in tennessee

i admire the dedication of men and women who practice with a bow for the purpose of hunting i do not have the time so my bear whitetail hunter (yes it's been a long time)
stays in it's case in the closet one day when i have the time i will get a new bow

walmart has crossbows for $100.00 and i'm sure there will be all sorts of yahoos that think i'll drink a few beers and shoot it in the back yard a couple of times it's like a rifle aint it and will wound many deer that will die a misserable death and be left to lie because of poor shots and bad tracking skills
just my 2cents

[michihunter]

And your 2 cents are worth a million!! But it's the same with a lot of compound users too. Thjey go to dick's or WalMarts and pick up a $200 bow and think that it's the bow that will kill the deer, not the shooter.

[T-Panic]

Have you also noticed that Petersen publications now has a magazine called Crossbow hunting (Gag!!) I was also thumbing through another mag. recently and i can't remember which one, but it had cross bow tips included in it. To bad to see such stuff get such attention.

[ScottC]

The recent issue of Michigan Outdoor News had a letter to the editor complaining how the crossbow laws need to be eased in MI. Of course, the letter was written because he was denied a crossbow permit. I feel for the guy as he was in an accident and is going through physical therapy this season, but rules are rules.

There is legislation in MI to ease the restrictions for a crossbow permit. Meaning anyone with a freind who is a MD, or whines enough to his/her own MD, could easily get a permit.

I agree with Ted, there are people who just pick up a compound bow, shoot it a few times, and head to the woods. Only saving thought to me is that they are not taking scent control precautions and may never see a deer. I just hope they are not hunting near me.

[bowtech]

Sorry I cant join in on the slam fest!
$100.?! ......I havent seen a crossbow for $100. (besides pistols or toys) since the 70's

Crossbows are less powerful or capable than compounds at longer distances and more powerful overall than recurves.

So... should we make recurves illegle because they cant pass through a shoulder at 30yrds?
(and therefore could potential wound)

Should we make compounds illegle because there are more chances of wounds?
( due to long distance capability shooting)

Is it unfair to call a weapon primitive if it can be reloaded and shot 6times in less than a minute? 4times?. (recurve/compound)

Seems to me that the crossbow is the real primitive weapon that is most capable of clean kills.
(within an effective range )

That being said....I dont hunt with a crossbow.
I do not hunt with a gun.

I hunt with a recurve and a compound.

I do not feel superior to anyone who puts in the time to best me or the game they pursue.

I feel superior to anyone who does not (do the above).

It matters( not at all) what they use, if it makes them warm and fuzzy inside and they are able to tell me a good hunting story over a dinner of fresh venison

[kg5388]

hey bowtech i agree with everthing you said i do not bowhunt because i don't have time to practice and without practice it is hard to make that ever important clean kill shot. i do however shoot in IDPA pistol competition i do go shoot my old muzzle loader on a regular basis so i have no problems useing them to hunt

my comments adressed those who buy a quick bow setup and or crossbow and shoot for 1-2 hours at 30 feet flat level in the backyard and then go try to hunt at ranges of 30 -70 yards from a stand or uphill or downhill

[bowtech]

Well thats a concern for me too but as was said earlier , that happens with traditional/compound bows as well

If there were testing required prior to licences purchase for each weapon wanting to be used , that would go a long ways towards making the woods safer.

Of course Morals cannot be tested and what happens after a person is alone in the woods is another thing.

[ScottC]

In Michigan, crossbows are allowed in rifle season and in muzzleloading season. I hope it stays there. IMO, it is not the same as recurve or compound archery. Yes, it is a primitive weapon, but is very much like a rifle. The crossbows I just looked at in a catalog shoot around the same or at greater speeds than my Mathew's. The crossbow user doesn't have to hold their draw or crossbow weight. Many come with a steadying stick as standard equipment.

Yes, I agree there are compound shooters, as well as rifle shooters who just pick up their weapon of choice, take a few shots, and head to the woods. No amount of training and licensing will ever stop that...

[michihunter]

In addition to what Scott mentioned as far as regulations go, a handicapped person that petitions the state can use a x-bow for all seasons. But anyone can use them during the gun season. I didn't know it was ML too, so thanks Scott for that info!!

[kg5388]

i like the idea of handicapped people hunting even if it's with a crossbow ,gun or even throwing a sharp stick as long as they hit what they aim at
buddies daughter was born with her right arm stopping at the elbow she can out shoot her brother with a rifle and outride him on a four wheeler but she can't shoot a bow and she has to wait for blackpowder and it pisses her off cause her brother gets to hunt 2 weeks more but she doesn't know it but she's getting a cross bow for christmas now they are legal in tenn

[bowtech]

Just to play devils advocate

I remember when compounds came into the market and archers were having a cow!.

Everyone (nearly) pointed to the same things that Scott states

"you aren't holding the weight" , "they allow you to hold without effort" , etc. & ect..

The fact that there are a couple of true 99% let off compounds should have you (Scott) pretty upset... right

I am not trying to pile on Scott .

I have heard ALOT of people say the same things in the past and I will again

Let me add a question of my own

Has anyone here attempted to hold steady on a target @ 30yrds. from a standing position with a crossbow?.

I have and without a shoulder strap (to brace into),there is no way I can be as at ease, as I am with my recurve or compound.

And what about this advantage that longbows have over crossbows as to reloading?.

Isn't this fact alone ,putting the longbow in a superior place above the crossbow?.

I am not saying that I care one way or the other but I do think that there are alot of people who speak on a level of expert who have no more knowledge than what they may have heard from someone less knowledgeable ...perhaps

LOL!!! ;D

[michihunter]

Sounds like a great gift from Santa!!

[ScottC]

My big gripe might be that monopods to support the crossbow weight come as standard equipment on many models I have seen advertised. Crossbow shooters I have talked with at my local shop say they use gun rests while hunting from tree stands. The shooters are never holding steady for 30 seconds using their muscles. Yes, I have heard of 99% compound bow, but have never seen any advertised or in my pro shop. One still has to hold up the bow. Although, I did see a commercial yesterday for a bow support. Funny looking thing, and you have to get on your knees to use it.

Honestly, I could care less about crossbow use for hunting, but I do believe it should not be during archery season...as it is in Michigan.

[bowtech]

I would rather have the choice if something were to happen which made it a needed items for my field work

Lets say that I live in NY and I have no left arm and poor circulation in my feet which prevent me from going outside when the temp drop below 40 degrees?!.

I would not be able to hunt at all under this condition.

It might sound foolish but the point is that there are people who cannot bow hunt in a traditional fashion but would like to hunt during warmer weather.
(such is the case with myself and most old people :0 )

[ScottC]

Perhaps you missed some of the earlier threads.

1.) Crossbow hunting is allowed in my state, just not in archery season.

2.) As Ted pointed out, if you medically qualify, you can hunt with a crossbow during archery season too.

As I said, I could care less what people legally hunt with, but the big problem (in Michigan) is that people are trying to make it easier to medically obtain a crossbow license for archery season...and I am against that. Too much possibility for abuse.

As for hunting in warm weather, well...maybe that is why so many people retire to Florida. ;D

[bowtech]

I hear that florida comment! LOL!

I am just of the opinion (doesnt mean I am right ) that there is room for others who may share just as much passion for archery but without the ability to persue it in a simular way.

Michigan is one state and does not speak to the larger issue although it may be the only side you are concerned with.

As I said...NY would not allow you to use a crossbow unless yo were minus all limbs and then you would be limited to a breath tube trigger only.

To me this mindset is folly and does nothing to swell the ranks of hunters overall (which we need to do first and foremost )

[ScottC]

Well, I can only speak of Michigan, as it is what know. I have no idea of NY laws. Perhaps you could spearhead a movement in NY to change/relax the crossbow laws?

[bowtech]

I was part of a group (16yrs. ago) which lobbied for for crossbow permits for disabled people and it was a three year uphill battle.

We had everyone against us and it was all over one guy who was left with only his legs after an auto accident.

It was truely sad , the way the infighting took over because longbow hunters felt that if we got it for him then it would just be the beginning of the end.

I have never gotten over the selfishness displayed by others around me since that time and maybe thats the bigger reason for my quick defence.

[kg5388]

todd kuhn a bowhunting writer i9n outdoor life sumed my fears up real good with the problem with new bow hunters and people running out and buying cross bows

"most archers can hit a target in a couple of tries.But delivering the accuracy needed to make a clean kill with every shot requires daily practice and attention to details such as grip, anchor point, shooting form and setup of your bow"

my worry is some people will buy a bow or ones that never bothered with bow hunting buy a crossbow and shoot it a couple of times and then go hunt without being competent in its use just becuase they think it shoots like a rifle and they dont have to pratice i dont bow hunt becuase i dont have time to practice i wish others would do the same

[bowtech]

Pretty much the same goes for guns

I know alot of people who dust off the gun and fire a couple rounds then away they go

No weapon is fool proof