GOYABEAN
.950 JDJ
So who's been out trying this yet Crossbow Hunting - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Recent Hunting Rules Changes - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Crossbow Hunting?
- Thread starter GOYABEAN
- Start date
So who's been out trying this yet Crossbow Hunting - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Recent Hunting Rules Changes - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
This could open a big hornets nest.
I'll add my two cents though. I don't think crossbows should be allowed during the regular archery season. To me, they're more "gun like" than "bow like". I don't support the able-bodied person using them during bow season. If a person is physically not able to pull back X pounds, I have no issue with them using crossbows during the entire bow season.
However, I think that it should be easier to qualify for their use. Right now, NY makes it extremely difficult to qualify to qualify to use one. One of the guys here at work hurt his shoulder a few years ago. Since his surgery, he can't pull back a bow. He's basically shut out for a month and can't participate during the beginning of the rut.
I'll put on my flame suit now.
I'll add my two cents though. I don't think crossbows should be allowed during the regular archery season. To me, they're more "gun like" than "bow like". I don't support the able-bodied person using them during bow season. If a person is physically not able to pull back X pounds, I have no issue with them using crossbows during the entire bow season.
However, I think that it should be easier to qualify for their use. Right now, NY makes it extremely difficult to qualify to qualify to use one. One of the guys here at work hurt his shoulder a few years ago. Since his surgery, he can't pull back a bow. He's basically shut out for a month and can't participate during the beginning of the rut.
I'll put on my flame suit now.
pjzwtl
.308 Win
Yes a hornets nest but let us not forget Archery season was lengthened to start on 10/1 so it is longer. Crossbows are not like guns and as a bow hunter my bow resembles nothing of tradition anyway. I am all for using the best tool available for the job at hand so on 11/5 bow goes away and crossbow comes out. That is until I get to take out the 30/30 
Had my right shoulder replaced in February and for added measure, my humerus was accidentally split in half requiring a full metal rod and 3 cable ties holding the whole thing together! At the moment I'm able to barely pull 35lbs but it's slowly getting there. Unknown if I'll ever be able again to draw a bow adequate for deer and forget about elk. My 20 year elk bowhunting passion is done. I bought a Ten Point XB this summer and it keeps me in the game. Going to Ohio next week! Feel very fortunate that I'm able to continue enjoying bow season. I do on the other hand, understand and appreciate the feelings and opinions of those opposed to using XB's during archery season because of the obvious advantages not only in terms of accuracy but also the minimal movement required to set up the shot on game. Unless you're in my situation however, it's hard to appreciate how fortunate I feel to be back in the game. They're not without their headaches but overall, XB's are a decisive advantage over a regular bow!
Good luck everyone and Flame On!
MK
Good luck everyone and Flame On!
MK
If a stick (arrow) is being launched by mechanical means, including a Crosmans Airbow and a hunter can make a more accurate (humane) kill I'm all for it. If rifle type bows bring more people into the hunting sports, how can any traditional bow hunter complain. Let us not forget, at one time Compound bows were treated the same way by the re-curve tradionalists.
pjzwtl
.308 Win
I'll be giving the crossbow a try next weekend. I'm hunting a spot too close to homes for a gun, and my shoulder is still healing from an injury 2 months ago. If not for the crossbow, I'd be out for the season. I definitely appreciate having the crossbow as an option.
By the way, can anyone confirm that the muzzleloader stamp is good for any sex during bow season in the southern zone? The Hunting Rules page says "Regulations were recently adopted that will clarify that bow/mz either-sex and antlerless-only deer tags may both be used during either bow or muzzleloader seasons by properly licensed hunters." That sounds to me like doe is acceptable for crossbow hunters holding an Mz stamp during the open parts of bow, but you know how these rules are...
By the way, can anyone confirm that the muzzleloader stamp is good for any sex during bow season in the southern zone? The Hunting Rules page says "Regulations were recently adopted that will clarify that bow/mz either-sex and antlerless-only deer tags may both be used during either bow or muzzleloader seasons by properly licensed hunters." That sounds to me like doe is acceptable for crossbow hunters holding an Mz stamp during the open parts of bow, but you know how these rules are...
pjzwtl
.308 Win
I would say yes it is a bow/muzzleloading tag good in either season including the crossbow portion of bow. I used it last year and reported it and didn't get a knock at the door
Yes a hornets nest but let us not forget Archery season was lengthened to start on 10/1 so it is longer. Crossbows are not like guns and as a bow hunter my bow resembles nothing of tradition anyway. I am all for using the best tool available for the job at hand so on 11/5 bow goes away and crossbow comes out. That is until I get to take out the 30/30
I'd be fine with limiting archery season to longbows and recurves. I plan to buy one in the next couple of years and use it. I think a compound bow resembles traditional bows more than a crossbow.
I'd say that shooting a crossbow is more like shooting a gun than a traditional bow. Minimal movement, held the same, shot the same (with a trigger on a stock), don't have to worry about bending at the waist from a treestand, etc. Would you agree?
There are plenty of states that limit people from making a more accurate kill. For example, CO doesn't allow scopes on muzzleloaders. People complain because the crossbow is easier to use and generally requires less practice. I normally prepare for bow season months in advance. I shoot hundreds or thousands of arrows in preparation. I shot a doe about 10 days ago. I held back my bow for over 45 seconds waiting for her to clear a tree limb. With a crossbow, that wouldn't have been a challenge. Because they are easier to use, lots of people believe that the success could end up shortening archery season for everyone, including vertical bow hunters. Archery season is long because the expectation for harvest is low. If harvest rates go up, will they shorten archery season?
Everyone is different. But, do you know what has always drawn me to bowhunting? The challenge. There is no denying that crossbows are easier to use. The reward for shooting an animal with a vertical bow is greater. Shooting one with a recurve is even greater than a compound.
This article is pretty good about explaining why some people are against crossbows being allowed into archery season.
Bow Wars: The Crossbow Controversy
Bananabandit
.338 Win Mag
I have no opinion.
Banana Switzerland Bandit
Banana Switzerland Bandit
Blimey
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I vehemently oppose full crossbow inclusion. These things are advancing at a stunning rate people don't seem to appreciate. Already it's perfectly reasonable for somebody with little experience with one to take deer at ranges far surpassing a compound, and that will keep advancing. If they are given full inclusion the prevalence of them will go up, which will negatively impact vertical bow hunters, and also result in reduced deer population for gun. Currently bow season is long but the harvest rates are low because hunting with a bow is very hard, and not a ton of people do it. Crossbow already has an early season. And given that you can give one to a 14 year old, have him spend a couple of hours on it, and now he's nailing tight groups at 50 yards (try that with anybody with a compound), I just see no good reason to have it fully overlap.
For the record I don't yet own a crossbow, but do plan on buying one at some point. but, I want it to keep the sub season.
For the record I don't yet own a crossbow, but do plan on buying one at some point. but, I want it to keep the sub season.
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Blimey
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Gun hunters avoid most if not all of the hardcore rut! Your buddy can buy a crossbow and be out there this year on November 5, which means he then gets to be out for a couple of weeks in the best hunting time of the year before gun season.This could open a big hornets nest.
I'll add my two cents though. I don't think crossbows should be allowed during the regular archery season. To me, they're more "gun like" than "bow like". I don't support the able-bodied person using them during bow season. If a person is physically not able to pull back X pounds, I have no issue with them using crossbows during the entire bow season.
However, I think that it should be easier to qualify for their use. Right now, NY makes it extremely difficult to qualify to qualify to use one. One of the guys here at work hurt his shoulder a few years ago. Since his surgery, he can't pull back a bow. He's basically shut out for a month and can't participate during the beginning of the rut.
I'll put on my flame suit now.
We all know why gun season is so short, don't we? Because if it were going back to october 1 there would be no deer left, no DMP, massive harvest numbers. Crossbow will do the same to a more limited extent. These things take very little skill compared to a vertical bow and hit very hard and very far. $280 now buys one capable of 370 FPS, which is outshooting even the most powerful $1000 compound bow, and it will do it without you even having to draw in front of the deer.
He got a crossbow this year because of his shoulder. Didn't take him very long to get proficient with it either.
Catskillkid
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I don't have a crossbow yet but I do get when I'm pretty much going to save it for zombies and picking up chicks.
Foxtrapper
.40 S&W
If one is going to complain about crossbows, then this is what needs to be done. Bowhunter's need to understand that compound bows are not traditional bows. Crossbows have been around almost as long as recurves have been, and therefore should be considered more traditional than compounds.
If using a crossbow allows more hunters to enjoy the sport, why not? It was a widely held belief that when crossbows were legalized that poaching would become a much bigger issue. Didn't happen. Reduced population for gun hunters? Give me a break. That's just a strawman argument and you know it.. Same type of argument that bowhunter's used in opposeing the early youth hunt over Columbus day weekend. Bow hunters need to realize they aren't the only ones who enjoy hunting. And regardless of the tool one chose's to hunt with, it is a privelage that all hunters should have a right to enjoy..
How is that a strawman?
There is absolutely no denying that crossbows are easier to use and people who use them harvest deer at a higher rate than vertical bow users do. This has been proven.
The specific area I'm in has seen a drastic decrease in the number of deer over the past 15 years. The DEC continues to issue permits to drive down numbers. I can only assume that other parts of the unit still have a high deer population. The ~150 acres we hunt on certainly doesn't house the same number it used to. Since we're very close to ~900 acres of state land (basically across the road), the taking of more deer is concerning to me.
pjzwtl
.308 Win
Ok end bow on 11/5 and make xbow till the regular. bow season was made longer to accommodate the addition of the 2 week xbow use
pjzwtl
.308 Win
OK so what? This sounds like elitist talk or just wining. Like I said in my first post I like using the best tool available for the job on hand. If someone uses a long bow or recurve good for them, if they decide to stick with a compound so be it, it is their choice but don't impose it on others. A cross bow is NOT nearly as good as a gun and to be honest as far as skill goes I have been bowhunting all my life and I don't think it requires that much skill. The biggest challenge is the limited shot distance which is only slightly better with an xbow
pjzwtl
.308 Win
You may be fine with it but most aren't but yes you are correct firing them is gun like but still a long way from being a gun.
Crossbows are literally point and shoot, just like a gun. They're basically a gun with a very short range.
I used to feel the same way as those who are opposed to XB's for all of the valid reasons cited on this thread. I've been a hard core Bowhunter since 1978 and would never have considered using one- that is until I developed debilitating osteo arthritis requiring shoulder replacement #1 with # 2 not too far off in the near future. I won't speak for others on this forum but trust me when I tell you, IMO when a hobby you love is taken from you you'll do anything to have it back! That's what the crossbow has done for me. I will be the first to admit, it's SO much easier and more deadly than a conventional bow. On the positive side, the rate of wounding deer due to a poorly placed shot with a bow drops significantly with XB's and that's a good thing! More meat in the freezer! Crossbows are BIG business now and they are here to stay!
MK
MK
carpediem
.338 Win Mag
I am pushing for a sling season. A piece of leather and a pocket full of sling stones.Bring back the atlatl
fartgamer
.223 Rem
Long guns shouldn't be used during gun season, hunt with a snub nose 357. A long gun, especially with a scope, is a distinct advantage over a handgun.
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carpediem
.338 Win Mag
In all seriousness though, I would be inclined to hunt with a crossbow. I have my bow credentials, but since I am a lefty and crossbows to my knowledge aren't handed, it seems more attractive than trying to find a good LH compound.
fartgamer
.223 Rem
Well said!
GOYABEAN
.950 JDJ