So whats up with crossbows

[cgrutt]

My kid really wants one even said he'd go hunting with one. Said today that his cousin said deer really tastes good lol. My son eats pasta, chicken, beef and broccoli so this might be a breakthrough lol.

So what's rules on crossbow? Is there a separate season? Is it even allowed? Woefully uninformed in this regard. Not a hunter personally but nothing against it would cherish time in the woods with my boy if this is something he'd be into.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Man it seems like forever I believe it's allowed in land scroll through here @cgrutt

Hunting

 

[cgrutt]

Man it seems like forever I believe it's allowed in land scroll through here @cgrutt

Hunting

Too late bro I'll look tomorrow thanks.

 

[masterswimmer]

Who got BG started with crossbows?

 

[cgrutt]

Who got BG started with crossbows?

No idea, I bolted.

 

[masterswimmer]

No idea, I bolted.

You did!

 

[Aether]

Yes, crossbows are allowed in New York State. Season begins 2 weeks after the start of regular archery season. I have a Scorpio Orion Extreme crossbow. My best friend, my son and I have taken 13 deer over the last 2 seasons with this crossbow.

 

[1075tech]

I have one he can try out if you want. Nothing fancy but will get the job done. Entry level figure on $400+/- with bolts, broadheads, case, etc.

 

[Saltwater60]

Isn’t there an extra or specific hunting course to take for crossbow. Not sure but I think there is.
They aren’t cheap either.

 

[1075tech]

Isn’t there an extra or specific hunting course to take for crossbow. Not sure but I think there is.
They aren’t cheap either.

DEC has an online page to read and certificate to print and carry Crossbow Hunting Qualification

 

[Bustedknees]

Isn’t there an extra or specific hunting course to take for crossbow. Not sure but I think there is.
They aren’t cheap either.

the archery course will qualify you for a tag. You can buy a fairly decent starter rig for a little over $200 too.
I'm not a bow hunter but follow it a bit to keep track of my 2 kids who are beginners to the sport. The daughter just made her first bow kill all by herself last season ! Bought my son a Burnett xbow off Amazon last xmas . The daughter is already going old school saying xbows are cheating.
As far as seasons go, I wouldn't put much promise into the current seasons. D.E.C. has changed the rules and season dates several times for the last several seasons. They've been everywhere in between banned to trial special season dates. Many of bow hunters are not on board with them either..

 

[BDinPutnam]

Isn’t there an extra or specific hunting course to take for crossbow. Not sure but I think there is.
They aren’t cheap either.

Unless they've changed it, the main hunting course qualifies you as long as you fill out the xbow cert tag and carry it.

I believe there are differences between Northern and Southern zones for when xbow is and isnt allowed though I may just be thinking of muzzle loader.

 

[enigma]

Oddly enough, you'll also want to get a muzzleloading stamp when you get your license.

With a standard big game license you can only use a crossbow during the regular season. To get the extra time you need to add a muzzleloading stamp. With the Muzz stamp you can use a crossbow the last two weeks of early archery season, and the entire late bowhunting/muzzleloading season. This past year, the regular and Muzz stamp in the Southern zone would have covered you with a crossbow from November 2nd through December 17th.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Oddly enough, you'll also want to get a muzzleloading stamp when you get your license.

With a standard big game license you can only use a crossbow during the regular season. To get the extra time you need to add a muzzleloading stamp. With the Muzz stamp you can use a crossbow the last two weeks of early archery season, and the entire late bowhunting/muzzleloading season. This past year, the regular and Muzz stamp in the Southern zone would have covered you with a crossbow from November 2nd through December 17th.

THAT'S what I was thinking of, thanks.

 

[1075tech]

All together, bow, regular, and late seasons, we get around 10 weeks of big game hunting. And you can add in the 10 or so days of early bear.

Hard to beat. Too bad the rest of the state is so screwed up

 

[Twogunwilly]

I had to switch to crossbow a few years ago due to shitty shoulder pain, friggin love it but if I can get back to pulling my bow back and shooting everyday, I'll switch back. Both weapons kill effectively as long as the shooter does their job, practice everyday if you can.

 

[Blimey]

I bow and xbow hunt. I still think to do the latter you need to practice more than many would think, and use a range finder. Compared to a vertical bow though the learning curve is almost trivial, and they hit very hard, with better functional range than a vertical. $300 including a decent scope you can definitely have a pretty lethal implement.