Posted on 09/14/2009 2:06:32 AM PDT by Daffynition
Last week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners took a final vote on the legalization of crossbows for hunting. A controversial issue from the beginning, the eight commissioners still are not in agreement. However, because of the tie (4-4) vote, the regulations as stated in the 2009-10 Hunting & Trapping Digest regarding the use of crossbows will prevail.
Dave Putnam, one of the commissioners who voted in favor of the full inclusion for crossbows said, “A change in the regulations at this point will be a disservice to the people who have already purchased a hunting license and crossbow equipment for the current season.”
It’s a known fact that sales of crossbows are on the increase. Joe Noll of Boop’s Sporting Goods in Vicksburg claims that he has sold more crossbows than shotguns. “I’m selling to more people who were archers; those who are retired men who can’t draw back with a recurve bow.”
Tom Boop, one of the four commissioners who voted against a full inclusion, noted “Estimates are that sales of crossbows and accessories in Pennsylvania could total $100 million (based on $1,000 for a crossbow and essential accessories).”
Art Keefer, a member of United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, makes the argument that crossbows are not bows, nor are they classed as archery equipment. “Bows are handheld and drawn in the presence of wild game. The crossbow is a superior weapon in many ways. It is a way to launch a bolt from a gun stock with a trigger and high-powered rifle scope using a rest with only minimal movement. It is just not archery.”
He adds another thought-provoking comment. “With today’s instant gratification, and everybody-has-to-be-a-winner attitude, they surely take away from bowhunting. In the past, only 12-16 percent of bowhunters scored. Wait and see what happens if crossbows are allowed through the entire season. Nobody really knows and that is the problem.”
License sales affected
Commissioner Ralph Martone expresses a more positive side to legalizing crossbows. “Pennsylvania has experienced a decline in the sale of hunting licenses, including archery licenses. We would have to add more than 50,000 new archery hunters to return to the number of archers we once had in Pennsylvania. In addition, information from other states that permit crossbows, shows that many crossbow users are not new hunters, but simply hunters choosing to use a crossbow rather than a compound bow.”
One of the crossbow concerns is that there is no way of knowing how many hunters will be using a crossbow. “With the full inclusion without a trial period or a restricted season, there is no way to measure, in advance, the impact on the resource,” Boop commented.
United Bowhunters would like to see crossbows have their own license or stamp so that “they are held accountable for their part in the harvest,” Keefer added.
Martone disagrees. “At this time, there is not a need to limit the number of crossbow users by issuing a separate license.”
Without any type of control, will the use of crossbows impact deer populations?
“That is the big question that nobody seems to know, and we feel that it surely has to,” Keefer reiterated.
“The crossbow camp cites statistics from other states that it doesn’t matter much, but even our own DCNR has said that Pennsylvania isn’t like any other state when it comes to deer hunting. There are about 600,000 licensed hunters in Pennsylvania who do not bowhunt. Nobody has any idea how many of them will buy a crossbow and use them in archery season. If 25 percent of bowhunters just switch over, it doesn’t matter, but the rifle-only hunters that do get a crossbow will be out there trying to get their buck early.”
Without any type of control, will the use of crossbows impact deer populations?I certainly hope so. I don't know about PA but I suspect the situation is the same as in many other states: over-run with deer.
Bow grabbing liberals.
So long as they can collect the license fees.
Do archery hunters want an exclusive to the early season?
I’ve been a bowhunter for 30 years, these crossbow wimps are just trying to take our season from us. There is a REASON the true bowhunters have a special early season. That is because you have to be SKILLED to be a good bowhunter. I have no problem with crossbows being legal, only let them hunt during the regular gun season and keep them out of OUR season.
I don’t know too much about archery hunting, but what you say seems reasonable enough.
Is crossbow hunting a regional thing?
I have a cross bow. It is a very accurate and deadly weapon for short ranges. Kinda hard to carry concealed. ;0)
LOL ...I’ve seen them in sporting goods stores ...they look lethal. ;)
Thanks
So they are really expanding the season for themselves, so to speak. Getting out earlier than the riflemen.
Whatever works out. Get cull the herds! And of course, be safe out there!
Some random thoughts:
1) I was around when spinning reels first came out. There was a great hue and cry from the fly fishermen who wanted to ban the new reels from the waterways they used. Eventually, some "fly-fishing only" waters were declared. Don't know if any still exist today.
2) This reminds me of the real muzzle loaders using loose powder, cap or flint ignition and a patched ball vs the ones that look like scope-sighted bolt actions using pelletized powder, internal priming and a saboted bullet. I don't know about PA but most states have a "muzzle loader only" deer season. The m/l boys were given their own season because of the difficulty is using cap or flintlock guns. It seems to me the modern versions blur the distinction and take advantage of that early season provision. The bow vs crossbow controversy, IMO, is in the same league.
In addition, information from other states that permit crossbows, shows that many crossbow users are not new hunters, but simply hunters choosing to use a crossbow rather than a compound bow.”
That touches on the modernized muzzle-loaders - "bow hunting is too hard - I want it easier." Yeah, I know that that's why the cap lock replaced flint, which was superceded by breechloading cartridge rifles, but todays hunting environment is no longer a matter of survival.
Nobody has any idea how many of them will buy a crossbow and use them in archery season.
I know of a couple of rifle hunters who go out in archery season just to check out the area and not use the bow. Depending upon the price of a cross-bow, I can see guys who wouldn't go for a bow, use the crossbow for the same purpose. Nothing wrong with any of that - it just shows all the imponderables. One does wonder though, at what point will those who want to hunt with a spear be heard from. Then there's always the argument of steel tips against flint or obsidian. :-)
Very lethal but not as silent as a long bow. Takes several precious seconds to reload. ;0(
100,000 potential crossbow hunters in PA? Seems unlikely.
That’s an amazing photo? Is that in PA? A similar photo could be taken in many places in NY, NJ, MD, VA... those are the states I’ve seen the woods and the roadways overrun with deer.
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