Hunters taking advantage of crossbow stampsBy Victor Skinner, The Grand Rapids Press, found at MLive.com
November 22, 2009, 7:20AMGRAND RAPIDS -- Michigan's new crossbow regulations may be drawing more hunters into the woods for the archery season, according to state officials.
More than 45,000 crossbow stamps have been issued in the first year hunters are allowed to use them during portions of the state's archery season.
Some recipients say the device gives them a new lease on hunting life. Meanwhile, area sporting goods stores are reporting a boost in business because of the change.
"On the surface, it appears that more people are utilizing the archery season," said Sara Schaefer, Department of Natural Resources wildlife manager for Southwest Michigan. "We have had a number of hunters coming into the check stations saying they are hunting with a crossbow and how happy they were to have the opportunity."
"I wasn't surprised that so many people made use of this. I think it gets a lot of people out in the woods during that early season that may not have been able to get out for a number of years."
Michigan's archery season closed Nov. 14. It reopens Dec. 1 through Jan. 1.
Crossbow hunters are more restricted during the second part of the archery season. They are allowed to use crossbows only in Zone 3, the southern portion of the state, and must be age 12 or older. Crossbow use was allowed statewide during the first segment of the archery season.
Most of the crossbow users come from the southern part of the state, where more than 34,000 crossbow permits were issued, said Frances Heffron, a DNR license specialist.
Jeff DeRegnaucourt of Rockford is among the archers. He recently took to a crossbow because of shoulder problems. He said the new rules will help reverse the decline in hunter participation state wildlife officials have reported the past 10 years.
"I think the DNR is going to be pleasantly surprised with the recruitment and retention of the archery license sales, which have been dropping like a rock," DeRegnaucourt said. "We have lost 80,000 bow hunters in the last 10 years."
DeRegnaucourt took a nice seven-point this year with his crossbow.
Local sporting good stores report brisk business in crossbows this season.
Jim Jager, a buyer for Bob's Gun and Tackle in Hastings, said crossbows are flying off the shelves. The store has sold more than 250 this year.
"We figured there probably would be a significant increase, but we didn't think it would be that big," Jager said. "It just got to the point we were ordering more and more to keep up with the crowd. I think it caught everybody by surprise."
BY THE NUMBERSA total of 45,736 crossbow stamps were issued statewide as of Nov. 17. Here's how they're broken down:
- Zone 1 - 2,886
- Zone 2 - 7,823
- Zone 3 - 34,357
- Out of state - 585
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