Author Topic: Crossbows legalized during bowseason in Alabama (Read 2604 times)

Dutch/AL · « **on:** May 23, 2004, 07:18:01 AM »

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ihuntbucks · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2004, 10:56:40 PM »

Crossbows....it's about time :-D .........Rick

markc · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2004, 03:08:37 AM »

Somehow I don't understand how bowhunters of Alabama are losers because crossbows were legalized??? Could you explain? Crossbows are legal in general season only in Texas, not in the archery season, but if they were to become legal for all seasons, I would likely buy one and hunt with it. Decoys are bad? Again, I may not use decoys or crossbows, but somehow adding a scope to a muzzleloader , placing out a turkey decoy or switching to a horizontal bow doesn't seem to me to ruin it for those who prefer to hunt with a flintlock and iron sights.

Adding hunters and their $ for tags, license etc... seems like a good thing to me. So I hunt with a handgun, or lever gun because I prefer it. Sometimes, I take out a scoped bolt gun and hunt. It doesn't make me less a hunter than my iron sighted lever gun simply because it makes it easier to place my shot properly in low light conditions, or at longer distances.
markc

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2004, 04:48:15 AM »

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markc · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2004, 11:00:40 AM »

I see what your point was originally, but now I have another question. Not being a crossbow hunter, but a compound bow hunter, why is a crossbow harder to hunt with? Seems like someone who for whatever reason can't draw and hold a compound or recurve/long bow, might still be able to enjoy bow hunting with a crossbow that is held at full draw. But why is it harder? I've only shot toy crossbows and none of the newer hunting ones.

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2004, 12:40:36 PM »

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Dutch/AL · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2004, 08:35:00 AM »

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Rmouleart · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2004, 08:54:35 AM »

You guys want to laugh, NH legalized crossbows to be used during rifle season this year, whats wrong with that, bunch of dummies, they should have it during bow season not rifle season;) Oh well, I never get what F&G is thinking half the time. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2004, 11:52:25 AM »

My buddy is one of those "Man if they would only legalize crossbows for bow season" guys (Boy I didnt hear the end of it when NH only legalized them for rifle season." I sure got him lookin at me cockeyed when I told him I would even like to try recurve hunting :grin: . But my buddy can be a stubborn jackass at times!
Good day,
Brian
P.S. Rmouleart, Ive been curious since I saw you were from NH too. What part o the woods ya from? Im from Manchester myself.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2004, 03:35:18 PM »

I live on the backside of Clarks farm in Bedford, on the Manchester line,off of Ruttlet hill, we are home boyz

Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2004, 04:06:30 PM »

Talk about a small....er internet :grin: . I just found out that the whisker biscuit rest I want is on sale at Cabelas. Once I got it Im heading to Steves Sportsmans den over in Hooksett to get it all tuned and ready. Gotta take my Bowhunters course and start practicing. Im not planning on trying to make the season this year, but my blood is already flowing just thinking about it. A good friend from work, George Reno, loves blackbear hunting in Pittsburgh. He has been hunting the same site for years. His favorite method is bow. He sure has filled my head with all kinds of possibilities :grin: .
Anyways, nice to see a fellow New Hampshirite. Sorry to get a little off topic folks.
Brian M.

mbp708 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2004, 04:05:33 PM »

Dutch, I don't understand the comparison between bows and crossbows as to the ease of use. If that is one of the reasons you are against them then the same comparison could be made beween bows and rifles, does that mean that we should not hunt bows either? Mike

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2004, 10:11:25 AM »

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mbp708 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2004, 12:35:59 PM »

Dutch, I guess I'm missing something because I don't see how legalizing x-bows is hurting wildlife managment. I hunt with a bow and I'm also gonna hunt with a x-bow but that doesn't mean I'm gonna kill more deer because I know that x-bows are not any more accurate or easier to hunt than a bow. And 3 extra days of muzzleloader season during the middle of the week isn't gonna change much either. Wildlife management depends more on the ones hunting not the ones making the laws cause I know my freezer won't be anymore full this year than last.Mike

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2004, 07:05:35 AM »

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mbp708 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2004, 01:50:53 PM »

You wrote: When special interest groups who own Fortune 500 companies have your game laws changed just so that they can sell more product, they are changing the game laws not in the interest of the wildlife and it's management.
I didn't have to put words in your mouth you wrote them on the internet. when you said that changing the game laws (legalizing x-bows) was not in the interest of wildlfe and it's management I took it to mean the same as hurting it. The only reason you say the manner in which it was done is unorthodox is that you are against x-bows plain and simple. Mike

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2004, 08:21:58 AM »

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mbp708 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2004, 03:07:08 PM »

Dutch, I believe you should have said that Dan Moultrie called to voice his displeasure with accusations of running the CAB in an unorthodox manner. The two articles are contradicting because in the first one he is accusing Moultrie of holding secret meeting but in the second he states that he never implied he was running a dirty board. He also talks of Moultrie never being dishonest. So I guess these articles neither prove or disprove anything. Never had too much trust in the media anyway. And no, I do not think you are against technology, just change, based on comments you made on another forum. Mike

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2004, 06:33:41 AM »

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mbp708 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 12, 2004, 09:20:32 AM »

OK Dutch, Since you were questioning my reserch ability in an earlier post, I thought I would do a little, and it seems to me you are talking out both sides of your mouth, You tell me on this forum that if you were king you would legalize all weapons on October 15th and you are not against crossbows but statements like, and I quote "fledgling crossbow crowd" make me think different. And you"re statement about sending a man to the gas chamber without a fair trial because the evidence weighed heavily against him and everyone (except in this case it's just the diehard bowhunters and the anti x-bow crowd) thought he was guilty, is exactly what you are doing to Dan Moltrie and the CAB. And as far as dirty politics seems you are trying a lttle bit of your own and I quote again " if we could get just 300 people to call the legislature it would seem as though the whole world hates crossbows". Statements like those and others are why I say it's not about the way things were done, it's because you don't like the changes that are about to come and will do anything to stop them, even accusations of dirty politics. And no, I don't have any problems with the changes except for the hunting from a vehicle, it could get abused by less than ethical hunters.Mike

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2004, 03:24:52 PM »

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mbp708 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 12, 2004, 07:29:59 PM »

Quote:if people didn't engage in dirty politics, it wouldn't be easy to point out that they have done so.

That is exactly right refering to you not Dan Moultrie or the CAB.

Quote:By the way Mike, just out of curiosity, what do you do for a living?

I work in the communications industry, not that it really matters. What do you do, sales rep for Matthews maybe?

Quote:You've already got your crossbow season, now the only thing left to take is your season.

Being a little paranoid, don't you think?

Quote:The question is, which hunter group will be the next victim, in order that the beast gets to eat dinner.

No, the question is WHICH hunter group was victim here? It wasn't the bowhunters because they had 109 days to hunt last year and they have 109 days to hunt this year. Heres an idea , if you and the rest of the crybaby bowhunters want a true bow only season, lets have it from Oct 15th till Nov 20th when gun season starts then the gun hunters won't have to share the woods with the bowhunters. Cause that is one reason alot of the bowhunters are mad,cause now they will have to share the woods with the x-bow hunters. Heck lets just fight amongst ourselves and then we won't have to worry about it dutch cause there won't be no season at all!! I believe you should be a poster child for the anti hunters. Thought we were all supposed to stick together as hunters. And don't go back to the, "its not the things that were changed , its the how" we are past that now. Mike

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #22 on:** June 13, 2004, 06:00:33 AM »

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mbp708 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 13, 2004, 06:41:19 AM »

Dutch, if the majority of hunters in Alabama were against the use of crossbows as you put it then statements like this one, " if we could get just 300 people to call the legislature it would seem as though the whole world hates crossbows", would not be needed. I do believe the majority of diehard bowhunters and the BHA are against it but that doesn't mean the majority of all hunters in the state are. I don't know about your neck of the woods but around here most people are happy with the new crossbow regs. And lets see, it can be a compound or recurve,uses a string, shoots an arrow, sounds like it is archery equipment to me. The trigger on it ain't no different than a release so the only difference would be the stock which don't make it a rifle. And believe it or not, I do agree with you on a statewide vote on all game and fish laws by the people who are doing the hunting and fishing. Mike

JeffG · « **Reply #24 on:** June 16, 2004, 08:42:45 AM »

While we can debate the pro's and con's of crossbows in this post, please stay away from personal attacks. If a personal argument wants to continue, PM's or email may be more appropriate. Thank you.

Graybeard · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2004, 12:49:15 PM »

Yup guys there will be no name calling or personal attacks allowed here. Stay on topic don't attack each other.

Dutch. I tend to disagree with your assessment of the temperment of the state's hunters. Now the BHA for sure are dead set against it. I'm sure so are those die hards who continue to use their bows once gun season opens. BUT those guys are in the minority in the state. A lot more of us lay down the bows as soon as gun season opens. Most of us are for the cross bows I'll bet.

For me it really is the only way to get back into bow hunting. I've been out of it the past 3 years because I can no longer pull and hold a bow. I need surgery which "might" allow me to again but am putting it off cuz I don't want to be out of commission for the time it takes to recover from rotator cuff surgery. I need it in both shoulders.

BTW I'll bet your compound bow has a trigger also. Yeah it's on your release but it's a trigger just the same. Think about it. The one advantage I see a cross bow has is that you don't have to draw it after seeing game. I'm not dismissing that advantage but it is really not that great either. At some point in the approach of most deer a time comes when you can draw without spooking them. Not all but most. As to the accuracy advantage I don't think so personally. I'd bet most of the guys who shoot regularly can place arrows just as closely as a cross bow shooter can. For sure most tournament shooters can.

I don't know of any changes that have ever been made to the game laws that have been run by the hunters of the state first. Some times a group of folks get vocal enough to effect changes but by and large all changes come about just as these have.

GB

New Hampshire · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2004, 01:13:14 PM »

I sure hope I dont ruffle any feathers, but this is my take on it (and believe me, I understand how Dutch feels about manufacturers trying to make a buck.) The way I feel is thus. I see opening up the season to crossbows as hopefuly generating more interest in hunting. Im only 25, but I already see how our sport is in grave jeopardy. We are losing too precious few of our numbers every year. If opening up bow seasons to crossbows garners intrest in just 25 people, I feel its worth it. I guess you can call me Mr. Nice guy. But Im all for anything that increases intrest in hunting. Now that does not mean I would graciously approve of extending rifle hunts into the same time periods as Bow. But what we all have to remember is that even if a crossbow is "easier" to use and hunt with, the fact remains that it is the guy in the woods who is responsible for finding and killing deer. Just because they have a crossbow does not mean they will tag out easier (or even at all.) By supporting hunting PERIOD, even if you dont approve of certain aspects, presents a solid front to those who wish to take away our rights. A good example is varmint hunting. There are people who wince at the sight of chucks blowing up into little red chunks. But it is a legal and accepted form of hunting.
Here is my example. Blackbear hutning with dogs. I dont see the sport in it. You will never catch me doing it. But if ever it were threatened I would back my fellow hunters %100. Thats because it may not be MY way, but it is THEIR way. And that is good enough for me. I guess Im just trying to point out that our efforts are better used defending our rights rather than fight with each other. But agina,Im pretty much Mr. Nice guy.
Brian M.

markc · « **Reply #27 on:** June 18, 2004, 03:58:12 AM »

Well said Brian M.
markc

jh45gun · « **Reply #28 on:** June 25, 2004, 06:21:32 PM »

All I know is that crossbows allow guys who cannot use a regular bow anymore a way to hunt and shoot. I hunted with a entry level crossbow last year and killed 2 deer with it. ( Barnett Ranger straight prod) I will tell you it is no easier than using a bow and like a bow you have to practice practice practice to get good with one so it has no advantages over a regular bow as far as efficiency goes just easier to use for the folks that are eligable to use either because of handicap or age or if legal for every one in what ever state you live in. To me it is no difference than the muzzle loader controversy. In that case if it loads from the front and shoots the same type of powder and bullets it is a muzzle loader pure and simple in this case if it shoots a arrow or bolt it is a archery product and there should not be any controversy xbow against a regular bow. Reminds me of the traditional archers that had a fit when compounds came into being. Jim

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #29 on:** June 26, 2004, 06:51:50 PM »

Got my new x-bow today.Barnett Rhino Mag.A buddy of mine help me rig it up and sight it in at 35 yrds(BTW,he is from Ga.,where they already had the law).Anyway,first shot after zero-in at 35.kill shot(in the yellow) on deer decoy.I will be practicing every day;after a couple of weeks,I plan on shoting from tree stand.Using 20",xx75 2219 w/125 gr. practice tips.Plan on using Muzzy 125gr.,3 blade 1-3/16 cutters.Dang,I wish Oct. was next week :lol: ....................Rick