What are you guys afraid of?

[jh45gun]

There was a WI Conservation Congress Meeting Last night ( April 11) and the question was about allowing any one to use a crossbow to hunt deer with in WI Now only disabled and folks over 65 can. Needless to say it was voted down in my county 43 No and 2 Yes I was one of the Yes ones State wide the Vote was:
 2,501 Yes
5,681 No

 A guy in our local meeting made the assine statements that crossbows were only a weapon of war never a hunting weapon? Well DUH how about bows and guns both have been used as a weapon of war and the Engish Long bow Archers were pretty darn effective.
 Another made the claim that deer could be shot at 100 yards with them Now anyone knowing that the crossbow is a 40 yards and under weapon no matter what the make or model would have to laugh at this stupid statement. Yea I suppose folks have tried as they have with bows also and a bow might have a better chance as the arrow is heavier to retain some energy with crossbows expecially the ones shooting a shorter arrow or bolt the energy drops off quicker at longer ranges but are effective under normal bow ranges.

Others said that the deer had a better chance with a bow as you had to draw it back therefore showing movement and giving the deer a chance well duh you have movement when you shoulder a crossbow or a gun.

Bottom line is fellas it shoots a arrow with a bow that is horizontal instead of vertical but still shoots a arrow or bolt if you wish but some of the new crossbows use arrows as the nocks are the same as regular arrows.

Some one said well it was unfair because a crossbow could use a scope yea so can bows along with red dots and very fancy pin and peep combinations with fiber optics and without.

Todays fancy compound bows with the really precise aiming systems and the use of releases that aid in the holding back the string with less fatigue along with bows with 80% let off put the newer bows and bow accessories right into the relm of the crossbow except for the stock and being already cocked. The accuracy is there the power is there and the ease of use is there so why the cry that the crossbow is a "evil" weapon and not right for every one/ Another said that if crossbows could be used than no one would use bows anymore well I kinda doubt that there will always be folks who perfer bows. SO what are you guys afraid of???

 Oh by the way I have bow hunted for years and have been very successful at it. I switched to crossbow 2 years ago because I could be cause I have a class A disabled permit to hunt in WI.  Having used both I cannot see what the big deal is as the crossbow is really no more effective than a bow is. They both have their plus'es and Minus'es but they still downrange act the same with folks that know how to shoot their choice or weapons.  Some mistakenly think you cannot miss with a crossbow well wake up time folks you can miss with a crossbow for the same reasons you do with a bow!

[JeffG]

I rellay don't have anything against horizontal archery.  :grin: Some folks just don't like 'em i guess.

[jh45gun]

Seems interesting that a lot of guys on the internet say they are for them or have nothing against them which is great. There still are a lot of folks who do not understand them or do not want them in the woods used by hunters who are not older or handicapped. Jim

[Daveinthebush]

The biggest argument that I have heard is that poachers could use them in vehicles.

I think in time they will be allowed depending on the state.  Just look at the differences between what you can use in a primitive firearms season in different states.  Some have to be flintlocks, some no scopes........

Change takes time and sorry to say, sometimes a lot of time.

[jh45gun]

I have smaller crossbow than some and I would be afraid to shoot it in a vehicle for fear that the arrow or bolt would hit the door or the limbs would strike a window and crack it ect. Who ever makes such statements have never handled a crossbow expecially in a vehicle. They are bulky and take up space just as a bow does.

[JeffG]

I think crossbows have a tarnished image in some respects, but I feel it is undeserved; much like firearm silencers. If you haven't seen a crossbow in action, they are truly remarkable.  Their ability to take game cleanly, and their unique delivery system is very slick.  The crossbow has roots in history as a battle weapon and a tool of the hunter.  After all, you only get to take X number of deer or animals, it is not like crossbow hunters are somehow more likely to take extra game, why not use the tool of your choice?  

[jh45gun]

Very good points Jeff I will say after using one they may seem easier to use than a bow but not really. If you shoot from the ground and hit a twig or what ever you did not see when you released the shot the arrow still deflects like a regular bow. or if you hit the limb while shooting ect. I would say they are no more accurate than the average bow and they drop faster than a bow does. But they have their place and learn their limitations like you do a bow I think there should be no difference on what you use as long as you use it to the best of your ability and to kill the animals as cleanly as possible. jim

[tripper]

jh45, i don't shoot cross bow yet but have friends that do and personally see no advantage to them or any reason that they shouldn't be legal. as was stated the biggest problem is the lack of understanding of them.

[longwinters]

Actually, IMHO, if a group was to push for crossbows they would be wise to ask for it in the muzzleloader season.  No reason for a state not to allow it and at least it allows interested hunters to be able to legally hunt with it.

Long

[dukkillr]

i'm not a fan of crossbows during bow season.  To me they not as challenging as standard bows, and thus belong either in BP season or even rifle season (where you can use them in KS and MO).  I say anyone old or handicapped should be able to use them during bow season.

[New Hampshire]

This is how I look at it.  It does not matter what you are shooting.  A .300 WinMag, on paper, can kill deer a heck of a lot farther than the .30-30 Winchester can.  BUT, what is never accounted for is if the guy with the .30-30 see more deer and fets closer he can kill deer where the guy with the Mag who dose not see deer cant.  Just because you have a certain implement does not automatically make deer appear in front of you.  Thus it is with bows and crossbows.  A crossbow does not maker deer suddenly appear from thin air for you to kill.  They are just as up close a proposition as the bow is, and if you cant get close enough you aint gonna kill deer.  I think the biggest reason a lot of bowhunters who are against them gripe is because they are being selfish and dont want more guys running around during "their" season.  Lets face it, if introducing crossbows to a bow season garners even just a 10% increase in hunter participation, then its worth it.  In case no one has looked lately the number of hunters taking to the woods is quickly fading, and if our sport is to survive we need to adapt, compromise and starting being more open minded.
Brian M.

[jh45gun]

Well I have found out that the Wisconsin Bow Hunters Ass. had a prepared statement about the shooting them at a 100 yards ect. so it was all over the state they tried this scare tactic. Like I said I am disabled so I will be able to use mine no matter what but I am no happy with a small group of bowhunters trying to sway the masses with their bullcrap. Further more the statments of folks saying ok you can use them but not in OUR early archery season is BS. Maybe I want to hunt with my xbow during early Oct also,  Instead of in Dec. Jim

[myronman3]

here is my take on it...

folks in wisconsin should be able to use crossbows in both muzzleloader season, or rifle season, or for small game.  

i personally aint comfortable with letting everyone use them for archery season.   we have a very long archery season here, so that archers have a nice long season.   too many look for the easiest way out there.   now before you start off about how crossbows are no more effective than a compound, i think the gadgets and technology has gone too far with archery now.  so if i had my way,  compound users wouldnt have as long a season, either.    now i bet i have made alot of friends.   archery used to be about hunting.  to many, it is about the new technological gadgets out this year.   i think crossbows just to be the next step in that direction.  

but i would agree that we have some dumb rules in wisconsin concerning them.  i would love to see small game hunting opened up to them.

[williek]

I have hunted with bows for forty years, in both Minn and Wis.
I started with long bows, went to recurves then to compounds.  After having both knees replaced, and both shoulders rebuild I was forced to go to cross bows or not hunt at all.
It takes more time and practice to get really good with a vertical bow than it does with a cross bow, but never think you don't have to put in plenty of time with the crossbow to know your weapon.
I could shoot accurately and farther with a long bow than I can with a crossbow, and I have quality Barnett crossbows.
With me shooting, the vertical bow was a forty yard weapon. (all arrows on a eight inch paper plate- none out) The crossbow is a thirty yard weapon- same requirements.
Everything else is exactly the same. All the huntings skills, all the knowledge of scouting the woods and where to place your stands. All the calling techniques- everything!
There is no advantage to using a crossbow.  I really wish my body were good enough to go back to the vertical bow.  I envy those of you who can.
And finally, just for the fun of it all, do you know what I would go back to??  The Longbow!  No sights, no gimicks, no nothing, just two sticks and a string.  That was the most fun of them all, and I see in the magazines that alot of hunters are going back to them.
Good luck to all, and I hope everyone of you get your deer this fall.
williek