Expansion of crossboews in WI

[2chucks2]

It looks as though WI might have crossbow hunting for all ages and all abilities sooner than even I thought it might. This push is not coming from the crossbow manufacturers as is typically claimed. It is coming from hunters who want to use the weapon but it not coming from deer hunters. Back in spring, both the WI NWTF and the WI bear hunters voted to seek a rules change that would allow those two species to be hunted with a crossbow by all persons if they so choose.

In WI both of these species can be hunted within there respective seasons with firearms as well as archery gear so these two orgs voted to seek the use of crossbows as well. The Wisconsin Bowhunters Assoc. is opposed to the use of crossbows during archery season for deer and I don't blame them for taking this stance. The issue here is that, turkey hunters enjoy both a spring and fall season, The fall season now runs concurrently with the early archery season for deer. The bear season is also a fall season that runs during archery season for deer. If this request is granted and rules change allowing all persons of all abilities to use a crossbow, You could see turkey hunters and bear hunters hunting with crossbows, right along side bowhunters seeking deer.

I can foresee the potential of this scenario happening. Joe the hunter while using his crossbow is sitting in his tree stand or ground blind with a turkey tag, a bear tag and an archery deer tag in his pocket. While he waits, a deer comes within range so he shoots it and as some hunters do, he leaves the area before trailing the deer. He goes back to his vehicle and retrieves his vertical bow, leaves the crossbow behind and takes up the blood trail. I don't think it is a stretch to think this might happen and the temptation would certainly be their.

If the rules change passes, then I see either a change in dates for the seasons to avoid the overlap or a fast track for the crossbow to be added to the regular deer archery season.

[BT]

I can see that scenario as well.
I hope that they will construct this wording to make the use of the crossbow a simple thing without the need or ability to work around laws that restrict.
Good news IMO

[2chucks2]

Well the meeting took place on Saturday between the Wisconsin Bear hunters Assoc, The WI NWTF, the WI Hunters Rights Coalition and the WI bowhunters Assoc. In the end, they agreed to pursue language that is similar to that of some states out West and that is that hunters may use a lesser weapon than what the season allows. If the season allows the use of a gun such as bear and turkey hunting, one would be able to use a crossbow and is already able to use a vertical bow. This would then hold true for the Firearms season and muzzleloader season for deer. This strategy would protect the archery season from crossbows. I think this was a good compromise and satisfies all concerned.

[kurt]

The real solution here is to make the crossbow legal & equal to vertical bows durring the deer archery season. After all, - the real truth is that when it comes to the logistics of the shot, there is absolutly no difference between the two. The fact is whether shooting Xbow or Vbow the deer most be within the very same range (40 yards or less) the shot must be absolutly clear of obstruction & the exact same skills must be put into play to git the shot

[BT]

Thats about the whole of it.
I see the crossbow as being more limited than the vertical bow personally.
It's like a muzzle loader.....a one shot deal.

[kurt]

2chucks2 posted; - This strategy would protect the archery season from crossbows. I think this was a good compromise and satisfies all concerned.

I take it that you don't think that xbow should be considered the same &/or equal to Vbow for hunting. I am interested in your reason why? Also, do you belong to any archery clubs?

[BT]

I cant speak for 2Chucks2 but I can say that he is one of the most dedicated and involved individuals that I have know on the net.
Whatever he says is well thought out on both sides of the issue and inclusive.
It may be some time before you see a response to your question of him and that's why I am throwing up this food for thought on his behalf.

[kurt]

Thanks for the reply, you wrote; - he (2Chucks2) is one of the most dedicated and involved individuals that I have know on the net.

The Xbow - Vbow issue has been a controversial issue & is becoming even more controversial. There are dedicated and involved individuals on both sides of the issue. So its not a question of dedication &/or involvement, but rather a question of position taken on the issue. People (in general) are dedicated and involved in all sorts of issues (pick any hot button issue) but that does not mean that the position they take on the issue is right.

You wrote; - Whatever he says is well thought out on both sides of the issue and inclusive. - However 2Chucks2 wrote; - "This strategy would protect the archery season from crossbows"

This does not sound inclusive, rather it sounds restrictive &/or exclusive which is why I asked 2Chucks2 to better explain his position. Specifically, why he feels that archery season needs to be protected from crossbows?

Kurt

[BT]

I understand....just wanted to give you some background as to his mind set in general.

I will have to go out on a limb and say that it is a Salomon approach to the subject and that by trying to include the crossbow in the archery season , you are fighting an uphill battle against the majority of bowhunters as well as others.
By allowing the crossbow to be engaged outside of the archery season , the person that wants to hunt with the crossbow will have the opportunity to do so.

On a personal note.....this is not my idea of what can be done or should be done.

[kurt]

Hi BT

you wrote; - I understand....just wanted to give you some background as to his mind set in general.

The comment by 2chucks2 that archery season needs to be "protected" from crossbows, in its self, gives me a general idea of where his mind set is. What I am wondering, is "why" he thinks (&/or feels) that xbow should not be equally included in the archery season. I have been checking out some of the other discussion forums on the subject, - & from what I can see, - most of the arguments against xbow are based on sentiment & fear , - rather then facts & truth. --- I am "always" open to listening to another persons view &/or position (meaning that I am not always right ether) so am looking foreword to hearing what 2chucks2 has to say.

you wrote; - by trying to include the crossbow in the archery season , you are fighting an uphill battle against the majority of bowhunters as well as others.

You might be right about the up hill battle, but there are some very dedicated & involved people on the xbow side of this controversy, - so we will see!!! --- concerning the "majority" of bowhunters as well as others, being against xbow being included in the archery season, - I am not so sure this is really true ether. What is true, is that most (if not all) archery "clubs" are against the inclusion of xbow. The truth here is that clubs really only represent their club, - not the general public & these clubs really make up only a few of the real number of archers. --- Example; - here in Washington state there are around 23,000 archery license sold each year, - the Washington State Archers Assos. is made up of 800 members which is less then 4 % of the total archers. I talk to people (archers, hunters in general & people in general) "every" chance I get, - & so far, I have yet to find anyone that thinks xbow should be excluded from the archery season. In fact most everyone I talk to, think that the position against xbow is a selfish position. At least that has been my personal experience in general conversation outside of archery "club" members.

you wrote; - By allowing the crossbow to be engaged outside of the archery season , the person that wants to hunt with the crossbow will have the opportunity to do so.

True, - but at "great disadvantage" to the crossbow hunter!!!

Kurt