Arguments Against The Xbow

[kurt]

Thanks to smj we have discussed some of the issues faced in trying to get the Xbow legal. (issues being WHAT we face) Here, I would like to address some of the "arguments" against the Xbow.

I will post one argument each day, - along with the facts pertaining to that argument. Or at least the facts as I see them, which my be nothing more then my opinion. --- So for starters

Argument: - Crossbows are a poachers tool.

Fact: - So is "every" other weapon. (& yes this includes vertical bows) Poachers are in the first place NON law abiding citizens. You will not stop outlaws from poaching by preventing law abiding hunters from using the same weapon they use to poach with. The weapon does not choose the poacher, - the poacher chooses the weapon. Making it illegal to hunt with a rife, because poachers poach with them, wont stop poaching. It only prevents the legal hunter from hunting.

[rreda]

kurt said:

Fact: - So is "every" other weapon. (& yes this includes vertical bows) Poachers are in the first place NON law abiding citizens. You will not stop outlaws from poaching by preventing law abiding hunters from using the same weapon they use to poach with. The weapon does not choose the poacher, - the poacher chooses the weapon. Making it illegal to hunt with a rife, because poachers poach with them, wont stop poaching. It only prevents the legal hunter from hunting.

Fully agree with you on this. Bad guys will be bad guys mo matter whar tool they use

[BT]

I think it's mostly a stupid poachers tool to be honest.
A short ata compound is easier to contain and shoot than a crossbow.
Most people who say this dont even know what they are talking about in relation to what they envision.
Nearly 100% of people who have said this to me say the following....
[yellow] You can just stick them out the window and shoot[/yellow]
I'd like to see that , I really would ;D
trying to slip a 22" wide bow through a window or trying to shoot inside the cab would be not only dangerous but stupid to boot.

Back home the best jackers use .22 bullets to take thier deer .....at least the ones that dont get caught do

[awshucks]

Some stats a little dated perhaps, but still give facts for those interested:

During a five-year period in the 1990’s, 633 hunting implements used during the commission of wildlife violations were seized by wildlife officers in Ohio. Firearms accounted for 95% (602); vertical bows accounted for 2.7% (17); and crossbows accounted for 2.2% (14).

Which proves if nothing else there is a bozo on every bus.

[BT]

LOL!

[kurt]

Argument; - Crossbows are unsafe.

FACT: So is "EVERY" other weapon, when placed in the hands of a foolhardy negligent individuals. I don't know of a single weapon that is unsafe, "until" it is picked up & held in the hands of a person. Safe "weapon" handling is the responsibility of the handler & in the hands of a foolhardy/negligent individual, "any & all" weapons are dangerous. --- Maybe we should make buying & owning sharp knives illegal!!! Today, someone is likely to cut them self dicing potatoes!!! You can't stop foolhardy/negligent's by punishing responsibility!!!

[BT]

kurt said:

You can't stop foolhardy/negligent's by punishing responsibility!!!

AMEN

[kurt]

Myth: Crossbows are to easy to shoot. --- Fact: This is nothing more then a smoke & mirrors argument in an attempt to make hunting with an Xbow look unethical. - If "shooting" difficulty (as opposed to "shot" logistics) is the foundation that makes hunting ethical, - or not, - then maybe we need to reexamine ALL hunting laws & especially that of the compound bow. Maybe we need to go back to allowing only the use of long bows &/or recurve bows & allowed to shoot only arrows made with wood shafts & stone napped broad heads & only one site pin with a site knot tied to the bow string. - After all, - all modern &/or new technology advancement in the field of archery are "in fact" advancements to make "shooting" easier!!! Aluminum & carbon arrows with modern broad heads, multiple fiber optic site pins, trigger releases & "compound" bows, that have gone from 60 to 80 % let off, are all technological advancement that make "shooting" easier!!! The fact is, that "shot" logistics, determines the hunting season weapon type (modern rifle, muzzle loader, archery) After that, the question of shooting, - to make it an ethical shot, - can only really be answered by the individual & his "right" to choose from the equipment available based on his own ability. Advanced equipment technology does make my shooting easier, - but it also makes my shooting more ethical. - And isn't that what hunting laws should really take into consideration?

On the other hand, the argument "could" be made be made, that long bows & recurve bows should be removed from archery season because "they are to difficult to shoot" & therefore a better chance of wounding an animal & that with today advances in technology they just simply are not necessary any more

Kurt

[BT]

On the other hand, the argument "could" be made be made, that long bows & recurve bows should be removed from archery season because "they are to difficult to shoot" & therefore a better chance of wounding an animal & that with today advances in technology they just simply are not necessary any more

____________

We could cut through alot of speculation by simply requiring proficiency testing for each weapon and selling equipment specific tags for the licences.
Personally speaking....there are alot of stick bow hunters that would welcome the demise of any modern equipment so by days end we would be left with only our cars with which to collect our venison

[kurt]

Argument: Crossbow hunting will squeeze other hunters out.

Fact: Doesn't this contradicts their own words when they say that the purpose of their clubs is to "promote" hunting.

On more of a personal note, this goes to much of what we have been discussing, - More fear based then fact based & wanting to protect privilege as a right, while at the same time denying others the right to the same privilege.