Great News

[Tinlodge]

I am pleased to report that the 2014-15 NYS Budget – pending final approval by the Legislature - will make crossbows a legal hunting implement once again in New York State.

The budget language will allow crossbow use for all small game and any big game season that includes firearms. We will also have crossbow use in the last 14 days of the Southern Zone and the last 10 days of the Northern Zone early archery seasons. In addition, the archery set back is changed to 150' for archery and 250' for crossbows. Unfortunately, Suffolk and Westchester counties are once again eliminated from the crossbow inclusion.

More will be forthcoming in an official press release.

Congratulations to all and I thank everyone that made the calls, sent emails and wrote letters to get us to this point.

Best Regards,
Rick McDermott
New York Crossbow Coalition
www.nycrossbowcoalition.com

[BizCT]

Awesome news, too bad about Westchester though.

 

Also, this mean Belo gets a crack at "my deer" during archery season before me. LOL

[sits in trees]

Yes good news and seems pretty fair.

[Shedder]

This is beautiful news!  Thank you Rick for everything you have done for us!!  Hey I can give up my Kentucky lease!

[Culvercreek hunt club]

not to derail this but since you were lumping a lot more than the crossbow in that post, Was there any word on the fate of the youth hunt?

[apoallo]

Thanks for all the hardwork by crossbow coalition!!!!

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[ants]

It was just a matter of time.

[hunter49]

   Good News,  Thank you  Mr. McDermott

[greg54]

Finally great news. Thank you NY CROSSBOW COALITION.

[LI OUTDOORSMAN]

Awesome news that we've been waiting for..too bad for Suffolk and Westchester these areas seem like such a no brainer for crossbows...Can't figure that one out..

[Perchlake]

Great news thanks for all your hard work

[wooly]

Sweeeet!!!

[Vince1]

Sweet. Now to get a crossbow

[GreeneHunter]

Can that be found on the DEC website yet ?

 

[jjb4900]

Can that be found on the DEC website yet ?

looks like it still needs to be approved by the legislature, until that's done, it's not a done deal.

[Sogaard]

I am pleased to report that the 2014-15 NYS Budget – pending final approval by the Legislature - will make crossbows a legal hunting implement once again in New York State.

The budget language will allow crossbow use for all small game and any big game season that includes firearms. We will also have crossbow use in the last 14 days of the Southern Zone and the last 10 days of the Northern Zone early archery seasons. In addition, the archery set back is changed to 150' for archery and 250' for crossbows. Unfortunately, Suffolk and Westchester counties are once again eliminated from the crossbow inclusion.

More will be forthcoming in an official press release.

Congratulations to all and I thank everyone that made the calls, sent emails and wrote letters to get us to this point.

Best Regards,

Rick McDermott

New York Crossbow Coalition

www.nycrossbowcoalition.com

 

 

That sounds awful familiar!

 

 

They could always come to some sort of compromise:

 

Bow season is about 6 weeks long now.  Let it be vertical only for the first 3 or 4 weeks, then open it up to x-bows for the rest of the seasons.  Both sides should hate that idea, which is usually a good litmus test for something fair.  

[Zhe Wiz]

Yeah I'm annoyed that xbows won't be allowed for the entirety of archery season as they should be, BUT if it goes thru, foot is in the door and Belo will be pissed, so it won't be all bad. :-)

Zhe Wiz

[Four Season Whitetail's]

Yeah I'm annoyed that xbows won't be allowed for the entirety of archery season as they should be, BUT if it goes thru, foot is in the door and Belo will be pissed, so it won't be all bad. :-)

Zhe Wiz

Its ok. They will be ready for the best parts of the season!

[Five Seasons]

I never said no to a compromise and always admitted it was inevitable. That doesn't mean I like it.

I find it odd the crossbow has a greater setback distance... I mean considering they're the same as a compound bow and all

[Zhe Wiz]

I find it odd the crossbow has a greater setback distance... I mean considering they're the same as a compound bow and all

Yeah, like politicians making that distinction means anything. And they're not the same, they're better, which is why I want to use one. :-)

Zhe Wiz

[Five Seasons]

If they can't make that distinction, why are they capable of deciding which weapon should be legal?

[Zhe Wiz]

Honestly? They shouldn't be. Remember these are the same people that brought you the UNsafe Act. Politicians do what will get them elected not what's logical or right.

Zhe Wiz

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I find it odd the crossbow has a greater setback distance... I mean considering they're the same as a compound bow and all

It makes sense to me. I think many that will use them may be aged hunters who for the same reasons that they can't use a compound anymore will also pass on tree stands. Shooting on a more horizontal plane I can see a longer set back

[nyslowhand]

Lot of misconceptions about the performance of a Xbow. Plenty of bad, misinformed types of propoganda used by lobbying groups opposed to Xbows. It's a proven fact that compound bows have a superior arrow trajectory beyond 30yds than do Xbows. So, the additional setback is just an example of why our legislators have no clue on this subject, other than what misinformation is being supplied to them. Unfortunately this damned subject became a political "hot potato". Pretty sure everyone (hunters), whether for or against Xbows, can agree this matter should have been put in the hands of the DEC 2-3 years ago.

 

Bob - IMHO, think we'll see a lot of typically regular season gun hunters getting into Xbows to take advantage of the earlier season and more of the "prime-time" rut dates. Then after these newbies find out shooting a Xbow is not like shooting a rifle like certain anti groups claim, they'll give them up.

 

If you've every handled a Xbow, they're heavy, awkward, unbalanced, difficult to carry any distance and basically not ideal for stalking The more horizontal shots while blind hunting is a different situation. Guess I'm predicting (?) Xbows won't be used any differently than compounds, regarding the individual's hunting style. More than likely you'll hunt the same after getting a Xbow as you did before their implementation..!

[Meat Manager]

Seems like a pretty fair compromise for now. I'm happy that my dad and grandfather and anyone else who cant draw a compound or prefers scope sights might be able to hunt during the archery season up here in New York.

I also agree that anyone who thinks xbow = easy has never used a xbow. They are awkward, especially cocked and many people need a shooting rail or pod to maintain accuracy. I prefer my short ATA bow out of an open hang on any day.

I still support the use of them and will applaud the legislature should it be approved.

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Edited March 29, 2014 by Meat Manager