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Any one seen the new crossbow by Excalibur called Twinstrike. Thoughts on the design? I for one feel it definitely takes this out of the bow category. Will be launched today.

DEC FINALIZES RULE CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT NEW CROSSBOW HUNTING LAW New Regulations Now in Effect for Fall 2014 The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has adopted final regulation changes to ensure that the crossbow is a legal implement for the fall 2014 hunting seasons, Commission Joe Martens announced today. These regulations are adopted under new state law which authorizes DEC to allow big game (deer and bear) and small game hunting with a crossbow under certain conditions. “The new law that authorizes the use of crossbows for hunting demonstrates Governor Cuomo’s commitment to increasing hunting opportunities here in New York State,” said Commissioner Martens. “Crossbow hunting is growing across the country and the new law expands the opportunities for hunters to use crossbows when hunting in New York.” The final regulations adopted today include the following: General Crossbows may not be used for hunting any wildlife in Suffolk, Nassau, or Westchester counties. Crossbows may be used only by licensees who are 14 years of age or older. With landowner permission, crossbows may be discharged within 250 feet of a home, school building or playground, public structure, farm structure in use, or occupied factory or church. A crossbow may not be possessed in or on a motor vehicle unless it is un-cocked. When you are in a vehicle and using a spotlight to look at wildlife, a crossbow may not be possessed unless it is unstrung or taken down or securely fastened in a case or locked in the trunk of the vehicle. Anyone hunting with a crossbow must have: 1. completed a Standard Hunter Education course offered by DEC on or after April 1, 2014; OR 2. completed a DEC-approved on-line or other training program (e.g., material provided in the annual hunting guide). Hunters must carry a signed self-certification in the field when hunting with a crossbow as proof of compliance. Crossbows may not be used to take carp or any other fish species. Crossbow Specifications A legal crossbow consists of a bow and string, either compound or recurve, that launches a minimum 14-inch bolt or arrow, not including point, mounted upon a stock with a trigger that holds the string and limbs under tension until released. The trigger unit of a crossbow must have a working safety. The minimum limb width of a crossbow is 17 inches (measured from the widest part of the limbs, un-cocked). Crossbows must have a minimum peak draw weight of 100 pounds and a maximum peak draw weight of 200 pounds. The minimum overall length of a crossbow from butt-stock to front of limbs shall be 24 inches. Big Game Crossbows may not be used to take deer or bear in WMU 4J in Albany County, WMU 8C in Monroe County, or any part of Suffolk, Nassau or Westchester counties. For licensing, the new law treats crossbows as a “muzzleloader.” Hunters must possess a muzzleloader hunting privilege to legally hunt with a crossbow during any muzzleloader season OR during open portions of the early bowhunting seasons. The muzzleloader license privilege is not required when hunting with a crossbow during the early bear season or the regular firearms seasons. Crossbows may be used to take bear during the early bear season, early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone, regular firearms seasons in the Northern and Southern Zones, and the late muzzleloader season in the Southern Zone. Crossbows may be used to take deer during: early and late muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone and late muzzleloader season in the Southern Zone using Bow/Muzzleloader tags, deer management permits (DMPs), deer management assistance permit tags (DMAPs), or an unfilled Regular Big Game tag (late season only); regular firearms seasons using a Regular Big Game tag, DMPs, or DMAP tags. Crossbows may also be used to take deer or bear during limited portions of bowhunting seasons as follows, provided that the hunter possesses the muzzleloading privilege: During the last 14 days of the early bowhunting season in the Southern Zone (i.e., November 1 - November 14, 2014); During the last 10 days of the early bowhunting season in the Northern Zone (i.e., October 15 - October 24, 2014; this includes the 7-day early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone); Only Bow/Muzzloader tags, DMPs or DMAPs may be used during these times. Junior big game hunters (age 14-15) may not use a crossbow to take a deer during the Youth Deer Hunt weekend (October 11 - 13, 2014). Adult mentors who accompany a junior big game hunter on the Youth Deer Hunt weekend may not possess a crossbow or firearm while afield on those days. Small Game Wild turkey - crossbows may be used to hunt wild turkey in either the fall or spring. Crossbows may not be used to take waterfowl or other migratory game birds. Crossbows may not be possessed afield in the Northern Zone when hunting small game (except coyotes) with the aid of a dog or when accompanied by a dog. Crossbows may be used to take any other small game or upland game birds during their respective open seasons, or to take unprotected wildlife (e.g., red squirrels and woodchucks) at any time. Details of the final rule can be viewed in the August 27, 2014 publication of the New York State Register and on DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#Part1Part2p. For a general summary of the law, see DEC’s information on crossbow hunting at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html. DEC’s position on crossbow use for deer hunting is provided in Appendix 5 of the NYS Deer Management Plan (www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/deerplan2012.pdf). With the purchase of a 2014-2015 sporting license, on sale as of August 4, 2014, New York hunters will receive copies of the new Hunting and Trapping Law and Regulations Guide, and the new crossbow regulations are clearly described in the Guide. The Guide features information on the educational requirements for hunters using crossbows. Hunters are required to read the safety information available in the Guide and on the DEC website, and certify that they have done so. This certification must be carried when afield hunting with a crossbow. Crossbow hunters should carefully read all of the information in the Guide to ensure that they are in full compliance with the new regulations. Governor Cuomo signed into law the changes to the Environmental Conservation Law in April, 2014. DEC’s final regulations maximize the use of crossbows allowed under the law’s provisions. The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the State. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing, and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, this year’s budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers, and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds, and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the State’s fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State. This year’s budget also reduces short-term fishing license fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders, and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders. This post has been promoted to an article

Hate to be the pessimist here, but any 2020 Xbow legislation appears to be going the exact same route as previous 5 years. Last year's legislative bills had different verbiage &/or provisions, kudos to NYCC! Bills still died in both the House & Senate's Enviro Conser sub-committees. As of early January 2020 the same bills were refereed to those dreaded, slow death sub-committees ... again. Am I waking up to a new day (year) with new hopes that will eventually end as the previous day (year) did? Love to get some input on this thread from NYCC about how I might expect this year to be different than previous 5yrs. Just difficult to be encouraged when Xbow hunters seem to be in a reoccurring Groundhog's Day (legislative) cycle. Clearly we do NOT need to beat this dead horse again with strong opinions from Pro vs Con members. Looking for suggestions about how to break this cycle.

Strictly an FYI for those wondering whatz going on this year. Not meant as an open invitation to express your pro/con opinion, yet again! We all know where everyone stands, many times over! Got this notice from NYCC when cking my eMail late Wed evening. Most interesting provision, if I'm reading correctly, is to allow the DEC to implement Xbow useage, seasons, a legal implement, etc. The bad news is these bills were refereed to each house's Enviro Cons sub-committee. With only ~13 working days left before summer recess, it'd be some unheard of "swift actions" by our NYS legislators to get these bills thru the approval process & on Czar Andy's desk. I'm still unclear about the reference to a "special archery season", WTH is it!?! Anyways, here's the cut/paste body of the announcement, with membership & leg contact pleas omitted... New Crossbow Bills Introduced Last week Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and Senator Jen Metzger introduced crossbow bills. These bills are not full inclusion but they offer significant movement toward it. A7627 (Woerner)/S5818 (Metzger) What do these bills do? Changes crossbow to the bowhunting privilege from the muzzleloader privilege Replaces the special longbow season with a special archery season and adds crossbow Allows 12 - 15 year olds to hunt with a crossbow (removes the prior prohibition on 12 and 13 year old's) Authorizes those 55 years old or older to use a crossbow in a special archery season Authorizes those physical unable to draw a longbow as determined by a physician to use a crossbow in a special archery season Allows youth to hunt wild small game and wild upland birds with a crossbow Changes the term bolt to arrow Removes the 200 lb maximum draw weight and the minimum 17" width restriction Repeals the prohibition on the use of mechanical devise with a bow and authorization (permit) for disabled hunters to use crossbows which may be discharged only using one's breath Authorizes DEC to adopt regulations authorizing the taking of wildlife using a crossbow and to include a summary of such regulations in the hunting syllabus Reduces the setback to discharge a crossbow to 150 feet consistent with a long bow

Starting to look at entering the field of crossbow hunting. I've done a little research, but I figured I would ask the masses for their opinion. I was looking at something middle of the road and a recurve for easy of maintenance. Crossbow will be primarily used out of a treestand as well. The Excalibur Grizzly has been on my radar. Anyone have any thoughts on this bow or something similar? Not looking to break the bank, and I'm not set on the recurve just seemed like an easy entry point for someone like myself.

I am selling a Ten Point Crossbow Blazer HP package. Excellent bow, ready to shoot. Comes with 3X scope, sling, ACUdraw, 4 bolts and 3 broadheads. I live in NJ but hunt in the Catskills. I will be traveling to Margaretville Friday morning and can bring the bow up the NYS Thruway thru Kingston and Route 28 West to Arkville if anyone is interested. Priced to sell at 500.00 Text for pictures or feel free to call me and speak with me the old fashion way. 732-330-2004 Jimmy

Going upstate (from nyc) for Spring Gobbler this weekend I've never hunted for spring gobbler, nor in NY, we usually go to PA during deer season Just got all my tags and permits, and were going to be heading up to Dutchess County on Friday As of now we intended on going to the Taconic-Herford Multiple use area, also considering the Baxtertown Woods WMA and Taconic State park Are these good spots to hunt? Does anyone know of any Public land out in / around Dutchess County with a healthy gobbler population ( not asking for your hotspot, just a vague location or park to go to that allows crossbow / bow hunting) Also any advice? I have a mouth call that I've actually (I think) gotten pretty good with (been practicing).. Wondering things like how far should we walk in from the road? how long do you sit before moving on to a new spot? Do you walk around and call and then post up, or post then call.. I've heard of both not sure which is better! It's not too late in the season right?.. I hear New York Gobblers move up until late june Also what time is the best to go.. We intended on going at sundown. Sorry if i sound un-experienced, I am, just got into hunting last year. Any Advice is Greatly appreciated.. Mostly need a good location to hunt, but any advice will be more then helpful!! Thanks in advance

Wanted to put this topic in the crossbow thread, but guess it's more PC to be here. PC within a political thread, sort of a double negative..! LOL Feel bad for you Long Islanders he represented for years, but us crossbow enthusiasts are getting the last laugh. FYI - He was biggest legislative opponent to crossbows while the chair of the Enviro Cons sub-committee and chiefly responsible for its' current FUBAR status of implementation. Sadly, this is only one in a long line of (reportedly?) corrupt NYS legislators. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/nyregion/dean-skelos-new-york-senate-leader-and-his-son-are-said-to-face-arrest-next-week.html

When bow-hunting education became "mandatory" It was done so for many reasons. According to the DEC it was enacted, to promote ethical shots, to train hunters to blood trail, how an arrow actually harvests game and also to ensure the general public that "archers" were safe and ethical. It was NOT grandfathered to any archer, no matter how long they had hunted. Fast forward thirty years and now we can shoot deer with arrows with no regard to ethical shot placement, blood trailing etc. Does it bother anyone else that some sort of "archery education" class is not Mandatory to hunt with a crossbow? I work at a major sporting goods store where I sell both conventional compound, and crossbows as well. While I am NOT anti crossbow, I am ANTI hunting deer with an arrow, when no education on how an arrow harvests animals is mandatory. I must listen to story after story of 40 and 50 yard shots at deer facing the hunters, shots taken at the neck, shoulders etc. I feel it is tragic that the NYS legislation does not mandate a course on how an arrow harvests game, and blood trailing (at a minimum) for anyone who wishes to hunt with a crossbow. Do we no longer care about how archers are perceived by the general public, or has the abundance of deer in NY clouded our views on what an ethical hunter should be regardless of the type of "bow" that delivers the arrow?

With new state legislation authorizing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to allow taking of big game (deer and bear) or small game by the use of a crossbow at certain times and places in New York, DEC is now accepting public comment on proposed regulation changes so crossbows may be a legal implement for the fall 2014 hunting seasons. DEC will accept written public comment on the proposed hunting rule changes through July 21, 2014. “Crossbow hunting is growing across the country and Governor Cuomo’s commitment to increase hunting opportunities here in New York State is demonstrated by the signing of the new law to authorize the use of crossbows for hunting under certain circumstances,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. Specifically, the law changes authorize DEC to: Allow the take of deer and bear by the use of a crossbow during a limited portion of the early bowhunting seasons (14 days at the end of the existing bowhunting season in the Southern Zone, and 10 days in the Northern Zone) and during any big game hunting season in which use of a firearm (shotgun, rifle or muzzleloader) is allowed, except for the Youth Deer Hunting weekend and the January firearms deer season on Long Island. Allow the take of small game mammals, wild turkey and other upland game birds by the use of a crossbow during their respective hunting seasons. DEC’s proposed rule changes also clarify the technical descriptions of a legal crossbow and the license privilege and training requirements for any person hunting with a crossbow, as specified in legislation. The new law prohibits all hunting with crossbows in Suffolk, Nassau and Westchester counties or in the archery-only portions of Albany and Monroe counties, and DEC’s proposed rule reflects these restrictions. Details of the proposed rule can be viewed in the June 4, 2014 publication of the New York State Register and on DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#Part1Part2p. For a general summary of the law, see DEC’s information on crossbow hunting at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/68802.html. DEC’s position on crossbow use for deer hunting is provided in Appendix 5 of the NYS Deer Management Plan (www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/deerplan2012.pdf). Governor Cuomo signed the changes to Environmental Conservation Law in April, 2014. DEC’s proposal maximizes the use of crossbows allowed under law’s provisions. Citizens who wish to make formal public comments through July 21 may do so by sending an email to: [email protected] (include “crossbow regulations” in the subject line) or by writing to: Mr. Bryan L. Swift, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754. The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, this year’s budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State. This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders. This post has been promoted to an article

Not sure if this has been posted but too important to chance...This was on the Excalibur site today IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE ABOUT EXCALIBUR MATRIX 405 CROSSBOW RECALL It has come to our attention that the potential exists for accidental discharge to occur in some of our Matrix 405 crossbows sold after January 1, 2014. This appears to involve the sear contacts wearing prematurely due to a differential in hardness between the two sear contact areas within the trigger mechanism. As a result, the crossbow may fire when an arrow/bolt is in place, but without the trigger being depressed. At Excalibur, we have the utmost concern for the safety of our customers, and we are taking immediate action to address this situation by recalling all Matrix 405 crossbows purchased after January 1, 2014 and repairing them at our expense. If you purchased a Matrix 405 after January 1, 2014, please do the following: Stop using your Matrix 405 crossbow immediately. If you can, return it to the dealer from whom you purchased it. If this is not convenient, we ask that you ship it back to us at our expense. If you are shipping the crossbow to us, please call our customer service department at 800-463-1817 to address the shipping cost and obtain a return authorization number to aid in tracking the process. U.S. customers please ship your crossbow to either one of our US Warranty locations; Woody's Sporting Goods, 35 Werner St., Wernersville, PA 19565, or Horizontal Archery, 37432 Fifth Ave., Sardis, OH, 43946. Canadian customers please ship your crossbow to Excalibur Crossbow, 2335 Shirley Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, N2b 3X4. To ship your crossbow, please remove the front limb unit using the two riser mount bolts under the front of the mainframe, remove the scope and rings using the nuts which clamp the rings to the scope mount, and remove the quiver mount. The stock unit can then be securely packaged and shipped to the appropriate address for inspection and repair. If you have any questions about this process, please contact our customer service department at 800-463-1817. Once we have received your crossbow, we will repair and return it to you as quickly as possible, also at our expense. We at Excalibur sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by this situation, and we will strive to quickly and effectively correct the issue so that you can continue to enjoy your Matrix 405 crossbow. Thank you for your patience and understanding with this issue.

NY doesn't do an adequate job of defining hunters w/ disablities as far as archery is concerned and they don't make exceptions. My father who was avid archery hunter for my entire life had to have a spine neck surgery that left him incapable of not just pulling a bow back but holding it out with either arm to shoot thus negating him as a NY archer because the crossbow law. Last year in the middle of archery season I was injured requiring 3 shoulder operations. After hours on the phone with the dec these were the tops suggestions they gave me. 1.)Use a gun 2.)Learn to shoot left handed (I injured both shoulders) 3.)Use the little device that you cock it with your foot and then use you it like a crossbow(Bad shoulders can't hold a bow out) 4.)Crossbow during rifle season 5.)Hunt in PA 6.)Better luck next year! I'm not a pro-crossbow person and this isn't what this is about. It's about the fact this state doesn't help the handicap

Hi Everyone, Does anyone know whether there are any practice target ranges in Southern New York that allow crossbows? I have called and checked on every bow range in the region and only one (Extreme Archery in Mammaroneck) allows crossbows. I bring my own crossbow target when I go there. Thanks.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that it has adopted a five-year deer management plan. The final plan, which has been revised based on public comment on a previously released draft version, is now available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7211.html. “White-tailed deer are an important and valued natural resource for New Yorkers,” Commissioner Joe Martens said. “DEC’s new deer management plan provides strategic direction for our staff over the next five years and will help us focus our efforts where they can best meet the biological and social demands associated with deer. This plan emphasizes the importance of hunting for deer management, and we are particularly excited to create new opportunities for young deer hunters,” Martens said. “We are also cognizant of the significant ecological impacts associated with deer, and we are eager to more fully bring our knowledge of these impacts into the population management process.” The plan describes six primary goals that encompass the current priorities for deer management and the values and issues expressed by the public: • Manage deer populations at levels that are appropriate for human and ecological concerns; • Promote and enhance deer hunting as an important recreational activity, tradition, and population management tool in New York; • Reduce negative impacts caused by deer; • Foster public understanding and communication about deer ecology, deer management, economic aspects and recreational opportunities; • Manage deer to promote healthy and sustainable forests and enhance habitat conservation efforts to benefit deer and other species; and • Ensure that the necessary resources are available to support sound management of white-tailed deer in New York. Public comment on the draft deer management plan was carefully reviewed by the Department, and several notable changes were made in the adopted plan, including: • Changing to a 5-year cycle for evaluating deer population objectives; • DEC removed the proposal to completely discontinue either-sex and antlerless-only tags; • DEC is committing to implementing a youth deer hunting opportunity. Details related to timing and structure of a youth hunt have been removed from the plan so as to allow continued discussion to identify the most appropriate option; and • DEC clarified that a special antlerless-only season for muzzleloader hunters will only occur as the 3rd phase of a multi-phase process, and only in WMUs where additional doe harvest is needed. DEC intends to begin implementing strategies of the deer plan immediately. While many strategies will take several years to develop, DEC expects to begin rulemaking to implement a number of hunting-related aspects of this plan prior to the 2012-13 hunting seasons, including: • Establishing a youth deer hunt; • Starting the Southern Zone bow season October 1st; • Allowing DMPs to be used during the bow and early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone; and • Expanding mandatory antler restrictions into 7 WMUs in southeastern New York. DEC strives to provide a deer management program that balances diverse public interests and values with the biological needs and ecological relationships of deer, for the benefit of New York’s white-tailed deer herd and the people of New York. The PDF of the complete management plan has been attached to this post. This post has been promoted to an article deerplan2012.pdf