Hunting Implements

[the blur]

I see mass confusion this year with cross bows, during bow season. What happens if they catch you with a cross bow, when it's regular bow season?

Is it the same if they catch you with a rifle during muzzle loader season ?

[hb270deermanager]

The fine will be the same as if you got caught thats why I

am against what they did just make them legal during the

regular bow season.I already know people who are going

to do it and I will be the first to urn them in.I makes no since

to use a crossbow in place of a rifle or muzzleloader.Espec-

ailly during those seasons.

[arrow nocker]

some people like the challenge.If i had one i would use it in certian stands dduring gun.And my gun in other stands.I don't believe they should be alowed in bow season.Its supposed to be hard in my opinion.Just allow dissabled people use them in reg bow.

Any how.if some one gets caught using them in bow season i hope they lose their hunting privlalige.

[bubba]

oh another way to argue aboout crossbows.

[Marti375]

What bothers me is there is no crossbow course, and you don't need a bow license. I can see alot of stupid stuff happening.

[the blur]

I might buy one just to go up during muzzle loader season. I'd buy a CB before a muzzle loader.

[Tim Martin]

Then there is the old argument, crossbows have been around a lot longer than a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, and the modern compound bow! As for primitive I'd have to say unless you use a traditional bow, a traditional crossbow is as primitive as you get, unless you want to use a stone or spear! Once you step up to a compound bow you have, in my opinion made a modern crossbow, just it's equivalent.

Seriously, both have, sighting systems (pins/recticals, some are illuminated) , both use modern broad heads, triggers (mechanical releases), a lot of compound bows have 80% or more let-off. So the only real difference is you have to (or can) pre-draw the string/cables. Archers who are competent, and practice a lot, have the same range. Oh and a crossbow is easier to "master" than a compound bow, which makes for more accurate/lethal hits with a bit less practice. And we all know accuracy, make for a humane kill.... why the arguement?

.

[Suilleabhain]

As I said before, the difference is you have it against your shoulder like a rifle not holding at arms length. I have no skin in this game, gave up archery a while back but, I can see their point.

[Tim Martin]

As I said before, the difference is you have it against your shoulder like a rifle not holding at arms length. I have no skin in this game, gave up archery a while back but, I can see their point.

As I said before, the difference is you have it against your shoulder like a rifle not holding at arms length. I have no skin in this game, gave up archery a while back but, I can see their point.

I understand people have opinions, however when I bow hunt yes I do hold a bow out... BUT, you have to hold the forearm of a crossbow out from you body too! Yes like a firearm, and weight on the front with the limbs (where they) are puts more weight out front, than a bow. With a bow you are pulling back which distributes the weight better.

[Tim Martin]

Here is my take,

Unless you are a honest to goodness "traditional" hunter with a flintlock,or a bowhunter using a wooden bow, you shouldn't have a problem with a crossbow in archery/primitive weapons season.

It's my opinion, just that.... however if people look at what a modern archery hunter (myself included) uses, I think their arguement is just a blatant pile of CRAP!

[Tim Martin]

I do think DEC made a mistake placing the crossbow in the same catagory as a firearm, by not requiring an archery course.... How stupid! Now they will have to fight themselves out of a hole if they do indeed want to enable them during archery.

Seriously, if you are "propelling" an arrow/bolt at a limited range with a deadly broadhead why would you require someone have muzzloader stamp/course?

This ought to ring true to even the archery hunters.... How does an arrow even come close to compare to a bullet/sabot? They have the same range as an accomplished archer, and yet if you fall on a bullet, you won't suffer the damage as a broadhead.

Then you will people not thinking, that will think it is a firearm with the same capabilities taking bad shots (as in too long, wrong placement). This is not a slam on gun hunters.... I'm a gun hunter too! They should be "trained/taught" the same discipline as a bowhunter.

Edited November 13, 2011 by Tim Martin

[Suilleabhain]

Good point on the firearm thing, I thought you would need some training. I am in favor of making some part of the season traditional primitive. The new compounds and in-lines are just single shots. The new ones are extending their reach and accuracy.

[Tim Martin]

Yep, I could limit myself to the same as a modern muzzleloader by just using a singleshot rifle. I know my TC encore pro hunter can reach out to 200+ yards. And a good archer, one better than myself could effectively take deer out to 60 yards.

[fasteddie]

You can whine all you want but you aren't going to change anything . No doubt that X-Bows will be allowed in regular archery season in a couple years as it's all about money . X-Bow manufacturers are pushing for their usage .

[Tim Martin]

I see mass confusion this year with cross bows, during bow season. What happens if they catch you with a cross bow, when it's regular bow season?

Is it the same if they catch you with a rifle during muzzle loader season ?

The DEC has made it pretty clear as to when you can use one. You can use it during regular firearms season with a vaild big game tag, and during the late bow/muzzleloader season with a valid muzzleloader tag... use it any other time, and you would and should be fined. When/if they decide to change it to also include archery season then that would be the time to use it in the early bow season, it certainly is illegal to do so this year.

Edited November 13, 2011 by Tim Martin

[Suilleabhain]

I hunt some in a shotgun county but, you can use a 44 Magnum pistol and I've seen Thompson Contenders in 30 Herret. What's the diff, rifle or shotgun when you can shoot those

[Tim Martin]

Yeah, i've always been a bit confused with the shotgun only areas. I understand limiting it around high population density areas... but who counties... why?

And your right, I think a .50 cal rifled muzzleloader with a dialed in scope will out shoot a lever 30-30 open sights any day.

[Suilleabhain]

I hunted rifle for 30 years and had an opinion on shotguns..and it was wrong. After shooting with a .12 and a .20 the past 10 years I like them. Didn't like the result with hollow-point/hollow base .50 cal in my muzzleloader. It killed quick but the bullet flattened out to a pancake. I'll go to solids now.

[Tim Martin]

The ballistic tipped sabot's for the muzzleloaders and shotguns do tremendous damage too..it's gonna be a trade off: accuracy or damage. Nothing wrong with a good ol hunk of lead.. that's what I use in the .270 just a soft point lead.