IMO, yes. If you think about it, crossbows have been around for a long, long time. They weren't as advanced as they are now but remember when compound bows were first introduced to the public? They had the same opposition as crossbows do now, and look how far they've gone.

If your states' DNR is going to allow inline muzzleloaders during the primative season, then they should allow crossbows during archery season. Some people use a crossbow for physical reasons and some use them out of personal preference, the fact of the matter is an arrow is being used to harvest the animal, therefore it should be allowed during the archery season.

I would agree that crossbolts should be allowed during archery season. I see no "unfair advantage" in using the crossbow, and it certainly can't be classed as a firearm. Does your state's opinion differ? Have they limited the use of a crossbow to the regular gun season?

I live in Alabama and for years you could use one if you had a disabilty and could not use a regular bow. Since September of 2007 rules have changed such that just about anyone can use one for deer and feral hogs.

As Straeck mentioned, some handicapped people can use a crossbow, but not a regular bow

I own a very good compound bow and I just bought a crossbow this past spring. If you have never shot a crossbow you should try it. While it is true that you hold and aim like a gun and everyone seems to think that because of that they shouldn't be able to be used during archery season. Well, here's the part where you should try one before you talk about something you don't understand. Crossbows are balanced very differently and it takes a lot of practice to be able to hold them steady because it's not what your used to when shooting a gun. My compound bow has 1 pin that is about 1.5 inches high at 10 yrds and dead on at 30. With a crossbow your 20 yrd pin is not close at 30 yrds and the 30 yrd pin is nowhere close at 40 yrds so you definately have to do a lot of practice at off yardages. I have my reasons for getting a crossbow, I can't say that I'm handicapped but I can't hold my compound back for the extended periods of time like I used to. I just wanted to say if you have never shot a crossbow go to your local outdoors shop and take a shot with one without resting it on something and if you can at some different yardages

Ok, I'll rock the boat and take my licks accordingly. I am not in favor of x-bows during the general archery season as they appear to me to offer advantages as most are scoped and capable of greater accuracy at greater distance. IF the hunter is disabled, then fine, whatever it takes to legally get into the field, but I know some now who take unfair and illegal advantage of the x-bow factor. Ditto today's "so-called" muzzle loaders with scopes, sabots, pistol bullets, etc, no longer a primitive weapon. I vote "nay". Ok, you may now proceed to pile on.

In Oklahoma if you are disabled you can get a crossbow permit, I dont see anything wrong with that. If you are not disabled it is in my opinion an advantage you dont need to bowhunt.

Yes. But only during the archery season.

gfr2395

Why!

Double naught,

I used to think the same thing. When my state legalized the buggers I realized I'd have to teach about them in the Hunter Ed Classes. I bought one of the better ones out there and was immediately surprised as to how sensitive to sting setting they are. If the string is just ever so slightly torqued one way or the other on the trigger you'll be off the mark. I also discovered that 40 yards is a long shot as the bolts/arrows have less mass and quickly loose kinetic energy. My old 70 pound verticle bow is capable of a better "long" range trajector than my 175 pound cross bow!

We had lots of neophyte crossbow hunters here the first year. You can hardly find one now in the woods and you can't find one in store. I have not shot my crossbow in 2 years!

Over the past few years my view has changed, or evolved maybe. Although for those without physical limitations(age for example) or handicaps i may feel it's lazy,... but i do believe we need to allow it. Hunter numbers are important, license sales are important. We must stand together, or surely we'll hang separately.

Crossbows are overrated. The bolt is much less effective than the arrow. After 30 yds a bolt will drop off the table. Arrows fly further and with today's releases and let-off compound are a very effective weapon.

You also have to remember the thunk factor. Cross bows are very noisy and deer often jump strings.

In Gun Nut language it is like comparing a slug to a 30-30.

We have allowed crossbows in Ohio for years. I rarely see them unless the hunter is very young or very old. (older than me)

I dunno.

I guess it's OK.

But my personal choice is a fast compound bow.

I love archery!

i have no problem with it but i think it less of a chalenge and takes away from the roots of archery and traditions just as much as inline muzzle loaders take away from muzzle loading
but thats my op to each thier own

007, Do you use a flint lock and a traditional bow to hunt?
Beekeeper is correct they are far harder to shoot accurately and you have less of a distance to shoot them because as he mentioned the mass of the bolt. Thefurthest distance one should shot at game with x-bow is around 30-40 yrds I prefer 30 and less. Now the new Horton x-box that is reversed is more effective out to around 50yrds. The only advantage a x-bow user has to a bow hunter is they are always ready to shoot.

Hoski has it right, whatever it takes!

Firstbubba, just rechecked the regs, still needs a doctors note if you are under 60 years old to use a crossbow in Oklahoma.

It's usually pretty obvious that those who slam crossbows haven't used one. There is one advantage - you don't have to sneak in your draw - but that's the end of it. They have inferior range and penetrating ability. If you want to make a 60-80 yard shot, you best be using a modern compound, because the crossbow lags behind significantly after 30 yards (the limit I place on all archery shots at big game). Same if you want to shoot a moose with an arrow at any range. I would not recommend a crossbow.

The worst part is they act like shooting a modern compound is some dying art. Sorry, but it's easy. Anyone with a brain and the strength to pull it can shoot MOP at archery ranges almost right away. Same with a crossbow. My crossbow has one brass pin and peep. Your compound probably has 3-5 fiber optic pins on some sort of movable range adjusting device that I can't even wrap my head around.

Also, how would the compound "purists" feel if real bow hunters using real, wooden traditional bows (Like me. Crossbows and recurves. Weird, huh?) started complaining about their high-tech advantages? All those strings and pulleys and sights. What a bunch of cheaters. Shooting a compound bow "Takes no skill". "Man up, spend less money, get a real bow."

There is one distinct advantage to allowing crossbows during archery season. Learning to shoot a crossbow takes much less practice then a compound bow. Allowing crossbows reduces the number of archery hunters in the woods who have not put in the necessary amount of time to become proficient. Therefore less wounded game.

I'll post this outlook one more time.

The only advantage to a crossbow is that it allows archery hunters with upper body disabilities the opportunity to bow hunt. Therefore, more hunters afield! And that's a big OOH-RAH!, whether you're a Marine or not!

Bubba

Amen Sarge01!!!

Cud na sed it bedder!!!

Bubba

Firstbubba, good call, thought I had the newest copy of the regs, but looks like you are right.

bigred - maybe compound bows should be pushed into their own short season so the bucks I hunt with my recurve aren't so vulnerable to these high tech killing machines?

Dcast, sorry, you can only get me on one account there. Yes, I hunt with a compound bow, but I also hunt with not only a flinter, but one I built from a kit in '84, feeding it round ball patched with a bit of denim, greased with a mix of bee's wax and bear grease and FFF black powder. I understand and agree on where you're going here. Yes, we need more legal hunters. No, I don't know that much about x-bows other than what I've heard. It just burns me to see some use them illegally in place of a vertical bow, but then that happens with everything. Told you I was ready for the piling on. haha. Good hunting, thanks for your response. E~WV