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MI Crossbow Regs to Benefit Women?
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April 13, 2009
MI Crossbow Regs to Benefit Women?
In my news reviews this morning I was reading some additional stories on the new crossbow regulations approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. This article in The Voice discussed the new rules just a few days ago, and included a claim I thought worth noting.
The writer stated, "Opponents of the old law [to limit crossbows to those with a permanent disability] took issue with how hard it was to get a crossbow permit, even for the elderly and people not strong enough to pull back a traditional hunting bow, including some women and youth hunters." The new regulations expand the use of crossbows, saying they may be used:
- By anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 bowhunting deer season statewide.
- By any hunter age 12 or older during any hunting season in Zone 3 (southern Michigan), including the bow hunting season.
Of course we're all aware of the arguments in favor of allowing crossbows to be used by disabled or elderly hunters. But what do you think about the point made by some that crossbows may be more suitable for women? I know some instructors feel that women might have an easier time shooting a crossbow. But of course plenty of women hunters don't agree with their usage. -K.H.
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Comments (12)
Saying that Crossbows are more suitable for women doesn't exactly make any sense, but there are some women out there that can't quite pull a compound or recurve that is powerful enough for most hunting applications, so a crossbow is their ticket to bowhunting. As for the women and men that don't agree with their usage; why not? Anything that allows more people to hunt is a good thing, right?
I'm a weakling, my draw weight is down to 38 lbs and I worry that if I ever connect with a deer that it will be enough force to do the job, even with Muzzys :) It takes my 30 yd arrows a couple of seconds to make it to the target, with a very visable arc. I guess that way the deer can decide weather to get out of the way or not.
I have considered checking out the regs here in KS to see if I would be able to get a cross bow permit. Cross bows are not more suitable for women, just some women and some men. I think the writer made a generalization without really thinking about it.
Long Time No See All!! ;)
When I was first starting with my compound (15yrs old) 40lbs for not possible for me. I was a few pounds shy, but after practicing for a couple weeks those muscles really kicked in! Ohio law says that a bow must pull at least 40lbs to be legal and a Crossbow... I forget. You don't need a permit either.
40lbs can be a struggle to pull for a gal, so I think it's great that MI did this. I don't see anything wrong in how the writer said it, they say "Some Women". Now had they said all women and youth, then I'd be ticked.
Hopefully it'll help get some more hunters in the woods!
Long Time No See All!! ;)
When I was first starting with my compound (15yrs old) 40lbs for not possible for me. I was a few pounds shy, but after practicing for a couple weeks those muscles really kicked in! Ohio law says that a bow must pull at least 40lbs to be legal and a Crossbow... I forget. You don't need a permit either.
40lbs can be a struggle to pull for a gal, so I think it's great that MI did this. I don't see anything wrong in how the writer said it, they say "Some Women". Now had they said all women and youth, then I'd be ticked.
Hopefully it'll help get some more hunters in the woods!
I am with Laura, since they said "some", I won't get mad. But it is interesting because there are many men that are challenged by the drawing of a compound or recurve bow.
We shoot bow league every week and I have my bow turned down to 48 pounds. I know of at least one guy that we shoot with that has his bow turned lower than 48.
I had a conversation with a guy at bow league on Friday and he said that his father is no longer able to draw his bow due to shoulder problems. He was looking in to the purchase of a cross bow so that he could continue to enjoy the sport he loves.
Whatever the weapon, just get out doors and hunt.
JB
As I've mentioned before."that whatever gets someone out hunting,I'm all for!"
I've used crossbows in the past, due to a bad back,(herniated disk)and was able to get back out, instead of loathing around the house, wishing I could get out into the woods.
The expansion of hunting opportunities, for both women, young, old and disabled will have enlarged the huntin' community, and in the process, the next generation will expand directly.
Everyone always has the desire to try something new,kind of like bungee jumping,except different.
I remind everyone, that some of the crossbows I've carried into the woods were heavier, a lot heavier than my Mathews Bow.
I spoke to the Michigan NRC during the Crossbow debate that many women and young hunters could benefit with liberalized crossbow rules. I argued that it should be up to the user, not a select group of stick & string hunters to judge. What we ended up with isn't perfect but it is a good first step.
TNP
They recently passed a law allowing use of crossbow here in PA as well. Last year being my first year with a bow, took a lot of practice but I am now comfortable at 40 some lbs. I do use what is considered a youth bow. If and when the time comes that I cannot pull sufficient weight I will certainly look into a crossbow, as I would hate to not be able to hunt bow season. I say whatever makes it easier for more people to get out and hunt, irregardless of sex or age, as long as the sport and the hunt are still in there, then it's a good thing.
What’s the big deal any how whether or not to use the XB!
Sounds like the kids in the back seat yelling, daddy jonnie touching me!
This debate is about as ignorant as it gets! I don’t have any cravings to use a crossbow yet you will not see me shaking my fist and threatening to shoot someone’s dog over it!
I tell’ya folks, when it come to watching the wacky anti hunters spewing there vicious venom, it doesn’t get better than this watching suppose to be Sportsmen sounding just the same if not worse!
We are losing thousands each year and if it takes a XB to get them out, so be it! And if your howling about more hunters out there perhaps you need to set that drink down, get out of your car and walk into the woods!
This reminds me when I was in New Mexico Deer hunting. On the second day, we got several deer hanging and every hunter that drives by is seeing nothing. I tell them to get out of their vehicles and walk up that ridge and just over the backside; they will see more deer than they can shake a stick at. Then I see the same hunters the next day saying the same thing, deer season is all screwed up, Game and Fish has chased all the deer off and still driving the roads.
You can’t fix stupid!
I think this is a great way to get new hunters in the field and increase the popularity of the sport. I do not get why crossbows are frowned upon by some people. Is there really that big of an intrusion if crossbows are allowed for archery season? I mean I will always have a greater respect for bow hunters just because I believe that requires more effort and a greater skill and to get closer to the animal.
Crossbows can be very useful for women, youngsters just learning how to shoot and hunt, for young adults should they get injured during archery season and for older hunters it can extend their archery hunting another 20 or 30 years. Crossbows are offered in several sizes and weights ranging from Barnett's RC series that has a 150 lb. pull, but weighs only 6 lbs to 12-pound instruments like the BowTech Stryker. A good examination of crossbows and their capabilities is in the book Crossbow Hunting which was published by Stackpole and available from bookstores and Amazon.com.
I have nothing against crossbows, but I dont think many of you understand the deer managment situation in most areas of Michigan. When you hunt public land in northern Michigan during rifle season there are up to 60 hunters per square mile and MAYBE 2 bucks, both of which are probably 1 1/2 year olds... With a huge influx of rifle hunters hunting during the bow season with a cross-bow the chance of getting a buck older than 2 will be about 1 in 1000. That is not an exageration. And there WILL be a big influx of hunters. My rifle camp consists of a few freinds and family members totaling 9 guys most years. As of now only 2 of us also bow hunt, bust since the crossbow reg. passes 5 others (all over 50) went out and bought crossbows and plan to hunt. Most people who rifle hunt but didnt bow hunt dont do so because they are too lazy to practice, but with a crossbow they need only site in and go.
Also, many guys around the state that were rifle only hunters that are making the switch think that crossbows can kill deer at 70-90 yards. I know otherwise, but I can see this leading to many more wounded deer around the woods.
And one more thing... HOW IS THIS GOING TO BRING IN NEW HUNTERS???? The only people that are going to be affected are guys who gun hunt that will now also bow hunt. That only means more money so our dnr can screw up the herd more...
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Saying that Crossbows are more suitable for women doesn't exactly make any sense, but there are some women out there that can't quite pull a compound or recurve that is powerful enough for most hunting applications, so a crossbow is their ticket to bowhunting. As for the women and men that don't agree with their usage; why not? Anything that allows more people to hunt is a good thing, right?
I'm a weakling, my draw weight is down to 38 lbs and I worry that if I ever connect with a deer that it will be enough force to do the job, even with Muzzys :) It takes my 30 yd arrows a couple of seconds to make it to the target, with a very visable arc. I guess that way the deer can decide weather to get out of the way or not.
I have considered checking out the regs here in KS to see if I would be able to get a cross bow permit. Cross bows are not more suitable for women, just some women and some men. I think the writer made a generalization without really thinking about it.
Long Time No See All!! ;)
When I was first starting with my compound (15yrs old) 40lbs for not possible for me. I was a few pounds shy, but after practicing for a couple weeks those muscles really kicked in! Ohio law says that a bow must pull at least 40lbs to be legal and a Crossbow... I forget. You don't need a permit either.
40lbs can be a struggle to pull for a gal, so I think it's great that MI did this. I don't see anything wrong in how the writer said it, they say "Some Women". Now had they said all women and youth, then I'd be ticked.
Hopefully it'll help get some more hunters in the woods!
Long Time No See All!! ;)
When I was first starting with my compound (15yrs old) 40lbs for not possible for me. I was a few pounds shy, but after practicing for a couple weeks those muscles really kicked in! Ohio law says that a bow must pull at least 40lbs to be legal and a Crossbow... I forget. You don't need a permit either.
40lbs can be a struggle to pull for a gal, so I think it's great that MI did this. I don't see anything wrong in how the writer said it, they say "Some Women". Now had they said all women and youth, then I'd be ticked.
Hopefully it'll help get some more hunters in the woods!
I am with Laura, since they said "some", I won't get mad. But it is interesting because there are many men that are challenged by the drawing of a compound or recurve bow.
We shoot bow league every week and I have my bow turned down to 48 pounds. I know of at least one guy that we shoot with that has his bow turned lower than 48.
I had a conversation with a guy at bow league on Friday and he said that his father is no longer able to draw his bow due to shoulder problems. He was looking in to the purchase of a cross bow so that he could continue to enjoy the sport he loves.
Whatever the weapon, just get out doors and hunt.
JB
As I've mentioned before."that whatever gets someone out hunting,I'm all for!"
I've used crossbows in the past, due to a bad back,(herniated disk)and was able to get back out, instead of loathing around the house, wishing I could get out into the woods.
The expansion of hunting opportunities, for both women, young, old and disabled will have enlarged the huntin' community, and in the process, the next generation will expand directly.
Everyone always has the desire to try something new,kind of like bungee jumping,except different.
I remind everyone, that some of the crossbows I've carried into the woods were heavier, a lot heavier than my Mathews Bow.
I spoke to the Michigan NRC during the Crossbow debate that many women and young hunters could benefit with liberalized crossbow rules. I argued that it should be up to the user, not a select group of stick & string hunters to judge. What we ended up with isn't perfect but it is a good first step.
TNP
They recently passed a law allowing use of crossbow here in PA as well. Last year being my first year with a bow, took a lot of practice but I am now comfortable at 40 some lbs. I do use what is considered a youth bow. If and when the time comes that I cannot pull sufficient weight I will certainly look into a crossbow, as I would hate to not be able to hunt bow season. I say whatever makes it easier for more people to get out and hunt, irregardless of sex or age, as long as the sport and the hunt are still in there, then it's a good thing.
What’s the big deal any how whether or not to use the XB!
Sounds like the kids in the back seat yelling, daddy jonnie touching me!
This debate is about as ignorant as it gets! I don’t have any cravings to use a crossbow yet you will not see me shaking my fist and threatening to shoot someone’s dog over it!
I tell’ya folks, when it come to watching the wacky anti hunters spewing there vicious venom, it doesn’t get better than this watching suppose to be Sportsmen sounding just the same if not worse!
We are losing thousands each year and if it takes a XB to get them out, so be it! And if your howling about more hunters out there perhaps you need to set that drink down, get out of your car and walk into the woods!
This reminds me when I was in New Mexico Deer hunting. On the second day, we got several deer hanging and every hunter that drives by is seeing nothing. I tell them to get out of their vehicles and walk up that ridge and just over the backside; they will see more deer than they can shake a stick at. Then I see the same hunters the next day saying the same thing, deer season is all screwed up, Game and Fish has chased all the deer off and still driving the roads.
You can’t fix stupid!
I think this is a great way to get new hunters in the field and increase the popularity of the sport. I do not get why crossbows are frowned upon by some people. Is there really that big of an intrusion if crossbows are allowed for archery season? I mean I will always have a greater respect for bow hunters just because I believe that requires more effort and a greater skill and to get closer to the animal.
Crossbows can be very useful for women, youngsters just learning how to shoot and hunt, for young adults should they get injured during archery season and for older hunters it can extend their archery hunting another 20 or 30 years. Crossbows are offered in several sizes and weights ranging from Barnett's RC series that has a 150 lb. pull, but weighs only 6 lbs to 12-pound instruments like the BowTech Stryker. A good examination of crossbows and their capabilities is in the book Crossbow Hunting which was published by Stackpole and available from bookstores and Amazon.com.
I have nothing against crossbows, but I dont think many of you understand the deer managment situation in most areas of Michigan. When you hunt public land in northern Michigan during rifle season there are up to 60 hunters per square mile and MAYBE 2 bucks, both of which are probably 1 1/2 year olds... With a huge influx of rifle hunters hunting during the bow season with a cross-bow the chance of getting a buck older than 2 will be about 1 in 1000. That is not an exageration. And there WILL be a big influx of hunters. My rifle camp consists of a few freinds and family members totaling 9 guys most years. As of now only 2 of us also bow hunt, bust since the crossbow reg. passes 5 others (all over 50) went out and bought crossbows and plan to hunt. Most people who rifle hunt but didnt bow hunt dont do so because they are too lazy to practice, but with a crossbow they need only site in and go.
Also, many guys around the state that were rifle only hunters that are making the switch think that crossbows can kill deer at 70-90 yards. I know otherwise, but I can see this leading to many more wounded deer around the woods.
And one more thing... HOW IS THIS GOING TO BRING IN NEW HUNTERS???? The only people that are going to be affected are guys who gun hunt that will now also bow hunt. That only means more money so our dnr can screw up the herd more...
Post a Comment