Apparently using the word c*ck to indicate a loaded bow is a no go on this site. So bare with me.
I hunt with a crossbow, and the model I use has a 175LB pull to c*ck it. Without the use of a mechanical c*cking device, no disabled person could use this. Granted I realize that you don't have to hold that weight, but I still think a crossbow is a bow. Its like saying an In-Line isn't a muzzleloader. While crossbows may be easier to shoot and aim, they are extremely noisy, which puts your affective range to less than 30 yards, and even at that distance deer will string jump. They are also hell to carry through the woods, as they are long side to side, and encounter lots of obstacles.

O"HERE WE GO AGAIN!!! LOL!

Correction

Bolts don’t have the range and thus have less killing power at longer ranges of an arrow.

Crossbows are a great way to help those that are not able to shoot a compound, physically. I will never shoot one unless I absolutely have to, however, if it gets people hunting, great. I have nothing against people who use crossbows as their weapons of choice. It is not an issue, but I don't see why you would shoot a crossbow if you can physically shoot a compound.

personally I wouldn't use one. I might get one for my kids as an easy starter. then moving into a regular compound bow.

The only difference between a crossbow hunter and a conventional bow hunter is the couple seconds it takes to release the arrow. Otherwise, before and after the release the game is the same.

Saying it's a "non-issue" is correct.

-Ohio Tradtional Archer-

IMHO it is very different. I sustained an injury during college that led to a shoulder surgery and put me out of commission on drawing a bow, the injury happened the day before opener. i was granted a permit to hunt with a crossbow and can tell you that not being required to draw is a huge advantage. I had the bull of a lifetime elude me this fall since I drew to early and could not hold at full draw as long as neccesary. With a crossbow this is a non-issue. Major kudos to the traditional boys, wish I had the time to put in to become proficient with those bows. That is true archery gear. A far cry from compounds but even farther from Crossbows

I don't much care what is used to take game as long as it is sufficiently lethal to make a humane kill. I do, however, have a problem with allowing a crossbow capable of the same range and lethal performance of a slug gun or muzzleloader to be used during archery season. We have special seasons for a reason and I see no need to blur the lines. There was a time when hunters and fishermen were known as sportsmen. Where is the sportsmanship of needing a technological edge over the other archers. Now adding the degree of difficulty to the firearm season by using a crossbow, thats sporting.

I think Clay hit the nail on the head when he said we need more sportsmen in the field. If allowing crossbows in regular archery season's accomplishes that, then I'm fine w/ them. My Dad used one due to a physical ailment, and I shot his several times. They are VERY noisy. Of course having the bolt 'held back' is an advantage. Personally, I could care less, as long as your HUNTING! What gets me is the PRICE of some of these xbows! That alone would keep me happy with my compound IF my state ever allowed xbows for regular archery season.

personally i don't think crossbows should be allowed at all during archery only season, because its not really a bow, but i don't have any problem with them having their own season. i would personally not hut with a crossbow simply because i don't like them, i am not opposed to them , i just simply don't like them, also saying you shouldn't be allowed to hunt with them because they aren't traditional, or too technologically advanced is wrong, because if that was the case then we would all just have to use our bare hands because every other weapon would be technologically advanced.

Thanks jbird and a plus one for you!

For those of us who truly know the mechanics can see why there are those who are so against XB's.

But for those of us who truly understand the advantages of and against a XB vs Compound with let off and using a release will agree that comparing the XB to the Compound is like comparing a 30-30 to a 30-06, you don't have the range except a few high dollar XB's sizzling at 400+ fps and even then they are so bulky and just walking thru the brush is a bear not to count the bulkiness setting in the stand!

I truly love my High Country 4Runner and even today, I have no plans to replace it!

Coop's Bottom Line

If getting a new Sportsman into the woods means the use of a XB, so be it and I will fight for that individual to have that right!

How many of you like me, the ability if you can see it you can hit it and you go home empty handed and some fella using some knock around can['t hit the ground with both feet get all the luck!!

It's not pulling the trigger or releasing the string on the bow or on the rod, IT'S THE ADVENTURE!

Somebody accused me of having several points of view of being right, so I’m not going to disappoint that person!

I know where this is going to go, so I’m going to say it!

Those of us who have actively taken a stand to save this heritage of Hunting and fishing, a GOD given right even said so by our forefathers are at odds by those who will $itch because the Hot Chocolate is HOT!
Fact is, Statistics show a decline in Sportsmen every year yet the Anti Hunters are staying steady if not growing. For those of you who are so petty to throw everyone else under the buss because of your maladjusted attitudes, walking down the street with your head not your hat turned backwards would lose it all because of your own ignorance!
And you have the audacity to call yourself a Sportsman!
If your way is so great, then be a beacon of light to draw those and to introduce them to the great outdoors, instead of smelling and with the sounds of a sewer plant full of it!

There are those like me who are trying to pass on the skills and knowledge of the outdoors and I found the real enemy is not the Anti Hunters and Anti Fishermen; it is those inside who are causing the most damage!!!!

Don’t like what I say!

GET OUT OF MY CAMP AND CUT YOUR OWN FIREWOOD!

May the inside of your tent get wet and your equipment rust!

I SAID IT AND I’M STICKING TO IT!

Clay I might not have as much passion as you do but right on! You put the finger right on the crux of the matter. If we can't interest more people in hunting and fishing our petty opinions won't be worth a hill of beans because there will be no hunting, fishing, and shooting in the future to have any opinions about.
The anti-gunners and anti-hunters don't quibble over what is a good gun or a good hunter and what isn't. They just want it all to go away. Asyou stated, here we are again having this argument about crossbows Vs. other bows. It could just as easy be bolt action rifles Vs. black rifles or traditional side lock muzzle loaders Vs. in-lines.
When our numbers decline to the point that we can no longer effectively unite and oppose the anti's, maybe we'll wake up; and hope it's not too late. What was that old quote "We have met the enemy and he is us!"

Sourdough - If you would like to present the crossbow that has the range and power you state, great. If not, feel free to not spread the BS, OK? Let's stick to the facts.

There is only one advantage to a crossbow over a compound. You don't have to sneak in your draw. That's it. In ever other way, crossbows are equal or lesser weapons.

If crossbows shouldn't be allowed during regular archery season, then I want a season where I can hunt with my recurve, no compounds allowed. What would the "purists" say to that?

JohnR One more thing and I'll shut up!

The reason I have so much passion for the Great Outdoors, allot of Servicemen died for it paying the ultimate price. Also may I add, the experiences I have, gives me insight to were things are going and to many people stick there finger in the air to see what direction the wind is blowing while over the hill a storm is brewing coming there way.

I say bring on the X bows. Every farm I hunt on has too many deer right now. Anything that gets more hunters in the woods is a good thing. To the "purists" if you don't make your own bow and arrows like Ishi did you are not a real purist.

I've had two open heart operations and eight stints .I can pull a 70# bow but can't hold it.my brestbone never grew back just some stainless wire holding it together.I have been told to stay out of the woods by the doctors but thats another story.Crossbows should be allowed they offer no greater advantage than these super compounds on the market now days.When i started bow hunting we had the same arguements about compounds,Because we all shot traditional equipment.I still have a Fred Bear and a Ben Pearson recurve.As long as the hunt is morally and ethically conducted .Here in Alabama we can hunt with a spear legally but i choose not to try that.

The latest P&Y newsletter has an ad that says "A seahorse isn't a horse, and a crossbow isn't a bow." Superficially, I feel the same way. I hate the things, and I don't like that it reduces the amount of dedication a hunter must possess to be effective in the field.

But when I boil it down in my heart of hearts, that's pride. And that's not good. So, while I hate crossbows, we need more hunters afield to protect the future of our sport. I think a lot of die-hard bowhunters feel the same way.

I have a beautiful old Herters crossbow with a nice wood stock and a steel prod. Cost me $40 at the flea market, I'm cheap so I make my own bolts and yes I'd love to take it hunting. It has about a 150# pull so I had to fabricate a contraption to pull the string with pullies, the notion that handicapped people who can't pull a bow should use an xbow is kinda unrealistic. It takes both of my hands and both of my feet to set the string and it hits SO hard. I wouldn't really care whether Xbows are used in Bow season or in BP season, as long as I had the option. Still hunting, I would still want my recurve, but hunting from a blind I'd like the xbow.

O'Bella

You remind me of one of the best recurve bows I had ever had and it was a Birthday present from my Dad when I was 12. It was from Herters, gray in color fiberglass at 40# and boy howdy could I really hit with it. About 3 weeks later I was out in the desert across the street in Tucson on my bike and I had a wreck. The limb went into the spokes and that was that! Talk about being sick even today :(

Changing the subject and back to business here, I'm going to switch gears and bring up another agenda concerning Sportsmen everywhere. As you know, I’m no word smith like the Great Sir David Petzal and Gang, so I’m going to give it my best shot and here goes!
I wish I had the ways and means to come up with an Worldwide Organization which would incorporate all Sportsmen individually and all the ProSportsmen Groups worldwide. In essence, it would be kind of like a SAM’s Club. My idea is to seek out those Sportsmen standing in the shadows and to bring in and encourage new Sportsmen. Obtain information from these individuals and link them up and to recruit them into joining Organizations like Rod & Gun Clubs and other Organization to many to list like

Archery Shooters Association
Buckmasters
Christian Sportsmen's Fellowship
Ducks Unlimited
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
Hunting & Shooting Sports Heritage Fund
International Archery Federation
International Bowhunting Organization
Mule Deer Foundation
National Archery Association
National Hunters Association
National Rifle Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Wild Turkey Federation
North American Bowhunters
Pheasants Forever
Professional Bowhunters Society
Quail Unlimited
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Safari Club International
The Ruffed Grouse Society
U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance
Whitetails Unlimited
And to initiate a program to recruit Manufacturers in the development you can call them a starter kit/equipment of low cost with the ability to later to trade in and upgrade so new Sportsmen can should I say, get their feet wet in the Hunting and fishing. Some equipment can be refurnished and upgraded as time goes on.

But the bottom line is this

Without getting everyone on board and speaking in one loud voice, we will in fact lose what we have inherited, the GOD given right, what has been forwarded by our forefathers and what our Brave Service Men and Women have given there all to protect.

Remember

"The political machine triumphs because it is a united minority acting against a divided majority."
-Will Durant

And I say to you to remember this

“One man with courage makes a majority.”
-Andrew Jackson

But for those of you

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”

-Samuel Adams, speech at the Philadelphia State House, August 1, 1776.

Another topic I hate...The selfish side of me says, I don't need anymore hunters in the woods with me at the same time.....The hunter/sportsman says ok..allow them to hunt during bow season...almost identical skill is required (scopes on XB and shoulder mount weapon)so ok but then again ....

"I don't like that it reduces the amount of dedication a hunter must possess to be effective in the field."

I don't see it. You still have to go through all the trouble that is getting within archery range, and you still have to practice shooting it.

Compound shooting isn't what some will make it out to be. They have sights, as do crossbows. You pick it up, you look through a hole, center the pin on the target in the hole, you shoot. It's almost that simple. When I picked up my first compound, I was proficient very quickly. Now if you shoot a longbow or recurve, then you can talk about dedication.

I like all three, which I find terribly ironic. I hunt both large and small game with a recurve sometimes, yet I support and use crossbows. Then the guy with the rangefinder and the brand new $1000 compound that looks like something from Star Wars (the arrows go warp speed) with 8 fiber optic pins, 80% let off, and a trillion moving parts thinks crossbows are cheating.

i see both sides. My opinion is dont allow them in regular archery season. but my gut says allow them in archery season. if it gets one more person invloved in hunting, especially if it is a younger person, then it is a great thing. We need more youth involved in this great "Sport"... I hate that word to be used with hunting. It is something we should all stand up for as one strong group, especially in times like this when it is in grave danger of going "extinct" becuase of antis that agree on one thing and that is there should be no hunting of any kind let alone the fact that they dont even want us to own or guns/bows. We need to all stand up and bring someone new into hunting all it takes is one great experience and they are hooked. Educating the youth on hunting is the first step and if one of the steps to protecting this great american tradition is allowing xbows in regular archery season then lets do it. Well there is my 2 cents worth i could go on but... Good luck and Good hunting

I have an old crossbow that sounds like a duplicate of the one Bella describes. I took it off a crook I arrested and was able to keep it as a momento. I don't hunt with it and really have no interest in doing so. I also still have the 45# recurve bow I used to shoot my first buck. I have never owned a compound bow, and after shooting one, never had a desire to own one. If I ever want to go more primitive than my flintlock I'll dig out that recurve. I don't hunt whitetails and I don't hunt any deer from a tree stand. We also do not seem to have a shortage of hunters here and thus feel no need to make concessions to recruit more to the field. So, since I really don't have a dog in this fight, I'll step back from it with my deepest apologies for swimming against the current with a different opinion and let you guys work it out.

" Only ONE advantage to a crossbow over a compound"
Someone can't count.1- The fact that you do not have to draw is huge! Thats when most hunters are busted. 2- you can only hold a compound back so long, than you have to let down and a quick re-draw is very tough. where as the crossbow can be held for days, or untill the deer gets to that perfect shot opportunity. 3- Anyone can pick up a sighted in crossbow and hit what they are aiming at. You have to PRACTICE with a compound to get proficient with it. 4- A crossbow shoots flatter than a compound, so you have more room for error. Don't make me go into all of the crossbow advantages in really cold weather.... My problem is any hunter that could not physically draw a bow, could use a crossbow in bow season and that is great. For many years all I heard was that bow season is too long and too easy to get a deer. I told those people get a bow and join me. None did...they did not want to make the commitment to be a good bow hunter. Now they can use a crossbow and they think it is great! These are NOT new hunters to the sport, just lazy hunters that want to take the easy way. They won't be stealthy, scent conscious, over cautious, or even knowledgeable. They probably won't get a deer....and neither will I with them hunting around me....

If you call yourself an AMERICAN sportsmen, but you are against Xbows, you are LYING TO YOURSELF!!!

As an American.....I HAVE FREEDOM of choice, BOUGHT AND PAID FOR!

As a rookie deer hunter (11 whitetails in two years)....I have an obligation to ETHICALLY harvest my deer.
PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE IS HUGE! When I first hunted deer with a broadhead, I didn't even know where to stick it! I had to learn how estimate range, to be scent free, sit still, anticpate deer behavior, purchase camo, purchase tree stands, pick the right spot, hunt the wind, AND FIGURE OUT WHERE TO STICK A BROADHEAD!! We have an obligation to the animal to kill it humanely and quickly. Any device that aids my learning curve is MY choice and a smart one...by the way, I practiced shooting first...alot, including trips to a 3D archery range with a veteran archery hunters and State champion Archery shooter for my coach until he said I was ready to hunt!(thankfully, He is not snobish toward xbows)

I would have still became an Archery hunter even if I had to start with a compound, but I guess my enthusiasm for the sport would be deminished if I was Injuring deer rather than SMOKIN' em to right from the beginning!

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT I USE A mechanical DEVICE TO TAKE OUT ONE FACET (drawing the string) of the process ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IN THE FRICKIN' UNITED STATES? if so, you are not an AMERICAN sportsman, you are a POLITICIAN, trying to control free Americans! If someday, your grandkids are required to buy a permit to drink from a mountain stream, they will have YOU to thank!

As a crossbow hunter, I admire bow shooters and will grow towards joining you ONLY because of my 7 crossbow kills in two years. Now I want to develope additional skills for freedom of choice sake!

I want to celebrate my freedom and harvest deer with EVERY safe and ethical equipment and method.

Crossbow, Compound, recurve, HANDMADE longbow, Rifle, Slug gun, Handgun, flintlock, inline, etc. from trees, spot and stalk, on the ground still hunts, from a canoe, elevated box blind with indoor plumbing and heat!

PLEASE rethink your position and realize that your outdoor freedoms are ENHANCED by my excercising my right to "START" with a crossbow....Thanx!

and to the guy that said as a rookie hunter,he has 11 deer in two years ,theres what i mean about a compound ,all these women ya see on these tv shows all shooting big giant whitetails,and they just started hunting,that aint hunting thats being put in a tree where alot of big bucks are at ,seen it to on tv where one guy says yea i better shoot my bow a couple of times i havent shot it since last year and right away first shot is in the bulls eye at 30 yards,thast like pulling out a rifle ive seen people here that never shot a bow in there life and after about two shots with there sights they dont need practice,

To Dave the bowhunter: only 7 of my 11 deer were taken w/ a crossbow...3 with shotgun slugs, 1 muzzleloader and only 1 buck per season in Ohio.....Every year, Ohio can't harvest enough to control the deer population. So this year they extended the season and limits...I can harvest 18 deer statewide if I want to. (still only 1 buck)...this year I took 2 w/ xbow and 2 w/ shotgun...i may take 1 more w/ crossbow yet.....my point is, being able to start with a xbow allows cleaner kills for rookies like me. In ohio, even with xbows legal for decades, incl. all weapons and seasons, we do not reach the harvest goals...so who am I stealing deer from with my "unfair advantage"? And what freedom loving American
cares which weapon I chose for my next deer?

Maybe the argument could be made that Ohio crossbow hunters DO MORE for our deer program than those bow only snobs who waste countless hours practicing at home, while I am actually in the woods "takin' care of bidness" :)
..... I don't really feel that way, but it is another way to look at the growing deer problem in Ohio.

One thing I will guarantee you my friend, NONE of the 7 deer that were harvested by MY Xbow will ever kill anyone you love while driving on Ohio roads!!!!

Godspeed!

Sorry Dan!!

I just reread the laws, you are correct:
2 - Zone A
4 - Zone B
6 - Zone c
6 - Urban Permits
18 total
I hunt Zone A, so 2 is my limit.

well dan reed you made my point!! when ya said you could get that many deer and not waste countless hours of hunting,,right there says it all if you call it countless hours of bowhunting then you aint a hunter at all your considered a murderer to see how many deer you can get in a few days of hunting ,my self id say setting in the woods hunting the whole season and not get a deer isnt wasting countless hours you dont know the first thing about hunting in my opinon if thats what you think about bowhunting and i bet there is alot of people right on this page that would agree with me

i dont have a thing against a compound if ya take away the sights and triggers that go with it

that is kind of like saying the guy with the nail gun is a better nailer cuz he can shoot more nails with a nail gun faster, so give him the trophy

what bow did you hunt with first

Big O you are right on the money!! Why does it matter what type of tool another hunter uses? Should we start a debate on inlines vs. flint locks or rifles vs. slug guns, NO!! We need to stick together as hunters and work to preserve our right to hunt or while we are bickering about longbows vs. crossbows someone is going to sneek in and say, sorry you can't use either.

you hunt what with what ever makes you feel more confodent that ya can hit some thing with ,to make sure you get that easy deer,the point of the matter about your cossbows and compounds is what the whole page was about, do ya got sights and triggers on that thing so you can shoot it and make sure ya dont miss,, the point is ,on what there doing to bow seasons all around because any body can pick one up and be a perfect shot in two minutes like a gun!!!!and right there is why its changing.. i aint a rookie that brag at first about getting 11 deer in two seasons wioth that easy weapon he uses ,,then come to find out only seven were shot with it, the rest were all guns,he should of said that in the first place shouldnt he, instead of making it look like he got eleven with his compound or cross bow,or what ever he uses..the point of the whole issue is what there doing to bow season, and they are runing it because its to easy to shoot a deer with one, thats why all the gun hunters are getting mad because all the bigg bucks are getting killed off before gun season opens,, and now that is why the seasons are getting ruined,ive bow hunted for 40 years. and it never use to be like that. every tom dick and harry that deside to pickup a compound can go out and shoot a deer because of how easy it is to hit the targetwho cares what ya shoot if your so great with it ,throw the sights and triggers and stablizers away then come back and tell me how it goes...scopoes are out lawed in this state and so are the 80 percent letoffs beacuse they make it to easy to get a deer with a bow

Here in PA we had one big dustup over it. But hunters with a medical reason could get one.I think I saw a statistic of 40,000 crossbow certificates but thats a fuzzy fact. It got to where it seemed to me that only honest, non-injured hunters and young people unable to pull a bow were excluded. Before crossbows were legalized I saw lots of guys with "doctors notes" hunting with crossbows. I think a treestand is a greater advantage anyway.

and i wasnt talkng to you to begin with you just moved in on me and another guy talking

to Big O and Firehunter, you get my point, it is about CHIOCE!......thank you for your reading comprehention skills :)

to dave the bowhunter:
to be fair, I forgot to mention that our archery season in ohio is 4.5 months long.

i see guys all the time shooting at deer any where from 50 to 90 yards, right theres why bowhunting is getting slammed all the time to to many deer running around with a arrow sticking out of a back leg,besause of them kind of shots but do what ever makes ya feel better

freedom dont have a thing to do with it, you aint gonna answer the question ,thats plain to be seen,so beat a round the bush with it,have fun with your gunbow

but you refused to answer my question

hunters - united we stand, divided we...

To dispel this "here we go again" banter, I propose a truly "primitive" weapons season - one in which the hunter is only allowed one rock (4 pounds max), no tree stands, just a limb (8 feet high max), no camo, just animal skin draped across in fred flinstone fashion. Where the method of harvesting dates back to 10000 BC. Jump out of the tree while simultaneously bashing the deer on the head. (careful you trophy hunters don't get impaled).

Until then, I'll enjoy my compound in my treestand on warmer days, my crossbow in my blind on windy cold days, my inline in the late season, my flintlock on a sunny day when I'm feeling like Davey Crockett...

I haven't bought a recurve or longbow yet, but I admire you guys that hunt with them.

I'm glad we still enjoy the freedom to hunt and are able to pass this down to our young people... whatever the method.

Hey fellas i'm new here but I'll tell ya what, i traded last year for a Horton 175lb crossbow, and I don't understand where people can say that they are easy for kids, old folks, etc.to pull back. I've got a strapping big boy of 12 yrs old and he can't pull it back. Any way, I had great fun hunting with it, and now it's got me wanting a compound bow for next year. So instead of worrying about it drawing folks away from compounds, what about the folks like me who are now interested in getting a compound because I first had a crossbow?