Most people are not going to use a X bow in a season when they could instead carry a firearm. That just doesn't make any real sense. As for their use by 50 and older hunters during the archery season,I don't see any problem with that. A lot of older fellas don't have the strength to pull a bow back anymore and under the old law they had to get a doctors note to be able to use one and a lot of them either couldn't get a note or simply refused too. This way allows them to take part in the archery season again and thats a good thing.

There is a ton of information on the DNR website. Here's an enlightening paragraph from their FAQ's section:

*** The requirement of a crossbow stamp, which will be available free of charge beginning March 15 from all license vendors, is designed to help the Department of Natural Resources build a data base to conduct surveys. The surveys will help determine whether crossbows are effective in helping recruit new hunters, retain older hunters, and whether they increase the harvest rates of deer. Results of the surveys will help wildlife officials determine whether the use of crossbows should be further expanded or restricted. Hunters already hunting under a DNR-issued crossbow permit will not need to get a crossbow stamp. ***

Geez ... scientific management rather than by emotion.

Reality is that the number of rifle and archery hunters has declined significantly since the late 1990's in Michigan. The deer harvest has also been in similar decline, though there is an upward tick between 2005 & 2007 There are all kinds of facts, readily available to anyone that wants to take the time, but I will speculate that the state of the economy might have been considered in the decision - will the number of hunters drop significantly this year? Then there's the winter kill.

The areas with the most car deer accidents, which is where the insurance companies concerns lie, is in suburban areas where ALL hunting is prohibited. Deer populations can be several hundred per square mile in these areas. Crossbow season has no impact in these areas. You just see it in your insurance rates.

I really believe the DNR is trying to do the right thing to maintain a sustainable and healthy herd, balancing a lot of input. It's a tough job. Not everyone is going to agree. Depends on where you are, I guess. I stopped counting at 400 deer one day while going through the thumb. Saw herds of over 40 deer the other day while driving back from Chicago. Normally, just see singles or small groups north of West Branch. Different environments.

Why not just allow the xbow for everybody. I don't understand why anobody would care how I harvest my animal, as long as it's in a humane and ethical way.
I have heard all the arguments that say too many deer will be killed! Thats just not true at all, and you have examples like our neighbors in Ohio. They have one of the highest quality deer herds in the country, with anyone being able to use a xbow.
If people think this will deplete our herd, then take a look at the changes that have been made over the years and tell me why they haven't griped about these.

1} Early doe season!!
2} Late doe season!!
3) Early youth hunt!!
4) Lowering the age limit to 12 years old for gun!!
5) Alowing gun hunting from elevated platforms!!
6) Being able to hunt with inline muzzleloaders that
shoot 200 yards and beyond!!
All of these changes that I just stated, benefit the gun hunters, Who already account for 3/4 of the deer harvested now. It seems that any new game law is always geared towards giving more time and making it easier for gun hunters. So this argument about killing too many deer just doesn't hold water. Nor does the one about keeping with the tradition of the sport, because if that's the case then why do they allow inline muzzloading during the late muzzloader season? I don't think that's what the traditional season what set aside for!
If they want restrictions, then change the bag limits using sound scientific management, and not on what some special interest hunting club seems to think it should be.
The bottom line is, everbody sets their own goals and challenges for him or herself. If you want to hunt with a recurve or a rifle or anything in between it should be up to that person as to what they are comfortable with.
You should allow xbows for everybody or nobody!
"unless your handicaped."
I don't agree with alowing one age group to hunt by any means and not onother. That's age discrimination.
That also goes for the early youth hunt. If the early hunt were for first time hunters, and not just youth's then I wouldn't have a problem with it.
Back to the xbow, I still remember the days when people thought that compound bows were going to ruin hunting. I don't think that happened, and I don't think allowing crossbows will ruin it either. Better yet it will probably bring more people into a dwindleing sport and also keep more people in the sport.

I think you nailed it JJAS. Special season rules are primarily about excluding other hunters.

Would someone really use a cross bow on small game?

I'm all for giving the older hunters that can't pull a bow back a chance to go out during archery season.

Make it simple, same rule apply to each other except XB must have a 150 pound draw and a trigger safety.

Hell, if I have to worry about some fella using a XB, the sky must be falling!!

let them hunt with the crossbow during archery season but there is no place for them during rifle season.

Steve182, Why do you care? If you don't want to hunt with an xbow, Then don't!!

I HAVE SEVEN LEVELS OF SEVERE DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE IN MY NECK AND UPPER BACK.
I JUST RECEIVED MY CROSSBOW PERMIT ON 26 FEB AFTER 8 MONTHS OF JUMPING THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS.I AM GLAD I GOT MY PERMIT BUT IT TAKES ALOT OF WORK THROUGH OCUPATIONAL THERAPY, NEUROSURGERY, MEDICAL REHAB, AND INTERNAL MEDICINE. IT IS NOT JUST GETTING A NOTE FROM YOUR DOCTOR.THE DNR PUT ALOT OF STIPULATIONS FOR YOU TO GET A PERMIT. I THINK THE 50 AND OVER RULE WORKS STATEWIDE. I AM NOT SO SURE ABOUT ANY AGE IN THE SOUTHERN SECTION. IF I COULD DRAW AND HOLD A REGULAR BOW I WOULD USE ONE. I THINK THE KEY WORD IS "HOLD". THE DNR ORIGINALLY SAID TO BE ABLE TO DRAW 35lb AND ONLY HOLD THAT FOR 4 SECONDS YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO USE A REGULAR BOW. 4 SECOND HOLD, HOW ABOUT THE 30 TO 60 SECOND HOLD THAT IS REALLY USED IN BOW HUNTING. LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE 3 YEAR SUNSET ON THIS TO SEE IF IT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Like so many others, I took part in the DNR's survey. I am very happy with the 'opening up' of the options for hunting deer. While I've done quite well with my shotgun, the crossbow option will present a new opportunity to expand my hunting skills as I enter my 60s. As a Boone & Crockett Associate, I believe in fair chase hunting. Living in a Zone 3, MI county,it is not at all uncommon to see a herd of 250-300, or to have 4 - 18 does scamper across my field or through my woods. We need to harvest alot more does and leave the trophy bucks to strengthen the herd. Safe and bountiful hunting, brothers & sisters.

Any of you idiots who went on the early doe hunt in michigan are only slaughtering the does and their fawns for the DNR and insurance companys are only getting rid of the times that my sons and their sons and daughters to have a chance to enjoy the experience of the hunt that they may have in their live. Help the Dnr and kill them all.

I agree a crossbow should only be for people that cannot pull back a bow. You want to say just for elderly people, but some kids have disabilities that do not allow them to do that either.

Nate

Making a law to have crossbow hunting all season wrong hurts the tradition of the bow. I am for letting the youngsters that can't pull back the legal limit, older hunters, and anyone with arm problems using a crossbow but other than that, no one should unless you make a season where anyone can use a crossbow. A woman should be able to pull back 30 lbs which is the minimum here in Maryland. In Maryland, they have a few days were you can use a crossbow with no restictions and no need for a crossbow permit. To obtain a crossbow permit, you must be 65 or older or have proof you can't pull back a bow with a doctors not and etc.