Every year the hand wringers whine and cry about how crossbows will ruin archery and they take no skill to use.

That's the same tired argument that was used by the anti-compound crowd 30+ years ago when they first came out. Compounds were gonna ruin archery, it didn't take any skill to hold and shoot these newfangled bows, blah, blah, blah.

Compounds didn't kill archery then and xbows won't now.

And yes they are a bow.

Crossbows are a very effective means of harvesting big game. It takes alot more skill to take game with a crossbow than with a firearm. Most crossbow kills are 30yds. or less, therefore hunting accidents are less likely to happen. Most anyone can kill game 100 to 300yds. with a rifle, try getting one within 10 yds. thats where the real thrill is!

A "superior" weapon? Have you ever tried to manuever one of these things around in a tree?

What you gain in not having to draw and release is more than offset with extra weight and sheer bulk.

Killing a deer with a bow (and that's what a compound is) isn't easy, especially when you are hunting a specific class of deer (like mature bucks).

And while people can complain about xbows, they will be accepted into the archery seasons as the years pass (just like compounds were).

Jim

John D,

You can hold on to that way of thinking, but the times are changing whether you wish them to or not.

Jim

Please, I do not see the big deal. With all of the accesories that can be added to a compound bow today, including red dot scopes, the only true differance between an compound and an xbow is that one is held vertical and the other horizontal

Here in Arkansas, xbows are allowed through out the regular archery season as well as all gun seasons. Do you know how many people of sound body, age, and stature that I have seen lugging around a crossbow? Only 1. I primarily hunt public land across the state and see hundreds of archers per year. I also have around 15 guys that I hunt with at least once a year; none of them carry a xbow. As far as my view point, let the xbows in with regular archery. Are the antis arguing based upon principle or worries of overhunting, overcrowding? I think that arguing on principle is sheerly bull crap and selfish, and overhunting and crowding is not a worry. Like I said, I've only seen one hunter of hundreds carrying an xbow. Whatever happened to encouraging anyone to hunt in anyway that's legal? I figure the antis only shoot over/unders for ducks as the third shot in a pump is unethical and a semi-auto might condemn one to hell.

In most eastern states, the problem is too many deer and fewer hunters to hunt them year after year.

Back when special archery seasons were first introduced, the situation was very different. Deer were fewer in numbers and there were a lot more hunters. Hunter opportunity was a real issue and the archers needed a special opportunity to take deer without competition.

That's not the case now. What purpose exactly is served by trying to maintain a purity of either archery seasons without crossbows or muzzleloader seasons without in-lines? Folks, we're not exactly in any danger of running out of deer. So how is it any of our business what tool our neighbors chose to hunt with?

The whole point of these special seasons was hunter opportunity. The type of bow or rifle that I choose to take into the field is none of anyone else's business. If you think that a crossbow is 'cheating' then don't use one. You go your way and I'll go mine and neither of us loses anything.

If the state wants more deer killed, lengthen the backside of rifle season. Why pollute the woods with K-Mart-equipped Xbow hunters during the most pure time a man can be alive?

No one is entitled to any season. Just as I don't complain about not playing football on Sundays, folks who can't draw a bow should have a seat and wait till rifle season. Honestly, I could give a damn what PA does. I do, however, feel the need to remind people that one of the beauties of archery season is that it's hard. Not everyone can do it. If it was all about numbers, states would start their rifle season October 1st and let it run for two months until the allotted number of tags are filled.

Who would rather see states work to preserve our fine sporting tradition and manage the herd within relatively static guidelines for method of take? I damn sure would.

Something everyone has missed so far....the real question is: how will the PA game commission make more money off of xbows? Will it be a separate stamp? I can pretty much guarantee you that it's a revenue issue (as far as the State is concerned).

Furthermore, the argument that what type of weapon you use doesn't matter is a poor argument. If that were the case, then I suppose it would be acceptable to hunt with hand grenades. There is a reason for different seasons and different weapons. I say only allow xbows for disabled and veterans.

I am a crossbow, compound, recurve, and long bow owner/user. I can shoot my compound more accurately anyday, than anyone (including myself) who shoots a xbow. With todays compounds, the speed and trajectory are one and the same with the xbows. You can buy compounds with the same FPS and energy as a top of line xbow. For the comment made about not having to have consistant form with a xbow, your wrong there. If your string isnt in the exact same postion everytime, your shot is off target (1/32nd of an inch can make an inch or more difference on target placement). If your bolt nock isnt consistantly aligned with the string, your bolt is off target. If your firmness of grip on the xbow is inconsistent, your bolt can go off target as much as 8in. Xbows and compounds have many pros and cons but I wouldnt say either has any significant advantage over the other. The advantage a crossbow has is the benefit of not having to draw without being seen by animal. The advantage a compound is that they can shoot quietly with incredible speeds without having the animal reacting as much before the arrow hits the animal. Theres pros and cons to both. Both are difficult to have all the pieces of the puzzle to go right to get the opportunity to down an animal. I believe crossbows should be legal, the day of primitive weapons have been gone since the recurves and longbows were put in the attics years ago when compounds came into play. If you argue that a compound is a primitive weapon, I dont think so, I cant say I ever saw a picture of a Native American packing a matthews or hoyt.

Amen Ray.

It comes down to a rampant American misconception that everyone is "entitled." If you want to use a crossbow, use it during gun season. Or how about this: if you can't draw a bow, wait for gun season. Every state has one.

From a man who's fired crossbows, please don't try to say shooting one is as critical as shooting a bow. If you can put your head on the stock and squeeze the trigger, you can drive tacks with those things. Just like with a gun. A bow requires a great deal more physical and mental control to shoot accurately, and there is another world of variables to deal with.