Munsterlndr
06-17-2008, 09:58 AM
This debate is obviously not limited to MS but is also raging on a number of other archery hunting forums around the internet. 2-Big started a thread on a Trad Forum pleading for Trad Hunters to voice their opposition to HB5741. I was surprised at some of the responses that were posted in that thread, especially since it is a hardcore stick & string forum where even compound users come in for their share of grief. Many of the posts were the same old hyperbole that has been seen in this forum but I was struck by the posts of two Trad Gang hunters from Ohio who have seen first hand the impact of crossbows in archery season. Just thought I'd share them as a dose of firsthand opinion. I don't think anyone is going to accuse these two guys of being shills for the crossbow industry. ;).
Funny, as I read this thread the topic directly below it is titled to the effect that hunter numbers are down. As long as one group of hunters looks down their noses at another group of hunters our ranks will continually decrease. Being from Ohio I've only known archery season with crossbows included. Want to know something? The deer herd has grown every year since I started hunting them in 1986. There isn't a crossbow behind every tree, either. Haven't seen dozen's of carcasses littering the woods with "bolts" sticking out of them, come to think of it. And, suprisingly, the sky has not fallen. Whew, that was a real concern, too. This is much adue about nothing. You won't loose your archery season to the crossbow. Your wife or best friend who works for a living and doesn't have the time to play Indian like we do may even go afield with you on occassion if they know they can accurately kill what they shoot at. The crossbow is not your enemy. Antihunters are your enemy. Anithunters will not purchase crossbows, hunters will. I like hunters, don't you?
and here is another one
First, let me say I agree whole heartedly with the sentiment of wanting to keep the woods to our selves.
BUT....
I live in Ohio and we allow crossbows all season long. They are legal during all archery and gun seasons and our deer herd has increased as have bag limits to try and curb the trend.
WE ARE ACTUALLY IN DANGER OF LOSING SOME MORE OF OUR ARCHERY SEASON TO GUN HUNTERS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH DEER BEING HARVESTED.
CROSSBOWS HAVE NOT HURT US IN OHIO, THEY HAVE ACTUALLY HELPED KEEP OUR ARCHERY SEASONS IN PLACE!
Our state like many others has seen a decline in hunters and we NEED something to bolster the numbers. I wish the answer were experienced, older hunters to teach them, but that is not happening currently. I personally talk to as many young people as I can and mentor my own children as well. Unfortunately, many people are not not following suite.
For example; this last archery season I saw a group of young hunters(late teens) camping and hunting with crossbows. No adult to guide or teach them ethics as best I could tell. They seemed to be figuring it out on their own for better or worse.
These youngsters took two does with their crossbows. HOPEFULLY they have or will develop positive attitudes about archery and maybe even become traditional archers. That group of teenagers did more for conservation that week than our group of TRAD hunters did by helping with the harvest numbers. We did not harvest ANY deer in four days with nine of us hunting. And yes, I understand it is not just about killing things, but we have to do that as well to manage deer numbers.
When out hunting this last year, I had many quiet and peaceful mornings to myself. Sometimes I was interrupted, but that was by guys with compounds. I honestly have never been bothered by a crossbow hunter. If you are willing to walk away from the beaten path, not many will follow. You will likely still have the woods to yourself.
I respect each of your opinions, however, this is something to think about when voting or corresponding with your local representatives. It is possible that crossbows may help you keep your archery seasons in place, not take them away.
Funny, as I read this thread the topic directly below it is titled to the effect that hunter numbers are down. As long as one group of hunters looks down their noses at another group of hunters our ranks will continually decrease. Being from Ohio I've only known archery season with crossbows included. Want to know something? The deer herd has grown every year since I started hunting them in 1986. There isn't a crossbow behind every tree, either. Haven't seen dozen's of carcasses littering the woods with "bolts" sticking out of them, come to think of it. And, suprisingly, the sky has not fallen. Whew, that was a real concern, too. This is much adue about nothing. You won't loose your archery season to the crossbow. Your wife or best friend who works for a living and doesn't have the time to play Indian like we do may even go afield with you on occassion if they know they can accurately kill what they shoot at. The crossbow is not your enemy. Antihunters are your enemy. Anithunters will not purchase crossbows, hunters will. I like hunters, don't you?
and here is another one
First, let me say I agree whole heartedly with the sentiment of wanting to keep the woods to our selves.
BUT....
I live in Ohio and we allow crossbows all season long. They are legal during all archery and gun seasons and our deer herd has increased as have bag limits to try and curb the trend.
WE ARE ACTUALLY IN DANGER OF LOSING SOME MORE OF OUR ARCHERY SEASON TO GUN HUNTERS BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH DEER BEING HARVESTED.
CROSSBOWS HAVE NOT HURT US IN OHIO, THEY HAVE ACTUALLY HELPED KEEP OUR ARCHERY SEASONS IN PLACE!
Our state like many others has seen a decline in hunters and we NEED something to bolster the numbers. I wish the answer were experienced, older hunters to teach them, but that is not happening currently. I personally talk to as many young people as I can and mentor my own children as well. Unfortunately, many people are not not following suite.
For example; this last archery season I saw a group of young hunters(late teens) camping and hunting with crossbows. No adult to guide or teach them ethics as best I could tell. They seemed to be figuring it out on their own for better or worse.
These youngsters took two does with their crossbows. HOPEFULLY they have or will develop positive attitudes about archery and maybe even become traditional archers. That group of teenagers did more for conservation that week than our group of TRAD hunters did by helping with the harvest numbers. We did not harvest ANY deer in four days with nine of us hunting. And yes, I understand it is not just about killing things, but we have to do that as well to manage deer numbers.
When out hunting this last year, I had many quiet and peaceful mornings to myself. Sometimes I was interrupted, but that was by guys with compounds. I honestly have never been bothered by a crossbow hunter. If you are willing to walk away from the beaten path, not many will follow. You will likely still have the woods to yourself.
I respect each of your opinions, however, this is something to think about when voting or corresponding with your local representatives. It is possible that crossbows may help you keep your archery seasons in place, not take them away.