A crossbow hunting story

[Munsterlndr]

Great article about the harvest of the Illinois state record Non-typical. Harvested by a disabled crossbow hunter legally using a crossbow with a permit. He's lucky that he was hunting in Illinois as under the Michigan Disabled crossbow permit criteria as lobbied for and endorsed by MBH, he would not have qualified for a permit. A former compound bow hunter, he simply wanted to continue to hunt after a serious injury substantially reduced the strength and mobility in his arm. Despite the fact that he is disabled and had the required permit, Pope & Young also deems his harvest as not worthy of being included in the record books, despite it being the Illinois state record and one of the largest Non-typicals in the world ever felled with an arrow. I find the story interesting because he was originally busted by a group of turkeys when raising his crossbow (I thought that using a crossbow meant no movement that could cause you to be busted by game?) and the fact that had he been using a compound he likely could have gotten off another shot to anchor the buck in question. Fortunately it was not needed but it highlights one of the disadvantages of a crossbow, the inability to have a follow up shot.

http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/trophybucks/naw_aa703bryant/

[TOW]

Great story...

When that was posted on a couple archery sites there was the usual exclamation of " Great buck, too bad he killed it with a crossbow."

Yes, we have to raise our crossbows into postion and most often also have to swivel our bodies to make the shot. Just like a compound shooter. The compound shooter must also pull his bow back. That should be done when the animal cant possibly see him. It should also be done in one fluid movement with the draw straight back and covered mostly by the bow/quiver. If a compounder is horseing the bow back, thus creating more opportunity for the deer to see him, he is over bowed.

[Riva]

Great story, no matter what type of weapon the deer was taken with. That said, I must inject that..errr....welll..ummmm... Michigan is "different". Jerry, (the hunter) probably would not have met the criteria that we have here that allows a person with a disability to take game with a crossbow. "

"Why is that", you ask? It's because Michigan has the most restrictive criteria of all the states that allow disabled persons to participate as an equal.

"And, why is that" you ask?

It's because some of the people who helped compose the original criteria do not like crossbows very much. When you look back on it, having them help write the criteria was sort of like having the British help write our Declaration of Independence! Think about it.

So, indeed, the old clich'e, "yeah, but Michigan is different" is indeed true. Yepper...we allow more disabled persons to fall through the cracks than perhaps anywhere else. Frankly, I'm not too sure that this type of "different' is such an honorable attribute.

Anyway, back to Jerry in Illinois. I took the liberty to look up the criteria that they have established that will allow a person to take game with a crossbow. And while doing so, I came across this little provision in their application form:

"It has been determined that most persons who are able to pass the standard tests (Sections 4 & 5 on page 1) will be able to use a conventional bow and arrow device. If, in your professional opinion (the doctor), you believe there are extenuating circumstances present that would prevent the applicant from using a conventional bow and arrow
device, complete Section 6."

Hmmmm? Michigan doesn't have that section on their application form.

"And, why is that", you ask?

It's because Michigan is different!:sad:

[marty]

what a great story. Congrats to the fellow. If I shot a buck like that Poopy to POPE and YOUNG:lol:

[BigBirdVA]

Who are Pope & Young? :D

Even they saw their numbers shrinking and allowed higher let-off to let more in the book. They mark it with an asterisk kind of like "too bad it was shot with a xbow" comment you hear. Elitists that want more for themselves or a way to force others to adhere to what and how they think you should hunt. After getting into this xbow BS and seeing how it really is in other states and how dimwitted some are I realize how lucky I am VA ended all that mess for us.

[TOW]

BTW - Illinois just passed an over 62 age limt for crossbow use. One doesn't even have to send in an application or money (surprise!) to the state. All they have to do is carry their driver's license stating their age, plus their archery deer tag.

No doubt Illinois will be expanding that more in the not so distance future.

[TOW]

Oh, one more funny on Illinois.

You have to be permanently disabled to get that permit. A torn rotator cuff that is repairable wont cut it. I applied and got my handicapped permit from Illinois and when I got it they had a three year expiration date. IOW - I would have to reapply in three years. So much for "permament". ;)

[swoosh]

Here's another one fron Bigj72

He's on another board

When my Father-in-Law's cancer returned and the realization hit him that he would not beat it this time....He was dying (and he knew it) he wanted nothing more than to hunt with me one more time. I bought a Ten Point crossbow for him, set it up (never owned or even shot a crossbow before) and read the directions on how to crank the string back load and un-load it etc... Sighted it in for him and let him practice with it a few times. He was a natural marksman so it didn't take him long to hit where he was aiming. I then bought him a ground blind because he was too weak to climb, bundled him up nice and warm and even bought one of those little propane heaters to help keep him warm in the cold late season (January). We went together and hunted a small tract of land close by that I've bow hunted before. He was too tired to make the trip to his own hunting property down in southern Illinois. The property we hunted was loaded with deer and I ended up killing a doe, I had already taken two bucks that year so I didn't have a tag but I'd seen some nice ones that day. When I made my way back to him to help him out of the woods, I asked him if he'd seen anything and told him about my kill. I didn't even need to tell him because he saw the blood on my clothes (from field dressing) and new I had made a kill, he just sat their and smiled. He said he'd seen a couple does and a nice buck just out of range. I asked why he didn't shoot the doe(s) and he answered he was holding out for a buck. He was so happy to be hunting and in the woods that he literally cried a little while explaining the close doe encounters he'd had and the excitement of the possibility that she (the doe) might of had a buck in tow. For a short time, he didn't think about his situation, all that disappeared and he was hunting, with me again..........He died three months later.

I gave the brand new crossbow to a charity that helps other hunters with the hopes it might bring someone else that same joy it did my Father-in-Law. A joy he would have never experienced had crossbows not been considered archery tackle. Personally, I don't care where they put crossbow hunters, gun season, bow season, their own season, I'm just glad Illinois sees them as archery tackle, it allowed one more day in the woods for a proud hunter.

[Liv4Huntin']

Thanks for sharing that, Swoosh. Brought back memories of my deceased Dad ...... great hunting memories.
~m~

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

40 YEARS OF BEING A CARPENTER has taken its toll on me and all the accidents just beat me down to the point i cannot pull my bow back past the break over point. the pain is, well you all know no need to go any further.
my father just passed on june 5th 2008 and was a master bowman with many a trophy. he started me off with a long bow and then promoted me to a recurve in the mid sixties and that was the love of our lives, bow hunting. at the age of 83 he finally gave up and got a crossbow and hunted till 86 years young. last year he gave me his crossbow as he stated he couldn't hunt anymore. to tired and worn out, not to mention that telephone pole falling on him when he was at the top repairing the primary wires didn't help. crushed his wrist and shoulder but he and i have bitten the bullet to the bitter end. i will follow in his foot steps and finish my years bow hunting with a crossbow (his) i refuse to quite hunting with a bow in archery season in michigan. this is a very special time of year for me, with the passing of my father. I AM SURE HIS SPIRIT WILL GUIDE MY BOLT TO ITS TARGET AND MAKE MY JUDGEMENT TO TAKE SHOTS AS WELL.
R.I.P. DAD

[Michihunter]

Daniel- Myu sincerest wishes are that your dads spirit helps you kill the largest deer you have ever seen. Or at least one that weighs 167# like the one he had back in the day!!;)

[butter21]

BTW - Illinois just passed an over 62 age limt for crossbow use. One doesn't even have to send in an application or money (surprise!) to the state. All they have to do is carry their driver's license stating their age, plus their archery deer tag.

No doubt Illinois will be expanding that more in the not so distance future.
You guys don't want that for michigan though. ;)

[TOW]

You guys don't want that for michigan though. ;)

Neither did you until this passed the house..

You missed the rest..


No doubt Illinois will be expanding that more in the not so distance future.

[butter21]

Neither did you until this passed the house..

You missed the rest..

When did I ever say that? In fact ive said many many times i would support 60 and older no questions asked can use a crossbow. As well as kids 10-14 (somewhere around there maybe 16) be able to as well. Also lower permanent disability to 40%.

Someone will have a problem with this. The reason why is b/c they want to use a crossbow.

[Whit1]

Swoosh, that's a great story no matter what weapon was used or what sport was involved. Thanks for sharing it with us.

t