Our pole on crossbows

[Steve]

According to the poll we took on our front page 71% of you said that crossbows should remain only for the disabled. That doesn't jive with the support I have seen for them on these forums. Anybody know what's up with that?

Hey Steve,

I got a chance to shoot a crossbow at the AMO show last week. I bowhunt, gun hunt, dog hunt, trap. Whatever. I can tell you this, in the Michigan woods you won't get anymore out of these than a regular bow. They are heavier and longer, thus more clumsy to work with. Branches will deflect the bolts just like regular ole arrows. They are VERY noisey upon release. Personally, I see no advantage.

I'm not going to run out and buy one. Just like anything else new, some people will spend the money. But the newness will wear out.

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~Ann

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

[This message has been edited by redtoads (edited 02-03-2001).]

[Steve]

I agree with you Ann, but most people with regards to their posts on these forums do not seem to be all that opposed to them being used during the regular bow season. What is weird is that the poll that we took showed that over 70% of the people who responded said they should be left to the disabled only. Just trying to figure out the discrepancy.

[boehr]

I believe what is being posted on the forums is a representation of those who have commented. 373 total votes only on the poll with over 1300 registered members. On the forums there have been a lot less than 373 different registered members posting an opinion on the forums. In fact, I would suspect, without going back and counting, there have been less than 50 registered users posting opinions about crossbows. I would suspect that some of the new members haven't seen the poll section, have no opinion because they want to know more about crossbows prior to making a judgement, always hunt private property and can say if they want to allow crossbows used on their property or not regardless if they become legal or many other possibilities.

The same is true with many other polls too.

[This message has been edited by boehr (edited 02-03-2001).]

[Recurve]

Some of us have been more vocal in our opinions, pro or con, in the forums regarding crossbows. Others may just read them and not post. However, I would venture to say, that while not being scientific, the pole reflects accurately the overall public opinion hunters have towards crossbows. Keep them for disabled archers only!

[Erik]

Maybe some are afraid to post their opinions in a forum where they can be ridiculed afterwards! I know speaking for myself if it wasn't for the fact that I feel so strongly about the issue I would have kept my mouth shut. Believe it or not, I don't like to argue with folks.

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"beneath the rocks are the words of God"

[Steve]

The reason why I pose this question is that the battle lines are being drawn over this issue as we speak. It is sure to be a nasty battle and another divisive one. Divisions amoung hunters is not good. But I do think this site may have to come out and make a stand one way or another on this issue. We are not a formal organization like MBH, but we can collectively form opinions and make them known to the powers at hand. From the posts in the forums on this topic it was not clear what the majority thought about this issue. From the poll that was taken it was pretty clear how members of this site thought about the issue....

[rick]

Steve, I would have liked to see a spot on the poll asking if the crossbow law needs to be changed. I feel that if a person can't shoot a conventional bow he should be allowed to use a crossbow. With the 80 % disabillity clause it makes it to difficult for some to obtain a permit. After back surgury it hurts me to pull back a bow but I am not 80 % disabled. If it hurts to do it why should I have to. If we don't want crossbows for the general puplic at least make it available to those who can't pull back a bow. The woods belong to all.

[Winterover]

I for one voted to keep them for the disabled only. A disabled bow hunter who wants to continue with the sport would still go out with the crossbow and practice. I am afraid you would get people who would buy them with the opoinion "they are as accurate as a gun" & would not spend the needed time to practice with them like you have to with a bow and we would end up with many more deer killed and not recovered then we get now. One of the reasons the DNR wants to legalize them is because its too difficult to enforce the current law. With this mindset they could do away with other laws because they are too hard to enforce. If someone wants to get a permit for a crossbow maybe the DNR should require them to go to a doctor of the DNRs choice to get examined for the disability.

[Coldwater Charters]

Steve are the polls for members only? Or can just anybody vote? If it is for members only it is possible that someone That was against crossbow use got new members just to vote on this poll. It wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened if you want a firm number then solicit the members to vote again with no new members after the poll is established. See what happens. I know the Bowhunting fraturnity overwelmingly
is against the crossbow for anyone law. When someones mind is made up a sledge hammer over the head won't change there minds and that goes for me also. Just a thought.

[lawnboy]

Just look at the numbers...in the forum your talking about only a handful that are making the posts compared to the number of members that you have.
Just a thought but did the anti's find the poll and tip the scales?

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[flatsman]

My mother currently hunts with an x-bow. I feel they should only be available for the trully disabled. The current system allows far to many people that are to obtain permits. If you go to the right doctor you can get one. On the other hand if you go to the wrong doctor you can't even if you are disabled. If the x-bow is allowed to everyone during the regular archery season we will probably end up with a shorter season due to the increase in harvest. Remember archery is supposed to be a primitive season. Just my 2 cents. :)

[Tim Baker]

I think the poll is more accurate than what has been going on in the forums. I have yet to talk to anyone and hear anything but negative comments about crossbows becoming legal during the archery season. The poll may actually error on the low side if you ask me.

Steve, please pass the results on to the NRC if at all possible.

Tim


[This message has been edited by Tim Baker (edited 02-05-2001).]

[boehr]

Originally posted by Winterover:
If someone wants to get a permit for a crossbow maybe the DNR should require them to go to a doctor of the DNRs choice to get examined for the disability.

I would be real careful of a constitutional problem there.

Also Steve, the poll is flawed because when I clear my internet temp files so my computer speed doesn't slow down, I could vote more than once on any of the polls.