jimmyboy
04-19-2005, 03:55 PM
Xbow hunters will have 4 1/2 months to take a deer or turkey in KY this fall. A decision by the KY Fish and Wildlife Commission in March expanded the fall Xbow hunt beyond it's previous 10 day period. Now hunters may take deer or turkey with a Xbow anytime during archery season.
"This change came about because of declining hunting license sales" said John Gassett,director of wildlife for the KDFWR."we are constantly looking to increase opportunity for our hunters. It is a topic that comes up periodically when deer hunting is discussed.We are always open to new ideas."
When the question of an extended Xbow season was put to archery hunters,36 % supported it while 37 % opposed it.The idea of expanding the Xbow season generated debate from bowhunters who packed the commission meeting in March to oppose the measure.
Jonathan Day,KY F&W's deer program coordinator,said he believes the change will have little impact on the state's whitetail harvest.However,the new law will open more opportunities for deer hunters.
"It may lengthen a deer hunter's career because they can't bowhunt like they used to because of age or injury." he said. "Any additional deer harvest is a good thing that won't negatively impact the resource.In states where there is a Xbow season,Xbow hunters are no more successful than archery hunters",Day explained."In Ohio,buck harvest by Xbow is the same as the archery harvest." He added,landowners who do not want people to use Xbows can prevent their use on their property.
"This change came about because of declining hunting license sales" said John Gassett,director of wildlife for the KDFWR."we are constantly looking to increase opportunity for our hunters. It is a topic that comes up periodically when deer hunting is discussed.We are always open to new ideas."
When the question of an extended Xbow season was put to archery hunters,36 % supported it while 37 % opposed it.The idea of expanding the Xbow season generated debate from bowhunters who packed the commission meeting in March to oppose the measure.
Jonathan Day,KY F&W's deer program coordinator,said he believes the change will have little impact on the state's whitetail harvest.However,the new law will open more opportunities for deer hunters.
"It may lengthen a deer hunter's career because they can't bowhunt like they used to because of age or injury." he said. "Any additional deer harvest is a good thing that won't negatively impact the resource.In states where there is a Xbow season,Xbow hunters are no more successful than archery hunters",Day explained."In Ohio,buck harvest by Xbow is the same as the archery harvest." He added,landowners who do not want people to use Xbows can prevent their use on their property.