dpv

To keep this short.... I have a permit to use a crossbow. I keep it simple a basic recurve that helped me take a doe last year. I' m gettin the itch and can' t wait to get out in the woods. Gonna do some scouting in the next couple weeks.
Whenever I mention the crossbow to other hunters (usually non bow hunters) they give me a look like I' m cheating. I don' t get it. I' m limited to the same distances as any other bow hunter. In fact, years ago before I hurt my shoulder, I used a PSE compound bow and I had better accuracy, greater distance and think the heavier arrows would have been much better.
I' d be interested in hearing from other bow hunters out there as to their feelings on the issue. Also any crossbow users and if they have ever had any problems from people about not using a regular bow.

David

cardeer

HOT subject. I have a disabled permit for a X-bow in Pa. I have been called all kinds of names,and even assualted. X-bows are like any other weapon it got its limits. Use it ethically and any kill is to be proud of. Hey people laugh at my honda parked next to their 40,000 huntin truck.They laugh at my home made camo,cause they spent 500 for a outfit. They laugh at the female used santitary napkin I hang up,compared to the 10 dollar bottle of scent they bought. You Know what. I' m usually the first guy on the block to bring home a deer and usually end up with 3 times the deer they threw in there fancy truck. Hunt legally ,ethical , give thanks to God for the animal. Dont worry about what them people say that turn there noses up at you. If they want to hunt with a long bow,recurve or compound,more power to them. I did all 3. And I still support them as a sportsman.

Hawgz

Heytt cardeer glad to see ya back.....

Tree climber

I also have a disable permit for my xbow.I enjoy hunting just as much as anyone.just have to do it in a different way.

I think cardeer said it all........CD......you said it just about as good as it could have been said!!!![:-][:-]...........I have nothing else to add.[8D][8D][8D]

tobyn

Just a thought, why not one of those bow/realses that help get the bow back and hold the weight. They are considerd " crossbows in Wi." . It would be queiter and as deadly if not a bit lighter over all.
thanks

soarkrebel

cardeer pretty much said it.

i' ll hunt with anything that is legal on my hunting ground. and anyone that doesnt like it has can ....well you get the point.

bogobble

another welcome back cardeer! good to hear from you again.
up untill a couple years ago, I was one who beleived a hunter should be able to shoot the weapon of his choice, whether disabled or not. then my F-I-L and me went to a NWR the first week of bow season. there were about 25-30 other hunters camped in our area. all but me and maybe 2 more of those hunters were usin xbows. and as far as I could tell none of them were disabled. that made me realize that most of these xbow hunters were just to lazy to learn to shoot a compound. that changed my mind about the xbow hunter to an extent. I now wish Ar would have a law that xbow hunters would be able to hunt only on private leases, and would have to have a disabillity permit to hunt in the WMA' s and NWR' s. I doubt very seriously if any of those xbow hunters even practiced before season.

Cougar Mag

I think its great that physically disabled hunters can use a crossbow! In states where its legal for anyone to use a crossbow then go for it, but I just hope and pray its not legalized in Illinois for the general hunter to use. Disabled hunters yes!!!!! I must agree with your post Bogobble.

rcd567

While I still hunt with a compound, I have no problem with crossbow users. Bogobbles argument was the same one I heard 30 years ago about compounds. Almost to the word. There is a season for Archery, Muzzle Loader, and Shotgun in my state. Hell, we can' t even use centerfire rifle. You can however use a handgun during the firearm season. I believe, in my opinion that crossbows belong in Archery season. They don' t even begin to come close to Muzzle Loader or Shotgun.

The Key to not having to compete with lots of hunters is to obtain a hunting location where the landowner won' t let more than a couple of you hunt.

And finally, here in Iowa we have a real Doe overpopulation problem. The Commissioner states that if more Does are not harvested this season...next season will be Doe Only. No deer with antlers will be allowed to be harvested.[>:]

dpv

Good to get everyone' s perspective. My nephew is just back from Iraq and I was buying him a beer this weekend and talking about hunting. He was surprised that I used a crossbow even though he knows I had my shoulder rebuilt. If you look at me you wouldn' t think I would need it. I lift weights, run, bike ride, play soccer... I can push and pull with no problem unless its out to the side. And there is no other way of holding a bow. I figure it' s just a matter of time till I run into a game warden who doesn' t believe me when I show him my permit.
I hunt with shotgun and rifle too, but I wouldn' t have started hunting again if I couldn' t get that crossbow permit. The low traffic in the woods and challenge of taking the animal within 30 yds is what I enjoy the most. I' m dusting off all my gear, practicing with my new arrows and broad heads and getting ready.

David