duramaxlt

they started allowing them in ga. a couple of years ago. i didn't like it at first but it turns out that it hasn't made much difference here.but were only talking 4 weeks of bows then the guns come out.different situation in il. i personally hope they don't allow it.

dws

I live in Ohio and I hunt with a compound bow and a crossbow also. It's whatever I feel like using that day. They both have their advantages. We have a 4 month ARCHERY SEASON that lets you use either one as long as it's within the draw weights. I started deer hunting with a shotgun 23 years ago and bowhunting 10 years. I got the crossbow 5 years ago. It doesn't matter to me what people are using. There is more than enough deer to harvest if your willing to put a little bit of effort into it. I remember the days when it was buck only unless you where lucky enough to draw a doe permit. Now you are only allowed 1 buck if you buy more tags they are only for does. This helps to keep the population under control but it's a losing battle. Our harvest rate keeps climbing every year. There is also plenty of private land to hunt. There is a huge amount of public land also, it can be crowded in gun season but any time in archery season you can find an area to be completly by yourself. So I see no reason why crossbows should not be allowed at least in areas like Ohio.

beebecl

[I may be off base, but I think that it would increase the number of hunters in my area considerably, and the number of wounded deer. I think that people (not ethical hunters) would be more willing to take risky shots.]

I live in Ohio and have hunted with a crossbow for 10+ years. Ethics are a part of the HUNTER, not the hunting IMPLEMENT. Cheap shots, long shots, whatever, it's what the hunter decides to do. Everyone, regardless of what implement they're using, must be responsible for developing their skill and taking ethical shots.

For those compound shooters who have their noses in the air, a question: are rifle hunters lazier or more unethical than shotgun hunters in those states that allow both? And if I work so many hours that I don't have time to practice with a compound, does that mean I have any less right to hunt than you?

Not trying to be abrasive, but think about it.

bwhunter501

i personally wouldnt hunt with a crossbow even if they were legalized. I think it should only be issued to disabled people like it is now. i mean heck with a crossbow its almost just like a gun and thats what i like about regular bows they are nothin like guns. IMO

GSPsnFORDs

I don't care if they (Illinois) instates it or not. I will NEVER use one! Since I started seriously bow hunting I've come really really close to giving up shotgun season. The only major reason I've not given up shotgunning yet is the fact that there is quite a few of us that share the meat and if I don't have one or two by bow before shotgun season, then it is an almost gaurantee to get some meat (I still don't shoot small bucks however! ). From what I've experienced with bow hunting, shotguns or crossbows won't touch the feeling. With bow hunting I've gotten SO close (ground and tree stand) to the deer and have been able to learn/study them so intesely that it's just surreal. Come time for shotgun season, the deer don't act "natural" (IMO) and to me it's just not much fun anymore (For me anyways). And to me, crossbows would be just about like shotgun season and ruin it. Bow hunting (Compound and traditional) is just so much more intense, fun, and it gets your adrenaline rushing so much harder. Just my thoughts however, so take it as you will!

drstalker

GSpsnfords That's pretty much how I feel exactly.Hey seeing your from Mount Vernon,do you hunt Jefferson county or Franklin or how about Rend lake?I hunt Franklin co and have family all over the area.

1865

Crossbows are almost NOTHING like guns! They have a trigger and fire a projectile, that's it. As far as how that projectile works, the effective distance, the flight path, the kinetic energy and the accuracy are all much closer to that of a bow than even a muzzleloader. As far as limiting them to disabled hunters, why? I honestly think that most arguments against crossbows come down to the clubhouse complex. Bow hunters have extra time in the woods and they don't want anyone else joining them.

IL_BOW_MAN

DING DING DING, Bob we have a winner!! What is his prize!!

Yep, I will admit it....I am selfish. I don't want to give up any of my long season, but crossbow would not make me give up part of my season. So it really don't matter, and I wouldn't care about sharing the season with somebody using a crossbow ethically.

HAZCON7

During my hunt 1st season shotgun in November '03 I gun hunted out of a blind set up along a rub line. I had 2 awesome bucks within 3 feet of my blind, a 7 point that I shot and then a monster 12 point that I just watched. Just because you hunt with a shotgun during shotgun season, doesn't mean you have to take 150yard shots. To me there was no difference in the thrill I had when those bucks came in that close compared to any other bowhunting - it is on the hunter to make the most of his legal season. It is not decided by the weapon.

I couldn't agree more! We all cringe at the thought of another hunter in "our" woods.

For every argument against crossbows by bowhunters, the same argument could be waged against bowhunters by gun hunters. Why not welcome the opportunity of a new weapon and a chance to utilize new skills. After all, the goal is the same for all of us - quality overall experience with the benefit of tasty venison. How we get to that goal is a personal quest dictated by personal values and ethics, not dictated by which weapon is superior/inferior.

Cougar Mag

A couple of questions.....how would you Illinois hunters feel if high power rifles were to be allowed in deer season?

How do you feel about shotguns and muzzleloaders that are now allowed in handgun season?