DJH -------

There is a lot of chatter about the statistics that are coming out of Ohio in reference to the deer harvest. The thing that seems to stick in the craw of the crossbow opponent is that more deer are killed in that state by horizontal bowhunters than by vertical hunters. I did not realize that deer harvest was some kind of a tournament or Super Bowl, but I have so much more to learn about life. If the deer harvest truly is a tournament, then all bowhunters are the big losers because as it is in every other state, the gun hunters are the undisputed winners.

However, let us take a closer look at the harvest statistics for Ohio. During the season, just ended (2004-05) hunters killed 217,301 for all the various seasons (a new record) with 57,198 being taken by archery equipment (also a new record). Crossbow hunters accounted for 33,175 and longbow hunters 24,023. The archery kill was 26 percent of the total take a very significant component in thee overall deer management plan. Last year, archery was about 25 percent of the take, the first time it had reached such a significant portion. Some of the large percentage may be due to the urban zone harvest. In many of the urban zones, it would be impossible to use a gun.

In the state of Ohio there were an estimated 120,000 vertical hunters and 140,000 crossbow hunters. However, 30% of the vertical hunters also hunt with the crossbow. That would add another possible 36,000 crossbow hunters to the crossbow column bringing the total of crossbow hunters to 176,000. I would certainly hope that the crossbow kill would be greater, due simply to the greater number of hunters.

As I alluded to before, it does not really make that much difference whether a deer is taken with vertical or horizontal equipment, they are all taken with a bow and an arrow. The fact that is most reassuring to me is that the hunter in Ohio gets along with his brothers. When you purchase a deer license in Ohio, you may use any weapon you wish to fill that tag during any of the legal seasons. You can use your license to take it with a bow when the archery season opens. If you have not filled it by the time gun season opens, that same tag is good for a rifle or shotgun. No separate license is required for black powder. Your deer license is good for the muzzleloading season also. But everyone gets along and there is nothing to fight about except for the usual trespassing violations, poaching incidents and the ever present slob hunters behavior. And those, my friends, are present in every state.

Over all, the crossbow harvest in Ohio is higher because there are more crossbow hunters. The gun harvest is the highest because there are many more gun hunters. If a person wants to hate someone because they belong to a group that kills more deer than we should all hate the gun hunter. But I have a better idea. Lets not hate anyone. Instead, lets live and let live. Hatred is such a strain on the soul and such a waste of valuable emotion and human spirit.

adams

MAJay,

I feel your concern for the eventual loss of firearm season. I think that this is as much a product of urban sprawl then it is the crossbow. Regardless of what the outcome is with the crossbow, we need to work hard to preserve land and open spaces, espically here in the NorthEast. Out west it may not be such an issue as they set aside land as the region was being developed but here in the East it was more of an after thought.

nodog

I hunted with a first time bow / x-bow hunter last season who took 2 nice deer, a buck and a doe. He had a great time and while I didn't take any then, I was just as pleased. He prepared himself before the season and made the shots count. He makes some good jerky as well.

This year he'll have to find his own deer. The count maybe a little lower.

datamax

nodog - why did he tag and not you ? The range of a compound is actually farther than a crossbow. They are quieter, more maneverable .......... all things considered each has weaknesses and strengths that offset.

Was he a better hunter than you ? Luckier ? I don't believe that him using a crossbow gave him an advantage ....... do you ?

nodog

LOL Blast away Data. Blast away.

datamax

no - I'm serious

Thinking back to all my hunting ........ my compound was actually MORE advantageous in my hunting than a crossbow ever would have been. Multiple shots made, stalking through the woods , ultra quiet setup ........ impossible those are with a crossbow.

Now, out of a treestand ? Equal IMO. Any deer I shot with a compound I could have with a crossbow and vice versa.

What I'm getting at ........ the bowhunting doesn't really change much ( tree stand hunting ) be the weapon a crossbow or compound. The HUNT is getting within 20 yards, isn't it ?

ELKINMTCWB

HEHE what a JOKE. A few people that try to push the xbow and it is now a huge increases. 3 states out of the us. HAHA huge huge I tell you.

I can tell you you are making more problems than you think. I for one will teach the xbow is NOT bow hunting equpment,Till it is leagal in Montana. That date will be so long away my kids,KIDS will have to voat on it.

ELKINMTCWB

Prity bad if the numbers are to close add a few. Normal xbow hunting coment.

ELKINMTCWB

People are not getting it. If gun season is gone there will be NO WAY IN HELL we will beable to keep our guns. They will bereplaced by xbows in hunting. SO in turn the old big brother will say there is no reasion to have the old JUNK rifle.

ELKINMTCWB

I have not hunted with a 1st timer that has killed 2 deer in one year with a REAL bow ever.mmmmmmmmmmmmmm All the guys/ladys I hunt with must suck.Or maby the xbows help out a TON so there is less need for skill.I would bet on the 2nd one :}