Is it time to make Xbow season the same ?

[WildmanWilson]

I know this is still a touchy subject with some but we can now all see the xbow didn't take over and decimate the herd. Why in the world not allow them the first two weeks of season? Its not going to make much difference in my opinion. I just don't see a huge influx of xbow guys dying to kill a velvet buck that its going to hurt. What says you....??

 

[KY_Fried]

I don't bow or xbow hunt anymore but I'd have to agree with you. We need all the hunters we can get IMO.

 

[Redlined]

I know this is still a touchy subject with some but we can now all see the xbow didn't take over and decimate the herd. Why in the world not allow them the first two weeks of season? Its not going to make much difference in my opinion. I just don't see a huge influx of xbow guys dying to kill a velvet buck that its going to hurt. What says you....??

Nope. But I remember the first thread about this 15 years ago, I'll go get the popcorn.

 

[Cornpile]

Why not,you only get one buck anyway. What difference does it make what you shoot
him with.

 

[Little FR]

I really would have enjoyed dragging my wife out in the heat with me killing deers 2 weeks early. It would be have been… fun.

Really, I think they should make the first two weeks for traditional bows and push the compounds back to the crossbows if they want to make it a separation.

My biggest gripe is the crossbow turkey season. It makes no sense. It’s not much harder to kill a turkey with bow than crossbow in fall.

 

[120+]

I know this is still a touchy subject with some but we can now all see the xbow didn't take over and decimate the herd. Why in the world not allow them the first two weeks of season? Its not going to make much difference in my opinion. I just don't see a huge influx of xbow guys dying to kill a velvet buck that its going to hurt. What says you....??

I wouldn't kick up a fuss if they did it but in my opinion they should make September traditional archery only. It will never happen but I'd like to see it.

 

[120+]

I really would have enjoyed dragging my wife out in the heat with me killing deers 2 weeks early. It would be have been… fun.

Really, I think they should make the first two weeks for traditional bows and push the compounds back to the crossbows if they want to make it a separation.

My biggest gripe is the crossbow turkey season. It makes no sense. It’s not much harder to kill a turkey with bow than crossbow in fall.

I disagree totally on the turkey season comment. The argument is the same as deer hunting except it's even more critical with a sharp-eyed turkey. Not having to move to draw while they are in range is huge.

 

[120+]

I know this is still a touchy subject with some but we can now all see the xbow didn't take over and decimate the herd. Why in the world not allow them the first two weeks of season? Its not going to make much difference in my opinion. I just don't see a huge influx of xbow guys dying to kill a velvet buck that its going to hurt. What says you....??

I'll say this Wildman. Given the current technology the distinction between bows and crossbows should not be the main factor for Pope and Young. These guys sitting in a sealed up blind and only opening a window to shoot not only removes the movement factor but also the scent factor which is an even bigger hurdle. Add the rangefinding sights and trail cameras makes it even harder to argue the difference.

 

[WildmanWilson]

I just don’t see the need to special seasons. Anyone can use traditional or compound or xbow if they want. Maybe on public land they could do special seasons but on private land it doesn’t matter if the neighbors use a longbow or xbow.

 

[carnivore]

Most of us can get an exemption anyway but i cant imagine anyone fussing too much about it these days. No brainer.

 

[Little FR]

I disagree totally on the turkey season comment. The argument is the same as deer hunting except it's even more critical with a sharp-eyed turkey. Not having to move to draw while they are in range is huge.

You kill many turkeys with a bow/xbow? I bow hunt them on the ground with no blind…. Equal success with both.

My biggest gripe is why have a turkey shotgun season in fall and not allow a crossbow. I’ve carried both in fall.

 

[bow_hunter_42452]

I wish they would make it the same because my boy loves to hunt but can not pull a bow back so he takes the crossbow that would give him an opportunity at a velvet buck.

 

[1wildcatfan]

make it the same season, not going to change the harvest much. Silly to restrict the weeks if it's already open during archery...... but also let me use my pistols the same season. Not any pistol cartridge, has to have a max length to eliminate the Contenders shooting rifle cartridges. More challenging shooting my 44, 357, 480 and 10 mm than the crossguns.

 

[1wildcatfan]

I'll say this Wildman. Given the current technology the distinction between bows and crossbows should not be the main factor for Pope and Young. These guys sitting in a sealed up blind and only opening a window to shoot not only removes the movement factor but also the scent factor which is an even bigger hurdle. Add the rangefinding sights and trail cameras makes it even harder to argue the difference.

Any electronic rangefinding sight disqualifies a deer from entry to P&Y and B&C. People use bipods for crossbows. People use bipods with the clamping jaws for crossbows where all you do is aim through your telescopic sight and pull the trigger, no holding the xbow. Yeah i think theres a big difference and i applaud P&Y for keeping the crossguns out.

 

[120+]

I just don’t see the need to special seasons. Anyone can use traditional or compound or xbow if they want. Maybe on public land they could do special seasons but on private land it doesn’t matter if the neighbors use a longbow or xbow.

One could make that argument with muzzle season as well. Technology has made them nearly the same as a single shot rifle.