Crossbow during archery season

[Bald1]

After years and maybe even decades of arguing. Crossbows are now legal during all of NY's archery deer season. Previously they could only be used for 2 weeks at end of season. Lots of traditional archery hunters are upset, and strongly lobbied against this. Seems like most (or at least a lot) states have always aloud them. I tried one probably 12 yrs ago. Not a fan. They felt big and clumsy to me in a tree stand. I'm sure elderly and handicapped hunters will benefit from this. My only hope is that people don't over estimate their range and take silly shots. Nothing worse than injuring an animal and not recovering them. I'm wondering what the hunters here think? I guess I'm indifferent.

 

[GypsmJim]

I started deer hunting with a shotgun the first year I was old enough. I started bow hunting about 3 years later.

With time constraints and job requirements I stopped a few years after that. When my son turned of age and got his first bow, I got back into the sport. When his time constraints got too big, I stopped again. After retirement my buddy took up the sport, so once again I started back up again. Now, with shoulder problems, I'm out of the game.

I know, short story long.

I have considered getting a Crossbow, but in the end I decided to use the time scouting and drinking beer after I rake leaves and winterize the cabin.

Our camp is surrounded by many other camps that seem to be less and less used every year. The original owners have died and now children and grandchildren seldomly use the property. I would welcome new hunters. On Opening Day we would hear dozens of shots every hour. Now its dozens all day.

So, I guess my opinion is that it's not a problem for me. If it brings more people into the sport, I'm all for it. If the newbies lack the responsibility to track their target, then they should not be in the sport in the first place.

 

[s&wchad]

Michigan muzzleloader season now allows any legal firearm in the lower peninsula. I can use my .44 Mag in zone 1 and my .30-06 in zone 2.

We can't shoot doves, but they did reopen coyote season year round. We have a law that requires scientific game regulations, but our government ignores it.

I'm in suburban Metro Detroit and we have coyotes, deer and turkey all over our neighborhood. They're a big problem. The people in charge are idiots.

 

[Bald1]

Jim, you should get yourself a crossbow. Last week's of October are the most beautiful in the woods. I'm sure you know that.

 

[GypsmJim]

Jim, you should get yourself a crossbow. Last week's of October are the most beautiful in the woods. I'm sure you know that.

Yeah I know that. Buttttttt.....

My Dad passed away, my oldest and dearest friend got cancer, then a quadruple bypass, and my son moved to Tennessee, yada, yada. Now hunting and fishing must be done alone.

He still comes up for opening day in November, but my last days of October have been spent in TN the last few years. His boat is still in the water and the water temp. is still in the 80's.

Life changes. We need to change with it.

I just packed for the Labor Day weekend. No bow. But a Pre-27, a Blackhawk, an AR and a Garand. I also brought along a SR22 for the wife. She needs a LOT of practice......LOL.

 

[Bald1]

Jim, my son is in Winchester TN on Tim Fords lake. I think it's actually a reservoir. He's about an hr south of Nashville. I haven't got down there yet. He loves it.

 

[ladder13]

Crossbows are legal in NC. AFAIK everything is legal, during their "season", except MG's, poisons, explosives and electricity.

 

[GypsmJim]

Jim, my son is in Winchester TN on Tim Fords lake. I think it's actually a reservoir. He's about an hr south of Nashville. I haven't got down there yet. He loves it.

My son is is Hendersonville, about 45 minutes north of Nashville. He loves it as well. He has a huge lake only 10 minutes away. However, he really has no place to shoot. So he comes to NY for that. His house was also hit by a tornado the first year down there.

There are plusses and negatives everywhere.

 

[bearman49709]

Michigan muzzleloader season now allows any legal firearm in the lower peninsula. I can use my .44 Mag in zone 1 and my .30-06 in zone 2.

Zone 1 is the U.P., you live in zone 3 and what gun you can use goes by the rifle line not the hunting zone.

 

[jakerudy]

I deer hunt on my farm but am far from a hardcore deer hunter. I'd like to use my Black Widow longbow to harvest a deer but my shoulders don't allow sufficient practice anymore. Same reason I no longer shoot hard kicking rifles. That said I bought a crossbow a couple of years ago and it is very accurate out to 50 yards or so.

The weapon used probably has very little to do with some folks decisions to take silly shots.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I have killed deer with long bow, recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, shotgun, handgun, and rifle. They are all valid.

Have fun and be safe.

 

[dockmurgw]

They started here as legal with a permit, needed a doctors note stating a disability. Then they opened it up to anyone over 50, so I bought one and used it one season...took a doe...but my experience was like yours, I didnt like it in a stand, to bulky. Now it is open to anyone, no restrictions. This year I'm going to try hunting with my BFR revolver in 30 30...that should be interesting.

 

[Jerry in SC]

I had to give up archery and shotgun hunting after disc replacement surgery twenty years ago. I had hunted with recurves and long bows since the late 60's.

I never considered a crossbow, they were legal for handicapped hunters but I think they're now legal for anyone. Deer hunting has changed so much I'd never enjoy it as much, it's become like a business.

 

[Smithboomer]

Many parts of New York State are overrun with whitetail deer.