Luminocks Legalized for Washington

[huntnphool]

It's been interesting, over the last couple years, to read all the different comments and opinions on lumenoks. I have seen a lot of pro gun members on here make claims that lumenoks should not be allowed for this and for that, while at the same time they fight the anti gun groups and politicians trying to do the same thing, take away our individual rights.

Now before some idiot tries to argue that this is different because lumenoks are not in the constitution, yes, I know that, but the underlying point to the whole thing is "it should be our choice" and now it is.

If you want to spend more time tuning your arrows because it adds weight to the back end, its your choice. If you can't enter your animal in the P&Y record book because you used one, its your choice. If you want to use them because you lose a lot of arrows, its your choice. If you don't want to use them because you are dead set against them, it's your choice.

The bottom line is if they do nothing to aid in giving the hunter a advantage over the animal then it should be each individuals own choice to use them, and now it is! 

[snowpack]

I would think if it attracts more people to archery and bowhunting that it would be a good thing.  We see from time to time how hunting numbers (by percentage in WA) are lower, so if the additional opportunity in gear selection encourages more to take up the sport that is a plus, right?

[Smossy]

It's been interesting, over the last couple years, to read all the different comments and opinions on lumenoks. I have seen a lot of pro gun members on here make claims that lumenoks should not be allowed for this and for that, while at the same time they fight the anti gun groups and politicians trying to do the same thing, take away our individual rights.

Now before some idiot tries to argue that this is different because lumenoks are not in the constitution, yes, I know that, but the underlying point to the whole thing is "it should be our choice" and now it is.

If you want to spend more time tuning your arrows because it adds weight to the back end, its your choice. If you can't enter your animal in the P&Y record book because you used one, its your choice. If you want to use them because you lose a lot of arrows, its your choice. If you don't want to use them because you are dead set against them, it's your choice.

The bottom line is if they do nothing to aid in giving the hunter a advantage over the animal then it should be each individuals own choice to use them, and now it is! 

Well said man. If I can ever get the whole foc thing figured out 100% to tune arrows myself I absolutely will be using lighted nocks. Thats my choice..
Plus, what else do I have to do in the off season..?

[Bob33]

I don't have a strong position, but I do a question: do lighted nocks improve the odds of harvesting an animal? If not, then why use them? If they do, archery harvest rates should improve, which in effect will likely cause archery seasons to be changed or shortened.

[elk247]

I agree with most on this subject. Kind of a non issue for me personally, but a guy should have the choice. Its similar to the old let off restrictions and now the almost certanty of mech heads being the next to follow at some point. As tech evolves the laws need to change with the the times within reason. Not long ago almost all new bows were "illegal" with a 70% let off. With that being said my next adventure in the archery will be going traditional for deer. I can say i've had a few pass thru shots where it would have been nice to have a lighted nock to help find the arrow. Im sure we all have been there and done that.

[huntnphool]

If they do, archery harvest rates should improve, which in effect will likely cause archery seasons to be changed or shortened.

I think it will lead to less animals being lost, resulting in increased herd numbers, likely causing archery seasons to be extended.

[elk247]

I don't have a strong position, but I do a question: do lighted nocks improve the odds of harvesting an animal? If not, then why use them? If they do, archery harvest rates should improve, which in effect will likely cause archery seasons to be changed or shortened.

I dont think it will change harvest rates. I also dont think alot of guys will use them. Thete wiil be a market with some bowhunters for sure but traditional guys and speed freeks and guys that pay aytention to thier foc will probably choose not to use them. Some guys just have the 'if it aint broke dont fix it mentality' hopefully Radsav will weigh in on your question. I always like reading his opinions.

[bobcat]

I don't think people will use them with the idea that their chance of success will increase. They might use them to help in finding an arrow after shooting at an animal. I think most people will just use them for the "cool factor." It's really no different than using bright colors for fletching.

[iRem]

I don't have the time to change what I do and to insure that the lighted knocks are going to work for me. I really like the idea of using them, but am afraid that it will change the flight of my arrows and having to adjust what I do in my routines when I go out and shot. Not enough time in my day even through out the year to make theses changes. I can make the slight changes when I do fling some arrows but will get really frustrated when its all out of whack! If it was a hobby of mine through out the year I would probably do it! Enjoy gentlemen!

[RadSav]

So, how long before Pope & Young change their rules and start allowing them? 

Probably never.

You can bait deer with sweet feed in your back yard as long as there is no fence.  You can bait bear with donuts and chocolate brownies and shoot them from a modern engineered tree fort.  You can ambush an antelope at the only man made water supply for 10 miles in 100 degree weather.  You can shoot a dull broadhead from an arrow made of nanotubes and graphite fibers at 400 fps. You can find the distance to the animal with a laser rangefinder.  But heaven forbit you use a battery to light up your arrow nock when you shoot - that's just not sportsman like!!!

[huntnphool]

So, how long before Pope & Young change their rules and start allowing them? 

Probably never.

You can bait deer with sweet feed in your back yard as long as there is no fence.  You can bait bear with donuts and chocolate brownies and shoot them from a modern engineered tree fort.  You can shoot a dull broadhead from an arrow made of nanotubes and graphite fibers at 400 fps. You can find the distance to the animal with a laser rangefinder.  But heaven forbit you use a battery to light you arrows nock up when you shoot!!!

Pretty ridiculous isn't it.

How many states allow them now, 47? It won't be long before P&Y allow them.

[Bob33]

I don't think people will use them with the idea that their chance of success will increase. They might use them to help in finding an arrow after shooting at an animal. I think most people will just use them for the "cool factor." It's really no different than using bright colors for fletching.

I can see the cool factor, but finding arrows?  Surely it's not the economic cost: how many does a hunter lose in a season?

[RadSav]

I don't think people will use them with the idea that their chance of success will increase. They might use them to help in finding an arrow after shooting at an animal. I think most people will just use them for the "cool factor." It's really no different than using bright colors for fletching.

I can see the cool factor, but finding arrows?  Surely it's not the economic cost: how many does a hunter lose in a season?

You would be surprised!  We use to take a half dozen customers to Winthrop for the deer opener back in the 80's.  Six guys would loose about 20 arrows in a weekend   Shooting does can be pretty tough 

Back then you were losing about $3.50 an arrow.  Today with broadheads and a lighted nock I'd bet closer to $35.00 per arrow

[Bob33]

I don't think people will use them with the idea that their chance of success will increase. They might use them to help in finding an arrow after shooting at an animal. I think most people will just use them for the "cool factor." It's really no different than using bright colors for fletching.

I can see the cool factor, but finding arrows?  Surely it's not the economic cost: how many does a hunter lose in a season?

You would be surprised!  We use to take a half dozen customers to Winthrop for the deer opener back in the 80's.  Six guys would loose about 20 arrows in a weekend   Shooting does can be pretty tough 

Wow. Not a very good image.

[RadSav]

I don't think people will use them with the idea that their chance of success will increase. They might use them to help in finding an arrow after shooting at an animal. I think most people will just use them for the "cool factor." It's really no different than using bright colors for fletching.

I can see the cool factor, but finding arrows?  Surely it's not the economic cost: how many does a hunter lose in a season?

You would be surprised!  We use to take a half dozen customers to Winthrop for the deer opener back in the 80's.  Six guys would loose about 20 arrows in a weekend   Shooting does can be pretty tough 

Wow. Not a very good image.

Yeah, it was shocking to me.  Interesting thing back then was the guys that shot no sights had better results.  I think today with faster bows and modern rangefinders it would be much better.  Modern technology has definately improved much of the stick flinger image.  If we could get guys to replace their broadhead blades with more fequency it could get even better.  For the price of one single lighted nock you could replace the blades on three or four broadheads.

We were very strict about regular blade replacement back then.  As a result the recovery rate of animals hit was better than the firearm guys I guided and hung around with.  And we never shot at animals with rifles over 300 yards back then!  There is a reason guides and outfitters request you bring 20-40 rounds of ammunition and/or a dozen hunting arrows plus a few target arrows.  Humans get excited and miss.  It happens.  Can't apologies too much for that.