crossbow

[Mtn.Ghost]

Any of you use a crossbow for bear? or know much about the chiwawa unit for blacky? I'm a disabled bow hunter with a crossbow permit hunting the first time with it this season bear, deer, elk any input welcome

[D-Rock425]

I have a buddy that is going to hunt with a crossbow this year too.  What kind do you have he is still looking for one

[Mtn.Ghost]

I have a Barnett Revolution AVI it's a 150# draw 345fps it's a really awesome setup, very accurate with Iron sites. You can't use scopes or lasers unless your vision in impaired to a certain degree. Thanks for the reply   

[bigtex]

just remember you can only use crossbows if you are disabled OR are in a firearm restriction area. They are unlawful in all other areas.

[Cascader74]

I don't understand why some states are so fearful of crossbows.  So they're precocked or whatever you want to call it, so what; they're still very limited distance.  Its not as though you're hearing of drive by's with crossbows in the news so get over the fear of 'em already.

[Mtn.Ghost]

This state is screwed when it comes to game management. They will let a person kill possibly 20-30 native coho salmon just to let you keep 2 hatchery ones example marine area 4. No matter how carefull you are barbless hooks, rubber net, not boating the fish, de-hooker ect. "A bleeding fish is a dead fish". They could do the right thing and let anglers keep the first 2 legal size fish instead of killing so many natives in the current process. All a cross bow is, is a compound bow with a stock they are not more or less lethal there is not a huge advantage except for a person that can no longer hold a standard bow at full draw e.g pre-cocking, I only have my crossbow cocked if I'm on stand. Pre-cocked on the boot?  Person can draw a crossbow just as easily as a compound bow when the need arises. Wdfw just has not found a way for the crossbow to provide them with fancy new loaded trucks and boats, do you see the stuff those guys roll? When was the last time a game officer didn't approach you like a instant suspect? They have all the toys thanks to all of us sportsmen, you think we could see some decent wildlife management or some enhanced habitat in the state. The reality is we get locked gates, short seasons and tickits for just about anything you attempt to do. Well, Wa. don't fear the crossbow, get on board most other states have and they allow scopes on them as well. Crossbow Mnfgs. do not even sell standard pin sites with the bows they all come with multi-reticle scopes or laser dots. I had to go direct to Barnett Crossbows to get a site that took a month. All I can say is don't fear what you shouldn't, due to lack of knowledge           

[bigtex]

I honestly don't think it's as much of a safety thing as to why WDFW doesn't let crossbows to be used by everyone in all units. I think WDFW is more about "preserving" hunting ethics. For example, just look at the muzzleloader restrictions, compared to other states WA is so restricted. However I will say that the restrictions on muzzleloaders have been easing.

You can also say the same about crossbows. Several years ago they were totally illegal, then disabled hunters could use them, and now they can be used in firearm restricted areas.

I think we are still a long ways off to seeing a complete allowance of crossbows however. Crossbows are known as the poachers tool of choice in many states. So it use to be if you owned a crossbow in WA you were probably up to no good, but since they are becoming more legal every year that mentality has changed.

I do know A LOT of hunters that don't want to see crossbows being used, and for them it's not the safety issues that bother them

[Kain]

I could see some hunters having a problem with them in archery season but there is really no reason you shouldnt be allowed to use them during modern firearms even with scopes.     I dont know why we cant use pellet guns on some small game either.  Oh well maybe someday. 

[one-eyed Ross]

At one time, the Pope outlawed the use of crossbows in warfare, except against Muslims during the Crusades...Seems they were too powerful for warfare against "civilized" Christians.

Just a hold over from the Medieval times....

[sako223]

The WDFW is not the only one to blame for tight restrictions on crossbows. Not that they are my favorite.
About 15 years ago I worked with the WDFW to allow crossbows for disabled as they were allowed in other states. The WDFW was for it at that time, It was the bow hunting groups on the wet side that fought it tooth and nail and they won. Only a small number of disabled hunters at that time. It really irritated me to hear them whine about how unfair it would be.
The bow hunters grouped together and had a voice then. It has left a bitter taste for me. A few of those guys need to try it with a bad limb and or on wheels. I already know what they would be whining about.

[Mtn.Ghost]

Well one could use the Long Bow/ Recurve vs the Compound Bow point The compound was never treated like a WMD or a tool of ill intent, The worst I ever heard about a compound in all my years of bow hunting was an old timer that was all about the long bow gave me hard time about needing training wheels Can anyone actually give a reason that crossbows are so much different than your modern compound bow ? Granted neither one are truly traditional hunting weapons like the long bow or muzzle loader. I would still rather hunt with my bow but I no longer can. I think people think to much and fear what they don't truly understand, if you must fear something at least base the fear on knowledge not image alone. Thank you all for your input. By using a crossbow nowadays kinda makes me feel like a black sheep in a place I used to belong I still love my sport and will pursue it as long as I can however I can. Nature is my church.           

[WASHBCBOOK]

Im crossbow bound also this is my 4th season 1cow and 3 deer and a crossbow is a great weapon
but it doesnt guarantee a kill you still must be able to stock up closo 30-50 yards to be safe
also they weigh much more than a regular bow..
what i have found out is that the only advantage you have is
you dont have to hold the arrow back for a shot with a compound
you might be holding for the right shot for a few seconds to a few minutes.
my crossbow is a tenpoint 350 fps i think is way fast just blows right thru your animal
could be good or bad..but all in all you still have to be sneakey and get close to the animals
you also cant use a scope unless your eye sight is shot..i have open tru-glo sights they work great
...good luck hope this help also if you are crossbow bound you can never go back to a compound bow
just a thought you might think of...

[huntnnw]

What's the one thing that kills bowhunters every year? Drawing your bow! Not like. .. oh I hear a deer and draw, couldn't hold it that long. There's the advantage of the crossbow,  your ready no movement you get into position and wait for whatever is coming.   That's my issue with them. If your truly disabled,  use a crossbow by all means.I am starting to see alot of people getting the disabled permit so they can use a crossbow without really any disability.  I also hear crossbows are only good to 50 yards......BS my dad has a crossbow that he purchased this year I could easily kill a elk at 100 yards with it, litteraly took it out of the box and shot 60 yard groups  with no prior experience shooting one.

[WASHBCBOOK]

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT
TO SAY IF SOMEBODY IS NOT DISABILED WHEN THEY ARE USING
A CROSSBOW.SOME PEOPLE YOU CANT EVEN TELL IF THEY ARE HURT
 BUT
ITS NOT FOR ME OR YOU TO JUDGE I RUN INTO A FEW PEOPLE LIKE YOU EVERY YEAR AND
I GUESS IF THE DOCTOR WHOM PUT THEIR DOCTORS LICENSE
ON THE LINE TO SIGN THE PAPER WORK TO QUALIFY
DIDNT THINK THEY HAD AN INJURY THEY WOULDNT HAVE SIGNED IT
I THINK PEOPLE LIKE YOU WISH YOU COULD USE A CROSSBOW
GROW UP....

[Mtn.Ghost]

What's the one thing that kills bowhunters every year? Drawing your bow! Not like. .. oh I hear a deer and draw, couldn't hold it that long. There's the advantage of the crossbow,  your ready no movement you get into position and wait for whatever is coming.   That's my issue with them. If your truly disabled,  use a crossbow by all means.I am starting to see alot of people getting the disabled permit so they can use a crossbow without really any disability.  I also hear crossbows are only good to 50 yards......BS my dad has a crossbow that he purchased this year I could easily kill a elk at 100 yards with it, litteraly took it out of the box and shot 60 yard groups  with no prior experience shooting one.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT
TO SAY IF SOMEBODY IS NOT DISABILED WHEN THEY ARE USING
A CROSSBOW.SOME PEOPLE YOU CANT EVEN TELL IF THEY ARE HURT
 BUT
ITS NOT FOR ME OR YOU TO JUDGE I RUN INTO A FEW PEOPLE LIKE YOU EVERY YEAR AND
I GUESS IF THE DOCTOR WHOM PUT THEIR DOCTORS LICENSE
ON THE LINE TO SIGN THE PAPER WORK TO QUALIFY
DIDNT THINK THEY HAD AN INJURY THEY WOULDNT HAVE SIGNED IT
I THINK PEOPLE LIKE YOU WISH YOU COULD USE A CROSSBOW
GROW UP....