Crossbows for youths?

[DoubleJ]

What are the pro's and cons of allowing youths under the age of 10 or 12 to use a crossbow during archery season?  Just fishing for a discussion.

[carpsniperg2]

are you asking if it is legal? hunting with cross bows during archery season is not legal in this state without a disabled hunters foarm. it has to be upper body disablity as well. i am not sure if you know whis or was looking for somthing else i did not understand.

[Button Nubbs]

I'm pretty sure he wasn't asking about the legal side of crossbow use...

I would have no problem with it. If it gets kids into hunting the why not. On the other hand if they put in some effort shooting I'm sure they could do it with a bow.

[DoubleJ]

I know it's not currently legal.  I was kicking around a letter writing campaign to get it legal.  Just wanted to hear the opinion of others.

I was thinking maybe 10 and younger since a kid older than that should be able to pull a 40lb bow.  I don't like the idea of using a 40lb bow to hunt big game though.

[carpsniperg2]

o.k. now it is easy. crossbows are easy to shoot,very accurate. have very good killing power. they can give kids the opportunity to start hunting a season that they may not be able to hunt otherwise. theres a few to get you a start

[Machias]

I say nope, once they can draw and hold a bow, then they are old enough to bowhunt.  Only folks who should be able to use a crossbow are disabled hunters.  If the kids want to use a crossbow, they can use it during rifle season.   

[Bob33]

I say nope, once they can draw and hold a bow, then they are old enough to bowhunt.  Only folks who should be able to use a crossbow are disabled hunters.  If the kids want to use a crossbow, they can use it during rifle season.   

I agree. Youth can hunt in modern firearm seasons until they are old enough to shoot a 40# bow.

[Mtn.Ghost]

Cool idea but Being a X-bow hunter and also have, had been a 10yr old I don't really see how a kid could even make it thru hunters education wielding a leagal standard X-bow. Pulling the trigger is the only thing easy about shooting one, they are heavy 7.5 to 9+ lbs, awkward to carry very hard to cock without mechanical aid min leagal draw 150# Most 10yr olds seem to be pretty small these days. I say lets see something like very well managed youth only units rich with quality game to provide youths with opportunities of a life time. Kinda a Disney Land of hunting  .   

[Machias]

   You guys know what the key to attracting youth to hunting?  The midwest produces ALOT of hunters and in my humble opinion it's the abundance of small game.  Cottontails, gray and fox squirrels.  That is how you hook em for life.  Lots of quail, rabbits and squirrels.  Deer and turkeys when they are a little older.  Just like fishing, catfish, bluegills and crappie to start them off.  Lots of actions gets them enjoying their time outdoors.

[Mtn.Ghost]

I totally agree. My first kill as a kid was with a stick  it was a squirrel. Sticks were legall in my yard as a kid  Small game is very important in a beginner's hunting experience.       

[Todd_ID]

Good post Machias! 

I agree, and to further your thought... Those fathers of those kids in the Midwest were once kids whose Dad took them out small game hunting.  It's a family tradition that is passed down that loses a lot in translation when we only have big game hunting to pass down.  Turkeys are our closest edible game that we can use to pass on the traditions that are in abundance enough to keep the interest up, and even those are a hard sell for my 2 daughters.

As for the crossbows as a means to introduce more youth into the sport, I vote no.  The 40# minimum keeps the youngest out of bowhunting for a reason, and it has little to do with killing power.  Not to say that there aren't any irresponsible adult bow hunters (because they are out there), but bow hunting in general requires a more thorough understanding of all that hunting encompasses that kids can't fathom until they've had a couple years of hunting under their belt.  I'm all for kids bowhunting, in fact I spend a lot of my time and money pursuing that very goal with other people's kids, but I do everything I can to make sure they are ready to take one killing shot and not simply go shoot at a deer.  Rifle hunting allows for the necessary margin of error that kids need to still harvest an animal, but bowhunting does not.  And crossbows are nothing more than bows shot sideways. 

I'd much rather see the increased money from our special permit applications this year put toward securing rifle hunting land that is youth only in areas where the deer are too plentiful and need thinned.

[elkbuster]

I have 2 boys age 8 & 10.  The 10 year old is pretty big and strong (not that small compared to other 10 yr olds in his class).  He took Hunter Safety last summer and he hunted with a rifle for deer only.  He had a great time although did not have an opportunity to harvest a 3 point min. mule deer buck that we have in our neighborhood. 

Both my boys have bows, as I bow hunt only for elk.  My 10 year old is looking forward to drawing over 40lbs next year so that he can go bow hunting with Dad.  He is currently shooting a Mission Menace with 22 in DL and 32 lbs draw wt.  Not too long and he will be over 40 lbs.  He just turned 10 in May.  I take him out with his rifle and guide for him.  We saw lots of does last year and we had a great time calling a few within 5 yards of our position.  He was so excited when they got that close he couldn't hold back his giggles. 

I am going to take him out this year again as he has a modern rifle deer tag and elk tag.  I am going to also take him modern rifle elk for the first time this year.  I again will only be his guide.  He is as excited as I am about getting into the elk woods and getting a chance to see the majestic elk and experience elk camp.

For the 8 year old, he will take Hunter Safety next summer when he is 9 as his older brother did.  He is shooting a Mini Genesis right now at about 20 lbs draw wt.  He can't wait to go out hunting with Dad next year. 

Now with that said, I feel it is necessary to give my boys the training necessary to become Moral & Ethical hunters.  I feel these couple of years educating them to learn to hunt ethically and to dispatch an animal ethically.  I believe as said above that doing that is a lot more technical with bow than with modern firearm.  I feel the couple of years with me guiding them with their rifles will help them to become more technical and ethical when they take an animal.  I don't believe that getting them into archery hunting with me with a crossbow at their age now would help me or them reach the level of hunting I want them to attain.  Besides, a crossbow is heavier as pointed out and I feel since it is in the "locked and loaded" mode when hunting could be more dangerous than carrying a rifle at this stage.  At least they can keep a bullet out of the chamber until they are ready to take a shot at the intended target. 

JHMO.