lighted nocks

[huntingfool7]

Washington State Bowhunters is running a poll on legalizing light up nocks. 

www.wabowhunters.org

[carpsniperg2]

wow about 50/50 yes no. i don't understand why so many people say no. i am all for them, all it does is help you see where you arrow hits the animal and helps fine your animal. in no way does it make it more lethal, or give a hunter any edge. and they are also a little more heavy compared to the standard nock. so if anything it slows your arrow down a fps that's my i have made washington legal ones messing around before and just take a Mini glow stick and shove it in the nock after cracking it and they glow pretty nice. there is a few companies i have heard of making disposable nocks that you just toss after using them. i have yet to see them around

[Ray]

The electronics on the bow and arrow has been a sore point among some people for a while.

Why do people vote no? Well there may be many answers to that. I believe the modern hunter really would like to justify many little technological advancements to support their hunt. Leaving electronics OFF the bow an arrow is a simple place to draw the line in a legal and ethical sense. I believe that the modern day archer who promotes or condones electronics on their bow simply relies on too much technology. This really tells a lot about the person who believes it should be one way or another. One might have to take a look at what hunting is all about and how it is perceived and promoted for the public and for future generations with regards to behavior of archers, permitted equipment as well as law. For me hunting is a raw experience. Even when I rifle hunt. I am certain that many people hunt for differing reasons and have different points of view on all of this.

As a cheap alternative I know people can simply place reflective tape onto their arrows and utilize a cheap flashlight to see where the arrows went. I believe that this technology will promote the behavior of shooting when it is too dark. Potentially creating more unethical shots to take place in the field. Archers seek to stretch the distance of their equipment, the speed of the delivery and the preciseness of their shot. Why not the electronic nock to make the final deed so much easier? Right? Archers have lived without these sort of gagdets on the bow and arrow for decades. We should carefully consider this matter.

Overall it's an interesting situation that organization has placed the poll up on their front page. It's obvious that WSB is focused like a laser beam on the critical matters. Pun intended. What happend to opportunities for special permits and general seasons? Or even getting new members into their ranks. How about local and upcoming activities or events being promoted? A personal look at WSB - Four times I attempted in the past 4 years to join their organization by submitting the form on the site, but it goes into outer space and I have never heard a peep back. From what I can tell the most recent content on that site appears to date back to 2005. If this is the most important issue at hand for that organization then that's too bad. Looking at the content on their site one could conclude they are not far from an extinct organization. After this move I know some people will see that organization in a dimmer view. I concurr and no longer feel compelled to join the ranks there. I can imagine what the game commission will think about the archery community when this is proposed. Mostly I believe what might run through their mind is some of what I have mentioned. - Is this really the most critical matter for achers in WA state?

Some things to ponder... What really happened to the hunter who went into the forest and challenged the game with raw weaponry and without ATVs (for the well abled), trail cameras, GPS devices, rangefinders, Google Maps, satellite imagery, etc? It's like an extinct species. There is a wealth of information and existing technological or equipment at the hunter's disposal. Making a nock into the critical issue for bowhunters this year or any other seems... a little odd. I'd prefer to believe that archers are viewed as the type of people who harvest their game in the woods without needing or wanting these sort of devices. Why? Because I think that they are better than that. To me this idea of electronics on the bow and arrow is a departure from primitive weaponry in whole.

Fair Chase... By definition of Pope and Young Club we should consider what is "Fair Chase" and if this is an important and the right step for our state. Now these Fair Chase ethics and standards which have been acknowledged and accepted for a reason. To preserve image, promote ethics, and foster the frame of mind so bowhunters do not forget or lose contact with what is clearly a consensus of hunting in an ethically sound manner. Which has been a standard set by several generations of archers on a national scale. There is enough wisdom among their membership ranks to take note of..

http://www.pope-young.org/bowhunting_fairchase.asp

The term “Fair Chase” shall not include the taking of animals under the following conditions:

Helpless in a trap, deep snow or water, or on ice.
From any power vehicle or power boat.
By “jacklighting” or shining at night.
By the use of any tranquilizers or poisons.
While inside escape-proof fenced enclosures.
By the use of any power vehicle or power boats for herding or driving animals, including use of aircraft to land alongside or to communicate with or direct a hunter on the ground.
By the use of electronic devices for attracting, locating or pursuing game or guiding the hunter to such game, or by the use of a bow or arrow to which any electronic device is attached.
Any other condition considered by the Board of Directors as unacceptable.
The fair chase concept does, however, extend beyond the hunt itself; it is an attitude and a way of life based in a deep-seated respect for wildlife, for the environment, and for other individuals who share the bounty of this vast continent’s natural resources.

[Machias]

I voted no.  I understand the arguement made by the guys who want them, I just think it's one more small baby step down the wrong road.   

[Snapshot]

i don't understand why so many people say no.

It is because they are not necessary!

Ray said it very well in his reply. I will emphasize that they are an aid to taking risky shots; too dark or too far.

And I agree that there are more important things that should be addressed. And I concur that if bowhunters become a 'pebble in the shoe' of the WDFW with this sort of issue then the department won't take us seriously on the jugular issues.

Y'all should pick up the Oct/Nov issue of Traditional Bowhunter and read Fred Asbell's article entitled "Avoiding Easier..." It will shed more light on why there is a large segment of archery hunters that shun the tendency to try to make things easier.

[Whitenuckles]

I vote no for electronics, But a big YES for mechanical broad heads!

[boneaddict]

Voted No, for all of the above reasons.  They are not needed or wanted.  Need to draw a line in the sand somehwere. 

[ribka]

Voted no. The slippery slope argument.
If we keep allowing advancements in technology will end up with a 5 day archery season 

[huntingfool7]

I don't see the "unfair" advantage of using light up nocks.  I use them daily on my shop range. It helps to see where the arrow impacts.
This is the biggest advantage and the best reason that I can see for using them while hunting.  It is important to see where your arrow impacts the animal.  Knowing where your shot went directly relates to how long to wait before following up.  

My eyes are getting older and I am have difficulty seeing the arrow impact while hunting in heavy timber.  

As previously stated, if you use them you can not enter your animal into Pope and Young.  Personally, I'm not someone that is concerned with getting my name in a book.  Seems like I should be able to make that choice for myself.  These nocks are legal in 44 of the 50 states.

As far as shooting at night goes, you still need to see your sights and you still need to see the target.  This is not about jacklighting or putting lights on your bow sights.  

It's about calling your shots accurately and as a side benefit, finding your shot arrows.

[boneaddict]

This is the biggest advantage and the best reason that I can see for using them while hunting.  It is important to see where your arrow impacts the animal.  Knowing where your shot went directly relates to how long to wait before following

Honestly I think if you can't see where your arrow is impacting with colored fletchings or a white nock, then it is probably inappropriate lighting to take the shot.   I think folks will try shots they shouldn't with these items.

This has been debated in the ground and most likely being pushed by the WSBs new Vice President as he really wants them.  I don't think we need presidence for electronical devices on a primitive weapon.  I wonder if Fred Bear needed lighted nocks.

[DBZona]

i don't understand why so many people say no.

It is because they are not necessary!

Ray said it very well in his reply. I will emphasize that they are an aid to taking risky shots; too dark or too far.

And I agree that there are more important things that should be addressed. And I concur that if bowhunters become a 'pebble in the shoe' of the WDFW with this sort of issue then the department won't take us seriously on the jugular issues.

Y'all should pick up the Oct/Nov issue of Traditional Bowhunter and read Fred Asbell's article entitled "Avoiding Easier..." It will shed more light on why there is a large segment of archery hunters that shun the tendency to try to make things easier.

What about in my case?  I am colorblind and have a difficult enough time finding my arrow and fletchings, no matter what color they are or the time of day it is.  It sucks.  It really really sucks to try to follow a blood trail and that is why I now own a blood hunter (have not used it yet) to hopefully help.  I really do support the use of them.  In regard to taking shots that are "too dark or too far", unethical hunters are now doing this without lighted nocks, so that as an argument, in my opinion, has no foundation in the issue of legalizing their use.   So my stance is that lighted nocks will, most importantly, aid in the retrievel of arrows after a shot

[huntingfool7]

@DBzone- Green and Yellow light ups are most highly visible to color blind persons.  If you would like to see them, my shop/range is in Tacoma.  I think that you would find these really stand out. 

[DBZona]

@DBzone- Green and Yellow light ups are most highly visible to color blind persons.  If you would like to see them, my shop/range is in Tacoma.  I think that you would find these really stand out. 

Can you move your shop to Spokane?     Does anyone know, in my case,if there is a way I can use them within the law?

[Ray]

unethical hunters are now doing this without lighted nocks

Should archers be not concerned when they permit situations which might promote more unethical behavior. I think not.

There was a suggestion above to use reflective tape on the tip of the arrow.

The number of technological advantages hunters possess these days is huge. I'm sure the game commission will be happy to turn over more hunting opportunities to other user groups while they listen to the reasoning for electronics on the bow and arrow; which has been cited by several well respected organizations as unethical. Archers forfeited 20% of their early season permanently in 2009. Then this turns up as the critical matter of the season. The priorities seem a little off to me.

[hughjorgan]

I am fine if they make them legal and can support them as long as it doesn't cost any of our season, such as losing more days for archery deer or elk. But if it is going to do the latter then I think we can do with out them.