Cross bows

[lokidog]

I don't know what the big deal is....  No, it should not be allowed during archery only season any more than one of those cocking devices should be allowed on a compound bow.  Yes, it should be allowed during Modern Rifle season.  Other than not disturbing the neighbors, they offer no advantages over a rifle to make it less "fair" to hunt with.  It is silly and naive to say no because it could be used for poaching.  I wonder if someone wanting to poach might use one anyways, even if not legal during modern rifle season??  I can't imagine someone using a prohibited weapon for poaching.   

Crossbows might even be a way to encourage people not into guns and without the strength to draw a bow into the ranks of hunters, not that we really need more people filling up the woods.   

Crossbows have now been allowed in firearm restricted areas here in WA.  I am guessing there have been no increases in poaching or other negative incidents due to their allowed use.

[grundy53]

Probably one of the most effective poaching weapons out there, and most utilized for nighttime suburban hunting.   (according to wild justice anyway)

No question it happens.  However, 90% of us own the most common poaching weapon: a .22 rifle.

[grundy53]

I voted yes but only for modern. It would be nice in the firearm restricted areas.

[Kain]

I voted yes but only for modern. It would be nice in the firearm restricted areas.

I would vote yes but only during modern.  It is already legal in firearm restricted areas.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00766/wdfw00766.pdf  Page 70

Crossbows:
Crossbows may be used to hunt wildlife in firearm
restriction areas. See page 75.

3. Rules pertaining to crossbows:
a. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals
with a crossbow with a draw weight less
than 125 pounds, a limb width less than 24
inches, a draw length less than 14 inches,
and a trigger safety that does not work
properly.
b. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with
any arrow or bolt measuring less than 16
inches in length and weighing less than 350
grains.
c. It is unlawful to hunt game animals or game
birds with a crossbow that weighs more
than 15 pounds.
d. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals
with any arrow or bolt that does not have a
sharp broadhead and the broadhead blade
or blades are less than seven-eighths inch
wide.
e. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with
a broadhead blade unless the broadhead is
unbarbed and completely closed at the back
end of the blade or blades by a smooth,
unbroken surface starting at maximum
blade width and forming a smooth line
toward the feather end of the shaft, and
such line does not angle toward the point.
f. It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with
a retractable broadhead.

[throttlejocky20]

I said no because there is a reason serious bow hunters hunt with a bow. Its all about the hunt, when your 100 yars away thats when the real hunt begins. A second reason is there would be alot of dumb s---- buying cross bows and giving bow hunters a worst name than some of the idiots out there today.

[Ray]

The crossbow seems to be something people would want to shoot from stationary positions (blinds and treestands) or when they are not far from the car. They're bulky and somewhat heavier. I couldn't imagine wanting to walk all day with one in the woods.

I think the crossbow is coming because the NRA keeps backing it along with the crossbow industry. However I don't think most bowhunters are pushing for it at all. I was surprised to see.... what was it? North Dakota recently approve them.

[Kain]

I really see it as two separate issues.

Crossbows during archery deer and elk season= Hell no
Crossbows legal all other times= hell yes

I think it would be a blast to go predator hunting with one.  Going after bobcats and have a coyote come in....Thwack!  Then keep on calling.   

The only problem I see with them is that they are a poachers dream weapon but I also hate when they outlaw something because someone will use it to break the law.

[lokidog]

"The only problem I see with them is that they are a poachers dream weapon but I also hate when they outlaw something because someone will use it to break the law."  Kain and everyone else worried about poaching....  poachers always follow the laws on what weapons they can use?  So they only poach with a modern rifle during modern, a ML during ML season, etc.??

As nearly everyone has said, NO during archery season, because it is not a bow. 

But WTF is the issue with them during Modern rifle season when any other weapon, including scoped ML's can be used?  This whole argument makes no sense whatsoever.  I think only a couple wackadoodlew states allow them during archery season.  For a disabled hunter who cannot draw or hold a bow back though, why not?  A neighbor of ours, 30+ years ago, was missing his left hand and had a crossbow permit.  Should he not have been allowed to hunt during archery season?

Wow, sounds like the "I don't like baiting and hounds for bear and cats" thing....   

Merry Christmas,  and yes I'd love to see a crossbow under the tree.   

[Rgrady35]

HA! Modern compound bow= Verticle crossbow!   

[JimmyHoffa]

I guess I'm not seeing the big issue with letting them be used during archery season.  I have seen comments made about their shooting range ability.  I've played with one of my friend's compound crossbows and it will get out to 50 yards.  The bolt isn't really heavy enough to really be used beyond that distance though.  I've also seen where the compound bows shoot just about as fast, but with a heavier arrow.  Also there are threads on this forum with guys talking about having 9, even 10, sight pins on their compound bows.  Some talking about feeling comfortable shooting at deer 90 yards, and quite a few that routinely shoot animals at 60-70 yards.  So I really am not seeing how a crossbow is much if any advantage over some of these new compounds.  The best reason I can see to argue against them is because they are much easier to master, and then more people that want to get away from the sea of orange will move to archery season.

[Kain]

"The only problem I see with them is that they are a poachers dream weapon but I also hate when they outlaw something because someone will use it to break the law."  Kain and everyone else worried about poaching....  poachers always follow the laws on what weapons they can use?  So they only poach with a modern rifle during modern, a ML during ML season, etc.??

No they dont care about the law but if they were never legal, anyone with one, would be a poacher.  I dont agree with this Im just stating that it can be abused even worse than a firearm because it has the silence factor. 

HA! Modern compound bow= Verticle crossbow!   

I dont agree with this at all.  I had the biggest buck of my life come out of the brush at forty yard and walk straight towards me.  I was unable to draw my bow the entire time and he came to within 20 yards.  He finally busted me and took off.  Had I had a gun or crossbow I could have been in a sitting position with my weapon already shouldered.  You just cant do that with a bow, compound or not.  That is one of the limitations and it need to stay that way.

[Bob33]

No they dont care about the law but if they were never legal, anyone with one, would be a poacher. 

That's true only if you're hunting, right?  If you simply want to "target practice" with a crossbow, they're already legal.  If they were illegal for all hunting, wouldn't poachers simply say they were out shooting targets?

[Kain]

No they dont care about the law but if they were never legal, anyone with one, would be a poacher.  

That's true only if you're hunting, right?  If you simply want to "target practice" with a crossbow, they're already legal.  If they were illegal for all hunting, wouldn't poachers simply say they were out shooting targets?

 Sure I guess a guy could be carrying a crossbow through the woods shooting stumps with broadheads for practice but I think we are stretching it a little far.  

Again I think they should be legal for all hunting except archery deer and elk season.  I was just stating that they are a very appealing weapon for poachers but that shouldnt be a reason for the rest of us not to be able to use them..

[Bob33]

I don't use a crossbow, and I think they significantly shorten the learning curve and greatly extend the effective range for a new bowhunter.  In archery only hunts they should not be allowed.  For hunts where shotguns with rifled barrel and scopes, or muzzleloaders with 209 primers and telescopic sights are already allowed, I don't have a problem with them being legal.

[csaaphill]

pretty close though the No's have it but the 11% maybys comeing my way woudl topple to the yes side so I hope this changes some time soon.
Good issue though and somewhat entertaining.