UpTheIrons
Member
Here's a question for the non-Texans out there:
This year, for the first time, crossbows are a legal means of taking deer during archery season for the general population. Previously, they were legal only for those who had a medical reason for not using a traditional or compound bow.
I have a few acquaintances who are absolutely certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt that this legalizing of crossbows during archery season is sure to cause a rise in the poaching of whitetail deer.
I tried to reason with one of these guys, saying that crossbows have been for sale in Texas for years, and if poachers were going to use them, they would already be using them now - legalizing them during archery season isn't going to change that.
He counters that game wardens (who would normally be able to get close to where they heard a shot) would no longer be able to hear poachers shooting at night. I reiterated the above, but he was having none of it. :banghead:
For those of you in states where crossbows are legal:
1) Have they always been a legal means of taking deer?
2) If not, was there a rise in poaching after their introduction?
3) Do you know of any stats from your state about the number of possible/actual poaching incidents involving a crossbow?
I know it is likely a losing proposition, but I've known this guy for years and I'm done just taking his assertions at face value, and I'm going to call him on them. It would be nice to have some corroborating evidence, but I know it is a long shot.
This year, for the first time, crossbows are a legal means of taking deer during archery season for the general population. Previously, they were legal only for those who had a medical reason for not using a traditional or compound bow.
I have a few acquaintances who are absolutely certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt that this legalizing of crossbows during archery season is sure to cause a rise in the poaching of whitetail deer.
I tried to reason with one of these guys, saying that crossbows have been for sale in Texas for years, and if poachers were going to use them, they would already be using them now - legalizing them during archery season isn't going to change that.
He counters that game wardens (who would normally be able to get close to where they heard a shot) would no longer be able to hear poachers shooting at night. I reiterated the above, but he was having none of it. :banghead:
For those of you in states where crossbows are legal:
1) Have they always been a legal means of taking deer?
2) If not, was there a rise in poaching after their introduction?
3) Do you know of any stats from your state about the number of possible/actual poaching incidents involving a crossbow?
I know it is likely a losing proposition, but I've known this guy for years and I'm done just taking his assertions at face value, and I'm going to call him on them. It would be nice to have some corroborating evidence, but I know it is a long shot.