I just noticed that the state of Tenn opened up archery and all other seasons to crossbows, in addition to traditional archery. A few other states do this as well, esp. in the south where whitetails run rampant. Anyone gonna hunt with x-bow for first time? Anyone gonna hunt with x-bow, *again* (legally), whether you have a disability or not?
So who here is going to hunt with a crossbow this fall?
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Polishrifleman
Member
Still against the law in Washington unless disabled, plus a new habit/hobby might not get past the wife. 
White Horseradish
Member
Just why are crossbows so frowned upon?
Polishrifleman
Member
I don't know but my guess is overpenetration, speed, length of shaft. I am sure that someone will have a much better expanation.
scout26
Member
Same in Illinois.
Plus, a new hobby/habit/toy will cause Mrs Scout26 to disable me !!!!!
Yes, I’ll be out this fall with my x-bow. I do hope the deer will be more cooperative this year <grin>. I have a bad shoulder and qualified for a x-bow permit. I’d rather use a regular bow but just can’t physically.
I think there is still a view in many states that blackpower and archery should be more of a primitive method season. Some states still prohibit scoped rifles during black powder.
A crossbow with a scope certainly does not strike one as a primitive weapon. But I can assure you, you still need to get the deer in close for an effective shot. Recommended distance with a x-bow is basically the same as that for a high end bow.
I think there is still a view in many states that blackpower and archery should be more of a primitive method season. Some states still prohibit scoped rifles during black powder.
A crossbow with a scope certainly does not strike one as a primitive weapon. But I can assure you, you still need to get the deer in close for an effective shot. Recommended distance with a x-bow is basically the same as that for a high end bow.
Good! Then you'll be disabled and qualify to use one!
Yes, the theory is that it's too easy to make accurate/powerful shots, and not traditional - longbows, recurves and now even compounds are considered traditional and therefore legal in archery season. What I think is dumb is that in my state, one cannot even use a crossbow during blackpowder or even during rifle! It's silly - if they'd let us use one during blackpowder, I'd use an x-bow over a muzzleloader myself. Not in rifle season however.Texas just started allowing crossbow for non-disabled during rifle season a couple of years ago. The reason crossbows were disallowed seems to be that many consider the crossbow to be a poacher's weapon. Rfle skills with archery noise. Frankly, I think Texas handled it perfectly. Let a man use a crossbow, but during the riflery season, when bowhunters can still hunt. It's a nice compromise.
That said, I've never owned a crossbow, and don't see myself going to the trouble. I might someday bowhunt, though.
That said, I've never owned a crossbow, and don't see myself going to the trouble. I might someday bowhunt, though.
Greybeard
Member
Quote: "Just why are crossbows so frowned upon?"
By no means the expert on the subject, but I understand that crossbows were considered "evil" weapons of war when developed across the Atlantic centuries ago. Even armour-clad swordsmen could be taken out pretty handily. Sort of the ancient version of "people dumb enough to bring a knife to a gun fight".
Some of today's bow-hunting "purists" feel that the ability to already have the bow cocked and/or (sometimes) superior accuracy gives an "unfair advantage". Whether truth or trash, I know not, but one theory I heard from a hunter ed. student around 5 years ago (when TX began to allow them during firearm season) was that many bow-hunters did not want additional people in the woods during "their" season ...
My experiece with crossbows is they are considerably noiser than other types of bows. A "thwack" about as loud as a .22 short out of a rifle. But legal in some places where a firearm ain't. Sometimes a good prescription for coons.
By no means the expert on the subject, but I understand that crossbows were considered "evil" weapons of war when developed across the Atlantic centuries ago. Even armour-clad swordsmen could be taken out pretty handily. Sort of the ancient version of "people dumb enough to bring a knife to a gun fight".
Some of today's bow-hunting "purists" feel that the ability to already have the bow cocked and/or (sometimes) superior accuracy gives an "unfair advantage". Whether truth or trash, I know not, but one theory I heard from a hunter ed. student around 5 years ago (when TX began to allow them during firearm season) was that many bow-hunters did not want additional people in the woods during "their" season ...
My experiece with crossbows is they are considerably noiser than other types of bows. A "thwack" about as loud as a .22 short out of a rifle. But legal in some places where a firearm ain't. Sometimes a good prescription for coons.
El Tejon
Member
Frowned up because "unsporting", old chum. Pip, pip, right then, what's all this then.
+1
I am rifle hunter, not a bowhunter, but this is the same that I hear from others. I guess that everone has their own idea as to what is sporting. Some of the anti-Xbow people have no problem with using chemical attractants, expensive scent-lock clothing, and bait. I guess you have to draw the line somewhere, but IMHO, it is up to the individual to decide how challenging they want their hunt to be.
By the way, if you didn't already know, Graybeard's forums have a specific crossbow area, with some real knowledgeable folks, in addition to just about every other outdoor-related area under the sun:
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/index.php
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=143
Gotta love graybeard's!
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/index.php
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=143
Gotta love graybeard's!
scout26
Member
El Tejon,
Actually I think it was a Pope (Urban II, IIRC) who outlawed the crossbow as a military arm, because so many of those rather expensively trained and equipped Knights (who also happened to well connected/bred), where being killed by lowly peasants with those fiendish crossbows. (aka: assualt bows
)
I think the Church also tried to outlaw English Longbows and Swiss Mercenaries (which is somewhat connected to why The Swiss Guards are at the Vatican. But that's a story for another time.)
Actually I think it was a Pope (Urban II, IIRC) who outlawed the crossbow as a military arm, because so many of those rather expensively trained and equipped Knights (who also happened to well connected/bred), where being killed by lowly peasants with those fiendish crossbows. (aka: assualt bows
) I think the Church also tried to outlaw English Longbows and Swiss Mercenaries (which is somewhat connected to why The Swiss Guards are at the Vatican. But that's a story for another time.)
Leadbutt
Member
Will miss this season here in Virginia, this year,but now they have opened it up to any and all users, will be read next year
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