Crossbows - Did the die hard bowhunters get thier way?

[Rockymtnx]

Did they die hard bow hunters get their way? Or are too many people unsure and uneducated about crossbows?

This afternoon at the AFGA conference SRD announced that there will be no special crossbow season in 2011.

At the end of hunting season there was a hunter survey sent out to Alberta RELM users. The last question had to do with if you were in favor of having a special crossbow season before the regular rifle season.
The results were as is:
37% Yes
44% No
19% Neutral

[NBFK]

Hopefully this holds it off for a few years I like our general seasons.

[HunterDave]

Thanks for posting Rocky! It's probably a good thing to not introduce this year anyway with the winter that we've had. They might want to re-evaluate the 2 supplemental doe tags this year as well. From what I've been reading on AO our wildlife is hurting, except for the coyotes.

[fatboyz]

So no special season, but the debate was around whether Crossbows would be classified as general archery equipment and be allowed during ALL archery seasons. Was this defeated aswell?

[reaper]

Looks like the hard work of provincial bowhunting organizations has paid off. Thanks to all that did their part to keep our archery seasons safe.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by reaper

Looks like the hard work of provincial bowhunting organizations has paid off. Thanks to all that did their part to keep our archery seasons safe.

So the provincial bowhunting organizations single handedly quashed this proposal all by themselves?

Knowing what their position was it seems a waste of time for SRD to even bother polling Alberta RELM users eh?

If you can stop patting yourself on the back long enough have a look at the % for and against in the OP .

[KBF]

Originally Posted by reaper

Looks like the hard work of provincial bowhunting organizations has paid off. Thanks to all that did their part to keep our archery seasons safe.

:

[CNP]

Originally Posted by Rockymtnx

1. Did they die hard bow hunters get their way?

2. Or are too many people unsure and uneducated about crossbows?

This afternoon at the AFGA conference SRD announced that there will be no special crossbow season in 2011.

At the end of hunting season there was a hunter survey sent out to Alberta RELM users. The last question had to do with if you were in favor of having a special crossbow season before the regular rifle season.
The results were as is:
37% Yes
44% No
19% Neutral

1. Probably. But they were assisted by other hunters too..

2. In your estimation, yes.

Originally Posted by BrownBear416

Im surprised at the vote but very happy with the outcome..

Hopefully they leave it alone now for a few years..

I have nothing against Crossbows but dont feel they belong in the Archery season and would like to see them have a season of there own..

I plan on buying one in the future but will be content to hunt with it during the General rifle seasons...

It's just like the Quebec "never endin' referendum" isn't it. They lost the battle, they lost the fight, but they don't give up...

[Cowtown guy]

Originally Posted by Rockymtnx

Or are too many people unsure and uneducated about crossbows?

I work at Bass Pro and I am telling you that way more than half of the people that want to buy one think they are a 75 - 100 yard tool. They see a scope and figure they can fling a pointy stick whichever way they choose.

This is in my opinion what is wrong with the crossbow. Too many folks are too lazy to be proficient with a compound and figure they can roll in with a crossbow and get critters that hang up out of range.

I think that if we implement a season for them, there should be some sort of training required. Educate folks on the effective range and how an arrow kills. By the way, I feel this way about any bowhunting. I know I could have used more education in the first couple of seasons I was bowhunting. It would have helped me in so many ways.

[Icefisher2885]

Very happy and excited to hear this news. Glad to see the majority of the bowhunters in the province came together on this one.

[RayM77]

Its celebration time. Thanks to the ABA and everyone who vote no!

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Stinkhammer

Its celebration time. Thanks to the ABA and everyone who vote no!

Would someone mind explaining to me exactly how ABA could have possibly effected the outcome of the SRD poll.............I mean other than telling their membership which way to vote on it? It might just be me but a few of the comments on this thread seem somewhat elitist* and not realistic. I'll admit that I may be missing something here though.

*"Elitism is the belief or attitude that some individuals, who form an elite — a select group of people with intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight or those who view their own views as so; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern."

[RayM77]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Would someone mind explaining to me exactly how ABA could have possibly effected the outcome of the SRD poll.............I mean other than telling their membership which way to vote on it? It might just be me but a few of the comments on this thread seem somewhat elitist* and not realistic. I'll admit that I may be missing something here though.

*"Elitism is the belief or attitude that some individuals, who form an elite — a select group of people with intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight or those who view their own views as so; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern."

Sounds like sour grapes to me. The ABA made a lot of people aware of the issue and also presented there case to SRD. Like others have said the majority has spoken. I guess you will just have to look harder for that shot gun permision.

[Morpheus32]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Would someone mind explaining to me exactly how ABA could have possibly effected the outcome of the SRD poll.............I mean other than telling their membership which way to vote on it? It might just be me but a few of the comments on this thread seem somewhat elitist* and not realistic. I'll admit that I may be missing something here though.

*"Elitism is the belief or attitude that some individuals, who form an elite — a select group of people with intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight or those who view their own views as so; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern."

An elite? Ok but an elite that anyone can join...just pick up a bow.... does not sound like it involves much intellect, wealth or any of the other stuff....you just have to buy a bow and practice. Sounds more like sour grapes to me. The vote did not go my way so everyone sucks and are uneducated.

[NaeKid]

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

I work at Bass Pro and I am telling you that way more than half of the people that want to buy one think they are a 75 - 100 yard tool. They see a scope and figure they can fling a pointy stick whichever way they choose.

This is in my opinion what is wrong with the crossbow. Too many folks are too lazy to be proficient with a compound and figure they can roll in with a crossbow and get critters that hang up out of range.

I think that if we implement a season for them, there should be some sort of training required. Educate folks on the effective range and how an arrow kills. By the way, I feel this way about any bowhunting. I know I could have used more education in the first couple of seasons I was bowhunting. It would have helped me in so many ways.

I have a cross-bow and my accuracy is pretty good at 75 yards and I can still bury my arrow into the target to about half-shaft at that distance.

I personally would love to see a hybrid season for cross-bow usage where the bow-guys have the normal start to the season and then about half-way through bow season cross-bow starts and then continues on as it is currently to the end of the season. Bow hunters get to start early and continue to the end, cross-bow needs to squeeze into the action with all the noisy rifles going off (and yes, I shoot rifle too).

As far as educating folks about bow-hunting and cross-bow hunting, I think that something would be quite nice to have. I bought my cross-bow as a "toy" to play with and quickly learned how much fun it really is and what it is capable of.


EndNote: When I describe the cross-bow as a toy, I feel it is a toy in the same way that I feel the .22LR is a toy - fun and cheap to play with and it builds up skill.

[Cowtown guy]

Originally Posted by NaeKid

I have a cross-bow and my accuracy is pretty good at 75 yards and I can still bury my arrow into the target to about half-shaft at that distance.

I personally would love to see a hybrid season for cross-bow usage where the bow-guys have the normal start to the season and then about half-way through bow season cross-bow starts and then continues on as it is currently to the end of the season. Bow hunters get to start early and continue to the end, cross-bow needs to squeeze into the action with all the noisy rifles going off (and yes, I shoot rifle too).

As far as educating folks about bow-hunting and cross-bow hunting, I think that something would be quite nice to have. I bought my cross-bow as a "toy" to play with and quickly learned how much fun it really is and what it is capable of.


EndNote: When I describe the cross-bow as a toy, I feel it is a toy in the same way that I feel the .22LR is a toy - fun and cheap to play with and it builds up skill.

While the accuracy may be fine, I am sure that you have noted how long it takes for the bolt to reach the target. This is what essentially limits the ethical distance in my mind. That and the fact that the energy falls out of them so fast.

[shorthair ptr.]

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

I work at Bass Pro and I am telling you that way more than half of the people that want to buy one think they are a 75 - 100 yard tool. They see a scope and figure they can fling a pointy stick whichever way they choose.

This is in my opinion what is wrong with the crossbow. Too many folks are too lazy to be proficient with a compound and figure they can roll in with a crossbow and get critters that hang up out of range.

I think that if we implement a season for them, there should be some sort of training required. Educate folks on the effective range and how an arrow kills. By the way, I feel this way about any bowhunting. I know I could have used more education in the first couple of seasons I was bowhunting. It would have helped me in so many ways.

I agree 100%. I'll openly admitt I voted against xbows being allowed during archery season, but I believe that it IS going to become the reallity in the very near future. I lived/hunted in ON for 15yrs where xbows were allowed. I also worked in an archery shop and got to see all sides of people that used them.
When I filled out the questionair last year and voted "no" to xbows, my comments suggested that AB implement the Bowhunter Education course. I'm not sure if it still exists but I'm looking into it. I took it when I was 15 just because it was believed that it could be mandatory if hunting in other places outside of On or Canada. the course was great and it could open the eyes of anyone who believes the xbow is like a gun.
I would suggest that when xbows are allowed during archery season, that anyone who buys an archery license/tag for the first time must have the Bowhunter Ed. card. IMO

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by shorthair ptr.

I agree 100%. I'll openly admitt I voted against xbows being allowed during archery season, but I believe that it IS going to become the reallity in the very near future. I lived/hunted in ON for 15yrs where xbows were allowed. I also worked in an archery shop and got to see all sides of people that used them.
When I filled out the questionair last year and voted "no" to xbows, my comments suggested that AB implement the Bowhunter Education course. I'm not sure if it still exists but I'm looking into it. I took it when I was 15 just because it was believed that it could be mandatory if hunting in other places outside of On or Canada. the course was great and it could open the eyes of anyone who believes the xbow is like a gun.
I would suggest that when xbows are allowed during archery season, that anyone who buys an archery license/tag for the first time must have the Bowhunter Ed. card. IMO

Well if they do that they could have a separate permit for X-Bows (like they do for regular archery now). So before you purchase that permit for the first time you could have to show proof you took a Bowhunter Ed card (if it exists in Alberta?) That way if you are only bow hunting without a cross-bow you don't have to jump through the extra hoop, especially if you have hunted for years with the bow.

Lefty

[hillbillyreefer]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Well if they do that they could have a separate permit for X-Bows (like they do for regular archery now). So before you purchase that permit for the first time you could have to show proof you took a Bowhunter Ed card (if it exists in Alberta?) That way if you are only bow hunting without a cross-bow you don't have to jump through the extra hoop, especially if you have hunted for years with the bow.

Lefty

So if you have bow hunted before you are grandfathered? If you are new you have to do the course for bow or x-bow?

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

So if you have bow hunted before you are grandfathered? If you are new you have to do the course for bow or x-bow?

Of course this is all speculation and hypothetical.....

I was just expanding on what shorthair ptr. said with my own twist.....

Usually the way things work is a grandfathering system. For instance, if you had a hunting licence prior to such and such date, you didn't have to take hunter training to get "hunting licence eligible" designation on your WIN card.

Also if you owned prohib. weapons before such and such date you were able to maintain and purchase new ones after, but no one else was able to get that designation, etc.

I just figure if you were allowed to before why would they give you another hoop to jump through to continue doing what you were doing prior?

Just my take on it....

Lefty

[shorthair ptr.]

Originally Posted by hillbillyreefer

So if you have bow hunted before you are grandfathered? If you are new you have to do the course for bow or x-bow?

Exactly. That's how I would suggest it.

[snortwheez]

Originally Posted by shorthair ptr.

I agree 100%. I'll openly admitt I voted against xbows being allowed during archery season, but I believe that it IS going to become the reallity in the very near future. I lived/hunted in ON for 15yrs where xbows were allowed. I also worked in an archery shop and got to see all sides of people that used them.
When I filled out the questionair last year and voted "no" to xbows, my comments suggested that AB implement the Bowhunter Education course. I'm not sure if it still exists but I'm looking into it. I took it when I was 15 just because it was believed that it could be mandatory if hunting in other places outside of On or Canada. the course was great and it could open the eyes of anyone who believes the xbow is like a gun.
I would suggest that when xbows are allowed during archery season, that anyone who buys an archery license/tag for the first time must have the Bowhunter Ed. card. IMO

But then again when $ permits, I plan on going VERTICAL again.

[snortwheez]

Originally Posted by Cowtown guy

I work at Bass Pro and I am telling you that way more than half of the people that want to buy one think they are a 75 - 100 yard tool. They see a scope and figure they can fling a pointy stick whichever way they choose.

These people need a KICK in the NUTS and open there eyes abit.

[crawfy]

Originally Posted by Rockymtnx

Did they die hard bow hunters get their way? Or are too many people unsure and uneducated about crossbows?

This afternoon at the AFGA conference SRD announced that there will be no special crossbow season in 2011.

At the end of hunting season there was a hunter survey sent out to Alberta RELM users. The last question had to do with if you were in favor of having a special crossbow season before the regular rifle season.
The results were as is:
37% Yes
44% No
19% Neutral

What would be intresting to Know is how many surveys went out and how many were answered. Was the survey intrest low or High.

[duffy4]

This is all about SRD's own poll, and decision.

On Sat. at the AG&GA resolutions discussions, there is one requesting a "primitive weapons season", if you will, including Muzzle loaders and cross-bows in some areas.

If that one passes with a good majority SRD may have something else to think about.

[Rockymtnx]

Originally Posted by duffy4

This is all about SRD's own poll, and decision.

On Sat. at the AG&GA resolutions discussions, there is one requesting a "primitive weapons season", if you will, including Muzzle loaders and cross-bows in some areas.

If that one passes with a good majority SRD may have something else to think about.

Duffy, this resolution was tabled.
I expect you will see it re-writen next year

[North of Owlseye]

Originally Posted by Rockymtnx

Did they die hard bow hunters get their way? Or are too many people unsure and uneducated about crossbows?

What is your comment about uneducated supposed to mean?

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by North of Owlseye

What is your comment about uneducated supposed to mean?

I can't speak for Rockymtnx but I took it as it meaning people having a limited amount of knowledge about crossbows as opposed to it possibly be taken out of context as people being stupid. I'm pretty sure that is what he meant.

[elkhunter11]

A large portion of the bow hutners out there seem to be using a bow that if you turn it side ways would be the same as using a cross bow.

There is one very significant distance, the archer that uses a regular bow has to hold the bow drawn using his muscles.

The skill level for using both proficiently is about the same,

If a crossbow is already sighted in , virtually anyone can aim it at a target, pull the trigger and hit the target. With a standard bow, you need to be able to draw the bow, hold it drawn until you are ready to shoot, and then cleanly release the arrow.

[HunterDave]

Here we go.