crossbows

[grtwhthunter/fisherman]

im so glad to b hear im automatically a senior and really am 42 lol. anyway in case you didnt read crossbows will be a legal tool next yeat 2009. and will be allowed to b used during regular bow season. only hang uo ???//// a good one for some reason cost more than a great quality muzzleloader ??? 6-7 hundred wtfudge.i feel maybe it will bring less (wounded deer) do to poor shot placement by no means meant by any of us .

[cableguy657]

I know what you mean, I have been looking at the Ten point crossbows.

[stephenf]

I have no problem with them as a hunting tool ,i just feel they dont belong in archery season ,it is more like a gun than a bow . Plus i understand no test like we had to do for muzzle loader , it sscares me as i have allready heard guys saying now they can drive deer during archery , to much foliage to hit and deflect an arrow , i hope nothing bad happens .

[ub1243]

they are not a bow and shouldn't be used in archery season.
i have no problem with a person who can't draw a bow using them. but they should not be included in archery season.
just another set of permits for f+g to sell the people.

[onthehunt]

I will still use my compound anyway. It's a confidence thing:rolleyes:

[cableguy657]

From what I have read the still only have the range of 40yrds, you may shoot it like a gun but its still a bow.

I think some of the older guys that have problems with arthritis or bad backs this gives them the opportunity to get back into the woods bowhunting.

[JC333]

I agree with the fact that they are not the same as a bow and arrow, compound or otherwise. I own an Excalibur recurve crossbow and you can shoot past 40 yards with accuracy. I also shoot compound and traditional longbow.It's fun on target and small game. For deer, it should be a seperate season or be allowed in the firearm season, not the bow season. Just my 2 cents.
PS Great new site !!!!!!!!!

[grtwhthunter/fisherman]

my point exactly i do have bad back and struggle with my bow but still enjoy . BUT like it was stated for our own good it is better to b included in archery season SO WE DONT HAVE MORE LICENSE AND PERMITS TO BUY :eek: GET IT agree or not this is another way to charge us more on top of more .PS FACT WE R ONE OF ONLY TWO STATES LEFT WITH NO CROSSBOW SEASON. I PERSONALY CANT AFFORD another lisence fee to hunt regardless of how we do it

[buckhunter14]

i have TEN POINT CROSS BOW THEY ARE WORTH THE MONEY

[maine_sport]

Maine only allows crossbow hunting in the deer and bear firearm seasons, not in any bow season. To hunt with your crossbow requires a $102 non-resident big game license plus a $48 non-resident crossbow permit. Why would you want to pay extra to use an inferior weapon?

I prefer to allow crossbows in the bow seasons.

I have an excellent Parker crossbow plus a convential compound bow. I still have a Bear recurve bow my mother bought me in 1954 for getting a decent haircut.


PS I did buy the Maine $48 crossbow permit and will take the Parker with me as well as my trusty Browning BLR .308.

[thegoat]

sorry guys, totally againts crossbows during archery season and don't give me that I have arthritis bit I'm sure you all saw the guy with one arm and usinig his teeth to pull the string? crossbows do have their place, like doubling as a grapple hook on my 26' robalo:razz:

[Cableguy657]

i have TEN POINT CROSS BOW THEY ARE WORTH THE MONEY
which one do you have?

[Treude1]

I'm against the crossbow during bow season for all hunters, NJ already has a special bow permit for diabilities which covers loss of function in arms, hands or shoulders- I think this may cover arthritis.

[QuintonZ29]

Crossbows should only be used by people who need to use them like the eldery, disabled and the youngins......that will put more people in the woods and thats good for the sport....Its just another money making way for the state to sell permits....

[bowhunter]

I think there should be a seperate season for crossbows. The great part of being a bow hunter is the fact of less traffic, and the fact that you can see the animals in there true form before they get the spook:D. Dont get me wrong I am all for crossbows just not during bow season.

[Drenalin1]

I overheard a couple guys looking at crossbows the other day saying that now they are gonna start pushing deer when there is a season. For the people who think that their zones are shot up from gun drives, are now gonna really see it impact the herd. I think its great for the seniors and handicapped to use them but not for an average joe. Thats why we bowhunt for the challange...

[Barrell]

I agree with most that a crossbow has no business in regular bow season. Its the moment of truth when you must draw and hold that busts most huters and allows the buck to escape. I also have a problem with the handicaped argument. The states make it way to easy to say your back hurts and get the permit. All it costs is a doctors visit. Dont beeive me look at all the hummers, expeditions, etc in the handicapped parking spaces at the malls. I have sat and watched the people jump right up in those 6 foot high vehicles like they were pro atheletes. Yet they have handicaped tags.
Two years ago a neighbor shot a 170 score 8 pointer on my property in PA. We had been chasing that buck around also but couldnt get a shot on it. He had my permision because he is my neighbor but I dont like that he hunts with a crossbow and has disabled veteran license plates on his F250. You should see him wrestle his giant snow plow onto his truck with no problem. He also has no problem using a climbing stand and putting up tree stands. There is ahndicapped and then there is real handicapped. Only REAL handicapped people should use them in bow.

[QuintonZ29]

I agree Barrel...His handicap might have been he cant shoot a bow and he only likes the easy way out.....Theres a time and a place for everything and their will always be people who abuse the situation....Thats why I said the elderly, youngin and disabled or only during late season like winter bow when you are wearing all those clothes and have trouble pulling a bow back....and it will also get more people to go out during late season when the bow kills are usually down.

[Racker]

WOW, I'm suprised on how many of you are against crossbow use during bow season. I personally think it's great because it will allow more sportsman in this state. In my opinion we shouldn't disagree with this as the state of NJ has given something back to the hunters, FINALLY!!!! If people complain about it they might change there mind. Let it happen please.

[shakey]

I use both.
Matter of fact I have 2 ten points, older x2 magnum and a few weeks ago picked up the new phantom ( :( 3 weeks before I was laid off )

Everyone definitely has their thoughts but
1 you still need to practice
2 you still have to do everything to get yourself in a position to get a deer, which means all the homework prep work setup scent control.
3 when that deer finally gets there you still have a job to do to harvest the deer.

And yes you can get busted drawing on a deer with a crossbow just like a normal bow


So yes maybe more people will get into deer hunting during the bow season, and then again maybe some people wont need to fake injuries :)


I have never at this point shot at any deer more then 20 with a crossbow as they are louder and always afraid of jumping the string

PS I love my HOYT too

[WOOKIEFISH]

I shoot both bow and crossbow and I enjoy using both here in PA. Although crossbows do have certain advantages given you don't have to draw you still need to have honed archery skills. The truth of the matter is that whether the arrow leaves the self in a vertical position or a horizontal is irrelevant. Once the arrow is airborne the physics of archery is still the same. I understand some of the arguments made about crossbows and why they should or shouldn't be a part of archery season but it's just going to come down to splitting hairs.

Consider this. In the 1970's the first compound bows hit the scene and traditional archers went ballistic and called them nothing more than mechanical arrow flingers.

Today we have compound bows that shoot faster than my Ten Point QX-4 crossbow (323 fps). Most of the bows today are being made with 80% let off and 99 out of 100 bow hunters shoot compound bows. (280+ fps)

Fiber Optic sight pins, Mechanical Broadheads, Arrows made out of Kevlar, Laser rangefinders for tree stands, Man made chemical scent killers, Lighted arrow nocks, Mechanical bowstring release.........I could go on forever but I'd be willing to bet that most of the people who complain about crossbows use one if not more of the examples I've listed while preaching that crossbows have no place during archery season because not having to draw gives an added advantage. It comes off as Hypocritical to me.

Granted this is not a blanket statement that applies to everyone and there will never be a solid consensus as to what the verdict should be. I just believe that the evolution of our sport will continue to spark new debates over technology far into our future.

For those of you who are not seasoned archers and are looking into getting a crossbow, I only wish to say this. Just because the release is a gun trigger does not mean it shoots like a gun. It's nothing more than a compound bow that cants horizontal. Deer can still duck your arrow bolt, shots over 35 yards should not be taken unless you're F*&#ing Robin Hood. And you must practice at all effective ranges just as much as a traditonal archer does. I've seen more wounded deer since crossbows became legal. Deer with bolts sticking out of thier A$$ because some Jackoff knew he could hit that deer at 50 yards. Guys like that give us all a bad name.

[outrigger1]

Ive been hunting for 22 years with bows and guns and now a crossbow Im glad to see they opened it for them to be used

since like many of us chose to get up and go to work each day I like my job but indoing so lost 30 % use of my arm ....my days of useing my bow are pretty much over and to go out with the rifle my arm cant take the cold either

so Im not saying Im handicaped and dont want to be treated that way either
but to beable to get out and do what I love to do I welcome it with open arms

[Hardeightt]

I am for the use of crossbows for people who actually need to use them, handicapped, elderly etc. If you are a true bow hunter, you will make the right decision and say, "No" to cross bows. I'm sure the State has figured a way to make more money by legalizing the use of crossbows.

For what you pay to deer hunt in NJ, I don't feel the State is holding its end of the bargain. Try harvesting a 130+ class buck on State land, good luck! If you have private land, your odds definitely go up, but still a tough task. Sad to say, I prefer going out of state and spending the money for an enjoyable hunt, the deer are relaxed and you don't have to worry about somebody else ruining your hunt.

If anyone has a private piece in SJ that will change my negativity on NJ deer hunting, I am accepting invites.....lol. On a more serious note, here's to the upcoming deer season and good luck to all.

[Full Draw]

I overheard a couple guys looking at crossbows the other day saying that now they are gonna start pushing deer when there is a season. For the people who think that their zones are shot up from gun drives, are now gonna really see it impact the herd. I think its great for the seniors and handicapped to use them but not for an average joe. Thats why we bowhunt for the challange...

I am against crossbows in archery unless you are a senior or have a medical condition. Crossbows are legal during bow season in some areas I hunt in PA. I have met and know several good hunters that use crossbows but in my limited experience they are the exception. I have seen some real jerks that think they can just stroll around the woods. Last year I had a trespasser with a crossbow in one of my loc-on stands. He wouldn't leave until he saw me call the state police on my cell phone. I had another crossbow stroller spot me in my tree standright at prime time sundown and yell up to me if I've been seeing many deer!! I also had 2 crossbow guys that would do drives and scare the deer off the property. I think allowing X-bows during archery attracts a whole bunch of lazy hunters that think this will be easy I won't have to practice, scout, hang stands etc - I'll just walk around with my scoped X-gun and kill a bunch of deer. I really do hope it works out for NJ but I don't like them in PA. Keep them in the gun season where they belong.

[hunt n blood]

whatever floats ur boat but not for me. I like my mathews bow

[hunt n blood]

I'm sure the State has figured a way to make more money by legalizing the use of crossbows.
true

[duckenguy]

I shot two bucks in Ohio with cross bow one 8 and one 10 pointer. you dont have to move like you do with a bow you just ease it up and form is not a problem with a cross bow like with a bow you have way more of a chance to pull a shot with a bow because of excitment then with a cross bow. I shoot both i love my bow and hope to take a pope and young soon in Ohio but my opinion the cross bow is way more deadly hunting tool.

["String Music"]

WOW, I'm suprised on how many of you are against crossbow use during bow season. I personally think it's great because it will allow more sportsman in this state. In my opinion we shouldn't disagree with this as the state of NJ has given something back to the hunters, FINALLY!!!! If people complain about it they might change there mind. Let it happen please.

are you kidding me? We dont need more sportsman in the State...Do you hunt public land? Its already over crowded!!! You cant walk a couple hundred yards without finding a stand! It is the worst thing EVER to happen to New Jersey! We are losing land all the time and now they are going to put in crossguns....thats what it is! A f'in Gun! Unbelievable! You are now going to have every lazy ass that thinks its too hard to hunt with a compound or traditional and jump in a tree with their crossgun! If you cant accurately shoot a regular bow than stick to shotgun week or muzzle loader! I can't believe people think this is great for the state...Yeah actually it is...The state will make tons of money off of the new fee and licenses for cross guns...BUT if you are a true activist of deer management and keeping the deer population healthy and big bucks abundant in New Jersey than you hafta be against this crap!

[R & R]

Bag limits & antler res. have nothing to do with xbows. That is a toatly different topic that has to be addressed.
To all the "deer drives with xbow" guys... I hate to tell you but ppl. all ready do it with compounds as well as traditional gear.

Its great to hear that fellow hunters tag every non bowhunting guy in this state as a lazy ass. Give me a break! Their are a ton of bowhunters out there that don't pratice nearly enough & wound the shit out of a fair amount of deer.
BTW I shoot a darton coumpound on state woods.

["String Music"]

Hey R and R....If you dont think that there are gonna be more deer killed with a crossbow season and more people in the woods than you are kidding me! Have you ever had a stand stolen or someone sitting in your tree...well multiply that soon...thats what Jersey will come to when they allow crossbows...Its a money making scheme to get more revenue for the state...They dont care about deer management and everybody having an equal chance to harvest a deer in New Jersey...When you sit in your stand take a look over your shoulder and you will probably see a hunyer in eyesight....New Jersey woods are over populated!!!!!

[R & R]

Hey R and R....If you dont think that there are gonna be more deer killed with a crossbow season and more people in the woods than you are kidding me! Have you ever had a stand stolen or someone sitting in your tree...well multiply that soon...thats what Jersey will come to when they allow crossbows...Its a money making scheme to get more revenue for the state...They dont care about deer management and everybody having an equal chance to harvest a deer in New Jersey...When you sit in your stand take a look over your shoulder and you will probably see a hunyer in eyesight....New Jersey woods are over populated!!!!!
Your kidding me!. Bag limits & weapon choices are two different issues. Stand stolen? Yup & your probably the guy who did it under the excuse..... I can't beleive somebody is hunting my spot!! I'm not letting another guy kill my deer. I hunt a WMA that has more hunters per square mile than any where in the state. At least 4 differnt clubs drive the poo out of it. Do I cry ... Boohoo they are lazy .. Boohoo there are to many hunters in ths state, they are my hunting brothers. Open your eyes, we are dieing.. Hunters are leaveing & not comeing back. Your solution I'm sure is for the state to buy more land or in fact all of the open land left. Where are they going to get the $$ ? Hunter lic? Think not they are in the trash. State taxes? Great now we need the rest of the state to bail us out of our need for more hunting land.
Are xbow the solution? Nope but there is no reasonable argument against them besides ppl are afraid of more competition.
We do not need opinions that everybody without a bow in their hands is a lazy, slob, tree stand stealing hineyhole.
BTW most stands are stolen during the early season..Hmmmmm who are the guys doing the most scouting then.
Stop crying & go hunt & mind your own biz as to what others hunt with.

[PhilCVG]

I think crossbows are great for those that need them. However, I don't think they should have a season in NJ and I really don't think that if they do get a season it should be included in the regular archery season.

Couple reasons ...

Deer drives ... I've also heard the rumblings from guys that once they can use xbows in NJ they are going to drive deer. I don't care for deer drives as it is, especially on public land. And while R&R mentions that guys do it with compounds, I haven't to seen it in 4 or 5 years. Not to say it doesn't happen, but it can't be too frequent.

Accuracy ... One of the guys I used to work with had one that was outfitted with a nice scope and he was accurate to 6 inch groups of 6 arrows at 60 yards. I saw him do it. He told me he was shooting pie plate size groups at 75 yards, though I never got to verify that.

Safety ... this same guy missed his target while practicing at 30 yards one night and shot his neighbors house 80 yards away, burying the arrow/dart 6 inches into the siding/wood. I didn't gun hunt last year because I was stuck with only public land and didn't want to get shot. After what I saw with this xbow, I'd have to start worrying about the same thing during archery.

If they had their own season on private land only, I wouldn't mind :)

[bobmetzg]

safety is my concern most guys want to use a crossbow because they are lazy and dont want to put the time into learning how to shoot a bow. i dont want to be anywhere near these guys. give them a few days in january and they can pay their 28 bucks for a permit like everyone else. it will be more revenue for fish and game

[onthehunt]

I know guys that drive with compounds NOW! They ask me to go every year, "No way, boys". It's a crime what they ATTEMPT to kill. If they legalize crossbows it will get worse. 40 man pushes and it will be like six day firearm all season long. Keep it the way it is now. If you want to hunt with a xbow, get a doctors note:). Otherwise leave the woods to the banjo boys who put the time in.

["String Music"]

Your kidding me!. Bag limits & weapon choices are two different issues. Stand stolen? Yup & your probably the guy who did it under the excuse..... I can't beleive somebody is hunting my spot!! I'm not letting another guy kill my deer. I hunt a WMA that has more hunters per square mile than any where in the state. At least 4 differnt clubs drive the poo out of it. Do I cry ... Boohoo they are lazy .. Boohoo there are to many hunters in ths state, they are my hunting brothers. Open your eyes, we are dieing.. Hunters are leaveing & not comeing back. Your solution I'm sure is for the state to buy more land or in fact all of the open land left. Where are they going to get the $$ ? Hunter lic? Think not they are in the trash. State taxes? Great now we need the rest of the state to bail us out of our need for more hunting land.
Are xbow the solution? Nope but there is no reasonable argument against them besides ppl are afraid of more competition.
We do not need opinions that everybody without a bow in their hands is a lazy, slob, tree stand stealing hineyhole.
BTW most stands are stolen during the early season..Hmmmmm who are the guys doing the most scouting then.
Stop crying & go hunt & mind your own biz as to what others hunt with.

We are dying? Are you nuts...Look how many deer have been harvested now since the early 80's and 90's...You are one of those hippy type that think everybody should sing koom by yah in the woods...This state is being over-hunted...its a fact! I have a friend that is on UBNJ and he has posted actual and factual information on what crossbow's will do to this state...He was invited to present his info in front the the fish and game committee and his lecture fell on death ears...There mind is already made up....Do you think its because they are on the side of the best interests of the hunting quality for us hunters? NO! They are getting big money from people and company of crossbows....I dont know what the answer is for this state in reference to revenue coming in...But I can tell you from what I have noticed lately and from many die hard hunters who have earned my respect....Crossbows WILL hurt the hunting in years to come...Just watch and see...And when you sit there in a tree and say I remember when I use to see big deer and this and that....I will say I told you so!:fight: IF you want to put them in a season ...put them where they belong...during gun week or in muzzle loader season....And dont tell me you wont have guys go bow hunting now because it will be easier! The early seasons will be like gun week with every Tom, Dick and Harry in the woods! Theres got to be balance! And to say that I am one of the one that is probably stealing tree stands is funny... Its not fun to debate from behind the computer because people can ACT tough...! Many computer blogger tough guys out there!

[bighunter301]

why not tag a 48.00 crossbow permit to allow you to use a crossbow in the state not to mention another buck tag.. I see it as another revenue maker for the state. I am not against crossbows just think they need there own season possibly dec. and jan. when it is to cold for some to draw back their bows.. Run it with muzzleloader not regular bow season..

[ub1243]

I think crossbows are great for those that need them. However, I don't think they should have a season in NJ and I really don't think that if they do get a season it should be included in the regular archery season.

:thup:
most guys want to use a crossbow because they are lazy and dont want to put the time into learning how to shoot a bow.
:thup:
If you want to hunt with a xbow, get a doctors note:). Otherwise leave the woods to the banjo boys who put the time in.
:thup:
not against crossbows just think they need there own season
:thup:

i wish those guys on newjerseyhunter felt the same way. maybe it's a northern thing?:huh:

[Drenalin1]

Your kidding me!. Bag limits & weapon choices are two different issues. Stand stolen? Yup & your probably the guy who did it under the excuse..... I can't beleive somebody is hunting my spot!! I'm not letting another guy kill my deer. I hunt a WMA that has more hunters per square mile than any where in the state. At least 4 differnt clubs drive the poo out of it. Do I cry ... Boohoo they are lazy .. Boohoo there are to many hunters in ths state, they are my hunting brothers. Open your eyes, we are dieing.. Hunters are leaveing & not comeing back. Your solution I'm sure is for the state to buy more land or in fact all of the open land left. Where are they going to get the $$ ? Hunter lic? Think not they are in the trash. State taxes? Great now we need the rest of the state to bail us out of our need for more hunting land.
Are xbow the solution? Nope but there is no reasonable argument against them besides ppl are afraid of more competition.
We do not need opinions that everybody without a bow in their hands is a lazy, slob, tree stand stealing hineyhole.
BTW most stands are stolen during the early season..Hmmmmm who are the guys doing the most scouting then.
Stop crying & go hunt & mind your own biz as to what others hunt with.
Hey R & R,

Tell all your hunting brothers that they can take the wma you hunt with "the most hunters per square mile" and times it by 2 or 3.. Check your screw I think its loose

[canvasback]

its all about money the state has been loosing big bucks the last 10yrs on selling less & less aprox 15 % per yr on bowhunting license they just want to sell more = more $$$$

[R & R]

Ahhh Joe mills & his Power point??? All myths. Look guys there are enough state with actual data that this state dose not need your OPINIONS.
Drenalin... I hunt zone 55 I dare you to pattern deer after the pheaent hunters get going.
Either way guys we are beyond the cring stage.. They are here unite & if that means lower buck tags then stop the name calling & get it done.

["String Music"]

"Stop the name Calling"...You basically called me a thief and that I was one of the one's probably stealing stands...Listen to your own advise!:nuts:

[R & R]

I have a friend that is on UBNJ and he has posted actual and factual information on what crossbow's will do to this state...
Yet he never informed the state that the UBNJ's survey showed that half of their members supported xbows.

What the ubnj thinks will happen is not FACT. The only facts are the data that other states have on introduction of xbows. If they pertain to NJ is a differnt argument all together but they are still the only facts.

SM did you happen to see the presentation that they showed to the state?

["String Music"]

For one thing I dont even know who Joe Mills is! I never said it was Joe Mills! Its a buddy of mine and I am not saying his name unless he gives me permission to throw it on a blog...The survey that was sent out also is tainted...It never asked if you were against crossbows...It only asked in what season do you think crossbows should be in...they gave multiple choice answers and you had to pick one...It did not say are you interested in crossbows in New Jersey? with a yes or no answer! Thats atleast what I believe was told to me. I am against crossbows...and thats where I stand! You have the right to stand for whatever you believe in your heart is right...Thats what is great about this country! :cheers:

[R & R]

For one thing I dont even know who Joe Mills is! I never said it was Joe Mills! Its a buddy of mine and I am not saying his name unless he gives me permission to throw it on a blog...The survey that was sent out also is tainted...It never asked if you were against crossbows...It only asked in what season do you think crossbows should be in...they gave multiple choice answers and you had to pick one...It did not say are you interested in crossbows in New Jersey? with a yes or no answer! Thats atleast what I believe was told to me. I am against crossbows...and thats where I stand! You have the right to stand for whatever you believe in your heart is right...Thats what is great about this country! :cheers:
SM I referencing the UBNJ survey not the state survey but as most ppl. in this state you make your mind up with only half the info & maybe 35% of that is correct.
BTW I'm for hunters...All of them.
& I shoot a coumpound.
Good luck this season.