18 replies to this topic

[Tim50]

Quote

Should crossbows be legal for all hunters during the Wisconsin archery deer season?

The question was advanced Friday by the Executive Council of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. As such, it will appear as an advisory question on the statewide Spring Hearings ballot in April.

http://www.jsonline..../113148484.html

It seems the Executive Committe of the Conservation Congress thinks so and has taken another step towards easing the crossbow regulations in Wisconsin. This is a great step for the WI crossbow community. This is just one of apperently many steps needed to actually achive inclusion but these steps are being achieved with a grassroots movement. They are butting heards with a very well organized WBH & their well funded legal team with paid lawyers, law firms & lobbyists. And still it moves forward. A great day for the hunters of Wisconsin. Each step brings more & more hunters into the fold. We have read time & time again that the hunters of Wisconsin do not support crossbows nor will they use them ( see Rancid Crabtree's many posts) yet this is the quote from the President of the anti crossbow hunter WBH:

Quote

Wright Allen, president of the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, said crossbows have not been supported by the hunting public in Wisconsin.

"We're not opposed to crossbows, but we are opposed to a change that would make the archery season primarily a crossbow season,"

If the hunting public in Wisconsin does not support the crossbow WHY is he worried about the season turning to "primarily a crossbow season"? Talking out of both sides of his mouth perhaps? A common issue with the anti crossbow types! So regardless of what Rancid Crabtree the Always watchful, vigilant  one states there MUST be some support for crossbows in the great state of Wisconsin or there would not be such concern from the President of the WBH. Could it be RC has passed on some  misinfromation about the TRUE support within the state of WI on this issue?  Say it ain't so O vigilant one! This is only a small step towards a crossbow soultion, and there is MUCH work to be done, but for the hunters of Wisconsin  it clearly shows some hunters DO support some sort of crossbow change & the very restrictive laws now in place are going to be questioned. This is FAR from over and be sure all the financial, legislative & legal cards will be played by the anti crossbow WBH. Enjoy this news today then we must get to work.....Congrats to my fellow hunters in WI & good luck on going!

[quadkiller]

continue your fight with facts! it is what has seemed to work here in Indiana. facts can't be disputed. hopefully you can use some of our state facts next year if we get ours passed this year. the more states that allow full inclusion, and the "sky doesn't fall" like the anti's say it will, the harder it is for the anti's to hide behind bias claims and opinion.

[Hurricane]

Tim~

THANK YOU very much for the post. Living in the Northern part of the state, we really have no idea what goes on "down below" It's kinda a "pay your taxes and shut up" thing with them down there. You best believe there will be one old guy at the spring doings who ain't afraid to tell it like it is. Then governor Emperor Tommy T. found that out during the treaty right fight in the '80's.

Again, thanks!!

'Cane

[j3cub]

In the end, this will be a Wisconsin resident's fight, so it is incumbent on those of us in Wisconsin to start organizing to win this battle with the help of those members from other states who have already gone through this fight and won. Wisconsin pro-crossbow members need to start writing their legislators in support of full inclusion of crossbows in any season where archery equipment is allowed, with out medical restrictions or age limits.  The legislators need to start hearing from people in their districts that archers want crossbows allowed.

While it would be very helpful to win a victory during the next Spring Hearings for crossbow inclusion, I am sure the WBH will also turn out.  I think they have a good chance of turning out WBH members to influence the vote.  I am also seeing evidence of this type of tactic with the DNR gun hunter survey going on now.  While the survey is designed to be spam proof (those who were invited to respond to the on line survey needed to provide their customer number and use a code word. Double results using the same customer number were rejected) Shortly after the survey started the codeword was given out on archery web sites and the DNR already noted in preliminary results attempts to try and spam the results (probably WBH members) Spammed responses were three to one "No". New Jersey eliminated this potential problem with a mail in survey and more in depth questions to determine more accurately hunter's feelings and attitudes. Other than NJ's anti-gun politicians, it seems the state can do some things right!

I am happy that the Conservation Congress voted to lower the age from 65 to 55 when a medical exemption would no longer be needed to use a crossbow, but I don't see a lowering of the age as an end all.  Crossbow supporters want full inclusion. Changing the age to 55 only means fewer people are discriminated against, not that discrimination against those who want to use crossbows has ended.

If you are a Wisconsin resident and a member of the American Crossbow Federation, but did not include your email address, you might consider up dating  your information with the ACF and the Wisconsin Crossbow Federation so we can contact you through emails.  This saves us money in contacting our members with information and lowers our cost.  Yah, we don't have the big budget to hire lawyers, public relation agency's like the WBH.  So anytime we can save money it helps.

[Guide Girl]

j3cub, if there's anything we can help you with, let us know please.

[Riva]

I wish you folks luck on your endeavors there in Wisconsin surrounding crossbow expansion.
As you know, we were successful in getting the crossbow regulations changed here in Michigan last year after a many year struggle. The are many right ways to skin this cat and, in my opinion, just as many wrong ways to skin this cat.
You simply have to think outside of the box.


Be happy to help you folks anyway possible to work towards full inclusion of the crossbow during any season where other archery equipment is permitted.

[Munsterlndr]

I've been engaging in some entertaining discourse on a couple of Wisconsin forums the last few days and I'd encourage Wisconsin supporters of crossbow inclusion to step up and engage and let your opinions be heard. Don't let Rancid and his bombastic buffoonery dissuade you from engaging in the debate and prevent your opinions from being known. Just take the high road and leave the personal attacks and gutter tactics to those of his ilk.  Crossbows are coming to Wisconsin, it's just a matter of when and taking the debate to the opposition is going to impact when the goal will be accomplished.  Lake-Link and Wisconsin outdoorsman are where the current discussions are going on, it's important that Wisconsin hunters have their opinions heard.

[beervo2]

The door is cracked in WI. right now, take advanage of it and push your way in..Facts win out over emotions everytime..Good luck and don't take no for an answer...

The two posters above (Riva & Munster) were the main two cogs in the wheel here in MI. that fought for full inclusion..Seek their advice if you need help, without them, I'm not sure we would be where we are now..

Mike

Edited by beervo2, 20 January 2011 - 12:30 AM.

[Hoosier Hunter]

Consider this report from Wisconsin DNR

http://www.jsonline..../111085384.html

Total deer gun kill increased 11% over 2009

Buck gun kill increased 17% over 2009

The figures will increase even more after bow figures come in


All this after several years of criticism from hunters directed at the DNR over perceived mismanagement of the herd.

[xranger]

My Son lives and hunts WI. I agree with his take on this. The 2009 kill was the lowest in 30 years. if last year was up 11%, it is being measured against the worst of the worst. 11% sounds good until you understand what its being compared to. I just read the comments section to that news story. It sums up what he is saying. Hunters are agnry with the sharp decline in the deer population

http://www.jsonline....384.html?page=1

[1BUCDWN]

Do you think we really believe the DNR here in Wi?It's a mess and i have a son and daughter in law that both work for the DNR.Thank God it's not in the game division.Our deer herd is so messed up it's not funny.And yes we both shot deer this year and saw deer every time out.But it's not like it used to be.

[Tim50]

Hoosier Hunter, on 26 January 2011 - 06:06 PM, said:

Consider this report from Wisconsin DNR

http://www.jsonline..../111085384.html

Total deer gun kill increased 11% over 2009

Buck gun kill increased 17% over 2009

The figures will increase even more after bow figures come in


All this after several years of criticism from hunters directed at the DNR over perceived mismanagement of the herd.

Good numbers.....If harvest numbers are increasing where is all the Doom & Gloom I have heard from the anti crossbow segment in WI? Are you still not able to harvest multiple deer in certain area's? And ares some area's restricted harvest to bring the resource back in that given area? Don't point only to the restricted area's when other ares appear to have an over abundance of deer. The DNR is attempting to do it's job! Hunters are rarely in tune with the deer numbers in ANY state!!  It is funny how those opposed to crossbow inclusion dismiss any hard core facts that become available & throw their DNR under the bus because the "FACTS" do not stay in step with their personal/emotional anti crossbow/anti hunter agenda.

Edited by Tim50, 29 January 2011 - 12:08 PM.

[1BUCDWN]

I'm far from opposing crossbow hunting.Unless you hunt our state you have no idea of how bad things have gotten with the deer.On the other hand they have managed the bear and turkey really well.
They have blown our herd numbers out of proportion for a number of years unlimited doe tags in certain units.Earn a buck.They say they have a new method for a herd count this year only time will tell.

[Hurricane]

One thing you people who are not from here should note...

The 11% increase is on a year (2009) that had a 30% DECREASE in the kill. So, basically, we are still looking at at a 19% deficit in the total kill.. yes, on one hand it's good news, but, in real life it begs the question of the DNR's management practices in years passed. That particular year, I hunted all but three days of the gun season, moved my stand untold times and saw a grand total of ONE small doe, and, VERY little fresh sign. It was the worst year in the woods I can remember since the early 60's when just seeing fresh TRACKS was a big thing. Our herd needs help, and, it doesn't seem to be getting it from the people responsible for it's management. Hopefully, the new Governor will be able to do something, but, there again, I seriously doubt it.

'Cane

[1BUCDWN]

Gino thanks for the back up.I'll be your wingman any day.

[xranger]

1buc and hurricane, you guys are saying exactly what my Son has been saying all along. Every person I know that hunts WI with a gun or bow is frustrated at the decline in the deer herd and the mismanagement by their DNR. Getting crossbow made legal in WI wont be advanced under the current situation. hunters keep trying to get the DNR to issue fewer tags and have fewer seasons but the DNR wont listen to hunters. This will come to a public vote at the April hearings for hunters. I can tell you now that it will fail again this time. Not because of there bowhunting club but because gun hunters wont want crossbows and we already know bowhunters still oppose them. The public just doesent want crossbow and the deer herd is the biggest reason. I will keep my money in IL but I dont expect the WI crossbow laws to change in my life time.

Edited by xranger, 29 January 2011 - 06:39 PM.

[1BUCDWN]

I see a change to 55 this year.

[Munsterlndr]

How the question is responded to at this springs meetings is really not that significant.  If regulatory change allowing crossbows occurs, it's going to be the result of legislative change.  There are a number of tangible concrete advantages that will come from crossbow inclusion and the DNR is aware of them already. Now the case has to be made to the legislature. Not going to go into any detail as to how to make the case, as Rancid and other anti-trolls lurk here regularly but individuals who are interested can contact me or some of the others that have been through these legislative battles before.

[xranger]

1bucdown. I agree. 55 is the next step.