7 replies to this topic

[TerryB]

We can all see there are many different posts from many different states.  I was just wondering if anyone has seen or heard of a list of those states which allow crossbows - whether full inclusion or restricted dates - during any hunting season - deer, elk, bear, moose, whatever?  Does anyone know of a CB association in Northern Illinois - I'll join in a heartbeat.

[elkstalkr]

This is a pretty complete and up to date map on crossbow regs. They only update that I saw missing was Indiana will be full inclusive next year.

http://www.barnettcr...ions/index.html

[RLSMITH]

That list is not up to date. I live and hunt in Maryland and crossbow are legal from Sept 15 until Jan 31. You can use them in all the seasons, during gun seasons you just have to wear orange.

[TerryB]

Looking over the list on the Barnett website it would seem that those states which do allow crossbows the majority of them require special conditions - disabilities which limit vertical bow use, or age restrictions.  Although helpful, probably a more useful presentation of such a list might be as a "grid" listing the states top-to-bottom, with columns right-to-left which would indicate restrictions, if any.  There was only 1 state which totally bans crossbow hunting - Oregon.

I believe Michigan, Delaware and Alabama (to name a few) have realized that it's time to enter the 21st century.  California, of course, considers crossbows to be firearms (???) - I thought firearms were classified as weapons which require some sort of explosive propellant to discharge a projectile from within an enclosed tube or barrel.. oh that's right, crossbows have triggers, and the bolts rest in a rail that's part of a barrel, and optical sights equitable to those which can be mounted on rifles, shotguns, handguns can also be mounted on crossbows..
..

I apologize for the diatribe on California - it's just that the correlation they make is so ridiculous I couldn't help myself.

[elkstalkr]

Eh its California what'dya expect?  They require background checks in that state for inline muzzleloaders but don't requre checks for traditional muzzleloaders.  Go figure.

[FuzzyFultz]

elkstalkr, on 15 January 2012 - 11:31 AM, said:

Eh its California what'dya expect?  They require background checks in that state for inline muzzleloaders but don't requre checks for traditional muzzleloaders.  Go figure.

Wow, that sounds kinda silly to me. I believe they need a couple real hunters who know what is going on to create the hunting laws and regulations. Leave the concrete buildings and interstates and city life and regulations to someone else.

[Downeaster]

Maine has joined the ranks of states that allow Crossbows.  Its inclusion is not with difficulties however.  The only legal
time a hunter can hunt with the crossbow is during the legal firearm season on deer and bear.  Very few Maine hunters
want to spend the money for a crossbow, just to compete against someone with a gun.  Our deer herd was decimated
back in 1998 with the ice storm that knocked out power to over 600,000 homes.  The herd started to recover only to
be pushed back by two consecutive severe winters.  Snow had accumulations of 130 to 200 inches during the
2007-2008, and 2008-2009.  After the snows all melted, people were finding deer carcasses 5 and 6 feet up on spruce
and pine tree limbs.  Now that Maine has such a shortage of deer, few hunter want to give up their privilege to take a
deer with gun.  Its unfortunate that the gun and crossbow season coincide as the same dates each year.
   One bright light is a law to allow Maine lifetime license holders over 70 to hunt with a crossbow in any legal season
on any bird or animal, including moose if the individual has been picked in the lottery for a moose.  Individuals must
have completed the Archery, and Crossbow safety courses.

There are approx 3000 moose available each year picked by a lottery of hopeful participants.  Still, many hunters
fail to kill a moose or deer.  Thirty years ago, most Mainers had idea coyotes were in Maine.  Now they are in
every town and county.  Many deer died due to starvation and the elements during the hard winters, and coyotes
were able to feast.

Like many other states, Maine is slow to adopt trends, that sportsman want, and when they do, they try to make
it difficult in the process.

[melsdad]

Release #042-12

BOARD MAKES EXPANDED USE OF CROSSBOWS PERMANENT
BOARD ALLOWS USE OF BAIT ON ‘RED TAG’ FARMS IN SOUTHEAST;
BOARD TAKES OTHER ACTIONS

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a regulatory change that makes permanent the lawful use of crossbows in archery deer and bear seasons.
The specific action taken by the Board was removing the sunset date provision inserted into the regulatory changes that permitted crossbows in 2009. The sunset provision required the Board and agency staff to review the impact of expanded use of crossbows on the deer and bear resource before June 30, 2012.
Based on staff input to the Board, while there were increases in the archery harvests of deer and bear that could be attributed to the inclusion of the crossbow, the agency staff did not view the increase as unsustainable and the increased recreational opportunity was an added benefit.

Edited by melsdad, 27 April 2012 - 03:57 AM.