18 replies to this topic

[10PtCrossbow]

FWC extends crossbow season; restricts firearms used on public-land spring turkey hunts
News Release

September 1, 2010
Contact: Tony Young, 850-488-7867

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed a new rule Wednesday in Pensacola Beach that will extend zonal crossbow seasons by a month, thereby running concurrently with archery season, beginning July 2011.

The FWC received requests from Florida hunters who want more crossbow-hunting opportunities - not only more hunting days, but also to be allowed to take deer of either sex, which is legal in many other states, including Georgia and Alabama.

Because of the request, the FWC checked with Florida's hunters through an online poll, and more than 70 percent of those who responded supported increasing crossbow opportunities on private lands.

The new rule adds 30 days to the crossbow season in zones A, B and C, and it adds 33 days in Zone D, thereby making it coincide with the archery season.

Starting with the 2011-2012 hunting season, any hunter with a hunting license, deer permit and crossbow permit will be able to get in the woods a month early on private lands and use a crossbow (or a bow) to take deer of either sex.

This rule is intended to give hunters more opportunities and enable youths and others who have difficulty using a vertical bow to have more hunting days, thereby helping to recruit and retain more people into the tradition of hunting.

The Commission also passed another rule that limits the methods of take allowed during spring turkey hunts on FWC-managed areas beginning, with the next spring turkey season (March 2011). However, all legal bows and crossbows are still allowed.

The new rule restricts firearms to shotguns and muzzleloading shotguns only, using shot no larger than No. 2.  All rifles, pistols, buckshot and slugs are now prohibited during spring turkey hunts on wildlife management areas (WMAs), except on Joe Budd WMA, Raiford WMA and Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife and Environmental Area. On these three areas, muzzleloading rifles will still be allowed, because spring turkey hunting on these areas is restricted to primitive guns only.

This rule came about after public-land turkey hunters and others expressed safety concerns, prompting the FWC to ask Florida's hunters, again through an online survey. More than 75 percent of those who responded supported the restriction on firearms during spring turkey hunts on WMAs.

"If we can save one life by passing this rule, it's certainly worth doing," said Commissioner Ron Bergeron.

[Tim50]

Great News!!  Another state to provide facts about crossbow inclusion!

[quadkiller]

great news for Floridians. we continue to spread the heritage.

[buckeye dan]

Awesome news for Florida! Crossbows are taking the archery world by storm. What amazes me is it took this long to happen.

[Buck Buster]

Grear news for you overthere. That's what i call progres

[outrunner13]

its about time fla gets with the rest of the country about xbows its been a long time coming

[Gimmy]

outrunner13, on 05 September 2010 - 12:47 PM, said:

its about time fla gets with the rest of the country about xbows its been a long time coming

That is great news for all of you Fla. crossbow hunters.  Now if we could just get Mississippi to open up Archery season to crossbow hunters, it will be a glorious day indeed.  They have given in an inch by allowing xbows during Archery on Wildlife Management Area's only, but hey, who knows, maybe next year MS will be agreeing with Fla. that Crossbow's should be allowed during Archery, because it's just a horizontal bow.

[Undertaker]

I was one of the Florida hunters that filled out the survey.

There was a "comments" box that allowed me to ask them whether it was wise to allow hunters, who use bows that shoot arrows, to actually participate during archery season. I also questioned whether it was ethical to allow bow hunters to make highly accurate shots using sufficiently powerful weapons. Also I mentioned, allowing youthful and well seasoned hunters an opportunity to participate in the sport of bow hunting was probably not the best way to proceed.

I assume they got my opinion straightened out eventually. I also respectfully requested that they speak with regulators in the other states, regarding the dramatic decline in the deer herds their states have esperienced  since incorporating crossbows into their archery seasons.

I would like to add that had it not been for this site's promotion of the sport, that survey would never had been completed. For it was here that I found it. We returned a 70 to 30 percentage rate advantage over the anti-crossbow groups. Now Florida is where it should have been years ago - ignoring the ignorant. That 30 percent that don't want bad people like me out there, even if on private land.

Bowhunting has a rich history, and a very long one at that. Allowing crossbows will not harm it in any way. In fact it will only serve to add to its richness. Full participation is key to promoting the values I learned through the pursuit of all things critter. Oh....the lessons I learned about personal responsibility and respect. Things we worry the youth of today may not be getting in full measure.

I hope that Crossbow Nation enjoys the benefits that come with the sudden explosion in sales of crossbows. There will be hunters of all ilks wanting to explore this new experience. I can now go forward with my plans to upgrade my bow, and plan my vacation for the year coming. Maybe next year I will score. This year I scheduled a fishing trip instead, because the allowances for crossbows were so bad.


Next year.....any deer that comes within my realm of influence shall become my special trophy. One that will please me emotionally, and physically through the careful application of charcoal. I have harvested over a hundred deer with my rifles, but never with a pointy stick. Next year cannot come quickly enough.

I am thankful today. For the fine people on this site that pointed me to that survey, and also for the silly little letters I sent to each one of the commissioners. Florida is finally crossbow friendly. I have some more letters to write. I intend to thank the commissioners for their efforts to include me, and their wisdom in doing what is right for our future. Of course, I will complain about this year a little bit, too.

[bakabob]

Undertaker, on 19 September 2010 - 08:06 AM, said:

I was one of the Florida hunters that filled out the survey.

There was a "comments" box that allowed me to ask them whether it was wise to allow hunters, who use bows that shoot arrows, to actually participate during archery season. I also questioned whether it was ethical to allow bow hunters to make highly accurate shots using sufficiently powerful weapons. Also I mentioned, allowing youthful and well seasoned hunters an opportunity to participate in the sport of bow hunting was probably not the best way to proceed.

I assume they got my opinion straightened out eventually. I also respectfully requested that they speak with regulators in the other states, regarding the dramatic decline in the deer herds their states have esperienced  since incorporating crossbows into their archery seasons.

I would like to add that had it not been for this site's promotion of the sport, that survey would never had been completed. For it was here that I found it. We returned a 70 to 30 percentage rate advantage over the anti-crossbow groups. Now Florida is where it should have been years ago - ignoring the ignorant. That 30 percent that don't want bad people like me out there, even if on private land.

Bowhunting has a rich history, and a very long one at that. Allowing crossbows will not harm it in any way. In fact it will only serve to add to its richness. Full participation is key to promoting the values I learned through the pursuit of all things critter. Oh....the lessons I learned about personal responsibility and respect. Things we worry the youth of today may not be getting in full measure.

I hope that Crossbow Nation enjoys the benefits that come with the sudden explosion in sales of crossbows. There will be hunters of all ilks wanting to explore this new experience. I can now go forward with my plans to upgrade my bow, and plan my vacation for the year coming. Maybe next year I will score. This year I scheduled a fishing trip instead, because the allowances for crossbows were so bad.


Next year.....any deer that comes within my realm of influence shall become my special trophy. One that will please me emotionally, and physically through the careful application of charcoal. I have harvested over a hundred deer with my rifles, but never with a pointy stick. Next year cannot come quickly enough.

I am thankful today. For the fine people on this site that pointed me to that survey, and also for the silly little letters I sent to each one of the commissioners. Florida is finally crossbow friendly. I have some more letters to write. I intend to thank the commissioners for their efforts to include me, and their wisdom in doing what is right for our future. Of course, I will complain about this year a little bit, too.

I also filled out the survey in favor of including the crossbow in archery season and I can assure you it was not for selfish reasons as I already have a crossbow permit.  I just feel there is no reason not to include them.  Some current bow hunters simply do not want other persons in their woods shooting their deer.  If anyone thinks it is easy to harvest deer with a crossbow they are in for a rude awakening when they try it.  You still have to have the game real close and know the distance he is from you just as with vertical bows.  You still have to hit that vital spot and when it comes to being clumsy nothing compares to a crossbow.  Is it easier to learn how to shot a crossbow over a vertical bow?  I think so and consider that a plus.  Whats wrong with making life easier?

[Cajun Executioner]

Right on Florida!! Right on!!

Welcome to the Sunshine State of Crossbow Hunting!!!!

[vetthed]

This IS great news!

[pa crossbow]

Congratulations to all you Florida hunters! Eventually common sense and facts will win the fight it jut takes time, dedication and persistance. Enjoy your new crossbow season you have all earned it.

Edited by pa crossbow, 18 April 2011 - 07:35 AM.

[blackoak]

Very good news to hear.

[shopgun]

Great to hear. I just hope Indiana is next!

[Tim50]

Great news!!!Another state in the Crossbow Nation!!!!

[huntingal]

Well, at last they come to their senses!

[Jacob B.]

Way to go Sunshine State.

[jag]

Jacob B., on 05 July 2011 - 07:28 PM, said:

Way to go Sunshine State.

Another state for In-Line Crossbows and In-Line Draw-Locs.

Thanks Florida

[tarawa]

The WMA's seem to make there own rules.  Just as I was getting geared up for a crossbow season, I find out that my WMA (Corbett) doesn't have a crossbow season!

Edited by tarawa, 22 August 2011 - 12:04 PM.