its seems that this 09 season, you will be able to use a crossbow in new jersey,i have been bowhunting for some 30 years now and not sure how i feel about it.
i guess i just dont want to see every tom dick and harry, that never shot a bow and only shotgun hunt . pack what little woods are left here during bowseason.
As anew member to UNION sportsmen just want to say hi to all. I am in the INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 825
As with anything new it will show some increase in the begining then taper off. If it gets someone new into the sport or someone who was reluctant because of physical limitations or what not its all good because we need as many on our side as we can to battle PETA & the like!
Welcome, post often!!! Here in Iowa only hunters with upper limb disabilities can use crossbows, but they allow anyone to use a drawlok device. We havn’t seen a big difference in deer taken by these items. I was kinda on the fence for a while, but the way I look at it hunters are a dying breed. If using a crossbow gets more or even better “NEW” people hunting I am all for it. Some guys I have met tha had injuries and had to use a crossbow for a few years couldn’t wait to get back to using a bow.
Hope to see you in here often! Only disabled here in Nebraska can use crossbow. Don’t know much about Jersey, closest I’ve ever been to Jersey is Chicago. LOL! I imagine hunting pressure is kinda competitive there? Good Luck, Welcome, and post often.
I have been reading here for some time but this is my first response. Here in Wisconsin you have to have disability or over the age of 65 to use a crossbow. I have had five shoulder surgeys and still use a compound. I had to go to a Parker Junior in order to get the weight reduction and the easy draw. Hope it does not come down to everyone being able to use them here.
You bring up a good point! This could turn into a sticky topic real quick! The handicapped and elderly have every right to use whatever weapon they want, as long as it gets them into the feild. For all I care they could use a spitball and it would be fine with me. I personally have never shot a crossbow. What is the advantage to the normal Joe to use a crossbow over a regular bow? Shooting a regular bow is not all that difficult if you are physically capable. I guess in the end I have to go with whatever gets the most hunters out in the feild. We have to keep our sport afloat. Otherwise, with the animal rights and anti gun wackos out there, none of us will be able to hunt. Again, welcome to you and post often!
I guess I have to go along with whatever gets people hunting. It really is starting to be a thing for the rich. You just can’t find a place to hunt anymore for nothing. If I had to hunt on public ground east of the Mississippi, I’d be against crosbows too I think. I’m not all too keen on the early youth hunts we have here in Ill. I guess I will be if I live long enough to take my grandsons. If it wasn’t for the early hunting I wonder how many adults would show up for to take the kids.
TREVOR, How did you make out on the rental property? dslyr
In NEWJERSEY if you have a didability you can use a crossbow,but it seems its going to change to anyone can use one. im all for getting new people in to the sport.
its just that i think that alot of guys that only shotgun hunt and have never spent one minute in a stand because the only thing they know how to do is to get what 30 others and drive the woods.
Because they never wanted to put the time or effort into using a bow, and have no clue on what its like to actually pattern deer and get to know the herd in the area. i just hope it doesnt get nuts around here.
Like some one said earlier, people like that will hunt one year and not get anything and be gone. I know what you mean about driving the deer and fairweather hunters. If a guy has some good rain gear, hunt when it’s raining a little and these guys will be at home. A down pour not’s too good though.
I hunt in wI. and use a crossbow. - DON`T be afraid of them, they are not faster than a trad. bow - either F.P.S. or arrows per min.
they are heavy -[ 7 lbs.] they are wide 28 -34 inches average - try carrying that through the brush or long grass. [ spot & stalk]
I have allowed the hunting party to punch holes in targets. Every one has said it is a thrill BUT, it`s heavy, it`s slow and clumbsy
and “I will stay with the traditional bow” as long as I can pull it.
It is not a guarantee harvest for every trip. I had 34 trips to the field to harvest one, you can see it under “brag about that buck”
Here`s to a little blood on the floor
The weapon does not make the hunt, the hunter makes the hunt. As with any archery equipment, you need to be within approx. 30 yards to get any kill shot (more if you are a responsible hunter who practices on a regular basis). Keep in mind most of the amateurs who may “show up” will not be able to get close enough to get the job done. Frustration will set in and the rookies will go home empty handed. Individuals who preservere are the hunters you don’t mind being around cause they have put forth the effort. I would like to know how many people begin hunting because it looks cool on TV, and then give up because they’re not killing 180 class deer within 30 minutes. Obviously it is not as easy as the pros make it look. With that being said, keep in mind that there are fools out there carrying rifles, bows, and shotguns. RON, we gave up on that peice of ground we were looking at (for now). After looking at other lease ground in the area, the price was outrageous and the drive was to far. We are still looking though. If the right deal comes along, I will go in on it to enjoy and help my buddy out. I have a good piece of ground that doesn’t cost me one red cent, for now.
Thanks to all for replying to my post, and for opening my eyes on this subject. i think your right that the guys that dont want to really spend the time or effort are not going to change their ways because of a weapon.
Dont get me wrong, i dont have anything againts crossbows, heck if they had a slingshot out that could make a clean kill, i would be all for it. Its just that here in New Jersey i’ve had 5 stands taken over the years.
It seems there is some out there that have no respect for the habbitat or the game so why would i expect them to have any respect for other hunters. My son is 10 and is just starting to hunt, and im trying to teach him that it’s not just the kill, it’s about enjoying the time you spend in the woods. the kill is just a bonus, and there is no such thing as a bad hunt, just bad hunters. once again, thanks to all for the help.
Thank’s to David Hart for his article “THE X-FACTOR”. I am a lifetime hunter and a 30 yr. member of Plumbers And Fitters Local 25 in Rock Island ,Ill. I had a work related accident in “96” and am unable to use a regular bow. I was fortunate enough to continue my career as a Service Fitter and continue my pursuits afield. I want no pitty from anyone. And I think I should be able to hunt the same season as any bow hunter. I do not want anything to do with some of these rumored ideas of a “special season” for crossbows.
I’m glad you found a way to keep hunting. I have nothing against people using crossbows, I might have to some day. Some mornings when I wake up, I think today might be the day, but so far most of the stiffness and pain goes away.
I think some people don’t have enough to do, but sit around thinking of how they can make a mark on the world and come up with “new” and better ideas. Someday I think they will have our deer season’s down to -today all that shoot red vaned arrows hunt Monday and Tues., those with white vanes Wed., those with 30-30 thru .270 Thurs., those with 308 thru 50 cal Fri. , and so on. Give me a break! All these regs. and rules are taking away from the hunting experience. By the time you apply for licenses a year in advance, and watch the calender for the appropriate date for this season application dates and all that crap, when it comes time to go hunting it is anti climatic. I know it’s a lot better here in the U.S.A., but damn I’m glad I don’t live in Calif. with all those anti-hunting tree huggers. Nothing against those that are living there trying to get along with them.
This is a good thread to say hi on. I joined at our AFGE National Convention in Reno this August. I am an avid hunter for 45 years and of course love my bowhunting the most . I have also been a full time Union Rep for the past ninteen years. Hello to all!
Great discussion. I agree that if someone wants to hunt, let them. Does it matter what weapon they use? It is what makes the United States of America and the second amendment a couple of the best things on the planet! My son, and most of the time my wife, are a couple others.
All the red tape today is ridiculous. I have the right to keep and bear arms. What makes someone think they have the right to tell me which one I can use at any given time!!??
Hope they don’t start regulating tree stands! I use the same one here in SD for bow (finally used one for other than fun in the back yard this year), and rifle season.
By the time rifle season hits, the deer are a little less approachable and cautious. The stand is great very early, and right before sundown.
. I have also been a full time Union Rep for the past ninteen years. Hello to all!
