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Post by Sandbur on Jan 18, 2022 6:20:13 GMT -6
We have discussed this issue before, but evidently it is coming up again. Currently in Minnesota, you can use a crossbow during archery season with a disability permit from your doctor or if over 60 years of age. Please go ahead and share experiences and thoughts, even from other states.
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 18, 2022 6:25:14 GMT -6
I would like to see the seasons stay the same as at present. Most hunters over 60 are using a crossbow and disability permits are usually easy to get if you have back or shoulder problems.
I got my permit after requested at my annual physical and a shoulder exam.
I have released exactly one arrow/bolt in the last two decades at a Deer!
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Post by Catscratch on Jan 18, 2022 6:57:53 GMT -6
We have full inclusion in KS. It increased the land gobble by outfitters, did wonders for corn salesmen, and x-box took a huge jump (kids without family money have a hard time finding land to bowhunt). Older age bucks aren't as common as they once were.
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Post by caveman on Jan 18, 2022 7:18:33 GMT -6
Yes, include crossbows in archery season, but make additional changes to archery season to offset the extra technology inclusion. With the inclusion of crossbows(and compound bows, and range finders, and cell cams, and Buck Jam, and scent killers, and metal tree stands, and aluminum climber stands, and etc before them) the start of archery season should now be the day after rifle season.
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Post by Catscratch on Jan 18, 2022 8:03:43 GMT -6
Yes, include crossbows in archery season, but make additional changes to archery season to offset the extra technology inclusion. With the inclusion of crossbows(and compound bows, and range finders, and cell cams, and Buck Jam, and scent killers, and metal tree stands, and aluminum climber stands, and etc before them) the start of archery season should now be the day after rifle season. Ya see, I'm incredibly selfish and want to hunt the rut. I would be VERY ok with removing all that crap (including the compound) as long as I still get to hunt November... and it's before rifle season. Cheers!
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Post by Reagan on Jan 18, 2022 8:30:03 GMT -6
Ohio has had cross bows for maybe 40 years. In the last couple of years we hit the point of more deer killed during archery than gun. We still have good numbers of deer. But we have a later gun season, one buck per year limit, no party hunting.most Ohio hunters kill 1 deer per year even though they can kill more in most areas.
I used to look down on crossbows because they are easier. No doubt about it. But I’ve also had great times hunting with my daughter, dad now hunts with a cross bow at age 75 and I have hosted two new hunters to their first deer and they used a crossbow. When I hunt late season, I take a crossbow.
I might carry a cross bow next year when I hunt certain stands. Some ladders are nearly impossible to get drawn on a mature buck. And I’m not throwing those stands away.
If your state isn’t a complete management mess, it’s not that big of a deal. If your state is a mess, crossbows won’t make it better.
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Post by smsmith on Jan 18, 2022 8:37:23 GMT -6
If MN makes it legal, I'll be buying a crossbow.
I don't think it will be good for the deer herd however.
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Post by nhmountains on Jan 18, 2022 10:11:18 GMT -6
I would like to see the seasons stay the same as at present. Most hunters over 60 are using a crossbow and disability permits are usually easy to get if you have back or shoulder problems. I got my permit after requested at my annual physical and a shoulder exam. I have released exactly one arrow/bolt in the last two decades at a Deer! I got you beat. I’m around 40 years but, purchase an archery license every year. I haven’t now hunted in 30 years.
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Post by nhmountains on Jan 18, 2022 10:13:51 GMT -6
If MN makes it legal, I'll be buying a crossbow. I don't think it will be good for the deer herd however. NH doesn’t allow them unless there’s a medical exception. The guys I know that use them say they can shoot out to 60-70 yards. They don’t practice much either because they’re using the scopes. I’d worry about more wounded deer.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Jan 18, 2022 10:17:18 GMT -6
Geez I hope not, this state is so stupid.
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Post by smsmith on Jan 18, 2022 10:20:13 GMT -6
If MN makes it legal, I'll be buying a crossbow. I don't think it will be good for the deer herd however. NH doesn’t allow them unless there’s a medical exception. The guys I know that use them say they can shoot out to 60-70 yards. They don’t practice much either because they’re using the scopes. I’d worry about more wounded deer. Maybe a small percentage increase in wounded deer the first few years. After that, I'd expect users to become more efficient and deadly. You don't need to practice much with a crossbow. Get it dialed in, use a rest, and limit yourself to those shots you know you can make every time. Pretty much like what every vertical bow and firearm user with any hunting ethics do. I don't practice much with my slug gun, but it sure is deadly when I use it ethically. Crossbows are coming to most every state's archery season sooner or later. The fight was lost years ago.
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Post by nhmountains on Jan 18, 2022 10:25:17 GMT -6
NH doesn’t allow them unless there’s a medical exception. The guys I know that use them say they can shoot out to 60-70 yards. They don’t practice much either because they’re using the scopes. I’d worry about more wounded deer. Maybe a small percentage increase in wounded deer the first few years. After that, I'd expect users to become more efficient and deadly. You don't need to practice much with a crossbow. Get it dialed in, use a rest, and limit yourself to those shots you know you can make every time. Pretty much like what every vertical bow and firearm user with any hunting ethics do. I don't practice much with my slug gun, but it sure is deadly when I use it ethically. Crossbows are coming to most every state's archery season sooner or later. The fight was lost years ago. If NH allowed them I’d probably invest in one and hunt a few days. I think we’d see an increase in our doe kills here and they have to shorten the three month season.
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Post by smsmith on Jan 18, 2022 10:30:29 GMT -6
Maybe a small percentage increase in wounded deer the first few years. After that, I'd expect users to become more efficient and deadly. You don't need to practice much with a crossbow. Get it dialed in, use a rest, and limit yourself to those shots you know you can make every time. Pretty much like what every vertical bow and firearm user with any hunting ethics do. I don't practice much with my slug gun, but it sure is deadly when I use it ethically. Crossbows are coming to most every state's archery season sooner or later. The fight was lost years ago. If NH allowed them I’d probably invest in one and hunt a few days. I think we’d see an increase in our doe kills here and they have to shorten the three month season. I know nothing about the NH deer herd or those who manage it. I would hope that if more does were shot in a state without much of a deer herd to begin with, those who manage it would indeed reduce the season length. Here in MN, I do know a little bit about the deer herd and those who manage it. There will be absolutely zero reductions in hunting season length or bag limits.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Jan 18, 2022 10:42:13 GMT -6
I can't imagine why the MDHA which is mostly gun hunters, would support this? Do they really want to shoot that many more deer and increase the pressure even more on public land?
It is never ending that they are trying to add more seasons, different weapons. If anything the MDHA should be pushing very hard to cut back on the seasons and weapons. You can hunt from Sept 17-Dec 31 and of those days (29 are gun season days). This is going to be capitulation for me, if they pass this.
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Post by smsmith on Jan 18, 2022 10:46:21 GMT -6
I can't imagine why the MDHA which is mostly gun hunters, would support this? Do they really want to shoot that many more deer and increase the pressure even more on public land?It is never ending that they are trying to add more seasons, different weapons. If anything the MDHA should be pushing very hard to cut back on the seasons and weapons. You can hunt from Sept 17-Dec 31 and of those days (29 are gun season days). This is going to be capitulation for me, if they pass this. Clearly, the answer is "yes" I expect the statewide rifle push to begin again sometime soon as well
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