Support For Crossbows In Michigan
Posted by MikeAdams on November 12, 2008
I just received an email to ask for helping support the inclusion of crossbows for archery deer season in Michigan. They are again asking for your support on this issue. Please take the time to help out with this issue. Below is the email and the instructions for the letter campaign:
Crossbow Supporter,
It’s time once again to email your State Senator asking them to support a law that allows crossbows to be used in the taking of game in any season where a firearm is legal as well as using a crossbow during Michigan’s regular archery season.
There are a couple of points that need to be emphasized along with the above. One of the main ones is that as long as the intent of Proposal G is followed then crossbows during the above seasons especially the current archery season then crossbows should be a legal weapon. Ask them to support a version of HB 5741 which respects the integrity of Proposal G as passed by the voters, establishes a crossbow deer season and allows the NRC to set criteria for hunting with crossbows up to full inclusion.
You might also mention that both vertical bows and crossbows are short range weapons with similar limitations.
This is a crucial time in our battle to see crossbows legalized during MI’s archery season and your help is sorely needed. Please take the time to contact your senator.
Here’s the URL for senators’ names and email addresses.
Again it is important to include your full name, address, and phone number and to always be polite and respectful.
I feel that unless your handicapped or physically challenged in some way, get off your butts and practice and make a good clean shot, Bow hunting was intended to be primitave and with all the let off that new bows have girls should have no problem being set up with equipment.,The kids and spouses can all practice shooting and enjoy the sport. If You want them to pull a trigger, buy them a gun
November 12th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Most people I know that shoot crossbows are x archers with a injury,it is very hard to get a permit from your doctor. I know 2 men personally that had to jump threw flaming hoops and took them a good year to get a slip, one is still waiting because he has no insurance to pay for the physical theripist to evaluate him. A crossbow is a pretty primitive equipment too. When the early archery season was passed we didn’t have alot of the equipment and advances we have today so should we outlaw them too like releases, 300 fps bows, carbon arrows? To my knowledge Fred Bear or Robin Hood didn’t have them. My bow shoots 40 fps less than a crossbow but my bow is quieter. If this bill passes it can help indroduce a new crowd into hunting and I myself think we need more hunters in the field and on our side. People shouldn’t judge on what they decide on what to take to the field to harvest game, just get in the field, have fun, be safe and enjoy what God has provided for us.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I agree with you 100% Matt W. Given a choice between a bow or a crossbow I will choose a bow everytime but when I get to a point where I can’t shoot a bow I would love to have the option to use a crossbow.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Ok, I often like to listen to both sides of an issue and then keep my thoughts to myself. This time I will jump off the dock and take a swim in the shark waters so to speak.
I have a mixed feeling about this issue. My first thought is that many of those who want the crossbow aren’t the type of hunter that I consider myself. I ask myself is it fair to judge on my personal feelings? No not fair but I’m human and have never been able to shake the fact I have strong issues about hard work and rewards to those whom practice and work at anything. I have no problem with those hunters who can’t pull a bowstring back on traditonal or compound bows to have a fair chance in the archery season. I tend to worry that some of the pro crossbow folks are industry people that look for another way to turn a big profit on another item. In this day and age of tight economy I understand that as well but it leaves a bad image in my one sided mind. It will introduce a lot of people that think a crossbow is the easy way to get a deer in archer season. I think this weapon is limited to if not more than a modern compound. It is a issue of what the majority voters should decide. I understand Ohio has it on archery season and that shows how close neighbors are yet we still don’t yet see it as an option on our DNR rules. So if I had to vote today as yes or no for yet another way to make hunting an option…….I would say I would be saying yes to it…..but it isn’t a strong sell on me at all….maybe in percentage figures I would say I am 60% for it. That is enough for me to say ok but I am not one to pick it up and say wow what a great new 600 dollar purchase. When I am older and cant pull the string back on my 20 year old Bear compound back it would be nice to have the choice to continue to hunt the archer season. I don’t think having a doctor tell me I am healthy enough to pull a string back when I know I can’t would put a smile on my face. I say to be correct in this process it should be voted on by the hunting community. Maybe every chartered Michigan sportsman’s group should have a legal vote and send the results to an fair audit company with respect of the DNR. Then every four years there after, should it not pass the first time. I see as modern times go on it will be passed. So in my closing I say let the hunter decide the fate and when our modern times combined with our deep traditional ways meet and say….it is time. Best wishes….and good hunting. rog
November 15th, 2008 at 9:56 am