Michigan Crossbow Legislation Goes Before Senate Committee
Posted by MikeAdams on December 3, 2008
Press Release 12-2-08
Yesterday, the Michigan Senate Hunting and Fishing Committee met on HB 5741 but did not take a vote on the bill. The S-3 version of the bill being considered by the Senate would retain the permanent permit for the permanently disabled. It would allow the use of crossbows to take any game in any season in which a firearm is allowed. It would also create a new crossbow deer season that would run concurrently with the archery deer season. In order to participate in the crossbow deer season, a person would need to purchase the combination deer license plus a new crossbow stamp. The DNR could charge up to $5 for the crossbow stamp. The number of crossbow stamps would be limited annually to no more than 20% of the number of combination deer licenses sold the previous year. For this year, that would have amounted to roughly 80,000 stamps. This is roughly the number of archery deer hunters lost over the past 10 years. In addition, the S-3 version gives the NRC broad authority to establish criteria to limit the distribution of crossbow stamps based on sound scientific management if it feels full inclusion of crossbow would create a negative management impact on the herd. Permanently disabled people who hold a crossbow permit issued under the DNR’s previous or new criteria would not need to purchase a crossbow stamp.
It appears all five members of the Senate committee will vote in favor of the bill and we anticipate near universal support in the Senate. Controversy surrounding full inclusions of crossbows is quickly evaporating. Supporters of the bill did an excellent job in committee yesterday and a number of private citizens showed up to testify in support of the bill who we had not heard from before. The more the issue is discussed, the more legislators understand that the arguments opposing the full inclusion of crossbow don’t have substantial merit and reflect an attempt by crossbow opponents to impose personal preferences on a public resource. In addition yesterday, both the Department of Natural Resources and the past president of the Michigan Farm Bureau testified in strong support of the bill and the National Rifle Association sent a letter to Senators in support of the bill focused on the hunter retention issue.
A vote on the bill make take place yet this month or it may take place early next year. Regardless of when the vote occurs, we are confident that there will be an expansion of crossbows to take deer next October, and recent indications from the DNR are that this will most likely mean full inclusion. This issue is near to being resolved.
We would like to thank all of you for your time, energy and commitment to this issue over the past year. We live in a changing world. Though it may seem ironic, it is necessary to adjust to those changes in order to protect Michigan’s hunting heritage. We understand the concerns of those who feel crossbows will destroy the archery deer season. Change is a scary thing but hindsight usually proves prior fears to be exaggerations. Thanks to those who have had the courage to overcome these fears. Thanks particularly to the many people who already hold crossbow permits yet have expressed support for expansion of crossbows to those who are not permanently disabled. Let’s hold no resentment to those who oppose crossbow expansion. It’s our hope that a rebound in the number of bow hunters will lead to a rebound in the membership of Michigan archery organizations and that these organizations will actively welcome new crossbow hunters.
We will continue to provide updates on any new legislative developments.
[...] Vote Michigan Crossbow Legislation Goes Before Senate Committee [...]
December 4th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Michigan is loosing archery hunters, because of the states lack of quality animals. Over crowding on public land is another reason. I dont have the numbers on NR Ohio license sales to Michigan hunters, but 85% of the vehicles parked by mine on public land in Ohio are Michigan plates. Cross bows being allowed into archery season will not help this situation, it will hurt it. We will now have MORE archery hunters, and due to the ease of use and accuracy, more 1.5yr old bucks harvested. There is a high risk of hunters taking thier 2 bucks during archery season, and not partaking in the gun season. More deer will not be harvested, like Michigan thinks. They keep implementing more seasons, but the number of deer harvested does not increase. Why you ask? “WE” can only consume so much meat. I shoot 2 deer per year, as thats what my family consumes. I took those two deer in the early doe season, no need to shoot any more during the rest of the season. I didnt even buy a gun license this year, no reason. I already had my meat, and was out of state hunting for a mature buck. Michigan needs to stop looking for the quick fix(like one time trailer plates), theres no easy road!
Ken
December 18th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I don’t believe that Michigan’s archery hunters are declining because of over crowding during archery season. They are declining because we as a group don’t share our passion of hunting with others or our kids! Why would anyone want to hunt if we tell them we don’t want them by denying them the opportunity to hunt. If numbers are declining how can there be over crowding. I have never had a problem in the 30 years I’ve been bow hunting on public land. I have hunted several places on public land with no interference from other hunters. Now that might be a different story during gun season. I will agree more Michigan hunters are traveling south to hunt, I did this year for my youngest son, not because I didn’t hunt here in Michigan. It was because he couldn’t hunt here in Michigan due to age restrictions. Have you shot a crossbow? I did recently and found out that there is no way that I would trade my bow for one of these weapons. It isn’t as easy as everyone says. They are not an advantage! They are noisy, they are not faster than conventional compounds, you get one shot! Most archers only get one shot, but occassionally they get a follow up shot if they miss, even more unlikely with a crossbow. The accruacy is no greater than that of of compound with sites. I shot one last month with a scope and did just as well with my compound. If people truly practice with their bows they will become a good archer. The people screaming that crossbows offer a greater advantage than bows, IMHO are mislead. They either haven’t shot a crossbow or they just want to keep the archery season to themselves. What is the high risk of an archer taking two bucks during bow season and not gun season? That is what the combo tag is for. I will take two buck given the opportunity with my bow each and everytime! It doesn’t matter if you take them during the bow season or gun season. That is unless your a QDMA supporter and want the bigger bucks to last until they breed. Now truly how many archers get the opportunity to take two bucks, not very many. Do you truly think that using a crossbow will increase the amount of hunters taking two bucks during bow seaon? If we can get more archers (Hunters) to partake in archery season then there will be an increase in bucks taken, how many I don’t know but more hunters mean more deer taken. Most gun hunters don’t take two bucks a year. I didn’t even see a shooter buck this year during rifle season and only one during bow season that I didn’t get a shot at. Out of 14 hunters this rifle season in our camp, only 7 bucks were taken during the 2 weeks. Not one of the hunters took a second buck! Now you state that if we implement a crossbow season then more bucks will be taken, then you state that Michigan is implementing seasons with no luck. It is either one way or the other. If they are having no luck with more deer taken, then the archers shouldn’t worry that crossbows might be allowed. Now here is the part I really don’t understand! You stated that “I shoot 2 deer per year, as thats what my family consumes. I took those two deer in the early doe season, no need to shoot any more during the rest of the season.” Then you state that you went to Ohio to shoot a mature buck, WHY? if you have all the meat you need why did you pursue another deer? I have no problem with you taking as many deer as you are legally allowed, but you say one thing and then do another. I’m not trying to beat you up here, I’m just trying to understand where your coming from. If crossbows are so bad, then why did you go to a state that allows them. According to your arguement, Ohio should have less mature bucks than that of Michigan. I think a lot of the people who are against crossbows are arguing from an emotional point of view instead of the facts. Go shoot a crossbow and then give me your honest opinion of them. I really don’t think that anyone who truly wants to archery hunt will use one. They will use a bow, these weapons are good for getting people who can’t pull a bow and don’t have the insurance to get a doctor’s opinion to get a crossbow permit. They are also good for getting young kids into hunting until they can master a bow at the appropriate draw weight. I for one am willing to allow more people the opportunity to enjoy hunting, even if it means sharing the woods with them. Isn’t that what hunting is all about? Sharing and enjoying the same opportunities, that is what should bind us as hunters together, not this mine, mine, mine attitude. I’m willing to listen to anyone who has hard evidence and facts to suport the reasons we shouldn’t have a crossbow inclusion in Michigan. With that said, if this passes, I will be doing some testing this year of different crossbows to set the record straight. Ken I do appreciate your dedication to the care of our deer herd, and like I said before I’m not beating you up, I just want an honest debate over the issue and I hope you keep posting your thought here. That is what is great about debating, you are entitled to your opiinion! Thanks again!!!
December 18th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
With the exception of “antlerless” tags, Michigan hunters can only take 2 deer a year anyways…why would it matter if those 2 deer were during gun season or bow season. The only thing I can think of is that it may prempt breading. If you’re hunting for meat (and I do)then it shouldn’t matter that you’ve taken a doe or 2… If that’s all your harvesting because that’s all you need…then why are you hunting big bucks in Ohio? That almost sounds like you just want to kill something and waste the meat (donate it to the hunting for the hungry). Michigan’s deer population is as over populated as the preasure from hunters on public land during gun season. I bow hunt public land and rarely bump into another hunter. I even take my girls on public land for bow season. They want to shoot a doe if one comes buy. Works for me. So would a 1.5 year old buck. I serously doubt that adding crossbows to the mix would change anything. Have you ever shot one? Only the ones that cost upwards of $1000 are even close to the latest compound bows. Shorter shafts different trajectories, loud and heavy. and their range is not like on TV…it’s just like a bow, only LESS. If a hunter wants to partake of his/her 2 deer during bow season instead of gun season…it’s their right. No law requires them to limit their archery hunting in favor of gun hunting. Many archers don’t even partake of the gun season…(those are some of the same hunters that will let a mature buck walk buy so they can shoot the injured doe as an act of grace). If I recall (I’m fairly good at that), Ohio has been letting hunters use crosbows since the 70′s (selective use studyies) and full hunter use for many years…all with no perceivable impact to herd statistics (as stated by the Ohio Wildlife department). So why should Michigan be any different. Unless you live in Ohio and own a business that might be impacted by Michigan hunters staying home to crossbow hunt… Sorry Ken if I sound a little…agressive… on this but you write in circles. Contradicting yourself from one statement to the next. Ohio is an excellent study on crossbow usage and it’s impact on our deer herds…and available mature bucks (like you’re hunting…). They’ve been doing it a long time and you’re going there to hunt them… Michigan has too many deer and needs to better balance the herds maybe…
December 18th, 2008 at 3:39 pm