X-Bows given preliminary approval

Today the BOC gave preliminary approval expanding the use of crossbows to include all archery seasons statewide.  The vote was 5-2 with Delaney and Boop opposed.

I was at the meeting yesterday to hear testimony and staff reports.  The testimony was split with 13 against crossbows.  Of those 13, 8 were UBP members.  They also revealed the results of the UBP survey which revealed that 93% of thier members were against crossbow inclusion.

There were 12 people that testified supporting crossbow inclusion.  2 of those were manufacturer reps and 1 was a representative from the Governors Advisory Council that heavily endorsed crossbow inclusion. 

Cal Dubrock's report basically stated that we cannot compare Pa. to other states and the only way we will know the impact is to allow inclusion statewide during our current season structure and monitor the affects for 4-5 years.

Cal also stated that his feeling is the impact is more of a social one than a biological one.  He stated that there is evidence in the SRA that crossbows have not had an impact on the deer herd.

This issue goes to the January meeting for final approval which, if passed, would allow crossbows statewide in 2009.  Look for ammendments to be made as well like telescopic sights, weight limits and such.

You have gotta be ****ting me.

that is total bull**** all the game commission wants is more money!!!!!!!!

..and more money they need.

The report says, the only way to know the impact on the deer herd is to implement xbows for 4-5 years and see the results.   That's about a bonehead move and completely different on how the commission used to implement new seasons.   So overharvest, means shortening the seasons.  They certainly wouldn't take away xbows after 5 years of people purchasing them.  

Archery season is becoming such a joke for PA.  This will put it over the top.   Just got word, 5 doe were shot with rifles this a.m. where I hunt.   Next to impossible to hunt deer that only move during the dark.  I know what I'm going to do.   Pay the money next year and get on a lease.  Pretty simple solution.   I already know of a good one.  It's out of state, but it's a good one and in a bowhunting only county.     There's only one thing you can do when change comes that you cannot control, and that is adapt, so I will.

oh and J, I agree .. might as well make archery season anything goes.

As jlh says you already have every weapon under the sun not to mention other seasons included in our archery season. What more can we do to stop this NOW!!!!!!

Time to call your local Politician

I too like the Idea of allowing crossbows, Now youse guys know how I felt watching the technology adavances of modern archery equipment, I started bowhunting in 1972 with a borrowed recurve, since then Ive killed more game than I care to remember, exclusivley with a 77lb Black Widow recurve, from little coues deer up to moose, time has taken its toll on my body and after 2 shoulder surgeries and a crushed hand at work, the recurve is just a decoration these days, I know i probably could get a crossbow permit in PA, but it was easier to hunt Ohio, where anyone can use them, and believe me, most folks still use standard archery equipment where we hunt, so its not the end of the world or the deer herd, its still a short range weapon, and a skilled shooter with a modern bow can shoot a helluva lot further more accuratley than a crossbow, if it passes Ill start hunting PA archery seasons again

i personaly am looking for a lease too and as far as the crossbows i think you should be aloud to hunt with them if you handycap or something but if you want to bow hunt grab the compound and learn to shoot it its not that hard and i hate the way they have the early muzzleloader and juinorhunt (wouldn't mind if it was just the youngsters because it is a good time to get them interested) it screws up the dedicated archery hunters 3rd week and into the begining of the 4th 

and like i said i'm ok with the junior hunt its a nice time to hunt and it gets them interested and i have never talked to a early season muzzleloader who goes out scouting and puts preseason time in and to me doing that is part of what makes you dedicated most just think tomaro is muzzleloader i'll go for a walk or go sit somewere if they did scout\put time in they wouldn't be sitting 15 yards from my treestand thats there year around

No he is not.  Sounds like he is only wants our sport to grow or at least stop the dsteady decline in hunter numbers.
 
He is a statistic for anyone who cares.
 
In 1998 we sold a record 329,000 archery licenses.  Our fall archery season was 6 weeks and we did not have AR's.
 
In 2007, we sold 267,000 archery licenses.  Our fall season was 6 weeks and we now have AR's.
 
The season is the same length, we protect our bucks with AR's and we have 60,000 less archers now.
 
Seems we could stand some recruitment and interest and still not reach the numbers we used to be at.

Sounds like you're in bad shape for your age.

**** how many car wrecks where you in?Or did this all happen in the same one?

My body feels twice its age.

Wow, thats tough to try and figure out without knowing what exactly they are doing.

Downsize? Smaller flies, smaller tippet... if fly fishing. Try different colors?

Half the time i see people catch fish i think theyre lining and dont realize it. They just arent that aggressive every single day.

Heck maybe the opposite, go BIG BIG.. ive thrown size 2 streamers and caught fish when a size 20 egg wouldnt touch one.

Does anyone really believe adding crossguns to archery season will attract new folks to hunting? Think of it this way, how many people are out there saying: "I would like to start hunting, but only if crossbows are allowed"? The answer to that question is nobody. Nobody is out there with their fingers crossed hoping crossbows are allowed, so they can start hunting. It is absurd to think this would even bring ONE new person to our sport.
 
What's next, people lobbying for semi-auto rifles to be allow during rifle season? or, how about inlines with scopes during flintlock?