passing this on (Oklahoma now crossbows)


coondog

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Crossbows are now legal for all Oklahoma hunters.

Crossbows and conventional bows with draw lock devices that permit bows to be held mechanically at full or partial draw are now legal for hunting during Oklahoma archery seasons.

Gov. Brad Henry on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 1594 that allows all hunters to use crossbows where conventional bows are allowed.

The law is effective immediately so crossbows are legal for the antelope archery season, which opens Sept. 14, and the deer and bear archery seasons, which open Oct. 1.

Previously, only Oklahoma hunters ages 60 and older or those with a permanent disability who could not use a conventional bow were allowed to hunt with crossbows.

SB 1594 was passed in the final days of the legislative session.

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Cool! I've never had a problem with crossbows being used by average hunters before. It has been legal in Ontario for as long as crossbows have been around (I think). It'll be a good introduction to young archery hunters who have trouble drawing and shooting a compound comfortably.

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Here is a full list of what all changes were made some include out of state hunters.

A layaway system for buying lifetime hunting and fishing licenses: Lifetime licenses sold to persons under the age of 18 can be paid for through installments over a three-year period, in a manner to be determined by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The license will not be issued until full payment is completed.

No more trout license: The trout license will be eliminated. The money lost will be offset by increasing the price of non-resident fishing licenses.

One deer license per season for non-resident hunters: Instead of having to buy several deer licenses during a season, non-resident hunters now will be able to buy one $279 deer license for that specific season (archery, muzzleloader or gun).

One more day of fishing: The five-day non-resident fishing license will be extended to a six-day license.

Pick your year: Hunters can choose to buy a hunting license that runs from the calendar year, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, or the fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30.

Some hunting seasons overlap, so buying an annual hunting license that would run from July to June will keep hunters from having to remember to renew during the season.

A break for military personnel: Anyone on active duty in the United States Armed Forces will be able to buy a resident hunting or fishing license in Oklahoma.

Senior citizens get more benefits: All the benefits that regular lifetime fishing and hunting license holders have will be extended to senior citizen lifetime licenses. For example, senior citizen license holders now would receive all of the deer licenses as part of their lifetime licenses, just like regular lifetime license holders.

Trapping now included: Lifetime license holders also will be exempt from having to buy the trapping license. All trapping licenses will be extended to the end of February.

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Anything that gets/keeps hunters hunting is a win - win situation. Each year there are less and less hunters and we need numers so our voice can be heard.

I've recently gone to a crossbow because of shoulder/back issues. While it isn't as fun as shooting my compound, it lets me stay in the game.:yes:

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I've recently gone to a crossbow because of shoulder/back issues. While it isn't as fun as shooting my compound, it lets me stay in the game.:yes:

And thats a great point. I can still pull my 70lb compound but one day I likely wont be able to. When that happens I may pickup a crossbow....

Great point!

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