Reminder of why I'm against 'open' crossbow hunting

[huntinsonovagun]

Was talking to a vender of mine the other day, who is a 'hunter' and we got onto the subject of crossbows now being legal for any Oklahoma archer. I say that I'm "not for the idea" and he proceeds to tell me that he got one. He said you could "shoot farther" and I said "yeah, out to 40 or 50 yards maybe." His response--"Pfff. You can shoot accurately at least to 80 with mine."

I tried to explain the loss of KE and the amount of time it takes an arrow to reach a deer at that distance and what could happen in that amount of time. Anyway, not sure I got through, but it just reminded me of all the other uneducated "bubba hunters" that are going to be running around.

I just have to remind myself that there are compound shooters that believe the same thing.....oh well, what can I do?

[Rhino]

You're right...there are compound shooters out there that believe the same thing. Only difference between the 2 at that range is the crossbow will be loader when the ammo's turned loose.

Well look at it this way...excellent chance that guy's going to see nothing but air cut at that range anyway when he shoots at hair...if he's telling the truth about the accuracy of his Xbow.

[Flintlock1776]

I am for any legal weapon that is allowed. We don't need to divide our ranks. If you don't like it you don't have to participate. If you do, you should be able to do so freely.

[swohiodave]

A compound bow hunter never tried to take a shot that was too far intentionally? You just ran into one that happened to use a crossbow. Not all of us are dumb/unethical!

[huntinsonovagun]

Don't get me wrong....most compound shooters aren't proficient enough to be in the woods either (IMO). All this does is increase the number of ignorant "hunters" putting more pressure on the deer since it is that much easier than 'conventional' archery gear.

Everybody keeps talking about declining hunter numbers....that's not happening in Oklahoma. What IS happening is declining public lands to hunt on and ever-increasing lease fees.

My point is this though....when does it stop? I mean, do we have a 3.5 month gun season within the next few years? Granted, compounds are MUCH more accurate and have twice the range than traditional bows, which may be too much advancement (???).

My only hope is that the CB hunters get frustrated and quit for the year after the first week like 95% of the current compound hunters.

[ruttinbuc]

Gee, we haven't had a good crossbow thread lately....:eat:

[jesse8953]

Just to bad, any weapon you buy you should be smart enough to know its limits.You shouldn't pick on crossbows just some stupid people.Next he might buy a bow and think it will shoot 125 yards.Some people just have no brains.jmo

Edited August 19, 2010 by jesse8953

[clrj3514]

I am for any legal weapon that is allowed. We don't need to divide our ranks. If you don't like it you don't have to participate. If you do, you should be able to do so freely.

Amen! To each his own. It's not our place to tell anybody else what to do. It's THEIR life, let THEM live it. Personally even though I'm physically handicapped, I wouldn't shoot a crossbow but I'm not gonna rip another man because he shoots one. As far as distance goes, it's up to the hunter and what they're comfortable with. I saw Levi Morgan harvest an elk at 90 yards with his bow on TV. Would I have taken the shot? No. Was it okay for him? Yes, because he knew his equipment & his ability. In the words of Hank Williams Jr, "why can't everybody just leave everybody else alone?"

[buckee]

There's a few of those guys in every crowd.

Crossbows have been legal hear during bow-season for years and it only bothers me when I meet someone who doesn't know their limitations, like this guy.

[redkneck]

Gee, we haven't had a good crossbow thread lately....:eat:

Yep!

Can't wait to put a scope on my bow so I can shoot to 80 yards.

[Doc]

http://hhasports.com/media/2010%20HHA%20Speed%20Dial%20Video.wmv

Check this out! You want 80 yard shots? .... Maybe they have the gadget for you......lol.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Doc

[Jeramie]

I agree Ryan.

The one thing im not liking about this new law is now the dynamics of bow season will change. For years its always been teh dedicated bow hunters that have the most peaceful hunting. ML'er rolls around and it gets busier. Rifle Rolls around and the woods are NUTS. I think now that Oklahoma's bow season is point and click it may be a little more crazy.... only time will tell.

[Rhino]

A compound bow hunter never tried to take a shot that was too far intentionally?

That depends on your point of view of what is too far. In another forum I recently read a thread where 2 guys claimed they could shoot their compounds proficiently at 80 yards. Well...hitting targets at 80 yards and hitting something with hair on it are 2 different things. They failed to realize that there's plenty of time for a deer to move when an 80 yard shot is turned loose. That doesn't even take into account the loss of KE at range.

[okiedog]

I think Oklahoma needs a Compound/ Recurve/ Longbow Season that runs Sept 15th-30th:clap:

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Same guy probably takes 400 yard shots with an open sighted 30-30.

You can't fix stupid. And it's highly unlikely those 80 yard deer are in much danger.

[Tominator]

I dare say there are just as many uneducated bubba hunters carrying a vertical bow out there. Just like anything in life, there's good, and there's bad everywhere.

[sskybnd]

I dare say there are just as many uneducated bubba hunters carrying a vertical bow out there. Just like anything in life, there's good, and there's bad everywhere.

i hope to never get on your bad side, tom..

i beleave he's right about the woods getting more active, the bad part about it most crossbows come with some type of scope and am wondering how many will think the can hit it just becouse they can put it in the scope,

Edited August 20, 2010 by sskybnd

[JimT]

Most guys are not like this. Some just know it all and that's the end of the story. He will shoot a deer and not find it, then blame it on something when he was the problem. Matter of time.

[elkoholic]

A Jim Shockey show with Gregg Ritz on a crossbow hunt showing Jim's wife and father, both of whom had never shot a crossbow before, shooting Gregg's crossbow at 60 yards and hitting the bulls eye on their first shot is an example of why crossbow hunting is not on the same playing field as hunting with a vertical bow. If getting more people involved as hunters is the only good reason one can give for the allowing crossbows during archery season, maybe the quality of these new "hunters" should be considered. If it is just about killing animals, lengthen the firearms season, for that is the best solution to kill more critters. I am a firm believer that all hunters, regardless of age, need to take a hunter education class, which should include all aspects of hunting. I would even suggest that anyone buying a particular hunting weapon for the first time be required to undergo some form of training and before being allowed to purchase a hunting license, should have to show proficiency with their weapon of choice. Make it easy enough and all sorts of idiots come out of the woodwork.

Edited August 21, 2010 by elkoholic

[clrj3514]

A Jim Shockey show with Gregg Ritz on a crossbow hunt showing Jim's wife and father, both of whom had never shot a crossbow before, shooting Gregg's crossbow at 60 yards and hitting the bulls eye on their first shot is an example of why crossbow hunting is not on the same playing field as hunting with a vertical bow. If getting more people involved as hunters is the only good reason one can give for the allowing crossbows during archery season, maybe the quality of these new "hunters" should be considered. If it is just about killing animals, lengthen the firearms season, for that is the best solution to kill more critters. I am a firm believer that all hunters, regardless of age, need to take a hunter education class, which should include all aspects of hunting. I would even suggest that anyone buying a particular hunting weapon for the first time be required to undergo some form of training and before being allowed to purchase a hunting license, should have to show proficiency with their weapon of choice. Make it easy enough an all sorts of idiots come out of the woodwork.

Whether the idiots have a license or not, they're gonna hunt.

[Flintlock1776]

Amen! To each his own. It's not our place to tell anybody else what to do. It's THEIR life, let THEM live it. Personally even though I'm physically handicapped, I wouldn't shoot a crossbow but I'm not gonna rip another man because he shoots one. As far as distance goes, it's up to the hunter and what they're comfortable with. I saw Levi Morgan harvest an elk at 90 yards with his bow on TV. Would I have taken the shot? No. Was it okay for him? Yes, because he knew his equipment & his ability. In the words of Hank Williams Jr, "why can't everybody just leave everybody else alone?"

That works for me:soda:

[hoosierhunter]

CLR- that shot by levi was COMPLETELY unethical and quartering towards him at 90 yards!!! That elk jumped that string bigtime and he got flat lucky to get him.:hammer2:

[mikebohio]

we should all just hunt with sharpened sticks.

[clrj3514]

CLR- that shot by levi was COMPLETELY unethical and quartering towards him at 90 yards!!! That elk jumped that string bigtime and he got flat lucky to get him.:hammer2:

Think what you may bud, but if you are completely confident with a shot then take it. If other people don't like it, too bad. I'm not here to fuss with anybody over the internet. You do your thing, & i'll do my thing too.

[hoosierhunter]

Think what you may bud, but if you are completely confident with a shot then take it. If other people don't like it, too bad. I'm not here to fuss with anybody over the internet. You do your thing, & i'll do my thing too.

unfortunately tv makes people do stupid stuff to get something on film. and i'm sure he(levi) was completely confident on the show the week before when he missed about 5 times on that antelope and then winged a arrow at 70 yards right because as he said it was the last day?