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FeedCrossbow use remains unchanged
Albany — Extended, yes.
Expanded, no.
New York sportsmen will, pending the signature of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, be allowed to use crossbows during the regular firearms deer season through 2014.
They will not, however, see crossbow use expanded into the regular archery deer and bear seasons.
Final-day passage of legislation that extends crossbow use under its current restrictions – only in the firearms and late muzzleloader seasons – essentially keeps the implements on status quo in New York.
While crossbow advocates were pushing for passage of legislation that would allow crossbows in the regular archery season, at least for senior and physically challenged hunters, that didn’t happen.
Instead, it was Assemblyman Robert Sweeney’s proposal – one that carried a clause that essentially quashed DEC’s proposed Columbus Day weekend youth deer hunt – which advanced its way through the legislative process in the final hours of the session.
The bill’s approval was generally seen as a victory for New York Bowhunters, Inc., the statewide group that has lobbied against crossbow use within the regular archery season, and a stinging defeat for the newly formed New York Crossbow
Coalition, which had sought more liberalized crossbow use.
Coalition president Rick McDermott said the extension of the current crossbow regulations through 2014 was of at least some consolation to crossbow supporters. But expect more legislative volleying next year.
“This does not mean we will not be pursuing this (expanded crossbow use) again in January,” he said.
The legislation was also viewed as a setback for DEC’s fish and wildlife division, which saw its effort to establish the youth firearms deer hunt for 14- and 15-year-olds trumped by the legislative action.
While some staffers privately expressed disappointment, DEC chief wildlife biologist Gordon Batcheller stopped well short of that.
“We’ll fully comply with whatever law is adopted as policy. We respect the process,” he said. “We’re here in the executive branch; we implement policies that are established by lawmakers. That’s our job – to be faithful to the laws. They’re elected, they’re accountable and we’ll implement those policies.”
Sweeney’s bill, approved by a 92-44 Assembly vote, included language that prohibits firearms use during the regular archery season. That halted the proposed youth deer hunt, although amendments were approved that allow the continuation of youth pheasant and waterfowl hunts.
Some lawmakers voted in favor of the bill solely to assure the extension of crossbow use in the regular firearms and late muzzleloader deer seasons, crossbow backers contend.
Sweeney’s bill – A10583 – had not yet been forwarded to Cuomo for his signature, a necessary step in the process. There was no indication when that would happen, since lawmakers approved a steady stream of bills in the final days of the season and that could lead to a backlog.
Batcheller said he wasn’t aware if DEC was lobbying the governor’s office urging a veto of the bill.
“Right now we’re focused on polishing up the (hunting regulations) guide, going through it line by line, page by page to make sure it’s accurate,” he said.
The level to which this article ticks me off has no bounds! NYB, is the most selfish hunting group in NY bar none! They don't want youth or any other hunters to participate in "their hunt" but they were glad to accept an extended season. I say take away their extended season and let the youth get first crack at the deer herd with firearms BEFORE bow season!
I am a bow hunter, and the actions of NYB create a black mark for all bow hunters. To deny others the right to hunt is inexcusable and completely selfish!
Speak For Yourself.....What i'm trying to figure out is how anyone can call themselves a bowhunter yet have a problem with this legislation. lets think, maybe you have 200 private acres to yourself and youd like the kill to be as easy as possible. I have friends who stricktly gun hunt and are opposed to this. It will undoubtably increase the number of hunters who grab a $249 crossbow and have it sighted in in 32 seconds then head out to fling a few Bolts around the woods. Why is it that anyone would hunt with a crossbow yet has'nt taken up bowhunting already? Because its ridiculously easy. If it were truly an issue of you wanting to hunt with the crossbow you would do it, during the appropriate season of course. Gun hunters can view the extra hunting pressure unfair right? Why should the woods be anymore pressued before they get out there? Maybe it should be a free for all. no seasons,use anything. That would be ok for the folks who have no trouble finding private places to hunt. However I'm here to say that not everyone, and most hunters do not have this opportunity. We as Bowhunters welcome anyone who shares our passion into the woods any time. In fact woods or range we'll be quick to lend a hand.(selfish? thats a poor argument) I would also like to thank NY BOWHUNTERS for the tremendous work they do to preserve whats left of our sport. Pick up a Bow and get into the woods you'll be hooked for life its an amazing experience.
I am not opposed to ether proposal however i am opposed too having the youth gun hunt in the middle of an archery season, If hunters want a youth rifle weekend why not place it in rifle season ( after all NY does have one of the longest rifle seasons in the country)???? As for the Crossbow situation it is inevitable that soon enough crossbows will be included in the archery season, and as previously stated their are worries of safety among us, what i would like to point out is allot of the same arguments were brought up when compounds were being introduced in to what was then a traditional archery season only.
Bio,
Every year a certain number of people get arrested for hunting at night, with spotlights. I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you're be against that, along with myself. Does that make us "selfish" because in their minds it's an ok way to hunt.
NYB is'nt denying anybody the right to hunt, as long as your using a bow. after all it is bow season. There are "draw lock" mechanism's on the market that would work just fine for the senior sportsmen. The handicapped should be reviewed on a per case basis for a crossbow permit. I wonder how many people would still want to use a crossbow if there were no scopes allowed and draw weight was limited to 70 lbs. Then the only advantage would be a pre-drawn weapon.
I'm glad the youth hunt got squashed, not because I'm against the youth, but having a gun season during bow is a recipe for disaster. As I understand the game laws, young hunters are not suppose to be in elevated stands which means they are shooting across level ground. Any errant shot could possibly travel several hundred yards past their intended target. What makes this even more dangerous is the timing of the hunt, early October, in the southern zone there still very many leaves on the trees. Even an experienced hunter couldn't be sure what's behind their target. If it were mandatory that youth hunters must be in elevated stands missed shots would more likley go into the ground. IMHO the best time for a youth hunt would be the current Saturday opener and move the regular season back out to Monday, it's gun season anyway. I think the kids would get more out of their hunt with the whole party there gearing up for the season.
Bottom line, if you're not dedicating your entire season to the young hunters in your group to help them learn how to hunt and harvest deer, and you need a special youth weekend, it says a lot more about YOU than it does about NYB.
NYB doesn't leave a black mark at all, they're protecting what they believe in. This is America!
Realbow - I am a bow hunter. I use a compound bow and I absolutely love bow hunting, and if legislation was passed to use cross bows, I would still use my compound. The true challenge of bow hunting getting within effective bow range. Regardless if you are using a crossbow or compound the effective range of either weapon is no more 60 yards for a VERY VERY skilled shooter, with the average shooter ranging somewhere between 20-40 yards. The only advantage a cross bow offers, is you don't need to draw it back.
"lets think, maybe you have 200 private acres to yourself and youd like the kill to be as easy as possible"
How is this statement not selfish? If I wanted an easy kill, I would strictly gun hunt. Competing with other hunters is part of the challenge of bow hunting. Additionally, more hunters in the woods inevitably means more hunters bumping deer around. Position yourself accordingly, and you can use that to your benefit as other hunters bump deer right to your stand!
"Why is it that anyone would hunt with a crossbow yet has'nt taken up bowhunting already?"
Some would like to, but they can't draw a bow back. The young, the old, and the disabled come to mind.
"However I'm here to say that not everyone, and most hunters do not have this opportunity."
I will put money on the table betting most hunters hunt private land not public land.
"We as Bowhunters welcome anyone who shares our passion into the woods any time."
No you don't. If you did, you would at a minimum fully support a bill that allows the young, the elderly, and the physically disabled the opportunity to hunt with a crossbow during the regular archery season.
"Pick up a Bow and get into the woods you'll be hooked for life its an amazing experience."
There are plenty of hunters who would like to, but they can't because they have physical limitations that do not allow them to draw and hold back a bow. You and NYB are denying them the opportunity you so graciously invite them to experience.
TEACER4AUTO - PA has an anterless muzzle loader and a youth/sr. firearms season right smack dab in the middle of their archery season (Oct 13-20). Any archery hunter worth his salt knows that the best archery hunting doesn't start until the chasing phase of the rut which typically starts the last week of October/first week of November and lasts about a week, maybe a day or two longer. Why? Because that's when bucks get on their feet looking for the first does coming into estrous. By keeping the early firearms harvests "antlerless only" it doesn't ruin the archery hunter's chances of killing a nice buck. Again, more hunters in the woods moving deer around can greatly benefit an archery hunter.
Archery hunters typically stand hunt, waiting for deer to pass by. If you're stand hunting and deer aren't moving, you're not going to see much for deer. Having hunters bump deer around for you can be tremendously beneficial. But again, the NYB and their advocates are so blinded by selfishness and the fear of other hunters being in the woods during "their" season, they cannot see the "big picture" benefits that a youth hunt and legalized crossbows would provide for the hunting community. It ticks me off to now end!
Whoops..."no end"
ANTLERJUNKIE:
"Every year a certain number of people get arrested for hunting at night, with spotlights."
You're not comparing "apples to apples" here. A cross bow does not give hunters a significant advantage. Crossbow range is about the same as a compound, it shoots a single projectile like a compound, they shoot the same broad heads, and have similar speed, accuracy, and down-range kinetic energy. Crossbows are also slower to load than a compound. The only advantages a crossbow offers is the user does not need to draw it back and hold it and it can be rested on a stable surface during the shot. That's it. A hunter still needs to place themselves within effective bow range, which is the real challenge of bow hunting.
"There are "draw lock" mechanism's on the market that would work just fine for the senior sportsmen."
No they won't because they still require the hunter to hold the bow up free-hand. With a cross bow, they can use a rest and squeeze off a clean and ethical shot.
"having a gun season during bow is a recipe for disaster"
Have you no faith in the hunter safety course and the mentors that guide youth hunters? PA conducts a safe muzzle loader and youth/sr. gun hunt every year during archery season.
"As I understand the game laws, young hunters are not suppose to be in elevated stands"
And why are hunters not lobbying for this law to be abolished? Today's ladder stands are very safe and make great stands for youth hunters. They even come in "double" models so an adult can accompany them at all times.
The bottom line is NYB wants the bow season to be for themselves. For a group that is supposed to be "pro-hunters," their actions state otherwise. They stood behind legislation that denied the youth, the elderly, and the disabled equal opportunities to hunt, and that does not sit well with me. IMO they are no better than PETA and HSUS when it comes to denying hunters the opportunity to hunt.
"a crossbow does not give a hunter a significant advantage", I disagree, you can go on youtube type in "Barnett Preadator" and see guys hitting balloons at 80 & 100 yards with ease. I also saw helicopter hog hunting with a crossbow, again featuring Barnett crossbows. All of thr shots seemed to 40+ yards from a moving platform, somthing like that could only be done with the advantage of a scoped crossbow.
My hunter safety instructors were awesome, point is many hunters lose all common sense when a deer is in front of them. I've almost been shot 3 times in the last 15 years. All while wearing orange. Twice by hunters older than me. Now put a greenhorn behind the trigger with a backdrop of leaves and cross your fingers. Thats why the current Saturday opener would be the perfect fit for the youth hunt. If it's mandatory they be on the ground let them hunt when the leaves are down.
Bio,
Wow you spent quite a bit of time calling me out for bashing the handicap and elderly. I'm not sure where exactly I wrote that, I didd'nt include my view on this subject because I covered that in my last posting. So with the risk of sounding redundant I'll say I'd be glad to allow Elderly and handicap hunters to get out with a crossbow as long as it was legislated in such a way as to prevent abuse. I would have loved to extend the time spent in the bow woods with my grandfather.
Next I'd like to take you up on that bet. I belong to a gun club, I have a membership to a bow range and spend countless hours at a local indoor range perfecting and enjoying my craft and I absolutely meet more folks who do not have the luxury of private property. Find a state park thats not to capacity find a chunk of state land where cars are'nt stacked up like cord wood. Not to mention folks like myself who have access to some private land along with anyone else who asks. Not that theres anything wrong with owning property. however it does provide a clear and distinct advantage in the hunting pressure category.
(If you wanted an easy kill youd stricktly gun hunt) Is'nt that the point of this conversation you want an easier kill for an addittional season?
DEER BUMPED BY ME IS A BENEFIT? I spend alot of time scouting hanging stands patterning deer and looking for sign and I take great pride in this...no thanks I'll catch em moving naturally.
Just like to say ANTLERJUNKIE You've got some Great points. Me and my buddies always talked about the best part of growing up hunting was hanging with the guys, everything else was far more important than the kill. The car ride, the food, the jokes, close family and friends. Thats how a kid gets hooked and thats how I want my kids introduced. Awsome job Antler...