Everyone is entitled to thier opinion and that's what makes this forum and country great. I would however like to ask each and everyone of those that say xbows are cheating or that they are not bows, to shoot next to a skilled crossbow hunter and see who wins. I have shot with x bow hunters and that contraption ain't all everyone seems to think it is.
My reasoning for allowing them is this, I have been trying to get my family more involved in hunting. My eleven year old wants to deer hunt , but bow only, and she cannot pull the required draw weight of 30lbs. someone said with the high let off's anyone can shoot the minimum, if that were the case then why are there older hunters unable to pull the weight? just because it has an 80% let off doesn't mean you don't have to pull through that 30lbs. to get there. I might have a personal agenda in that I also know it would get my wife out bow hunting more as she does not have the time to practice with her compound like she should and I would rather she make a clean kill with a x bow than a wounding disaster with her compound.
As to the statement that the crossbow companies are out to make money.......well duh they are a business just like the compound, traditional bow and gun manufacturers. They are all out to make money. I'm sorry but I have seen that comment before and it is just backward thinking that the x bow companies are any different than the others, IT's BUSINESS, YOU MAKE MONEY OR YOU GO AWAY........I just don't see why people are so vehemently against them, if it gets more people to enjoy and support our sport how is it hurting it? Are all the deer going to get killed with x bows not likely, will the kill ratio's between gun and bow hunters go up? Maybe, but that is a good thing for those that want the DNR to see that bow hunting is a viable management tool and it should not be messed with as far as season dates go (btw that is another of the anti xbow propaganda, that the DNR is currently trying to shorten our bow season and by allowing x bows it would make it easier for them to do so)
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Not one point against has been made that holds any water,I think it boils down to change. People hate change and because **some** bowhunters have an elitist attitude, similiar to **some** fly fisherman, they feel x bows are inferior and cheating, well there are some traditional bow hunters that feel the same way about our compound bows, should we take them from the hunting tools as well just because some elitists call them cheating and inferior. Think about this from all points not just what you've heard or read somewhere, do the research and find out for yourself how x bows will impact hunting in Wi. I would bet once you know all the facts you might think differently about the whole issue.
And lastly before I off everyone on the other side of the fence, Uncle Lou has a very good and valid point when he said the anti hunters are all for us in fighting about the x bow issue. It pits hunter against hunter and that is thier goal to divide and conquer and they don't play by the rules so i wouldn't be surprised if it was anti's that keep trying to bring the issue to the front.
As for me, I will most likely never use a x bow but I have absolutely no problem allowing someone that would like to hunt with one hunting my land (should the law pass) just because they don't have to draw to shoot doesn't mean they are guaranteed to kill a deer everytime out, they still have to KNOW HOW TO HUNT. Besides when was the last time you were busted while drawing? For me it's been at least 5 years since I can honestly say the deer busted me while drawing................Bash them all you like as it is your right, but remember they are a hunting tool just like any other and there are enough people that enjoy them that you should not be so judgmental about them unless you've tried one.