rjet - Believe it or not, I used to feel the same as you on this...but the more I learned about this issue (and the driving $ forces behind it), the less I liked what I read about their inclusion.

Excellent post Jack & Mike!

Pick a Spot, very well written letter. Bob

Joey,

Why is it that you would be against people making money for OUR industry?

The more money the hunting industry has the more powerful we are as a Team.

Hi Travis, the daughter's good...thanks for askin'. ;)

Attachment 1565

I'm not gonna do any back-and-forth with you or anyone else on this issue. Here, there, anywhere. I'm just another member who doesn't want to see this type of change.

Is there a new online petition for this Bill yet? Please post a link if there is, I need to sign.

Also, lots of shoots going on around the State, we should have a printable version here too for members to carry to their local shoots.

I am here to learn and have honestly only looked at this from a high level and not details. Growing up hunting in Ar where x-bows have been legal archery equipment for a very long time I tend to consider it as part of bowhunting also. Kinda like the ole moped joke, I sure wouldnt wanna be seen hunting with a x-bow though. ;)
Will do some more research before saying I am for or against this proposal.

The house bill 968 has now been appointed to a committee, the Culture, Recreation and Tourism committee. It's not suprising that the chairman and committee member is Rep. Homer and Rep. Keumpel. both of these guys have been pushing for the crossbow to be adopted into the bowhunting seasons for a few years. Whatever their personal agenda is to keep pushing this every year is a mystery to each of us. It is now time to start voicing your opinions to the committee members. Please go to this web site to get the names of the members and go to their web sites to send an e-mail to each one of them. Only through our voices can we be heard.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Committees/MembershipCmte.aspx?LegSess=81R&CmteCode=C430

I have a comment, but I hesitate to post it here. I'd certainly be willing to pm someone who is not in favor of this bill and see what you think.

I sent out more letters to the committee members today...anyone else writing??? We need allot of support on this....

I would recommend you PM Jack or BUFF.

Jack

Buff

D-

Either send it to me, or just give me a call. You should have my number, if not then shoot me a PM and we can talk.

I am writing and I have had a 30 minute phone conversation with one of the committee members. It is imperative that you not only write to the committee members but contact your local representatives and senators. Meet them face to face if possible. Above all be respectful and tactful but let your opinion be known.

Thanks for the input Huntinfool.

Below is one of the responses I received after sending several letters. I also received another response by regular mail. My next step is to contact my district representative by phone and request a meeting. This is not the time to sit idle.



Thank you for taking the time to contact our office regarding your concerns. We encourage you to continue communicating with us on this and any other state legislative issues you may have. It is through your actions and others like you that we know what is on the minds of our constituents.

Sincerely,
Edward Tidwell
Legislative Assistant

District 17

Representative Tim Kleinschmidt

Once again the L.S.B.A. is not against crossbows for hunting as the Laws are written now . Our concern is the constant change applied to Archery season. Today a legislator has a friend that wants to crossbow hunt ; tomorrow a legislator will have a friend that wants to hunt with one of these ( http://www.swivelmachine.com/html/rimfire.htm) during Archery season. Am I being paranoid - maybe - but when you seen some of the decisions our legislators make maybe I'm not!!

I hesitate to comment in the event they are reading this board and my comment solidify their resolve in their opposition to OUR archery season.

If you go back a few years and look how the changes have taken place to our season and regulations...each one seems to be innocent, but together these chages have gotten us to where we are today....First it was the supercombo, (no archery stamp required, it is in the license), approval of the drawlock, (no need to have to draw a bow, why it's just like a crossbow), removed minimum poundage, (everyone can hunt, no need to have a minimum poundage, bow are different today, much better, much faster), crossbows, they have the same things as bows, you cock them,(Locking device like a drawlock), the archery stamp will be required to hunt with a crossbow (it's a bow isn't it), no minimum poundage required, (crossbows must be as efficent as a a bow)....all of the things that some of the members of the LSBA have been trying to stop have all come together now to this....