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TBOF Crossbow Statement


The Traditional Bowhunters of Florida was founded in 1990 in order to bring together like- minded individuals to share in their enjoyment of shooting traditional archery equipment including longbows, recurves and self bows.

The Traditional Bowhunters of Florida believes a hunting bow, be it longbow, recurve or compound, should be defined by its ability to be hand held and hand drawn and does not have any device that will allow it to be locked at full or partial draw. The gun like nature of the crossbow does not meet the widely accepted definition of a hunting bow and should not be included in any bowhunting seasons or archery only hunting areas.

The Traditional Bowhunters of Florida respects the policies of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which permits only the physically challenged hunter to use the crossbow during bow season but which permits any hunter to use the crossbow during the general gun season or seasons expressly created for crossbow use.

The Traditional Bowhunters of Florida is mindful that bowhunting, by its very nature, is an intimate and challenging sport. Bowhunting seasons were created as an opportunity for those hunters preferring the additional challenge presented by a short range weapon. Therefore, members of the Traditional Bowhunters of Florida oppose crossbow use in bow seasons or archery only hunting areas.

Adopted by TBOF Board of Directors, August 5th, 2005

Revised January 23, 2006