My understanding of the initiative is limited. This appears to be a push to get more people involved in bowhunting -something we'd all agree is needed, however; I’m not sure lowering the minimum draw weight is a wise thing to do without having any checks or balances built into the initiative, namely mandatory bow hunter education.
I’m also relatively certain that a 30# bow is capable of killing most of the “Legal” game animals found in Texas, but only if the bow can deliver an arrow and a razor sharp broadhead into an with sufficient kinetic energy to achieve enough penetration to bring about a quick, clean, humane death.
As most of you have already pointed out, there's no way to actually make sure a hunter chosing to shoot 30# would outfit themselves with properly matched equipment. At least with IBEP under their wings, a new person who chooses to shoot a light draw bow would have been given a basic understanding of an animals anatomy and body positions for obtaining correct shot placement, kinetic energy, and the difference between sharp and razor sharp.
I guess what I said in a very round about way was that I’d support a slight reduction in draw weight, ONLY IF it was accompanied by a statewide requirement to attend and successfully complete Bowhunter Education (which could or would serve as a balance for the initiative.)
I do have one question, however, and I hope it comes out worded correctly. Is the LSBA position to support a reduction in draw weight in line with the findings from the poll on the same subject?
Great discussion – keep it going.
RH
|
Threaded Mode