Trailboss: "I don't think it's okay for any unskilled, unpracticed hunter to be in the woods regardless of the weapon they choose. A Hunter's Education course can go a long way toward preventing this.
How do you identify and keep them out? I'm not sure you can, but I fear a lot less for my life during archery only season.
When the decision was made several years ago to allow draw lock devices during archery only season, I stated that it would only be a matter of time before crossbows would also be allowed. That almost came to pass. And I'll go ahead and say it now - if crossbows are allowed, it will only be a matter of time before the season is changed to a "primative weapons" season and muzzle loaders will be allowed too. Just hide and watch - it'll happen."
Thanks, Trailboss, for that straight answer.
I think at least some of us can agree that crossbows in the archery season is inevitable. Therefore, wouldn't it make the most sense to accept it now--before it happens--and start the education process to ensure that those new hunters are educated, ethical hunters? It seems to me that would be in everyone's best interests--including "conventional" bowhunters.
By accepting crossbow hunters and sharing our knowledge, experiences, and wisdom, we just might find many of them migrating from the crossbow to a compound, recurve, or longbow. Fighting and insulting them only breeds enmity and resentment, and reinforces the "elitist snobs" perception, justifiably or not.
Unity as *hunters* buys us far more than diviseviness ever will.
I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said, "I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends. "
DZ
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