A Must Read for All archers

It is legalized for use here in Tx now also during the reg archery season. I have really bad feelings on it. I am afraid that the gen public will use it now as an excuse and as Braze said, start taking those longer shots and we will end up having wounded animals running around. That and very inexperienced hunters out there takng shots they should not be taking. I applaud all the people that HAVE to use them for keeping up with what they love to do, but all the rest need to stay being used during and open gen season. MPO. 

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

Having never shot a crossbow, I have nothing to judge wether or not there is an advantage over a coumpound or traditional equipment. Other being drawn and held in place mechanically, does the crossbow shoot straighter, farther, more accurately than a compound? I seriously doubt it, maybe a bit farther but with the weight of the bolts and their length being so short I can see where there could be accuracy troubles at longer distances. I'm in no way making an argument for or against, I am in favor of those who cannot shoot a bow being able to use one in order to still enjoy a sport the love and respect. Gary you state in your post that you're concerned that people will start using them instead of standart archey equipment, I hope you're wrong. Once someone has started shooting a bow, for the most part, that's all they want to hunt with. In reference to wounded game, the same holds true for archers and so called archers that don't practice or take risky shots. Regardless of the method, we all owe it to the game to persue to make the best possible high percentage shots or allow the game to walk and try again later. Just my opinion, not trying to butt heads with anyone.
Steve Albers

Agreed Steve, if you can not make an ethical and clean shot, let it walk. My wife's x-bow will shoot 2in groups at 50yds with a 4x scope and x-bow reticle. I got her a set of bi-pod legs to use since they are so heavy and she can not hold it up for long due to shoulder injuries and she can hold it on them for a long, long time on the bi-pod. That is one big advantage over us stick and string users in gen.  I have nothing against them either but a place and time, and during the gen archery season is not the time or the place. They are yes, for the most part still a compound or recureve, but shoulder fired as a gun would be and held in place mechanically, so therefore in my opinion, let them be used during the gen gun seasons.  Anyone that has to use them for dissabilities or injury, I'll hunt with them anytime, but don't use it as an excuse and call yourself a bowhunter by using one.  Just my opinion.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

Hey Gary I think we're both in the same curch ig not the same pew on this issue...During the archery segemnts, unless disability dictates otherwise, use standard archery equipment not crossbows. Howevber I also will gladly share my hunt with someone who has to use a crossbow due to physical restrictions on pulling a bow manually. Nuff said I think..
Steve Albers

Agreed Steve.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member