Me, for starters. In my opinion they have no place in archery season. I have no problem with older people, people with health issues, or kids using them but an able bodied person hunting with a scoped short range gun in archery season should be embarrassed. And they are.... have you noticed that they never include the weapon in their grip and grin photos? It's legal so the real blame falls on the states that allow it. And before you go on a rant about fancy compounds vs stick bows save your time. Are compounds easier than stick bows? Absolutely. But they have a few things in common that crossbows don't have that is essential for a true archery experience. First, you have the draw the bow without getting busted. Second, you must hold the string back. Third, you must deal with pin movement while you execute the shot. Fourth, you must practice consistently. Don't tell yourself that looking through a scope over a solid shooting rail is archery. My kids started with a crossbow when they were too young to draw a bow but by the time they were 12 they were shooting compound and have killed several nice buck with them. If you want to shoot a crossbow I have no problem with it if it's done in muzzleloader or gun season. Just don't call yourself an archery hunter! Ok... rant over lol

I don't hate them. They do help individuals that cannot draw a bow by their own strength. Its gets individuals out in the woods. But have notice people in my area going with them because it is just easier. That's where I have my problems. They are not archers by heart. But this is what the law has given us. I have an 81 year old father that was a strict bow hunter when he could draw a bow. But over the years he now cannot. He owns a crossbow and has a hard time going out because he saying he might just as well carry his rifle. I have mixed thoughts about it.

Me! I've killed 78 deer with a STICKBOW! My sons and I have 300+ acres in some of the best deer land in Ohio. No crossbows allowed. #1 son wont let his best friend hunt since he went to a crossbow. #2 son killed a 184 last year.

Kudos to you and the boys. Smart... keep it that way

Now there's the argument with wheel bows vs long bow or recurve. Where does it stop. Why not just use a spear?

They serve a specific purpose, but I agree that an able-bodied individual should not be allowed to use them during regular archery seasons. In Michigan they’ve been legalized for all people, whereas previously the law required a disability permit. I prefer to see them go back to the disability requirement or implement a crossbow season more in line with gun.

On the flip side, there’s been a trend in decreasing hunter numbers every year. Crossbows certainly seem to draw more people to the woods.

I am not a fan of crossbows for myself. But those that dont take the time to practice I would rather see them make a ethical shot with a crossbow then to wound a deer to die from bad shot placement. I dont want to limit opportunities to anyone sportsmen are becoming fewer and fewer every year. Not everyone has 300 acres to hunt your property your rules. The problem today is all about racks and scores and not about tradition of hunting and being outdoors. As far as I am concerned get rid of all the record books and get to tradition and not commercialisation of hunting it is destoying the sport. The price of hunting equipment is getting ridiculous and unattainable for alot of people. Just my opinion!!!

I don't hate them just don't like the guys who sit in a ground blind and take any shot because their Raven shoots a hundred yards and the mechanical head does so much damage

I don't own a crossbow, all I have to say is you do you and let others worry about themselves. It isn't like deer are endangered.

Please reread my original post. Carefully this time.

I did until I got to broken down to pull back a bow and to shaky to sit on an open shot stand. Now I hunt from a shooting shack I built with a crossbow! I only hunt with a crossbow on my property. Been hunting with a bow since 1987. Just because I no long can pull back a compound or flick an arrow from a recurve anymore doesn't take my bowhunter status away. I say there should only be one season, hunting season. Use whatever you want.

I archery hunted and competed in archery target shoots with my compound bow. I hadn't bow hunted for a few years and last year I bought a crossbow. I am going to use it this year. It is legal. Get over it.

I have no problem with that I think every other hunter would agree. Glad you can still get out there and good luck!

lol. Then don’t hunt with one.



Thanks for your opinion.

As a BAIT (Basic Archery Instructor Trainer) and a Master NBEF (National Bowhunting Education Foundation) instructor.

I disagree with you.

I don’t see how it matters. Hunt how you want and let others do the same.

I wish the State would just tell me how many deer I can shoot and let me decide what to use to kill them with.

Heck yeah. Good luck out there.

Hunt safe.

The left lane right?

Yep you made your decision. I am ok with that. I have shot archery for 50 plus years, tournament archery and hunting. I still can shoot a 60 lb draw weight bow and it hurts. When I cannot I go to a 50 lb draw weight bow maybe even 40. But that is my choice. I don't know if I will go crossbow if I cannot shoot a bow but we will see.