Is the crossbow bill going to pass?

[ChasePhase]

Just wondered about everyone's opinion on legalizing crossbows in NY? I think they have their place; even if it is just with a medical excuse.

I know the dec is hoping it would bring more people back to hunting....not sure if they would get enough increase to make much difference.

Has anyone seen this video of our politicians discussing the bill? One member refers to crossbows as the weapon of choice for poachers...accurate to 100yds. Another member tells him that this bill has a lot of support behind it though.

NY Senate Committee VIDEO

I am not ready to put down my bow...would anyone use a crossbow if it passes?

[fasteddie]

Maybe when I get old and decrepit I might go to a crossbow . I'll be 69 in Sept and still shoot a copmpound .
My son called one of the elite crossbow manufacturers and asked why they didn't have magnification on their crossbows and was told the guys at the plant that put them together "go out and test some of them and said they can shoot softball sized groups at 100 yards".
Ottie Snyder , a representative of Horton , said in an interview that
The Future of the Horizontal Bow

From the July 2006 Whitetail Journal Magazine

An interview with Ottie Snyder ( media specialist with Horton Manufacturing )

WJ -- Why have we seen such an increase in the number of states that permit the use of crossbows during bow season or have special crossbow seasons for whitetail hunters ?

Snyder -- Hunter numbers continue to decrease , however the crossbow is fairly easy for even a beginning archer to become extremely proficient with in a very short time . Youngsters , women and people who have never considered shooting a vertical bow can enjoy a crossbow and begin to hunt quickly . Too , older hunters who can't pull vertical bows any longer have found they can hunt effectively with a crossbow .

WJ -- What's another reason we've seen the crossbow grow in popularity ?

Snyder -- White-tailed deer numbers continue to increase nationwide , especially in Urban areas where hunting isn't permitted . We're seeing more deer/car accidents and landscapes like expensive shrubs being eaten by deer . Where gun hunting is unacceptable in suburbs , both bow and crossbow hunting can be safely used to help reduce deer numbers even in the most populated areas .

WJ -- What seems to be the largest section of the hunting population that's starting to utilize the crossbow ?

Snyder -- So far , it looks to be youth and women . But we're also seeing a number of Urban upper -echelon management hunters who spend five or six days a week at the office and have had to give up archery because they're so busy and don't have enough practice time to be proficient with vertical bows . But , a hunter can zero in a crossbow in 30 minutes and then be ready to hunt , without having to practice for hours like he or she will with a longbow . Today , people are so busy that when they have the opportunity to go hunting , even if they havn't had time to practice to be proficient , the crossbow will still meet their needs

[ChasePhase]

Well, it has passed the State Senate and is just waiting for the sig of Gov. Patterson.

I would like to see my grandfather(81) out hunting with us during archery (on private land) again.

If I was half the hunter he was, I would not have a benchmark to aspire to. I still remember him hunting with homemade long bow and arrows.

He actually built a shooting platform about 20' high in his backyard. Had many of his grandsons up there as he coached from the ground. "Handle the arrow only by the knock." He would then call out which 3d target to shoot...and we had to do that as soon as he called it out.

I gutted and dragged more deer that he tagged and would be happy to do more if it means another season to share with the family patriarch of deer hunting education.

I thank him for passing this gift down to his 5 sons and numerous grandsons.

[WNYDeerHunter]

I think it is going to go, whether it is now or in the near future. The bottom line, at least as the bill is written now, is that crossbows will only be legal during the regular gun season and late bow/muzzleloader season with the possibility of an extra week added on at the end for just crossbows. Doesn't affect the current bow season.

Personally, I am OK with crossbows if it means more people buying licences and enjoying time in the woods. I will continue to shoot my compound though, at least until I can't anymore!

[pointman]

Hello everyone,I am a new member on this website. I would like to comment on the use of crossbow. I am 69 years old and have been hunting since I was 14. Each year I have seen less and less hunters coming out. It seems to me that any weapon used for hunting including crossbow would enhance more hunters into the woods. Lets stop the infighting and get this passed into law.

[Squirrelhawker]

Last winter I was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gherigs disease. My days of pulling a bow are over.
 
Thanks to the selfish, elitist bow hunting lobby I cannot participate in the NY archery season by simply moving to a crossbow, as I am not yet disabled enough to qualify for the permit.
 
Instead, my friends and family are currently trying to adapt my draw-loc fitted bow to a tripod. So essentially I will have a vertical, much less user friendly crossbow. Maybe.
 
I would like to thank the NY bow lobby for their double-crossing back door deal that once again excludes all NY archers no matter who they are or what their circumstances. You are all sad, sad excuses for sportsmen and proponents of archery in NYS.

[msbadger]

Sorry make the disabled rules a bit less harsh ..but no ............http://www.sc-democrat.com/news/0008August/31/news3.htm

[pointman]

Called my Senators office in regard to the bill . Bill will be sent to Governor office in time with other bills. Then it is up to Governor to sign it. If not signed by end of year ,have to start all over again. This stinks.

[pointman]

Well good news everybody
According to State Senator Valesky website, Governor Patterson has signed the crossbow law. effective 10/1/10. Can be used in regular big game season and also muzzleloader season.. Check it out yourself.

[fasteddie]

Soooooooooo , where is the article ?