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Post by neville on May 25, 2014 11:27:57 GMT -5
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Post by Dutch on May 25, 2014 12:44:26 GMT -5
I am grateful that we are allowed to use crossbows. Struggled for about 10 years with shoulder problems, even hated the thought of having to get a disabled permit and such. Didn't want the health insurance company even knowing I had ANY problems in my shoulders, and it was pretty much only when I shot a bow or pulled hard on things with my arms, like leaning back while climbing a tree ladder, or pulling on a rope type stuff.
In my 30's I was against crossbows, but now with age, and some problems, comes the realization that that stance was taking opportunity away from older hunters.
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Post by dougell on May 27, 2014 10:55:58 GMT -5
Getting a disabled permit was pretty easy so I don't feel older hunters were losing an opportunity.Regardless,I could care less who uses one.
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Post by Dutch on May 27, 2014 12:11:01 GMT -5
Doug, I did not want my health insurance company having ANY idea that I was having shoulder problems of any sort.
Years ago, I was honest on an insurance application and said I had been treated by a Chiropractor for my back. The company cover me, except for my back, for 2 years, but I paid the same premium as my brother. Wanted no parts of them denying me anything due to shoulder problems, so, for me to even go for a permit would have raised a red flag to them. So, I didn't.
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Post by dougell on May 27, 2014 12:40:53 GMT -5
I understand.I'm in the same boat insurance wise.BC/BS would absolutely reject you if you went to a Chiropractor.I have a buddy that cracks my back.I pay him cash and never let him have a chart on me for that exact reason.
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Post by Dutch on May 27, 2014 14:46:16 GMT -5
Last year a customer tried to sell me health insurance. When he asked about my blood pressure meds I told him I was on three. He told me he wouldn't even bother to give me a quote.
My mother could not even get insurance due to her high blood pressure. She ended up with a brain bleed and was in the hospital for 10 days before she died. The total bill was on us....
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Post by dougell on May 27, 2014 15:52:39 GMT -5
That stinks and I've seen stuff like that happen over and over again.My daughter was born with two dislocated hips and I struggled for years trying to get decent coverage,
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Post by Dutch on May 28, 2014 4:42:46 GMT -5
I'm amazed that this study found that 61% of archery hunters use crossbows???
Are we seeing that in the woods???
And it seems, as I have said for many years, those that archery hunt are more consistent license buyers year in and year out.
86% get a license every year. Much higher than the average, correct?
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Post by bushmaster on May 28, 2014 4:57:46 GMT -5
I find that 61% figure hard to believe. If I've seen 6 guys in the last 4 years with a crossbow in the woods it would be a stretch. I hunt a lot during archery, mostly in Washington County, but I also hunt Allegheny and Beaver.
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Post by bake545 on May 28, 2014 6:40:11 GMT -5
It's a small sample size but at my camp I'm the only one that hunts with a regular bow, 7 others hunt with crossbows including two younger kids. I bet it's close to 50% and will only get higher, they are just easier to use and people will naturally gravitate to that. It doesn't make a lot of difference in the end though, a dead deer is a dead deer.
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Post by ridgecommander on May 28, 2014 6:57:26 GMT -5
I'm amazed that this study found that 61% of archery hunters use crossbows??? t? I thought the number was high as well but, if it is accurate, it only helps to support the facts that the pro crossbow side presented during the debates. If 61% of our archers are using crossbows, and they are like hunting with rifles according to many of the antis, the harvest should have gone through the roof. The harvest increased, but only in proportion to new archery license sales. Anyway, in Ohio, where crossbows have been legal for 27 years or so, 60% of their archers use crossbows. That is why I think our number of 61% is a little high at this point in time. |
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Post by whilekioti on May 28, 2014 7:41:11 GMT -5
I think 61% is a little high also, but we do have a high percentage of older hunters. Many of us likely made the switch to crossbows, and i'm sure some of us have decided to come back to, or start archery hunting because of crossbows.
If I could still shoot my compound like I did when I was younger I would likely not have switched, personally I consider the crossbow to be more of a handicap than a advantage when hunting.
I think as we loose our older hunters (the baby boomers) and the average age of hunters drops this percentage will drop as well.
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Post by Dutch on May 28, 2014 8:11:05 GMT -5
It's a small sample size but at my camp I'm the only one that hunts with a regular bow, 7 others hunt with crossbows including two younger kids. I bet it's close to 50% and will only get higher, they are just easier to use and people will naturally gravitate to that. It doesn't make a lot of difference in the end though, a dead deer is a dead deer. At one time, out of my 4 brothers and myself, we all used compounds. I ended up being the only one that continued to hunt with a bow. Now, 3 of the 4 brothers have used or own a crossbow, and a couple like the warmer weather to hunt in. |
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Post by dougell on May 28, 2014 9:02:19 GMT -5
I rarely ever see another hunter in the woods but I talk to dozens of people every day.From talking with so many people,I have no problem believing those numbers and I believe it will trend upwards.I truly believe that the interest in 3d really helped increase the interest in bowhunting.Unfortunatey, 3d is all but dead around here.I believe that will be a factor.
kioti,What's shocked me the most is the numbers of guys I know who switched to crossbows that were very serious and successful bowhunters to begin with.
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Post by Dutch on May 28, 2014 15:49:33 GMT -5
The switch from recurves to compounds back in the 70's took only a few years until the majority were using compounds. As people use up old equipment, many will switch to crossbows.
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Post by cspot on May 28, 2014 17:22:31 GMT -5
I think 61% is a little high also, but we do have a high percentage of older hunters. Many of us likely made the switch to crossbows, and i'm sure some of us have decided to come back to, or start archery hunting because of crossbows. If I could still shoot my compound like I did when I was younger I would likely not have switched, personally I consider the crossbow to be more of a handicap than a advantage when hunting. I think as we loose our older hunters (the baby boomers) and the average age of hunters drops this percentage will drop as well. In addition there are a lot of youth hunters using the crossbow especially MY. In my opinion that was one of the best benefits of full inclusion but of course I could be biased as I had 3 kids using them that wouldn't be able to pull enough poundage on a vertical. ;D Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards |
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Post by bushmaster on May 28, 2014 19:46:13 GMT -5
The switch from recurves to compounds back in the 70's took only a few years until the majority were using compounds. As people use up old equipment, many will switch to crossbows. I can't agree with that, or maybe I'm just the exception? I switched from compound to Longbow about 8 years ago. I loved hunting with my compound but it became to easy and my hunts became routine. I needed a fresh start with a new challenge. Someday I might pick up a crossbow, but I doubt it. I figure when I can't pull the bow anymore, it might be time to move on. |
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Post by bushmaster on May 28, 2014 19:48:52 GMT -5
I miss read what you wrote Brad. I agree about the majority switching to the easier weapon. I just don't like easy, easy never got me nowhere.
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Post by whilekioti on May 29, 2014 7:08:19 GMT -5
[quote author=" cspot" source="/post/51971/thread"In addition there are a lot of youth hunters using the crossbow especially MY. In my opinion that was one of the best benefits of full inclusion but of course I could be biased as I had 3 kids using them that wouldn't be able to pull enough poundage on a vertical. ;D Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards[/quote] Absolutely, crossbows allowed MY's to get into the hunt sooner, as the youth hunters get older, stronger, and more disciplined, many will likely try the compound bow and enjoy the additional challanges they add to the hunt. It's all good! |
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Post by bowbum on May 29, 2014 7:16:10 GMT -5
Most of the casual hunters I know are using crossbows now. A few die hard guys are sticking with pull and hold bows, but these are the same guys who went "back to" recurves and long bows.
Each and every kid I know who goes out in "archery" season, uses a crossbow.
I had shoulder, rotator cuff, repairs scheduled for last month but cancelled the surgery the week before. I believe I can, (I have), still pull my bow and work up to a reasonable condition for at least one more year.
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Post by cspot on May 29, 2014 16:20:36 GMT -5
[quote author=" cspot" source="/post/51971/thread"In addition there are a lot of youth hunters using the crossbow especially MY. In my opinion that was one of the best benefits of full inclusion but of course I could be biased as I had 3 kids using them that wouldn't be able to pull enough poundage on a vertical. ;D Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards Absolutely, crossbows allowed MY's to get into the hunt sooner, as the youth hunters get older, stronger, and more disciplined, many will likely try the compound bow and enjoy the additional challanges they add to the hunt. It's all good! [/quote] Yes my son who is 11 bought himself a vertical bow recently. I don't think he will be pulling enough poundage by fall, but I would guess that next year he will be hunting with a vertical. It doesn't matter to me what he uses as long as he still enjoys the sport. Sent from my NX008HD8G using proboards |
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Post by dougell on May 29, 2014 17:07:08 GMT -5
It really doesn't matter who uses what at this point.In 10 years,we won't have enough hunters to control the deer.
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Post by bawanajim on May 29, 2014 17:10:50 GMT -5
It really doesn't matter who uses what at this point.In 10 years,we won't have enough hunters to control the deer. If they would sell me another buck tag I would help control them. |
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Post by cspot on May 29, 2014 17:27:36 GMT -5
It really doesn't matter who uses what at this point.In 10 years,we won't have enough hunters to control the deer. Don't know if it will be 10 years but that day is coming. As the baby boomers die off or no longer hunt there won't be enough hunters to replace. There will be more and more opportunity for the remaining hunters. |
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Post by Dutch on May 29, 2014 18:45:25 GMT -5
It really doesn't matter who uses what at this point.In 10 years,we won't have enough hunters to control the deer. Don't know if it will be 10 years but that day is coming. As the baby boomers die off or no longer hunt there won't be enough hunters to replace. There will be more and more opportunity for the remaining hunters. It's been happening since the late 80's an none seems to have noticed. Bonus tags, longer archery seasons, ML October season, etc. Hunter numbers have not only dropped, but the hunter effort has dropped as well. This is a downward trend that will continue. |
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