Crossbow qual VS trad and cmpnd qual???!!!

[Speedgoat]

Last year Lake Georgetown allowed Crossbow hunters to qualify at the same distances as compound and traditional bowhunters(18-25yards). I do not have a problem with crossbow hunting, but there is something that I do have a problem with. First of all, the Lake only has 120 spots available for the Archery only hunting area. Second, there will be even more crossbow hunters this year taking even more of the slots.

The biggest issue I have is that the COE allows crossbow hunters the use of a rest and optics during the qualification which gives them an extreme advantage where scores are concerned. I do not know of any crossbow hunters that qualified last year that failed to gain a permit. I think that the number of crossbow hunters should be limited to 20 or less and that they should have to qualify without a rest.

The top 120 scores from the qualification will be issued a permit with the best scorers having weekends in the first part of October(opening weekend).
Crossbows garner higher scores than trad or cmpnd gear, that is a fact. I am afraid that many regulars may be pushed out with the influx of crossbow hunters On average, a score of 84 will get you a spot, but those numbers will surely rise this year.

What do y'all think is fair? Should they limit the number of crossbows? Should they be allowed the use of a rest during qual?

[glen]

It is bow hunting- if you make them have a different qualifying - then do you break it down further and say- 40 crossbow slots- 40 compound slots- 40 traditional slots? After all folks shooting a release, sights, stabilizer have an advantage over a stick and string and they shoot the same course.

[Speedgoat]

It is bow hunting- if you make them have a different qualifying - then do you break it down further and say- 40 crossbow slots- 40 compound slots- 40 traditional slots? After all folks shooting a release, sights, stabilizer have an advantage over a stick and string and they shoot the same course.

That is one way of looking at it, but traditional shooters have shorter distances than the compound shooters. Same targets, but they get to move forward a good ways.

Thanks for the input

[ETEXASHUNTER]

Tough call with this, but I'm sure it will push some buttons that you can count on.

[bowhuntntxn]

Have you discussed your concerns with the COE??

[Zen Archery]

I understand your concern but I always promote more people in the woods. Good luck and good hunting.

[MountainMan]

I understand where you're coming from. Seems to me that if they are going to allow crossbows in archery season, those guys at least need to play by SOME of same rules the rest of us do. Let 'em use a rest and all if they have to, but at least back 'em up to 50 yards or something to even it out.

[Speedgoat]

OK, look at it this way. Traditional bowhunters and compound bowhunters have to draw their bows and hold the string for a period of time. They have to try and settle their aiming point while holding and release, all while trying to make a good shot. Crossbow hunters just have to shoulder, aim, and squeeze. This makes qualification too easy in my opinion. Oh well, the heck with it.

Yes, I put my concerns on paper when the survey came out.

[Live2Hunt]

If us trad guys get to shoot close and wheelie bows shoot out a little farther, then crossguns should maybe shoot out a little farther than wheelie bows...

I mean a scope (optics) on a contest where best score gets to hunt??? Come on...

[VorTexan]

OK, look at it this way. Traditional bowhunters and compound bowhunters have to draw their bows and hold the string for a period of time. They have to try and settle their aiming point while holding and release, all while trying to make a good shot. Crossbow hunters just have to shoulder, aim, and squeeze. This makes qualification too easy in my opinion. Oh well, the heck with it.

Yes, I put my concerns on paper when the survey came out.

yep, you will draw in presence of game they will not.

knew if would happen same thing at closest Willdlife area to me. Maybe they will pick up a bow one day.....at least that's the selling point...SELLING point. it's all about the bucks LOL!

[No-Walkin STX Hank]

Being I am handicap and shoot both a crossbow and a bow with my non dominate hand, I figured I would throw in my .02.
First not all crossbow will shoot accurately at 50 yards are greater, mine is rated to 40 is the peak accuracy. Second the rest; my bow weighs 3.8 lbs crossbow weighs close to 8lbs. It is a lot harder to hold that crossbow and aim than it is a bow without using the rest. The DW on my bow is 45 and true I have a 80% let off, Crossbow 150 DW now you are correct once it is back the Draw weight is done but if you have a handicap getting that string back there can be a challenge.
I tried to do a 300 shoot with my crossbow. The club was running 2 minute rounds for 5 shots, the bows both Trad and Comp finished in plenty of time I was lucky to get 3 bolts down range in 2 minutes. After cocking my crossbow 15 to 20 times I had to have my 16yo son help me cock the x-bow the rest of the shoot.
I hear your concern that you think the crossbow is taking something away from the bow hunter. As it has been stated above this gets more in the woods and some could not without it. I say to you don't think they have it all too easy until you put on their shoes.
Trust me I would switch shoes with a healthy man any time and he could have my crossbow.
I am not throwing stones just voicing my .02 so please doesn’t take me wrong.

[Speedgoat]

Being I am handicap and shoot both a crossbow and a bow with my non dominate hand, I figured I would throw in my .02.
First not all crossbow will shoot accurately at 50 yards are greater, mine is rated to 40 is the peak accuracy. Second the rest; my bow weighs 3.8 lbs crossbow weighs close to 8lbs. It is a lot harder to hold that crossbow and aim than it is a bow without using the rest. The DW on my bow is 45 and true I have a 80% let off, Crossbow 150 DW now you are correct once it is back the Draw weight is done but if you have a handicap getting that string back there can be a challenge.
I tried to do a 300 shoot with my crossbow. The club was running 2 minute rounds for 5 shots, the bows both Trad and Comp finished in plenty of time I was lucky to get 3 bolts down range in 2 minutes. After cocking my crossbow 15 to 20 times I had to have my 16yo son help me cock the x-bow the rest of the shoot.
I hear your concern that you think the crossbow is taking something away from the bow hunter. As it has been stated above this gets more in the woods and some could not without it. I say to you don't think they have it all too easy until you put on their shoes.
Trust me I would switch shoes with a healthy man any time and he could have my crossbow.
I am not throwing stones just voicing my .02 so please doesn’t take me wrong.

I would like to respond by saying that individuals with expressed handicaps do not fall into this category and should be allowed a greater opportunity to have success under these circumstances. The point I was trying to make is that there are some that could not qualify the last couple of years with traditional or compound gear, that will now be using crossbows with rests. It takes discipline and practice to get good with your bow. Some want to take the short cut. IMO I hope I did not rub you the wrong way

[No-Walkin STX Hank]

I would like to respond by saying that individuals with expressed handicaps do not fall into this category and should be allowed a greater opportunity to have success under these circumstances. The point I was trying to make is that there are some that could not qualify the last couple of years with traditional or compound gear, that will now be using crossbows with rests. It takes discipline and practice to get good with your bow. Some want to take the short cut. IMO I hope I did not rub you the wrong way

I did not get rub Just when I got my crossbow I spent day after day at the range. and it took almost a year and work with my son and daughter before I got the nerve to try and shoot a bow I have been right handed all my life and due to MS I can not see out of my right eye but just recently I have taught myself to shoot my bow LH. I shoot every day after work with my son and daughter.
We can get unto all kinds of debates but the bottom line if a person wants to become good at anything they must practice and practice. My bow is heavy after a while just like a x-bow but there comes that practice.
Now you are total right there are some looking for a short cut but a x-bow is not it. They are missing everything hunting is about.

Hunting is more than a quick shot, it is spending time with my childern teaching them right and wrong in the woods.
John

[Speedgoat]

I did not get rub Just when I got my crossbow I spent day after day at the range. and it took almost a year and work with my son and daughter before I got the nerve to try and shoot a bow I have been right handed all my life and due to MS I can not see out of my right eye but just recently I have taught myself to shoot my bow LH. I shoot every day after work with my son and daughter.
We can get unto all kinds of debates but the bottom line if a person wants to become good at anything they must practice and practice. My bow is heavy after a while just like a x-bow but there comes that practice.
Now you are total right there are some looking for a short cut but a x-bow is not it. They are missing everything hunting is about.

Hunting is more than a quick shot, it is spending time with my childern teaching them right and wrong in the woods.
John

Thank you for your reply Sir

[Txnrog]

What is the purpose of the test?? If it's to ensure that public perception is maintained, and the most proficient killers are given the top slots, then I don't think there's much to have beef over. Many public land hunts want to ensure maximum kill with minimal interruption to other activities (NOT necessarily maximum opportunity) - if that is the case here, then the crossbow guys are going to be at a distinct advantage - as they are in the test.

That said, I agree that the 'fairness' is a bit questionable - if the true reason for the test is just a way to allocate slots and they would otherwise do lottery, then I think it would be reasonable to suggest some actions to level the playing field - i.e. Crossbows @ 40 w/rest. Compound @ 25, Trad @ 15 just like they'd do with stakes at a 3D tourney.