Penn’s Outdoors

We are currently debating the use of a crossbow for use in PA’s archery only deer season. House Bill 2653 has been introduced that would change Title 34 to change the definition of “bow” to include crossbows.  The United Bowhunters of PA adamantly oppose the use of crossbows during the archery season.  Their web site’s front page boldly states “Crossbow 2008 Bowhunter Alert”.

Their call to action begins…

Our archery seasons in Pennsylvania are once again, quite possibly in serious jeopardy.

While I am not as passionate as UBP on this issue, I do agree that crossbows should not be allowed by most hunters during the regular archery season.  I believe that hunters with disabilities should be able to continue to use crossbows.  I would also like to see children under 14 years of age added to this list.  I think this would be a great idea to help promote archery to our youngest hunters.

My concern with allowing crossbows is mostly a selfish one.  I like the fact that archery season has far less people in the woods than rifle season.  Allowing crossbows in the archery season is likely to add a significant number of hunters in the woods.  I am also concerned with how this amount of hunters could affect the deer herd as they hunt over buck’s most vulnerable time, the rut.

If you would like to take action on this issue, UBP’s web site has instructions on how to get involved.

That said, I think it is coming. With falling license sales, the Commission and legislators see this as a fix. 

”When you look at the license sales, I think anything we can do to put more people in the bow season will help,” said Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Cambria, who last month introduced legislation that would legalize crossbows for all archery hunting seasons.

While I do think it will put more hunters in the woods during the archery season, it will not bring out many new hunters or return former hunters to the woods.  When they don’t see deer, it doesn’t matter what weapon they have.