On my post, from several days ago, I had a picture of a large bird that I asked if anyone knew what it was. Reader John Grimes has identified it as a Sandhill Crane for anyone who was wondering. Thanks John.
If your a Michigan hunter you probably know that our state will be having a “cross-bow season” this year. This is a controversial subject, as the Michigan Bowhunters Association has been against it from the get-go. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission voted to expand Michigan’s crossbow hunting opportunities. The MDNR stated that the expanded hunting opportunities will help retain hunters and recruit new hunters. It will also offer a way for some hunters with disabilities or physical difficulties stay in the field. Under the new regulations crossbows may be used by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting season statewide. Also any hunter 12 and older may use a crossbow in zone 3 during any open hunting season, and during any season in which a firearm is used statewide.
There will be a three year survey by the DNR as they monitor crossbow hunters in the state. So far those hunters using a crossbow must wear hunter orange, and shoot a bow with no more than 350 fps. A crossbow stamp is needed along with a crossbow license. At the end of the three year trial period the MDNR will evaluate the new regulations to see if anything needs to be changed or added to the regulations.
Crossbows certainly aren’t for everybody, but if it brings others into the hunting fraternity, how can that be detrimental to the over-all influence of hunting as we know it? Crossbows are not a buy one and kill a deer guarantee! They are noisy, cumbersome, and hard to reload, and rather pricey. On the other hand they are fast and accurate. Most people will need a cocking mechanism to pull the string back, as only the younger bucks can do it by hand and foot. It will be interesting to see where this takes us as a hunting fraternity. Seems to me we will either sink or swim together in the coming years
Mike
We have Sandhill Cranes all over down here in our neck of the woods; and they make the weirdest sounds.
I think the crossbow thing is going to work out nicely for the state. I think the more the merrier, and I don’t think they are going to have any detrimental impact on the deer herd whatsoever.
Only time will tell I guess.
I’m not sure about this whole crossbow season. I have a hard enough time fighting the competition on public land here in Michigan with just bow and gun. Will it really add that many to the hunting ranks here in Michigan? My guess is that most of the crossbow hunters will come from existing ranks of the hunting community. I just hope it doesn’t interfere in any way with bow season. The last thing I need is to be competing with crossbow hunters on public land during bow season. Just not sure what to think about it…I guess I should find out more.
Grant I know of three guys who quit deer hunting several years ago due to physical problems in pulling back a compound. With a cross-bow they will again get back in the field. At 62 I’m seriously considering it myself, like others in the over 50 crowd. I think it will bring in some new blood, but I doubt you’ll see much of an increase in hunting pressure on public lands. We’ll just have to wait and see.
I don’t see that crossbow hunting will be too much of a detriment to existing hunters and if it does help get more people outdoors I think that’s a good thing. However when it comes to any recreational use of a weapon or hunting accessory I think the most important thing is education. People need to take the proper precautions and training to make sure they can operate the equipment in a safe manner so we all can be safe and enjoy the outdoors.
Yeah…I did some research at lunch today…because to be honest I hadn’t heard all that much about this before I read your blog. If it gets all the old timers back out there, who have given so much to our sport anyways, I think it would be a good thing.
It seems from what I read that the majority of the reason (at least in Southern MI) for the c-bow is due to an overpopulation of deer. The bottom line is that I believe this decision is being made to properly manage deer population. I can’t argue with that. And I think the people making these decisions are in the sportsmen’s corner.
I am heading over to Berrien Springs this weekend for a traditional bow rendezvous. Should be a good time. I’ve got my eyes on a longbow and I think I will have the opportunity to shoot it there.
Take Care.
Yeh Craig one thing I am a little concerned about is once a crossbow is cocked the only way to “uncock” it is to shoot that bolt (arrow.) Proper training and maintaining high safety standards are a must if the general hunting population is to except crossbow hunters with open arms.
just thought i would add a little education on crowbows.till now i only hunted with a bow about 20 years now .an taken least one deer every one of the years. people that intend to hunt with a crossbow should learn about them before they hunt with one. for one acrossbows won,t shoot as far as people think they will. the draws are short and the drop rate and energy loss is high.in my opinion 40 yards max.string cockers are a must.not for easy drawing but for making them accurate.1/6 off center of the string will throw a bolt off 8 to 12 inches.an with a string cocker you can unload it without firing. an keep the string and ramp well lubed for less string wear.i,v have over 200 shots with my x-bow string is still like new.and with the high poundage they shoot look over x-bow every few shots .and NEVER shoot under weight bolts in one just to try to get more speed. the last thing you want is to have one blow up in your face.for the most part they are VERY accurate for thet range that they can shoot more accurate i think than a gun and just as dangerous if not treated with respect. the best thing to do is not to buy one the day before hunting .learn how to hunt safely and the limits they have and you will have a great hunt.