With a new law on the books this year authorizing expanded use of crossbows for hunting in the state of New York, hunters have more opportunities to harvest a deer than ever before.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation, S6360A, into law on Aug. 26. The law clarifies provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting, allowing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to permit the use of crossbows for the taking of big game in any area where long bows are permitted. While the rule change has put a smile on the face of many hunters and potential hunters, the news hasn’t been accepted well by some die-hard bowhunters.
The Archery Argument
There’s a longstanding argument among those who prefer archery equipment for hunting over what is “appropriate” and what is not. It likely started when the first recurve bow was invented, and those using an old-fashioned stick bow were alarmed the new technology would ruin bowhunting for good.
Today, there are some recurve hunters, or trad-bow hunters as they are often called, who look sideways at people who chase deer with a compound bow, and there are factions of both groups who say allowing crossbow use during bow season will sound the death knell for the sport.
They worry that modern crossbows are too powerful with too short of a learning curve, which will result in more game animals being tagged than ever, and that such an increase will have severe repercussions for all bowhunters.
As Hook & Barrel contributor Michael Herne recently wrote in a post about this very issue, “It’s the kind of argument that hijacks campfire conversations and divides comment sections on social media like a broadhead through rib meat. Depending on who you ask, crossbows are either the solution to increasing hunter participation or that they spell the end of bowhunting as we know it. This isn’t just a debate over equipment. It’s a battle over identity, ethics and, some argue, the future of hunting opportunities itself.”
Ultimately, what is more likely to spell the end of bowhunting as we know it is infighting among different factions of archery hunters. Anti-hunters oppose bowhunters, and we, in turn, should oppose them — not our fellow hunters who prefer a crossbow because we shoot a compound, or vice versa. Those who want to support the future hunting believe any law that lowers the barrier to entry for more people to join the ever-dwindling ranks of active hunters is a good one.
Why a Crossbow
John Hernandez, Director of Marketing and Product Integration for Ravin Crossbows, sat down with Hook & Barrel to talk about the changes in New York and what it means for hunters there. He says that hunting with a crossbow is the right choice for a wide spectrum of current and potential hunters.
“A crossbow lends itself very well for newcomers to hunting, regardless of the situation or age,” he said. “Our crossbows are extremely accurate and user-friendly across a broad range of shooters in terms of size, strength, and any physical limitations. The result is out-of-the-box accuracy with very little time invested to get there.”
That last point he makes is the big one. The time needed to become proficient enough with a compound bow to reliably kill an animal takes time and practice. Of course, that means, along with understanding how to tune a bow, it’s the biggest barrier to entry for would-be bowhunters. The journey with a trad bow can take even longer.
“One of the biggest areas of benefit a crossbow offers comes down to the time it takes to be accurate compared to other weapons that take a considerable amount of time and specific sizing to the hunter,” John said. “There are a lot of people who want to hunt, and with the extreme business of life, it takes much less of their time to be extremely accurate with a crossbow.”
Of course, that’s what folks opposed to crossbow use during bowhunting seasons say is the biggest problem with the platform. Practically anyone can pick up a crossbow, sight it in, and take an animal with minimal time investment, which means more hunters and more animals tagged, and hunters worry that will result in smaller bag limits and shorter hunting seasons. But with the overall number of active hunters decreasing every year, that hasn’t been the cases in places where crossbows have been allowed.
Jumping In With Both Feet
Before rushing to buy a crossbow or purchasing one online with little research, there are important hunters should understand about them, according to John.
“There is a massive amount of value in going to a (bow) shop and learning the fundamental controls of a crossbow,” he said. “Meaning the ergonomics, safety controls, how to cock and load arrows and how to de-cock the bow safely. Learn how to sight it in, and finally, know your application of use to help determine what bow model and performance features you like.”
Also, not all hunting tactics lend themselves to the same crossbow styles or models.
“Start by knowing how you’re primarily going to hunt,” John said. “If hunting from a tree, you may look for a crossbow with a smaller footprint for easier maneuverability. If you are in a blind you may choose a bit longer style that sits very well on a tripod. The main thing is to handle a few crossbows and look for the one that feels right for your hunting methods.”
In the End
Ultimately, we hope that the expansion of crossbow use in New York will result in bringing many new hunters into our fold who will learn the joys of being in the woods and the delicacy that is wild venison. There is strength in numbers, and more hunters purchasing more licenses and tags also helps boost funding for wildlife conservation.
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