- Crossbows are easy-to-use deadly hunting tools. Narrow crossbows are easier to handle and safer to use when going vertical or when sitting in a ground blind.
- One disadvantage of standard crossbows is that they can be difficut to cock, requiring strength from the hunter – NOW an easy-to-use internal crank-style cocking feature makes it simple and easy.
- More power from advanced limb design has allowed shorter limb-to-limb crossbow width (less than 17-inches), but they are not allowed in New York.
By Forrest Fisher
Across the country, many states have a strong tradition of fair c
hase big game hunting. As honest hunters, we all like that phase of the rules and regulations managed to maintain a healthy population of wild critters.
Ohio and Pennsylvania deer hunters enjoy the entire traditional archery season with the option for anyone with a hunting license allowed to use a crossbow of any physical size.
In some cases, sportsmen and women agree that there are too many restrictions with certain rules, especially on certain types of hunting gear, particularly in some states with regard to crossbows.
New York has a particularly complicated and comprehensive regulatory framework designed to manage the health of our fish and wildlife populations, it appears to many – at least to me, that the ecological impact and considerations for hunting ethics are fine, but the rules for crossbows should be revised for the interest of the majority stakeholders. The hunters. In particular, the aging hunters with archery on their mind. These guys, like me, are growing older faster than they like and would like to use a crossbow. In New York, very recently, reasonable accommodations were made via the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing an unmodified crossbow useage. Your physician must certify that the individual is incapable of holding a bow or operating a mechanical device attached to a legal longbow for drawing, holding and releasing the bow string due to physical disability. In one sense, this type of documented accommodation can generate emotional distress for those already limited in their disability. Regardless of that, the new allowance will benefit many in New York.
Allowing such a change, why would New York limit the width of a crossbow, especially for those folks with the ADA accommodation in play? And for anyone else using a crossbow in the only two weeks of early archery season when crossbows are allowed. The early southern zone big game archery season (deer and bear) in NYS begins on Oct. 1 each year. In NYS, the lengthy early southern zone archery season restricts crossbow use until the two weeks just before the start of the regular southern zone big game firearm season (Nov. 16 – Dec. 8) this year. That means that hunters in New York can use a crossbow during the early southern zone archery season only from Nov. 2 – 15 this year. Except the crossbow width must be at least 17-inches limb to limb.
The crossbow physical size (width and length) and draw (pull weight) are limited. Since NYS allows crossbow use for such a short season, there is objection among sportsmen and manufacturers, particularly regarding the minimum width limb size restriction placed on the crossbow.
And there are other restructions. Does the restriction of limiting the width of the un-cocked crossbow to 17 inches between the limbs, minimum length to 24 inches (butt stock to the front of the limbs) and restricting the draw to 200 pounds (maximum) somehow promote responsible hunting practices and protect the hunter and the wildlife?
Shorter limbs, revised pulley systems and state-of-the-art technology allow answers for all safety concerns. Yet, compound bows, recurve and long bows are not restricted to maximum physical size and draw weight considerations.
Shorter bows (any bow type) make it easier for hunters to climb into their tree stands or ground blinds with extra safety and less effort.
So too, for the narrower physical size for crossbows available today. Some might argue that crossbows have a more extended range, but the range of unlimited-length long bows and high-end, high-power compound bows can be extra far as well. Some might argue that crossbows are more deadly and more efficient at killing deer. Yes, perhaps they are, as they are easy to use – but that is the reason for the season.
Crossbows are certainly more accurate in the hands of a novice hunter than compound bows. That means fewer wounded deer. It means more dead deer within the restriction of deer harvest numbers per hunter and safer roadways for everyone.
Compound bows and crossbows both have sights. Many crossbows have an optical scope with internal lighting, which reduces inaccurate shots, especially when legal shooting begins 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Crossbows have a safety, a mandatory NYS rule—a good rule. We all need safety. Disabled and elderly hunters can use a crossbow with more confidence and ease than a compound bow.
To add additional cost to the distress of rules and regulations that seem unfait to many, in NYS, crossbow hunters must purchase a black powder (muzzleloading) license to use a crossbow. Some say this can only be argued in one direction: Perhaps New York wants to increase revenue in any way it can.
Crossbows generally shoot short 18 to 22-inch arrows called bolts, not bullets, at speeds of 225 to more than 430 feet per second (fps). Compound bow arrows vary from 22 to 32 inches in length, depending on the hunter’s size, and they travel at 200 to moore than 450 fps.
Should compound bow users pay an extra fee if their arrows are more deadly because the archer is physically more prominent, younger, and stronger and can accept the more significant challenge of using a compound bow? This seems like discrimination by any other definition. In New York, every crossbow hunter must carry a paper certification with their signature stating that they read and understand the NYS rules for crossbow use. Do we need one of these to use a rifle in New York? No. Hmmm. More crossbow discrimination? Every hunting implement is safe in the hands of a responsible hunter. That is why we carry a hunting license after passing a certified test. Why the extra paper?
After testing several crossbows this past year, I recognized that safety and affordability were high on my list. There is much stored energy in the limbs of a crossbow. Good design must be considered and verified through development testing and recorded field history. Ultimately, because I hunt in several states (you know the song…”Don’t let the old man in”), I settled on a Centerpoint Sinister 430. It’s a new bow.
The Centerpoint Sinister 430 has a fully integrated silent cocking system (good for old guys) and an adjustable butt stock to fit my long frame; it’s light and fast (430 fps), but for NYS, it’s too narrow at 14-1/8-inches un-cocked from tip to tip of the limbs. It does not meet the NYS 17-inch minimum width rule. BUT, from cam to cam, it is 19-1/4 inches measured that way! Hey, NYS, can we get one more silly new rule? I will kill many deer with this hunting tool, but not in New York. I refuse to disobey a Conservation Law, and I can’t afford two crossbows.
If crossbows were allowed during the entire early NYS archery season (6 weeks), it could open up more opportunities for youth hunters and potentially reduce the number of young people spending their time on video games. Limiting crossbow use by restricting the season, the physical size, and the pull weight of the crossbow is an unrealistic approach from the standpoint of wildlife management.
Is it political?
A recent NYS Senate Bill S5802 passed by a margin of 59-3, allowing crossbow use for all hunters over 60. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not enough. The companion bill A6815 stalled in the NYS Assembly, which is disappointing. As I approach 80, I’d like to see this bill get passed without the hassle of asking my doctor for special dispensation.
There’s hope that with a few small changes, New York could see a more inclusive and vibrant hunting community.
Thousands of others in NYS feel the same way. It’s clear that more needs to be done to address the limitations imposed by crossbow regulations in New York. Let’s start with removing the minimum limb-to-limb width restrictions of 17-inches. The rest may take more legislative time.
Gotta love the outdoors!
Note: Crossbow use is allowed during the 2024 regular southern zone big game firearm season (Nov. 16 – Dec. 8) and the extended southern zone black powder season (Dec. 9-Dec. 17 and Dec. 26-Jan. 1). Of course, by that time, deer populations are generally bedded down during daytime hunting hours from the noise of the regular firearm season.
but it’s also the traditional season opener for black bass (largemouth bass and smallmouth bass) in New York. They’re considered the state’s #1 sportfish for good reason – they’re a lot of fun to catch and they’re found throughout the state.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today that spring turkey season opens May 1, in all of Upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary. In addition, DEC’s annual youth turkey hunting weekend will take place on April 20-21. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12-15 is open in all of Upstate New York and Suffolk County.
Coat the smoker rack with olive oil and place the bear meat in the smoker/pellet grill. During the smoking process, use a kitchen brush to glaze the roast with maple syrup on the exposed sides of the roast. Smoke it until the internal temperature of the roast hits 160F. Use a digital thermometer.