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Crossbow bill

Please contact your legislators and oppose the crossbow bill. Thanks

From what I read it is only for disabled hunters? Is that correct? Thanks

No, its for anyone older than 60. Do not have to be handicapped or disability permitted. They can already do that with a doctors permit. In my opinion, it will only hurt opportunities of dedicated archery hunters.

Minnesota did something similar a while back, I have not noticed a difference personally but I do not see the need for the bill. If your over 60 and can’t draw a bow anymore you should already be able to get a permit through your dr. This is how it all starts.

Next thing ya know it will be a bill to let everyone use them. It’s a slippery slope once they get the ball rolling. South Dakota is better than this.

It will not be the same if this passes. Some people will like it but it will be detrimental to the current state of archery hunting in this state. One of the main sponsors told me last year that he would not support the crossbow bill when it came up then. Apparently, he has had a change of heart. Or somebody got to him. With a pro commercial hunting governor who is stacking the game commission with like minded cohorts, and some dingleberries in the GFP department, things are not looking good here the last few years. If you are a nonresident with deep pockets, things will appear to be working in your favor.

Wisconsin went that way for "disabled" and 65plus. We now have crossbows allowed for anybody during the bowhunting season. It does and will impact your hunting if your strictly limited to public land. Keep it out completely ,that tactic being mentioned is just opening the floodgates.Good luck.

It is vitally important that opposition to HB 1087 be voiced to the applicable SD legislators - NOW. All of the needed information on the bill and contacts are at sdlegislature.gov. The bill will be heard at the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, perhaps this week as they meet Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is all kinds of data from other states confirming the negative impacts of crossbows in bow seasons. I suspect most SD firearms hunters don't recognize that this, if passed, will adversely affect them too. Lots of data from other states show the high crossbow harvest rates when used in bow seasons. Here in SD where it is difficult for firearms deer hunters to get drawn in many area, this will just compound the problem as the game dept. would likely see the management need to reduce the number of tags. And the likely possibility of shortening the bow season.

The house Ag and Natural resources committee will most likely be hearing this bill Tuesday Feb 16. Residents, please get your comments in. We already have a medical waiver for those that can't draw the required 30# with a Dr's note and GFP application. The author is doing this for a friend that doesn't want to be inconvenienced to renew his permit. Totally unnecessary and a stepping stone to full inclusion.

If my fellow bowhunters have not taken time to listen to the committee hearing on this, you should. The measure failed but a motion was immediately made after that to bring it back up on the 23 feb. That motion passed. Please send the committee members an email letter opposing this bill. One of the committee members was even bragging that he got a permit and harvested a mountable buck both east and west river. Imagine what that will do to your future opportunities? Do you enjoy our current season structure? Do something to help preserve it. Thanks, and if you are not a member of South Dakota Bowhunters, please consider joining.

Good news for this year. It has been deferred to the 41st day, effectively killing it. Plan to fight it harder next year. Its not going to go away.

Yes, grizzly63...we got it killed but only by 1 vote. We have to get a LOT more education and opposition pressure rolling in the future. With legislators like Mills and Goodwin pushing this for "their friends", it's going to continue to be a battle. Everyone needs to join SD Bowunters Inc. at www.sdbi.net/shop

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