How active is your state organization?
General Topic
My state organization does not have the power and the bite it once did with our current division of wildlife and other bow hunting topics some of that's due to member loss And people just don't like to volunteer anymore what do you guys think of your state organization?
Good question.
CBH in Ca doesn't seem to have enough horsepower to stop us from losing hunts that have been taken away.
I donate to SCI- they have lawyers and lobbyists that have effected change at the legislative level fighting for hunters.
I'm pretty sure the high water point for the Wisconsin bow hunters was around the mid to late 1990s...since than it's been down hill from my knowlege of the subject...we live in different times...lots and lots of people go along for the free ride...
Iowa Bowhunters keeps members informed about DNR issues & active. Iowa State Archery assn., I think is floundering a little right now.
With regard to the WI Bowhunters Assoc., they had their most members in 1988 with 11,393 paid memberships. At present, in 2025, the membership stands at approximately 4,500. If this is somehow an indication of political influence or "power", then we have clearly declined. Pretty certain that's not, always and for certain, the case. I do recall however that when I was a WBH Director and the Legislative Liaison my peers and I always felt we had more legislative clout and impact if we could cite a larger rather than smaller support base. Today, with various legislative decisions not always favoring the WBH, our status mirrors that of numerous other state bowhunting organizations, we just don't have the favorable impact we once did.
New Mexico has tried off and on over the past couple decades but United Bowhunters of NM has been unable to obtain overall organization and gain any traction.
In many ways it's reflective of the NM State Bowsite Forum.
I'm a Colorado bowhunter life member .I go to our Cpw meetings and listen what we are labeled is whiny bowhunters. Or heyday we were by 2,800 people and now1800 Max
The current environment in Colorado has made it extremely difficult for our state level organizations to succeed let alone get ahead of the issues by any means. I must say though, regardless of how difficult or overwhelming the odds might be our state level organizations have continued to show up when no one else will. Showcasing that a combined voice of a united front can in fact be heard. As long as these groups continue to have dedicated volunteers and leaders willing to step up we will always have a dog in the fight. If anyone wants to see some of those successes and support these organizations have gathered look at prop 127 and the blaze orange initiative or the comments from chairman May. "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" - and the entire entire voice for outdoorsmen/women in the state of Colorado have been "squeaking" and now we are influencing positive changes and conversations with our state departments
Do most state bowhunting organizations now cater to crossbow hunters as well as bowhunters, or is it more about the archery season regardless of weapon ?
sawtooth, the inclusion with x-gun is the big factor, as casekika stated you can see the decline, I was there in 88 and WBH was large and the influence with the state was heard. What's the point when one doesn't even have to practice with a scope shoulder fire weapon, like taking your 30-06 out every day and practice, once zero in leave it alone, the dedication is gone along with bowhunting interest.
Texas doesn't do a very good job at all.
Smarba, I remember the good ole’ days of the UBNM. It’s was pretty good size back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. My local club FCBA (Four Corners Bowhunters Association) is still going and so is San Juan Archers as well as a few Tribal associations. I’m not a member of any of them and haven’t been for close to 30 years. Still attend a few of their summer 3d shoots though. The FCBA just isn’t what it once was.
Unfourtunatly my state organization has had a hard time recruiting members. Probably close to 75% of hunters in the state have gone to the crossbows and even though most projects we have worked on it has benefited crossbow hunters equally they still refuse to support us as they feel that the directors are not in favor of crossbows for everyone.Well they are right but F&W mandates that they are to be included so we need to work around till they see the error of there ways .the annual archery season deer kill has tripled since crossbows for everyone was initiated.
Wisconsin Bowhunters association is pretty limited. They love to talk about the glory days and what they accomplished. Not really their fault as people just aren't joiners anymore. WBH doesn't work real hard on recruitment though either.
Based on weak past record I never joined my home state Indiana bowhunters org. I was however very impressed by the Iowa Bowhunters Association so joined that instead. They are very active.
On the same topic, is the PBS active?
Bowhunters of Wyoming currently has some incredibly hard workers who are actively involved with issues around the state. Much respect to them!
Nebraska Bowhunters Association is very active with our state Game & Parks Commission. With that said, we have still lost some battles, crossbows in archery season, but have won or at least come to a reasonable compromise most times. We invite NGPC commissioners to our annual banquet so they can see what we are about. NBA is very family oriented as witnessed at both our annual banquet & jamboree. We typically get 400-600 at the banquet and 200-300 at the jamboree.
Agree with Ron. Bowhunters of Wyoming is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group that stay’s abreast of what’s going on in our state.
The apathy is very disturbing. Seems like all the work the state organizations put in is taken for granted. I know the cross bows have been gaining favor , it’s seems the only thing that matters are getting a “big one” and the less effort the better. I’m starting to feel like Ishi.
Do state organizations embrace crossbows too ?
^^^Iowa Bowhunters Association certainly doesn’t. They are fighting tooth and nail to keep them out of our regular archery season.
Not Wyoming either. We’ve tried to do away with them but no dice.
I believe Massachusetts Bowhunters does support crossbows for all users. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.) Since the deer take is below what the biologists are looking for I think it's just a matter of time before crossbows are legal for all, not just medical permittees. (They have expanded the bow season state wide and are looking at expanding bear season as well...)
New York Bowhunters, Inc. is active within the state, keeping the membership informed politically and socially. But, like many said, membership has declined over the years. Bottom line, support your state organization, you are enjoying bowhunting because of their dedication. $25-$30 a year, less than a package of broadheads and you can add your voice to the cause of protecting and promoting bowhunting.
"Based on weak past record I never joined my home state Indiana bowhunters org."
Ken, that response means you are absolutely clueless about the history of the Indiana Bowhunter Association. As an active 40+ year member of a now 60 year old state bowhunting organization, I can assure you the IBA was responsible for many positive bowhunting advancements in the state of Indiana...and won several battles along the way with good membership numbers and support from the DNR.
That said, I can agree that times have definitely changed. Around the turn of the century, IBA membership numbers took a substantial downward spiral as social media skyrocketed...but a long-standing positive history with the DNR kept things in check for a while. Once legislation stepped in and began countering the DNR, the reduction in membership numbers definitely limited IBA influence.
So, blaming the IBA for "not doing their job" is pretty deceptive. Thousands of Indiana bowhunters like yourself...which either briefly or NEVER supported the Indiana Bowhunter Association...and are not happy with current regulations...should take a long look in the mirror instead.
It seems as more and more bowhunters drop the compound bow in favor of the crossbow it will become increasingly difficult for state bowhunting organizations to maintain numbers and have relevance. This especially where crossbows are legal for all bowhunters during archery only seasons. From reading it appears where legal for all, about 60-65% of archery season hunters now use crossbows, and increasing. Many of these hunters were former bowhunters and of course some were gun hunters now moving to archery season.
In states where crossbows have been made legal for all archery season hunters, bowhunting only organizations have some serious headwinds.
No cross guns in Colo unless its a disability then you have to get a doctor's sign it off and then get a permit from division of wildlife
Hopefully Colorado can keep it that way.
"From reading it appears where legal for all, about 60-65% of archery season hunters now use crossbows, and increasing. Many of these hunters were former bowhunters and of course some were gun hunters now moving to archery season."
From my reading and experience the vast majority of crossbow hunters are former gun hunters wanting to expand their season and style.
Take a good look at sporting goods stores, catalogs and internet sites, that will give some idea of what is being sold. I believe from reading, Wisconsin separates the licenses and bowhunter numbers and kills have seriously declined in that state. Also, new hunters are overwhemingly starting out with crossbows and not bows because crossbows are easier. Only a small percentage will ever switch to a more difficult actual bow, later. Some will, most will not. I do not know the exact percentages but in most states, where legal for all, the archery season kill is generally around 40 % bow, 60% crossbow. That suggests to me many crossbow hunters were former bow hunters. Minnesota has some good numbers and the crossbow is new the last two years in that state. Can anyone post the archery season percentages of bow vs crossbow kills in states where known ? From there one can extrapolate todays bow kills with bow kill statistics from previous years when crossbows were not legal. Why do I care ? Because the future of bow only organizations seem in jeopardy in some states, perhaps fewer actual bowhunters is one cause. Good discussion, looking for any known data in the US.
New Jersey has had crossbows legal in archery seasons for a while now. In the 2023-2024 season the total deer kill was 35,573. Of this 41.7% was crossbow, 21.7% was compound and .6% was traditional. In my experience, most guys who hunted bow season before the legalization of crossbows switched shortly after the law changed. There is a difference between bow hunters and hunters who use a bow. Not right or wrong I guess, but different.
Unfortunately, my state association is weak politically. A really good friend was high up the food chain with the KY bowhunting group and he really put in a lot of time trying to stop X guns. I was very involved legislatively with my state professional association and I tried to help him as much as I could but it showed me how weak the collective group of bowhunters were, therefore X guns were granted authority to hunt basically the entire archery season minus the first 2 weeks. I let my membership lapse after seeing their efforts. Not heard anything out of them since and X gun kills continue to increase as a percentage of "archery" kills as has been mentioned in other states.
The UBNJ like just about all state organizations has a low membership number . They are still very active in legislation work toward bowhunters. Recent successes are Sunday Bowhunting bill passed Bowhunting black bear as well as making the safety zone for bowhunters smaller 300’ to now 150’ I believe
Does anyone have data on the actual number of bow hunters today vs 20 years ago ? By bow hunters I mean hunters hunting with a bow and not a croosbow or gun. Trying to establish the trend by state, or in the US. I would think this information would be important for manufacturers of bows, arrows etc.
Any studies from the Archery Trade Association ( ATA ) on the trends in actual numbers of bow hunters, and if increasing or decreasing ? Not crossbow or gun hunters, just bow hunters.
I live in Virginia. I guess we might have a state organization. I have no idea.
Idaho used to be very active and had bowhunters best interests at heart. A shell of the former organization anymore. The ISB is just a 3D shoot anymore.
Sawtooth - "Do state organizations embrace crossbows too ? "
Our state organization (United Bowhunters of PA ) is going through an identity crisis regarding this. Current membership is reported as about 2,000 which is unbelievable when considering there are about 350,000 bowhunters in the state. Crossbow account for nearly 70% of deer killed in archery season.
Many believe the only way to remain a viable organization is to include crossbow hunters. Others would prefer to hold true to bow hunting as defined by Pope and Young. The leadership has changed because of this issue but no definitive plan has been made public.
It would be interesting to see a 50 State (Bowhunter Organizations) survey on that issue. For/against/neutral.
Unfortunately I believe the majority of clubs, associations and groups who limit membership to those who hunt with a bow and arrow have a declining audience to chase. That generally does not bode well for future support and prosperity. I believe the worst is yet to come.
pav, I watched as Ravin funded crossgun inclusion legislation blew through Indiana like a hot knife through butter. Sponsored by three guys with high school educations, one with a college business degree, and an alcoholic with DWI. Virtually no opposition at all. Never saw anything to reduce the 16 day prime rut gun season, 32 total gun days, and nothing to put quotas on public land gun hunters. Just nothing to benefit someone like me, an exclusive public land bow hunter.
I’ve also seen harvest numbers at the public near me decline steadily since the 1990’s. The few studs I observed from the top of ammo bunkers in the 00’s at Kingsbury evaporated as xgun pressure increased. Perhaps IBA improved things for private land? I don’t know because the state took all mine away during my 2005 divorce. So Indiana quality on private land no longer affects me. I did hear quality improved with OBR but that has zero affect on public land. Pressure on public here is thru the roof, with no good barrier-to-entry public property opportunities that I have seen. (I’m not leaving Illinois for a two day special bow hunt.)
Prior to that went to several DNR round table discussions in the 90’s with no IBA presence, got laughed at by CO’s for even proposing and age structure improvement. The Iowa BA has been successfully fighting off Ravin tooth & nail for 15 years. No xguns. And many other important issues. I greatly admire them for the legislation they’ve been able to defeat.
I’m certainly not ranting on IBA. Almost all states bow org’s have fallen like dominos to the Ravin xgun inclusion scourge. The one exception is Iowa. If you have some examples of legislation that has improved deer quality on any Indiana public in the last 30 years, I’m all ears. Would be glad to support IBA.
Is there a state organization with more than 3000 members or more than 2% of licensed bowhunters in it
The Mississippi Bowhunters Association for many years carried better than 2% but never hit the 3,000 level. In the heat of the crossbow battles we had right at 2,000 members with an estimated bowhunter population at the time of 40,000 (about 5%) We had club affiliated memberships that made it likely 3,000 members as a sphere of influence.
Today the membership a fraction of that. The loss of the crossbow battle seemed to put the MBA on a downward trend that it still hasn't recovered from. As a former legislative liaison, I can tell you it wasn't the 'power' of the bowhunting association itself, but rather the sphere of influence on the voter. I live in a rural state where elections usually have less than 30% turn out and legislative elections are won or lost by a couple of hundred votes.
If you could get the membership engaged with phone calls to their legislative contacts, then our MBA efforts as the point of contact worked very well. We influenced countless bills.
On the other hand if you join your state organization just to watch the officers on the political front you might be disappointed. You don't belong to your state organization; conversely you ARE the state organization. I always had a saying that we wanted as large of membership that was possible....but give me just 300 highly energetic members who would wear out the telephones and we could move mountains.
Ken, I'm not going to drag this discussion out, but the fact you were never a member of the IBA means you have no idea what the IBA accomplished for many years. Things definitely changed when social media caused membership numbers to be drastically reduced...and legislation pretty much crushed any decisions made by the IDNR.
That said, I will respond to your comments below:
"I watched as Ravin funded crossgun inclusion legislation blew through Indiana like a hot knife through butter. Sponsored by three guys with high school educations, one with a college business degree, and an alcoholic with DWI. Virtually no opposition at all."
Crossbow inclusion was granted by legislation in 2011 and took effect in 2012. Ravin crossbows didn't even exist at the time. Not sure where your comment originated?
"Never saw anything to reduce the 16 day prime rut gun season, 32 total gun days, and nothing to put quotas on public land gun hunters. Just nothing to benefit someone like me, an exclusive public land bow hunter."
In 2010, the IBA and IDHA worked with the IDNR to reduce firearms season by a week, move the firearms dates into late November/early December, and limit the annual number of non-resident tags...most of which was eventually supported by the IDNR but later crushed by legislation. Again, one year later, legislation drove crossbow inclusion across all archery seasons.
"Prior to that went to several DNR round table discussions in the 90’s with no IBA presence,"
IDNR round table discussions happened all over the state back in the 90's, so it is possible you attended some meetings with no IBA members present...especially since those round tables accepted written comments as well. To be honest, I didn't attend many round table discussions in my part of the state...but the IBA (myself included) always attended the IDNR meetings in downtown Indianapolis...when and where hunting changes were actually determined.
Lastly, I'll say it again...it is sad that you push such negativity on a state bowhunting organization which you (and thousands of other bowhunters) never even supported. Again, look in the mirror...
pav, I threw the name Ravin out there meant to represent the xgun lobby in general. Sorry, my bad, let me clarify. You can plug in whatever xgun company was the rage back in 2011. I don’t keep track of them all because I’ve never used one. The point is, there’s no question it was a company or SIG that lined the pockets of the four unqualified horsemen to get them to write the inclusion legislation. That is the undisputed fact, because that’s how politics works.
So that being clarified, my question remains. What did IBA do to battle the 2011 legislation? Why weren’t they successful? We’re there prior bills proposed. Did it take years of bribes, or one?
I’m a little confused when you bring the DNR into the issue because the battle ground is obviously the legislature, where bribes take place and papers get signed. Iowa BHA wages war on crooked politicians 24/7. They update members every newsletter. Listing each piece of new legislation, monitoring where each piece is, and listing opposed, neutral, or for. They suggest when members should contact the legislators to voice their support or opposition. It’s their #1 priority. Ravin buys off a new politician every year and sends three lobbyists to the statehouse. Yet Iowa BHA has been able to fight them off for 15 years. That’s why I ask what IBA did in 2011. I admit Im an outsider looking in. Hoping you can shed some light on exactly what IBA did in 2011. How big was the membership back then? I mean we’re talking about three high school kids here. I’m sincerely curious how that could be allowed to happen.
It is a good question for each state..."what percent of bowhunters belong to their state bowhunting organization"...I'd bet it's a pathetically low number.
From the sales and use, it certainly appears the majority of hunters wanted crossbows too, including former bow hunters. I don't like it, but cannot argue with the results. Crossbows are what the majority of archery season hunters prefer, including former bow users. And, we have not seen anything yet. Just wait until crossbows gain acceptance in a few more hold out western states. Right now, I believe only two factors are somewhat limiting their use, western states which do not yet allow crossbows, and the Pope and Young Club. If P&Y caves as they did with compounds, things will rapidly accelerate.
^^ If P&Y doesn't 'cave' some new organization will rise to fill the gap. 'Progress'.
sawtooth, I don’t think wildlife management should be based on “what the majority of hunters want”. It should be managed by science and common sense, by educated wildlife professionals. Not by average Joe Hunter or backwoods hillbilly’s. Hell try to draw an elk tag anywhere out West these days. What do you think populations would do in an 5% draw unit if every hunter were given what they want? Deer quality is horrible in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi & Michigan due to this philosophy.
" it certainly appears the majority of hunters wanted crossbows too, including former bow hunters. "
I don't agree. Crossbows are what the former gun hunters want so they can take over the handheld vertical bow season. - I am still shooting hand held bow after almost 60 years. Shot part of a 3-D with a 96 yr old last summer. Gun hunters want all seasons as they were not satisfied with the way the states were running the seasons and wanted someone to "regulate" them a trophy buck.
TonyBear, Correct. And confirmed by the CO’s at my closest WMA. Even confirmed statistically. Every year xgun hunters & kills gradually increased as gun hunters & kills gradually decreased. Still going on 14 years after inclusion.
I had asked if anyone had data on how many hunted with a real bow 20 years ago vs today. I would think the AMA would have some information as most businesses know their market universe, and the general trending. For whatever it is worth, over 60% of the guys I knew through various clubs have left their compounds for the crossbow and almost all of their children now start with crossbows. I am sure it is variable by region and what the state law allows. I am not as optimistic as many of you, but I have been wrong before.
sawtooth, That sounds about right for Illinois where I hunt as well. And all 60% give me an excuse why they are using an xgun, despite the fact I never ask. When they see me looking at their device, they just spout it out, lol.
If our observations have any merit at all, I am not sure how we can blame crossbows in the archery season solely on the gun hunters. It seems to me many have quit bow hunting to become crossbow hunters. That would have a serious impact on clubs and organizations catering solely to bow hunters. I think we need to call a spade a spade here.
In the end most people most times get what they deserve. In all cases people get what they accept
Crossbows have never stopped evolving. The technical advances will continue to drive their market. They have become sleeker, more powerful, and easier to use than ever before. They are effective killing machines, more easier to use, since they are based off of a rifle-like platform.
With multiple distinct advantages over hand held, hand drawn bows, more people want them because they can kill animals at a greater distance, during the solitude of the archery seasons. So when then kills continue to grow during the archery seasons, due to more hunters, both bow and gun alike, the DNR's, EnCon's, etc... will make adjustments to the firearms season, reducing the number of days or weeks. It has happened in Ohio. Ohio has a very generous archery season, where they kill A LOT of deer. The DNR has reduced the firearms season from between 7 to 10 days, dependent upon the previous year's kill totals.
If you want to preserve what you have during the archery season, and not have the orange army parading through with crossbows, join and support your state bowhunting organization. If not, don't complain. If you're not overly thrilled with your state organization, join and make changes. If not, don't complain. When legislators introduce and pass Bills that will affect and compromise the archery season, don't complain because you didn't join and weren't informed about what to do, to help stop it.
"So that being clarified, my question remains. What did IBA do to battle the 2011 legislation? Why weren’t they successful? We’re there prior bills proposed. Did it take years of bribes, or one?"
"How big was the membership back then? I mean we’re talking about three high school kids here. I’m sincerely curious how that could be allowed to happen."
Good Lord Ken...I could write you a book, but that's not happening. Had you been a member of the IBA and/or IDHA, you would understand how this all went down. There was an ongoing legislative push to change deer hunting regulations for three years (2009-2011), but it was NOT crossbow inclusion specific. Honestly, I'm a bit surprised you don't have a more accurate memory about this...because there were several discussion threads right here on Bowsite's Indiana forum between 2009 and 2011 that explained exactly what was happening.
I'm done responding. If you choose to keep posting false accusations toward the IBA, I can't stop you...but hopefully the bowhunters here will believe an active 40+ year IBA lifetime member versus a guy that never joined the organization.
We do Pav, and your support of the state organization for four decades, speaks volumes and is appreciated by this fellow Indiana bow hunt
I guess my interest is not what happened yesterday, but what will happen tomorrow. It seems some want to avoid the fact a portion of the current archery season status resides with bow hunters, not just gun hunters and manufacturers. Just as archery season hunters preferred the compound bow over the recurve, where legal for all, former bow hunters are switching in droves to the compound bow. There is nobody to blame, nor is it a crime, but I do wonder how organizations who only allow bow hunters will continue on into the future.
" I mean switching in droves to the crossbow "
"TonyBear, Correct. And confirmed by the CO’s at my closest WMA. Even confirmed statistically. Every year xgun hunters & kills gradually increased as gun hunters & kills gradually decreased. Still going on 14 years after inclusion."
The data shows it, personal discussion among hunter groups shows it. Just go to any sporting goods show, supplier website, etc. Crossbows are dominating the hunting scene, airbows and arrow in gun conversion kits to expand the "firearms" season are not far behind.
In my state crossbow/bow kills are now 3X the muzzle loader season hunters. Thye need their separate lisc. and separate season, preferably during firearms or muzzle loader. Not during hand held, hand drawn, vertical bow season.
Paul, I did not live in Indiana from 2006-2019.
I lived in St, Charles, Illinois, and deer/turkey hunted there exclusively. I bought a LL. I had no prospects of returning to Indiana then, so I did not follow the cycle of events regarding xgun inclusion. Other than reading it passed very quickly, and from what I could gather, its first time proposed. That’s all. That’s why I’m curious now. I can only judge power & influence by results.
Sorry to anyone interpreting my comments on IBA as negative. That was not my intent. I’m strictly researching to find out how powerful & influential the IBA is, and what happened in 2011. I’d like to know their agenda & power to find out if it’s worth me joining, as strictly a public land hunter. Right now the only thing I hunt in Indiana is turkey, because they are managed very conservatively.
As I mentioned all that is over and in the past.
Am I wrong to assume, in states where legal for all, the majority of bow hunters have abandoned their compound bow for the crossbow. Additionally , the weapon of choice for new archery season hunters is the crossbow, whether an adult, youth hunter, female hunter, grandpa, former bow hunter, new comer, past gun hunter, or trans hunter ? Is the only problem really gun hunters now hunting two seasons with a crossbow and a gun ? When I ask these questions it seems the responses are slow to come, ever wonder why ?
I will say our WV Bowhunters Org. fought the crossbows tooth and nail but it was just a matter or time until they got it. It was all about the money for our state. Crossbows kill more deer than the bowhunters. They have a crossbow season and a bowhunting season but they run concurrent. That insults my intelligence. It is all one big season. I know lots of guys that never bowhunted at all but crossbow hunt and hammer the deer. I know guys that kill em at 80 yards or more. I do my thing on my land so I let em have at it.
"They have a crossbow season and a bowhunting season but they run concurrent. " The reason it runs concurrent is because if the DNR says we are killing too many deer in "archery" season we can point to the facts on the numbers. This was the result of hard work from our state bowhunting organization. AS JR says above they it was just a matter of time before we had crossbows legal for everyone. So yes the WVBA is active but numbers are down due to the influx of the crossbow ( there I said it) . No I don't represent them but that is what has happened. I am a life member.
So Zim how much research does a $25 a year expense warrant. Just join….,,,,,, it’s the cost of a good arrow. It’s worth it. Think of it as a quarter of a fill up on your truck.
Same old....same old....it's easy to be critical of your state bowhunting organization if you aren't involved or taking care of anything regarding that bowhunting organization.
I do not blame crossbows on any organization. I think the entire matter simply rests on the shoulders of those who have stopped bowhunting in favor of the easier crossbow, that is what is leading to the demise of bowhunting organizations. To put it simply, fewer bowhunters equals less people join bow hunting organizations. This is the inevitable dynamic.
The long term result of fewer actual bow hunters will make us more vulnerable to those painting bow hunting as being less accurate and more cruel than crossbow or gun hunting. That is how they will attack .
There is no question in my mind crossbows and guns are more efficient and accurate weapons, tough to deny that and that is why so many are choosing them over the hand drawn bow. In a similar fashion, I experienced this prior during the compound revolution. That revolution brought more hunters, more archery season kills, longer killing ranges, point creep, you name it. I survived it, I will survive the crossbow revolution too. But, the dynamics of archery and archery tradition have now been greatly altered, and mostly lost to time.
I honestly think that now that we have crossbows and the deer kill is way up they still will not reduce the crossbow season without reducing the regular bow season. JMO. Once you start something it is hard to end it.
In some areas, especially CWD urban and farmland areas, the deer kill is not high enough for biologists, that is why antlerless tags are sometimes virtually unlimited. Is the overall kill on the eastern deer herd actually " way up " ? It seems the whitetail deer herd is actually expanding westward, perhaps following changing agriculture practices. I am just bringing up points for discussion for thread, not arguing with anyone.
^^ Here in MA the biologists want more deer taken in the 'greater Boston' area. As you say, virtually unlimited antlerless tags available. I brought up state organizations (and crossbows) over in the MA forum and it was noted that the xbow is particularly well suited to 'suburban' hunting. The feeling here is that xbows will soon be legal for all hunters in the state because of the above. (Currently allowed for medical reasons only.)
Of course this dynamic doesn't hold for all states/regions.
In NY, the last 2 weeks of archery season allow crossbows. This was a "gift" to then Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul, from then Gov Andrew Cuomo. Hochul secured Western NY for him, as she is from Erie County. Where Bill Hilts. Sr. and Jr. resided. Both of whom, were/are pro crossbow for decades, accepting anything and everything from Excalibur Crossbows, in exchange for them delivering NYS on a silver platter to the crossbow manufacturers. That did not happen, until Cuomo engaged with the EnCon Chair and demanded 2 weeks. I know, because I was on the front lines for decades fighting them in Albany. And just recently, the lawyers for the NYS-DEC decided that the national ADA compliant law for "Modified Crossbow Permit" and "Modified Archer's Permit" were invalid. So now, with just a doctor's note, ANYONE can get a 5 year crossbow permit to use. No separate license, no special safety class, just read 4 paragraphs from the Syllabus, sign it, and cut it out. The entire industry has caved, in no small part because of the ATA involvement, as well as many states. They receive Pittman-Robertson excise taxes, plus they sell more tags. "Become a 2 season hunter" It should be a natural progression of implements, in order of difficulty. Archery, MZ/Crossbow, Firearms.
" I think the entire matter simply rests on the shoulders of those who have stopped bowhunting in favor of the easier crossbow, that is what is leading to the demise of bowhunting organizations. To put it simply, fewer bowhunters equals less people join bow hunting organizations. This is the inevitable dynamic."
Why would a person who hunts with a crossbow join an organization that in many cases actively lobbies against them? Seems pretty simple to me. Either bowhunting organizations embrace all legal bowhunting equipment or they will become increasingly less relevant...and powerful.
In Louisiana we lost the crossbow battle and not many years after the association closed. While testifying at the commission meeting against crossbows, I was told by a man and commissioner that we did not have enough money to stop the legalization of crossbows. They also had many archery shop owners that wanted them because they said it would increase sales and matching Pittman money. Heck even the state traditional group would not testify or get involved because they wanted to be a "social archery club".
Well they passed that year, that man owned Barnett crossbows. The previous year he was a commissioner. You can connect the dots. I will say many state associations helped send letters for us, I still have Stringwackers emails he sent me. When we were all unified there was strength, but too many divisions between people and those numbers drop and there goes the strength. Just like the two guys above. Division is whats killing us.
Al Dente Laptop is absolutely right. When we asked for an adjustment to the let off restrictions to become more compliant with the industry standards of 85% here in Colorado a few years ago, ATA asked us to add a number of other things to the discussions with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Of course crossbows were among those things. We (Colorado Bowhunters Association) resisted and were successful.
