| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| John Benedict |
Posted - 03/22/2009 : 13:03:49
In the last edition of Michigan Out-of-Doors Update, we unveiled the news that the Natural Resources Commission has expanded the use of crossbows in Michigan. To recap, crossbows may now be used by any licensed hunter during the entire archery season in Zone 3 and by anyone over age 50 statewide during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 archery season. Kids under age 12 may not use a crossbow. A few more details on the new regulations are also now available:
* By state law, hunters must wear hunter orange while hunting with a crossbow. However, the DNR says it will be seeking modifications to that rule.
* Crossbows are limited to shooting a bolt at a maximum of 350 feet per second.
* Crossbows may also be used during any season in which firearms are legal including spring turkey season.
For more information and a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the new rules, check here: www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153--210298--,00.html |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| frank |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 22:15:26
If your talking about the 3-D corses, then No they don't (or the ones I go to don't). If your asking about clubs in general, then I think some of them do but not all. But I would call or ask first before driving to one just to be turned away.
Frank Manning
Mid Michigan/Thumb Area
LandManager
frankm1968@hotmail.com
(810)347-5292
|
| wbaie |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 11:16:55
Hey do those practice ranges allow cross bow? |
| teamasc |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 07:12:23
quote:
Originally posted by Plore
Really depends on where you live I think.
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager
And whether or not your neighbors will call the police if they see you doing it.
Todd Alexander
ASC Membership Services Manager
talexander@team-asc.com
www.team-asc.com
734-552-4839 |
| Plore |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 17:16:02
Brian - from my experience you need to check with local police. I live in Southgate and you are NOT allowed to even shoot a compound outside in back yard. Trust me as I've been warned many times. Lucky that I know a few of them. I finally rigged a way to shoot in my garage but its only about 8 yards into a hanging bag. Really depends on where you live I think.
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager |
| frank |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 09:44:53
Can you shoot crossbows in our back yards for practice?
If you live in Oakland Co. you have to have a backstop and your neighbors can't complain. As long as this is done then yes (I believe) you can shoot them in your back yard, or my Dad used to prior to his death. I do remember the back stop part as I had to go down and make one for my dad years ago, then he got a new neighbor and they called the cops (he was still shooting the compound yet) and the police told him he had to stop if the neighbors where going to complain. I think this is a bunch of B.S. as it's his yard and he had a nice backstop. He did get them to stop calling the police every time he was out shooting his bow. It might have changed by now as this was 10 years ago or more. I would call your local police station and find out for sure prior to listening to me as I can still shoot guns in my back yard.
Paul,
It wasn't but 40 years ago or so when you couldn't even get a "Bow" license. All you could get was a Deer license and it was only good from 11-15 to 11-30 and it didn't matter what you wanted to hunt with. Alot of deer have been killed sence then with a bow weither it was a compound or recurve/long bow. I still remember my first Bear compound bow, man have they come along way sence then. Heck it's only been the last 15 years or so when you could use a doe permit for the regular bow season, now a bow license was good for either sex but you couldn't use your doe permit in the Oct. season.
Frank Manning
Mid Michigan/Thumb Area
LandManager
frankm1968@hotmail.com
(810)347-5292
|
| brianjordan |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 08:43:51
quote:
Originally posted by Plore
Where do you practice with them on a consistant basis?
Can you shoot crossbows in our back yards for practice?
Brian Jordan
810-348-1667
jegorah@yahoo.com
*** Taking care of land is everyone's responsiblity. Please do your part to clean up litter when you see it while out scouting or hunting. *** |
| Plore |
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 08:37:06
You bring out a really good point Frank. This could enable alot of people to get out there and hunt who couldn't with a compound. Also got me thinking that the invention of the high powered compound bows probably had a far bigger effect on hunting than the crossbow ever will. I read the DNR explanation in a lot more detail. They bring up exactly what you mention. They also state they hope it will be a help in managing the deer herd specifically in zone 3 (Southern). This new crossbow program is good for 3 years then they will re-evaluate it. So time will tell. I shoot my bow almost every day when I'm home. But I guess I'm lucky to have a nice club (Lincoln Bowmen) about 4 miles from my house. Not everyone has that. It's $150 a year but if you put in 10 hours of work its only $85.
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager |
| frank |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 19:28:22
I think this is geared more towars getting more people in the woods than anything else. Just a few years ago Todd took his son down to Ohio for there youth hunt and he was using a crossbow. I know Canada has allowed cross bows for years with really no ill effects along with Ohio and a few other states. I think its a good thing, now you don't have all the young kids and smaller Women shooting 20-30 pound bows at 20+ yards loosing game. Or at least I hope people will stay in there limitations with them. But I think we are going to find like everything else your going to get the people that think they can shoot out to a hundred yards just cuz the guy that sold it to them said it could. Most people today don't spend enough time shooting weither it be a Gun, Bow or Cross Bow to become a good shot, and yes I include myself in this statement also. I don't think I have shot 1,000 arrows throu my Bow, and I have 2 shotguns that don't have 5,000 rounds throu combined, all of these wepons I have owned for over 2 years the one gun more like 6 years. When I first started my family I used to shoot 3,000 to 10,000 rounds a year. It seemed like every weekend we where throwing clay targets, I don't think I have shot any clays this year, and only did it once or twice last year.
Frank Manning
Mid Michigan/Thumb Area
LandManager
frankm1968@hotmail.com
(810)347-5292
|
| Plore |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 19:01:24
I know. Was just razzing about the slingshot. Lincoln Bowmen has everything your talking about as well. Been a member there 10 years and seen quite a bit. My curiosity is really around the logic of allowing the crossbows during all seasons. A weapon capable of hitting a target at 100 yds. vs. one with enough kinetic energy to down the animal at that distance is different. I have nothing against the crossbows. I just hope the DNR didn't allow this thinking it's just another mechanism to take more deer. The reality could be that alot of average hunters get these things and start flinging shots 40-50 yards out and wound more game than anything. I have a neighbor who's faked a bad elbow for years in order to get a doctors permit for a crossbow. It's a joke. He's not proficient with the weapon. Where do you practice with them on a consistant basis? All that stuff. He spends more time tracking something he hit and never finding it. Anyway, I'll stick with my bow and shoot 20-30 yards with it. Will be interesting to see how it all works out. I don't think there will be an immediate effect. With the economy and such its not like a milion people are going to run our and buy new crossbows. That BowTech Stryker is $1500.
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager |
| teamasc |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 17:15:41
quote:
Originally posted by Plore
Like to see the trajectory of those recurves hitting at 100yd. I guess if I practiced enough I could do it with a sling shot.
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager
When I first moved to Canton, part of the Olympic tryouts were held there. The standard target is 70 Meters. FITA ranges from 30-90m. Washtenaw has a Field Hunter League that shoots out to 80 yds and is similar to a 3D shoot only with 2d targets. It really isn't all that uncommon.
Todd Alexander
ASC Membership Services Manager
talexander@team-asc.com
www.team-asc.com
734-552-4839 |
| Plore |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 12:53:40
Like to see the trajectory of those recurves hitting at 100yd. I guess if I practiced enough I could do it with a sling shot.
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager |
| teamasc |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 06:51:47
You will likely see the 350 fps rule disappear, since like you said, it is unenforceable. You will, also, likely see the rule changed to allow everyone in all 3 zones to use a crossbow in the near future.
Also, while they can claim 100 yds, a marine sniper is a heck of a lot better shot than 99.9% of the hunters out there. In addition, I know folks who can do the same thing with a recurve. It's all marketing hype.
Todd Alexander
ASC Membership Services Manager
talexander@team-asc.com
www.team-asc.com
734-552-4839 |
| Plore |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 04:57:39
An interesting aspect of this will be the enforcement of the 350 fps rule. How will this be enforced I wonder? Will it be from the manufactures listed fps ratings? Will the DNR carry lists of all manufactures ratings? Will the DNR carry chronographs? Bowtech and PSE are releasing Crossbows that shoot 1" groups at 100 yards. There's a video that shows Marine Snipers with these Crossbows shooting 5 arrows through the exact same hole at 100 yards. That's as capable as most shotguns and/or muzzleloaders. I put some camo moleskin on one of these and no one would know the difference unless they ran it through a chronograph. Makes me wonder what the real logic is behind the DNR decision. Could it be to enable people to be able to shoot more deer? In the last two years we've seen the introduction of an early mid-September hunt. Now the crossbows. I can also buy 5 private land Doe permits. It's common knowledge that the DNR want the deer herd in Southern Michigan reduced by 50%. They accomplished this is the Northern 2/3 of the state. Their challenge in Southern Mi is that it's all private land. Next will be the ability to hunt the month of January (like Ohio does).
Paul Lorenc
734-558-3554 (cell)
Southern Michigan Land Manager |
