What are your thoughts on allowing expanded use of crossbows for deer hunting in Delaware? Share your comments here.
Pasted below is my article that appeared in yesterday’s issue of The News Journal.
To some hunters, expanded crossbow use crosses the line
Delaware may soon have one of the longest crossbow hunting seasons in the nation and some believe that idea misses the mark.
According to the proposed regulatory changes listed in the “2010-11 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Seasons” document posted on the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife website, archery and crossbow deer-hunting seasons may be in effect concurrently from Sept. 1, 2010, through Jan. 31, 2011.
The proposed regulations stipulate that crossbows may be equipped with a scope and must be manufactured after 1980, have a minimum pull weight of 125 pounds, and have a mechanical safety.
Some hunters welcome expanded use of crossbows for hunting deer, but the proposed regulations are not without controversy.
Traditionally, Delaware allowed the use of crossbows only by special permits issued to individuals who met specific disability criteria. In recent years, Delaware allowed crossbows to be substituted for firearms during specified deer-hunting seasons or season segments.
The expanded use of crossbows to any interested hunter during the entire deer season strikes at the hearts of some vertical bowhunters (those who hunt with compound, recurve, or long bows).
Long-time bowhunter Curt Barkus of New Castle believes vertical bows and crossbows should not be treated as equal.
“Crossbows are similar to guns,” says Barkus. “It is almost as easy to shoot a crossbow as it is to shoot a shotgun. You have to put your time in to be a good archery hunter, plain and simple, but the same is just not true with a crossbow.”
Barkus said he is not against the use of crossbows.
“I am not one-hundred percent anti-crossbow,” says Barkus. “In fact, I think crossbow hunters should have their own hunting seasons, just as bow, shotgun, muzzleloader and pistol hunters do.”
Frank Gillen of Newark favors expanded crossbow use.
“I believe I should be allowed crossbow use during any and all seasons. Medical permits already are in place, but aging hunters with other physical limitations also need access,” says Gillen. “With burgeoning deer populations in built-up suburban areas, the crossbow should be viewed as an additional vital tool, along with the long bow, the recurve, and the compound for controlling the herds. Other states are already leading the way on this issue.”
Although many states allow crossbows to be used only by disabled hunters during archery only deer seasons, more states are allowing crossbow use by all hunters during gun seasons. Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia are among those that have adopted more liberal crossbow regulations.
As someone who chooses to hunt deer primarily with a vertical bow, I understand some of the arguments against expanded crossbow use.
I think bowhunters are somewhat angered because they are accustomed to having the woods to themselves for much of the deer-hunting season and soon may have some competition from crossbow hunters.
We bowhunters can accept the increase in the number of hunters in the woods, but I am not sure if all hunters will accept a decrease in the number of deer in the woods that could result from the expanded use of crossbows.
The Division of Fish & Wildlife has shown its dedication to properly managing the Delaware deer herd by issuing the Delaware Deer Management Plan. If the proposed crossbow hunting regulations are put into effect, Delaware hunters will be closely monitoring the Division’s response to any drastic declines in the deer population.
The proposed crossbow regulations will be published in the Delaware Register of Regulations on July 1 but would not become effective until July 11.
Steven Kendus’ Hunter’s Journal appears monthly in The News Journal. Kendus is the author of “Hunting The First State: A Guide to Delaware Hunting.” Follow his blog and podcast at www.HuntingTheFirstState.com. Contact him at skendus@HuntingTheFirstState.com.
