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Let’s start first with the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) definition of a bow. Their definition of a bow is “one that is hand held, hand drawn, and released with nothing attached to the bow that will allow the bow to be mechanically held in a drawn or cocked position.”
The Pope & Young Club has a similar definition, stating “a longbow, recurve, or compound bow that is handheld and hand drawn, and that has no mechanical device to enable the hunter to lock the bow at full or partial draw. Other than the energy stored by the drawn bow, no device to propel the arrow will be permitted.” The P&Y club does not recognize the crossbow to be a hunting bow and will not accept any trophies collected by crossbow hunters.
Norb Mullaney, a professional engineer whose bow reports have been read in a number of outdoor magazines, is recognized as a leading authority on the physics of bows. He states that “the hand held bow has one characteristic that distinguishes it from a crossbow or any type of firearm. The internal ballistics are a function of the shooter, his or her physical geometry and capabilities, shooting form, consistency and reaction to stress and trauma. In the crossbow and firearms, the internal ballistics are fixed. The action of the shooter in triggering a release of energy does nothing more than initiate a process that is consistent and repetitive. The hand held bow is different. Every action of the shooter contributes something either positive or negative to the interior ballistic process. As the interior ballistics vary, so do the exterior ballistics. Shooting the hand held bow and arrow is much more complicated than aiming a fixed system of ballistics and touching off the energy discharge. The total energy to draw, hold and release the bow must come directly and unassisted from the shooter’s muscle power.”
I know that this was a long way to make a point, but the definitions are important when we have to make decisions of this magnitude.
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I am all for increasing the opportunities for hunters to spend any day in the field whether young/old, beginner or experienced.
But, lets not for a minute say that a "crossgun and a bow" are the same thing.
When I am no longer physically able to draw a bow, you can bet your life that I will be packing a crossbow to the field each year.
Speaking of statistics, Ohio is an interesting state to do a little research on.
A crossbow may not have any further capabilities than today's modern compound, and quite possibly less capabilities.
But, think about this example for a minute if you will.
Take an average two weekend a year gun hunter. Place a target at 25 yards. First hand him a "loaded" crossbow and have him "fire" it at the target. Then take this same hunter, hand him a compound bow, with sights and a peep, and a release, have him shoot at the target.
Which do you think will be closer to the center of the target, the arrow or the bolt?
A crossbow is just another weapon to kill a deer with, but lets not say that it is the same as a bow.