Essay
My bill is the use of crossbows during deer season expansion. The reason I picked this bill is because I believe that some people are just unable to use compound bows during deer season, which is more common within the older generations. The older generations have extreme problems in hunting these days, because many have either a disability or are handicapped from past experience which limit them in ways they can hunt. So I do believe that the use of crossbows during deer season should be mandatory for the older generation and or anyone that has a disability or is handicapped, and possibly kept legal for everyone for deer management.
Why I think it is very important to allow this bill is for the elderly or ones who are incapable of pulling back a compound bow. Normally the draw weight of a compound bow is about 70-80 pounds which some people are just unable to do, which means they would not be able to hunt during bow season. While using a crossbow you are able to have someone crank the string back and put in the arrow before you are even in the stand which would make it much easier for disabled people. “The accuracy and compact size combined with the ability to cock and ready your crossbow before you get in the stand or blind are huge advantages.” Crossbows are also easier to use in ground blinds rather than compound bows which makes them perfect for disabled people.
briarwoodclub.com/crossbow-hunting-for-whitetail-deer-should-you-consider-it/#:~:text=A%20crossbow%20with%20a%20draw,for%20both%20accuracy%20and%20distance.
Accuracy is one of the most important parts about deer hunting, the reason for this is you want to make an ethical shot which means a good shot that will insure that you kill the deer quickly so the deer does not suffer. How the crossbow helps with this is it has a scope which helps you get a better site on the deer to make a better shot, and the arrow of crossbows are made shorter and thicker so that it shoots faster and it doesn't get knocked off target as easily as a compound bow arrow would.Also many crossbows come with stands which insure stability so it doesn't move, where compound bows are unable to use stands for stability.“Yes, crossbows are easier to aim because they have scopes and hold themselves at full draw. However shooting a crossbow offhand can be challenging. The best crossbow accuracy comes by placing the bow on a shooting rest, shooting sticks, or the rail of a tree stand or blind.” www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/crossbow-vs-compound-bow/#:~:text=Compared%20to%20compound%20bows%2C%20crossbows,in%20the%20right%20shooter's%20hands.
Deer management is one of the most important parts about hunting for deer. The point of deer management is so the deer do not overpopulate and to stop the spread of diseases which could cause trouble for people, for example there might not be enough food for all the deer to survive on so the deer will start destroying gardens and farmers fields which cost people food and money. “Managing the deer population is essential to maintaining or improving forest health. As deer populations have increased in our natural areas and beyond, so have their impact on forest health.” So to help with deer management it would be a lot easier to hunt and kill deer with crossbows rather than compound bows.
cornellbotanicgardens.org/conserve/deer/why-we-manage-deer.
Some possible negatives about this bill are that some people say that it is not fair for the deer to allow people to use crossbows. Another possible issue is that it can be dangerous if one is not careful and could possibly lead to someone getting extremely hurt. Hunting with compound or crossbows makes it harder to kill the deer which may lead to more injured deer, where using guns are more likely to kill the deer quicker so the deer does not suffer. Some people also say that it will lead to more deer being killed at a rapid pace. “Some argue that crossbow hunters are taking opportunity away from compound hunters, while others claim the added pressure and mortality are detrimental to deer herds.”
mossyoakgamekeeper.com/hunting/deer-hunting/do-crossbows-belong-in-archery-season.
So with all that being considered I do believe that we should allow crossbows during deer season because it is an easier way for disabled people to go out and hunt. It is also a much more ethical way of killing deer rather than using compound bows. It also helps manage the deer population so that disease doesn't spread and the population doesn't get out of hand. But I do think that you should have to take an extra class to make sure you use all the right precaution because it is much more different than a compound bow.