Essay
The proposed bill amends Minnesota Statutes to allow the use of crossbows during firearms deer, bear, and turkey seasons. It states that individuals can hunt these animals with a crossbow as long as they comply with specific transportation and equipment regulations. Hunters must possess a valid firearm license or an archery license for deer. However, crossbows are not permitted for use by licensed muzzleloader hunters during the muzzleloader season.
Passing this bill will have three good reasons:
Accessibility:
Allowing crossbows during firearm seasons can make hunting easier and more accessible for many people. Some people might have a disability that they can't use a firearm. There are even people who are against guns but they still want to hunt so they will only use crossbows.
Enhanced hunting opportunities:
Expanding the use of crossbows into firearm seasons will provide more options for hunters, increasing their participation in all seasons and hunting activities. This can attract new and experienced hunters into this sport or activity.
Consistency in regulations:
By mixing crossbow usage with firearm seasons, the bill simplifies regulations for hunters. This makes it easier for hunters to cooperate with the hunting laws. Making an increase in safety and adherence to legal hunting practices.
Passing this bill will have one downside:
Fatalities, injuries, misunderstandings:
One risk or downside of passing this bill is the safety concerns. There could be accidental injuries or fatalities out in the field. The introduction of crossbows into firearm seasons will probably lead to a bigger density of hunters out hunting at the same time. Which could lead to different types of equipment highering the chances of mishaps and misidentifications during hunts.
I used the Minnesota DNR website to help me with all of my paragraphs. Since this bill has already passed for people with disablites they have a bunch of info in it about crossbows during firearms seasons.
“Minnesota DNR - MN Department of Natural Resources.” State.mn.us, 2019, www.dnr.state.mn.us/.