Crossbows for all

[SkolMNDuckHunter]

MN just approved crossbows for everyone for the entire archery season for deer and spring turkey. I think crossbows are far too advanced for it. I never had a problem with elderly and disabled use. I guess the same argument could be said for modern bolt action slug guns and inline muzzleloaders, but those still only give you a very limited window to hunt. Now you can use a crossbow and take deer to 80 yards for 4 straight months.

 

[Bullet21XD]

There were tons of dead deer on 94 from the cities to Alex last weekend.
They aren't killing enough of them. Give them semi auto assault crossbows!!

 

[Zehyani]

I think the DNR is faced with declining numbers of licenses sold. I have noticed a gradual change in regulations that make things easier. For example, I remember going out at midnight to hold a spot for the Noon duck opener. Lets face it. Less kids are going into a sport where success isn't a sure thing.

 

[Slough Smell]

Part of what made me want to hunt was not being successful all the time.

I am disappointed that they did not get rid of the slug zone, or at least reform it to allow straight-wall rifles like many other states have. I just think it is nuts that you can go deer hunting with an AR pistol with a brace and a 20 round magazine in a rifle caliber, but not a bolt action rifle. Being able to get a low-recoil rifle/scope combo for $300 some dollars along with available and affordable ammo would be a great thing for young and new hunters (available in straight-wall calibers too). Maybe people would shoot better and wound less.

 

[tornadochaser]

Neighboring states that allow crossbows didn't see much of an increase in archery harvest numbers.
Winter conditions killed 100x the deer around our land vs what crossbows will kill in the next 10 years around there.

 

[Matt Jones]

I'm surprised something as "age-ist" as the previous cross bow law was ever even possible in the gay state of MN. WGAF? If you don't like crossbows don't use them. I intend to use a .25-06 to fill my bow tag. You can register the deer on your phone so it's not like anyone is going to see the bullet hole. Once you chop it up and it's in your freezer you're home free. Easy-Peasy

 

[Old Critter]

Everybody I know who hunts with a bow or crossbow does so on private land. Me included. Nobody is going overkill “their” herd and most guys (except maybe the TV and YouTube crowd) let them walk unless it’s a toad bigger than what they already have on the wall.

There are plenty of deer so I see no issues with the law change. Where I hunt the herd is thinned almost entirely by the cars and trucks on the adjacent highway.

 

[Slough Smell]

I wonder if the crossbows will lead to more recovered deer and fewer that are not recovered but are still dead. Plenty of deer where I hunt as well. They now allow 6 deer in the area but the number killed really has not went up much. I think a lot of guys are waiting out the big one and not bothering to shoot does.