Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 14, 2008, to repeal the law against using a crossbow during bow hunting season

The vote was 94 in favor, 14 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 551 at House Journal 61)

Click here to view bill details.

There is already a limit on the number of deer a hunter can take based on the type and number of licenses the hunter purchases. So why regulate how the deer is killed? The same reasoning goes with fishing. There is a limit on how many fish can be kept, so what if I have more than two lines in the water!

We will see a drastic change in all deer hunting seasons with this bill. The welfare of Michigan's deer herd is held for hostage by the cross gun manufacturers and its proponants. Cross guns are not archery equipment, they take no practise or expertise to use and with the deer baiting if allowed in the "archery" season of October us that hunt legitimately will see shortened seasons and eventually a lose of a deer hunting license. The cross gun is not a bow, it is a cross gun.

there's a real shortage of deer in Michigan.

follow the money and this is a move to gather support for sheltrowns election, he needs votes

I find the vote very dissapointing. I beleive the The Sate should look at this objectively. Instead, they are looking at revenue from license sales, not recreational opportunity. WAKE UP...... I'm all for issuing crossbow permits to those who need them. Any changes to the bill should have considered relaxing the requiremens for obtaining a crossbow permit for the people who ligitimately need a crossbow to hunt. Instead, they extended the courtesy to the general public as well as those who otherwise would not invest the time into learning how to hunt. (the instant gratification generation) Thanks for helping to drive America toward mediocrity. Aside from what this will do to the deer population, it will encourage participation from an element of society that has no respect for themselves let alone our natural resources. In effect, our public lands will now become even more littered with garbage and beer cans, hunter conflicts will increase, and ultimately we will loose more hunters to other states where we can go to enjoy a genine outdoor experience. In short, license revinue will continue to decline and so will our hunter population.

Way too much fiction in your argument. You still have to get extremely close...it is not a rifle! I know archery hunters who shoot out to 50 yards. The deer herd will not suffer and maybe a few less willbe taken by automobiles. The big thing is people like me who cannot use traditional or compoune bows will be back oin the woods. I hunt for the fun and the meat every deer i take is a trophy and I have never had a tastey horn.

I support the vote to allow the use of crossbows during the bow hunting season. Is not the objective of bow season or any season to harvest deer for herd control and food? A bow is a bow tradional long bow, compound or cross bow holding it vertical or horizontal they all use limbs, a string and arrows. This proposed legislation will allow all hunters a chance to enjoy bow season again. Including those who are older or in other ways not capable of using a tradional or compound bow but unable to qualify for cross bow use. Cross bow use is legal in the state of Ohio and seems to be working for them also.

Personally , I think bow hunting is not what it was intended to be . Bows have evolved into 300 + fps arrow launchers . Are todays current bows really that much different than a crossbow ? If you was to turn it sideways and put a fixed trigger on it , what would you have ? Anyways , I think the season should be divided up a little like this : Long and recurve bow , the first 2 weeks .Compound bows 1 week . Crossbows - 1-week . Pistols - 1 week . All of the above ,16 days , starting on the second Saturday of Nov. Back to black powder in early Dec. This would be a start . As it is , I think 6 weeks to the BOW HUNTER is loppsidded . We all pay the same for the right to hunt .

I don't like the idea of everyone being able to hunt with a crossbow. If you are well bodied and able, then get out and hunt with a real bow. I do like the idea of kids being able to use them. Lowering the hunter age to 10 years for bow hunting is a joke. Most children I know, including my own, will not be able to hold their composure well enough to make a clean kill with a traditional bow at 10 years of age. If they experience losing a deer, it may spoil their ideas of hunting and shy them away for the rest of their hunting life. We can't afford to lose another new hunter. There are already not enough of us here.

thats all i have to say

What an intelligent reply .

A crossbow hunter is much less likely to wound a deer because of the increased accuracy over a typical compound and certainly more accurate over a long bow.. how many of us have watched injured deer snekaing through the underbrush and know the original hunter will never find that deer ? How many of us have hit deer in our cars or had near misses ? the deer herd is not going to suffer but mearly have less injured and infected deer for the coyotes. I would agree that "traditional" archers should have a dedicated season similar to blackpowder but who really wants to get tore up by mosquitoes during the first week of October anyway ? If you enjoy the traditional styles then use them, I'm sure those of you against the crossbow rules wouldn't have put up a fight when they started allowing shotguns or rifles over blackpowder...

Anyone who has done any research on crossbows knows the have a very short effective range. I know individuals with the newest technology compound bows that travel faster, hit harder and are accurate at greater distances. So pass the bill to give some those that are not physically able to draw a bow and don't qualify for the disable permit a chance to enjoy bow season.

No body should be harming the woodland creatures anyhow. They are our equals and shoud be protected. You flung your freedoms in trade for safety and received not safety but slavery. What kind of deal is that? Dorothy Anne Seese "Even if animal research resulted in a cure for AIDS, we'd be against it." - Ingrid Newkirk, President and Co-Founder of PETA and Major dem/socialist supporter

I love some of the comments I have read here. The most intelligent of them are correct in saying that the crossbow actually has no more and in most cases less effective range than modern compound bows. Then you have the wacky bowhunters that say only a traditional bow is what should be used. I have news for you, the crossbow dates back to around 2,000 BC in China, how much more traditional can you get? Do you honestly think that no one used it to hunt until just recently? Then there are those that say crossbows will encourage the "wrong type of people" to our sport. Are you insane? I welcome and encourage everyone to experience hunting at least once in their life. How else can they ever understand the joy and enrichment it brings to our lives? If nothing else it brings the extra revenue created through someone buying the equipment, licenses, hotel stays, etc, etc, etc. Then some call crossbow hunters lazy because you only need to sight in the bow for ten minutes and then they are off to the woods. How do you know, have you ever even shot one?. I see the exact same thing at my local archery shop every September where people come in drop money on a new bow, shoot for an hour and load up for the deer woods. Do I advocate this practice? No, but it is currently happening. Does it make them bad or lazy people? No they simply don't know any better since they are just starting in the sport. I would prefer to see these people have the opportunity to make a much cleaner kill with less practice on a crossbow instead of a maiming or a mortal but long painful poorly placed shot from an inexperienced archer with a compound bow. My dad, a life long hunter, turned 70 last Sunday, he has one leg and walks on crutches which have caused enough nerve damage that he can no longer pull a bow of adequate legal weight. He however still doesn't qualify under the states stringent requirements to obtain a crossbow permit. How many healthy 70 year old people do you know that could draw the compound or any other type of bow you use. I have hunted with black powder, shotgun, high power rifle, longbow, recurve and compound bow all here in Michigan. Why is the crossbow the one that is excluded? I wanted a new challenge this year so I purchased a crossbow. I find that you still need to practice with the crossbow to understand what it will do under varying conditions such as range, wind and rain. It is not a fire and forget GPS guided missile. I have booked a hunt in Ohio for this fall so it looks like I will be supporting Ohio's economy to the tune of $2,000 between the license, lodging and guide fees. Wouldn't that be nice to do here in Michigan, a state so strapped for cash? Is the crossbow easier to master than a longbow, recurve or compound bow, absolutely, but so what. In the 25 years I have been hunting the hardest thing to do is to get within bow range of the deer to begin with. That is what hunting is, the weapon is merely a tool to harvest with. Hunters fighting hunters over what tool to use is counter productive and exactly what the bunny hugging anti's want. If you do not want to use a crossbow, god bless you, don't use it! I don't smoke that doesn't mean that I am going to tell you that you can't. End of rant, be safe this hunting season and god bless all, even the bunny huggers.

Why not just let us use guns during bow season? Archery takes skill. Cross bows do not. This will open the woods to the lazy hunters and more animals will be wounded because of it.

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I think that we need to support all types of hunting! I will use a crossbow as I have injured my shoulder and can't pull my compound but I don't qualify under the old rules. I agree with the reply that we are limited to the number of deer we can take so the tools we use should be a personal choice in the given seasons.

The inherent basis for every piece of legislative action as derived from the Constitution should that we as US citizens should have freedom to choose what archery equipment we use during an archery season. By any definition known to man, a crossbow IS archery equipment. Adding to that fact is that there has been no adverse effects by the implementation of the crossbow into an archery season by any State that has already done so, and this should be a no brainer. Give us our Freedom of choice that we deserve as Americans.

What kind of stringed hunting equiptment one uses?

The inherent basis for every piece of legislative action as derived from the Constitution should that we as US citizens should have a freedom of choice. That should include the archery equipment we use during an archery season. By any definition known to man, a crossbow IS archery equipment. Adding to that fact is that there has been no adverse effects by the implementation of the crossbow into an archery season by any State that has already done so, and this should be a no brainer. Give us our Freedom of choice that we deserve as Americans.

for ARCHERY season. A crossBOW is ARCHERY equipment. Even the state recognizes that by way of allowing them for disabled hunters during ARCHERY season. Those that are against it have used no redeeming argument against. Merely that THEY are somehow effected by someone else's decision to utilize a different piece of ARCHERY equipment. You hear that it doesn't take as much skill, as if that's a reason to disallow it. You'll hear that the woods will be overpopulated with hunters and slobs. Would they feel the same way if it was compound or traditional shooters that started increasing in numbers? You'll hear that more deer will be wounded. Yet they'll argue that it's an easier weapon to use. Isn't that a contradiction? The Stae of Michigan instituted a archery season and originally there was nothing not allowing the use of a crossbow. That came later on when an Attorney General used his own opinion to regulate the use of that particular weapon. There is nothing of record for his reasons that I am aware nor is there any comments attributed to those that fought for the season to begin with regarding the use of a crossbow. I believe its fair to say that because of one mans opinion, MI has been left in the dark regarding the use of crossbows since 1940. It's time to see the light and allow for everyone to use the archery weapon of their choice. CHOICE is American!!

Choice is part of being American. If there is no ill affects by including the crossbow, as has been documented by EVERY state that has implemented the crossbow into their archery season, then there is no reason not to allow us a CHOICE.

By Michigans own definition, Crossbow- A weapon consisting of a bow mounted transversely on a stock or frame and designed to fire an arrow, bolt, or quarrel by the release of a bow string controlled by a mechanical or electrical trigger with a working safety and a draw weight of 1000 pounds or greater. the crossbow is without a doubt a bow. And as such should be allowed during ARCHERY season.

no matter how you ge your deer, it still is only a deer. Whether I use a longbow, a recurve, a compound or a crossbow it doesn't change the fact that I can still only get the same amount that I cdould with any other method. If I were to get both my deer with a crossbow, I'd be done hunting the same as I would with a recruve. It's only allowing another choice of weapon. I'm all for more choices. Those that say we may as well allow guns in archery season are being foolish, guns are guns and do not fire arrows and use "Gunpowder" to expel their projectile. Crossbows are archery.

This bill will afford me to be able to bow hunt. I have muscle damage in my right arm but not enough for disability with this bill I can get back to something I love.

Despite the intent of the NRC 2008 changed application process many of the disabled including myself are left out. Criteria 2f that was approved is not on the application form. Also the wording that is to protect against fraud by doctors frightens small town doctors that already have to deal with liability and other legal issues on their own. They are extremely reluctant to deal with this new form. The costs and barriers inherent in this new form again prevent many physically disabled hunters from participating in the archery season. Please vote for full inclusion so no one is left out again.

Freedom Of Choice is what this country was based on, if someone chooses to use a crossbow that should be their freedom to do so!!!!!

Why is it we can use a gun or vertical bow all year long to hunt with, but we are limited to 15 days with a crossbow? Is the crossbow that much better? I do not believe so, and fully support the use of crossbows for all season in the woods. We all should be able to hunt small game, deer, turkey,bear,elk, varmits, and yes even waterfowl with a crossbow, vertical bow, or firearm. By passing of this bill The state of Michigan will be moving forward for once.

your an idiot what will a neighbor or a friend hurt using a crossbow??? what will this do to you as a hunter make you scared well your real fear should be that anybody can sit in the woods drunk from the night before with a 30-06 and shoot the balls off a raccoon at 300 yards. now is a crossbow really going to hurt your hunting????

watch what you say you may offend some people know there reasons

A cross bow is not bow hunting it is a 50 yard gun. We should never let any one use a cross bow during bow season unless they have medical reasons. If you want to use a cross bow during the bow season go to a different state but don't ruin my sport of bowhunting om Michigan.

lazy is correct. I am sorry a cross bow does not need any skill. I have shot my bow about 1000 shots this summer getting ready for the 2008 bow season but you want a cross bow so you practice once and go hunting. yes, you are lazy and I do not care if I offended anyone. Go buy a real bow, practice and go hunting and stop trying to ruin our sport.

Great go to Ohio!! Bow Hunting in Michigan is pure and fun. Trust me, the state is making money on the Michigan hunters and we do not need Cross bow's in our woods unless you have a handicap. This is just an excuss for the lazy guy that does not want to practice and go bow hunting. Have a good time in Ohio.

why do you care what someone else hunts with? How will this harm you in any way? If crossbows are for "lazy people" what are rifles for? Maybe you want to ban all hunting except for the kinds you like?

PASS THIS BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES YES YES I've been a vertical bowhunter for years! Crossbow hunting IS still archery hunting it is not ANY easier to kill a deer with a crossbow than a vertical bow. practice is the key for ANY weapon that you hunt with. How many people enter the woods with a rifle during the gun deer season and take crazy,impossible "long range shots" because they have a "long range" rifle? How many deer are wounded by gun hunters during the firearm season? Let this bill pass! Why complain about a person wanting to use a cossbow to hunt with when you allow the new inline black powder rifles to be used during the "primitive" firearms season? Please look at the statistics for the other states that allow the use of crossbows and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pass this bill!!!!!

pretty soon we'll have cluster-bomb-hunting-from-Cessnas season. After the first good rain we can have napalm season... cook it as you kill it. Or, perhaps, some visionary such as myself can invent the Buckskin-Piercing Light Anti-Deer Weapon. AH! better yet, an acoustic deer torpedo powered by moose flatulence that skims over the forest floor on a layer of compressed methane that explodes when it "hears" antlers being rubbed on tree trunks! Yes, why should civilized men interefere with a hunter's choice of weapons?

Once again the only reason you can give for not passing the bill is that it will attract LAZY hunters. And my response once again is, SO WHAT? A hunter is a hunter. You say crossbows should only be for the handicaped. Well with the current law many handicaped hunters, including my father as well as many older hunters who simply can not draw a 45 pound minimum bow anymore, still do not qualify for a crossbow permit. Many of these people are life long hunters and are shut out of a sport they love. I would love to hear a real argument about how it would negatively effect the deer heard or your personal hunting enjoyment. You still have the same hunting laws in effect. I am sure if it was 1960 you would be rallying to dissallow compound bows in field as it would give the hunter the unfair advantage of being able to hold the bow at full draw for a few more seconds. Oh and I will also be taking my father to Maryland hunting where he is free to use a crossbow. More money for another state. I know that I will have a great time there also, because I will be hunting with my dad!

How would this ruin your sport? Can you please elaborate, If possible, with something other than crossbows are only for lazy people? You still have the same kill quotas. So if you say more people will be able to go into the woods and hunt deer, my response would have to be ... Good, there are too deer many in this state as it is! Maybe one less person will be killed in a car deer accident! Hey there's an idea, cars kill deer, that's not sporting and according to you that might ruin your hunting, so lets ban cars!