Two guest columnists take a pro/con look at legalizing crossbows in New York State | syracuse.com

By David Figura/The Post-Standard

June 04, 2010, 7:55AM

SHOULD CROSSBOWS BE LEGALIZED IN NY? NO

By Gary Socola

Some people believe they cannot bowhunt because they cannot draw a bow weight of 60-70 pounds. Without knowing the alternatives, they believe the only recourse is the crossbow.

Not true.

In New York, the minimum bow weight for hunting is 35 pounds. Compound bows can reduce the holding weight by as much as 80 percent. Therefore, a 35-pound bow would have a holding weight of only 7 pounds.

Plus, equipment is available that allows all but the most severely disabled hunters to bowhunt with a Modified Archer's Permit. The permit allows a locking device to be attached to the bow to hold the arrow at full draw. The permit is available from the DEC for $5.

Many disabled hunters use these devices with their conventional bows to hunt each fall in this state.

A Modified Crossbow Permit is also available from the DEC for the most severely handicapped individuals.

Why would anyone need a crossbow if legal, adaptive equipment is available for a $5 permit from the state? People might say that they don't want to use adaptive equipment on their bows, yet they would use adaptive equipment such as a mechanical cocking device to cock their crossbow.

Crossbow proponents say their use will assist youth and woman hunters and will recruit new hunters. Not true.  Click Link Below for Full Story!

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