It was inevitable: Michigan’s New Crossbow Regulations
I’ve been ignoring this for awhile, because of the mixed emotions it creates, and because I’ve covered this particular topic a couple of times on this blog already. But rather than ignore the huge purple elephant in the room, I figured now was as good of a time as any to bring this topic, once again, to the forefront on this blog.
Hold on to your hats everyone, because I’m about to mention an ugly word: crossbow.
Now that we have that behind us, everyone can now start screaming or breathe their sigh of relief that I didn’t mention something worse like the HSUS, or PETA, and we can move on to the business at hand.
Back in the March, Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission voted to expand the crossbow hunting opportunities in the state. The main changes are these:
Crossbows may be used by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting deer season statewide.
Crossbows may be used by any hunter age 12 and older during any hunting season in Zone 3 (southern Michigan), including the bow hunting season.
Crossbows may be used during any season in which a firearm may be used, for both big and small game statewide
At this point in time, and contrary to my feelings on this issue a few years ago, I am completely fine with these new regulations. And considering the main area I hunt is within Zone 3, these crossbow regulations could very much impact me……or not. I do not plan to take up crossbow hunting, but I will be welcoming anyone who chooses to do so.
I also think the Michigan NRC is going about this the right way. They are easing into this controversial topic, and allowing these current regulations to only be valid for three years. In the meantime they will be requiring all crossbow hunters to acquire – a free of charge – crossbow stamp as well. This will help them to keep track of the crossbow hunters, and allow them to conduct surveys that reflect the success rates of those particular hunters.
How this will impact the archery season, and the deer herd remains to be seen. After reading a few informative articles about the impact of crossbows in other states – where these weapons are already legal – I don’t foresee these new regulations having any impact at all. And even if crossbows did slightly increase the deer harvest numbers in the lower part of the state, isn’t that a good thing, considering the amount of deer we have down here?
At this point, I believe crossbows are going to allow a few more opportunities for people to enter the woods and hunt. With our declining hunting numbers, isn’t that a positive side-effect of the new regulations as well?
In Michigan, crossbows are now a reality, and the next three years of data will tell the story – whether crossbows encourage new hunters to join our ranks, and what exactly their impact on the deer herd will truly be.
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Glad to see some reason on this issue. We just had this debate in Pennsylvania, and rarely have I have seen such hostility and obnoxiousness in our own people. Granted, I’m a gun girl. I don’t do archery, and I have no interest in it beyond supporting one’s right to participate & hunt. But when I was volunteering at the NRA booth at a sportsmen’s show here, there were guys so outraged about the idea that they were willing to stop supporting every pro-hunting group they could name who didn’t line up 100% with their position. And, of course, the debate brought out the “best” (heavy sarcasm) in their demeanor.
One of the outdoor rights in the area made me laugh when he told my boyfriend that he’s been around long enough to remember when the same kinds of people had the same response to every other kind of new technology that’s ever been allowed in the field.
Who needs HSUS & PETA when we have friends like this?
That said, I don’t know that crossbows will do much of anything to bring people into the ranks of archery hunting. The biggest problem that hunting has is how few hunters actually invite anyone to go along. It’s the hunting community as a whole who will grow the sport and turn declines around. One technology may make a little more friendly to newcomers, but the fundamentals still lie in hunters reaching out to non-hunters.
My hubby is considering getting a crossbow because of the extensive back injuries he’s suffered. In our state they are legal for anyone with a doctor’s note stating that they have injuries that make it difficult for them to use a standard compound bow.
I like the approach your state is taking.
Good for Michigan. My Pops in law has been shooting one for awhile and hasn’t decimated the animal population.
Some folks are just strange – if they don’t understand it, they’re against it.
Crossbows are legal for anyone statewide here in Virginia; have been for two or three years, and it really hasn’t been a big deal. I’ve hunted with a borrowed crossbow a few times, and it’s not that much easier than hunting with a compound bow.
Hi,
i am kinga, from Bhutan(south to china/north to India) its a small kingdom. Recently i went throug your thoughts and i am impressed. well i am really intrested to have one cross bow since child wood days and even tried making for self…but didn’t mean for hunting.
If possible will i be able to get a book or catalog from which i can make one of those.
Hope, you will send some.
Thanks,
kinga.