Crossbows

[Steve-o]

Crossbows Comprise 40 Percent of Archery Deer Harvest in Minnesota. They’ve Been Legal for 10 Days

Minnesota’s first-ever crossbow season is off to a roaring start, as evidenced by the nearly 800 deer that crossbow hunters have harvested since the archery opener on Sept. 16. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources pointing out that those 790 deer comprised around 40 percent of the archery deer harvest so far.

“I’m really not anticipating that our overall or total deer harvest is going to change substantially due to this. And that’s based on what other states have seen that have made this change,” MDNR big game program leader Barb Keller said. “I do expect that we’re going to have a higher archery season deer harvest, but many of those will be potentially people moving over that were traditionally firearms deer hunters, deciding instead to partake in this earlier season.”

That shift could result in a skewed antlerless harvest this year. Based on Minnesota’s current permit allocation model, archery hunters have more access to antlerless permits than gun hunters do. That means wildlife managers will be on the lookout for a higher number of does harvested than usual, Keller said.

Despite popular opinion, our testing shows that crossbows are not more accurate than top-end compound bow at distances of 50 yards. Crossbows do, however, have an edge at greater distances. It’s also generally easier for someone with little to no experience to grab a crossbow and shoot accurately; a compound bow usually requires consistent practice to maintain accuracy.

[Jerkbiat]

I wonder how many of those were hunters that harvested a deer with a compound last year and went to xbow this year?

[roony]

Sounds like sales of crossbows is nutz.

[LPS]

 Do they really know how many were shot with crossbows?

[Steve-o]

Not sure.  Maybe they are asking a new question this year when you register an archery deer. 

[Jerkbiat]

Exactly Steve. When you register an archery deer you are supposed to select traditional or xbow when registering.

[Leech~~]

Crossbows Comprise 40 Percent of Archery Deer Harvest in Minnesota. They’ve Been Legal for 10 Days


It’s also generally easier for someone with little to no experience to grab a crossbow and shoot accurately; a compound bow usually requires consistent practice to maintain accuracy.[/color]

THIS!   My first two shots ever with my new crossbow at about 30-35yards off the hood!   

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[glenn57]

well..........iffin you aint just a regular robin hood!!!!!!!!!!

[deadeye]

Leech~, Now you know why a crossbow bag has all the little targets. 

[Steve-o]

It will be interesting to look at the harvest statistics.  It seems like the number of antlerless permits in the state are the same or lower than last year.  We'll have to wait and see if the doe harvest is up because of crossbows.

I'm starting to form the opinion, go ahead and use crossbows in the archery season, but if you want to shoot a doe, you better have drawn an antlerless permit.

[Leech~~]

Leech~, Now you know why a crossbow bag has all the little targets. 

Thanks for the tip! 
I'm not new to bow hunting just trying a crossbow. My first bow kill came off a 55lb Herders recurve about 35 years ago!