Crossbows: Legal or Not?

If there is one debate that never seems to end here in the mighty Midwest, it is the debate over the use of crossbows during the general archery season. Most states in the country offer the option of using a crossbow to hunters with physical limitations or disabilities. But a number of states allow crossbows to be used by all hunters during general archery seasons -- Ohio immediately comes to mind here in the Midwest.

In the south, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and Georgia all allow hunters to use crossbows during the archery season.

For many, many years, Michigan hunters have gone back and forth over the pros and cons of crossbows. Well, the debate seems to have kicked up a notch. About a month ago, a bill was introduced into the Michigan legislature that would make crossbow use legal by all hunters during the state's archery season. The bill overwhelmingly passed out of the Michigan house and was just moved this week into the Senate's committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.

The politicians have recessed for the summer so the bill won't be considered until they return in September. But the debate has certainly picked up pace in light of this action. Ironically, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, is expected to discuss relaxing the regulations in place for obtaining a handicapped permit for crossbow use at its next monthly meeting. Of course, the legislation, if passed, would overrule those regulations but clearly crossbows are on the minds of Michigan hunters.

The organization I work for, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, a non-profit conservation group formed by hunters and anglers in 1937, has discussed this issue at its annual convention on an annual basis and has never adopted a resolution in favor of crossbow use by all during the general archery season. Personally, I don't have strong feelings on the issue. But I do wonder if maybe we've argued over this issue long enough. It's not healthy for hunters to face off against each other and the crossbow issue has us at odds with each other on a continual basis.

So, I'd like to hear from those hunters whose states allow crossbows during the archery season? Has it had a major impact? Or is it all much ado about nothing?

Tony Hansen, Michigan Man