Crucial Time For Crossbow Support

The Crossbow Coalition wants to remind sportsmen that the State Legislature is back in session and the next few weeks will be crucial in getting legislation passed that will allow crossbows full inclusion with compound or longbows in the same season. The argument that “crossbows are not archery” was debunked by the Region 7 rep of NY Bow, Inc. who was writing in the Spring 2022 issue of Full Draw magazine. He wrote that he was unable to use his compound due to injury and used a crossbow and thoroughly enjoyed it. Less than 48 hours later the online pdf was edited to remove that information.

In the meantime the current president of NY Bow Inc wrote a lengthy commentary in New York Outdoor News claiming that because overwhelming numbers have not signed up for the two week season there is no support for crossbows. Duh!

Why bother? He vowed that NYB will continue to fight against an inclusion of crossbows in the special archery season because crossbows are easier to draw and use.

Apparently they believe that there should be a “degree of difficulty” factor like there is in Olympic sports. They have vowed to oppose any inclusion of crossbows.

It is imperative that legislators and legislative leaders hear from the majority of sportsmen and women if a meaningful crossbow season is to happen. There is also time to make a short video with your cellphone stating why you want a crossbow bill to pass, and send it to info@nycrossbowcoalition.com.

Other states have given full inclusion to crossbows in the archery season and it has not meant any catastrophe for the deer herd, the end of hunting by compound bowhunters, or the demise of civilization as we know it.

These same arguments were heard when our generation fought for the right of bowhunters to have a separate season. We eventually won but now the current leadership of New York Bowhunters want to throw them under the bus. If anyone needs names or contact information of legislative leaders, or other information for making their support known, check the website of the Crossbow Coalition at www.nycrossbowcoalition.com