Montana x-bows illegal

Arizona Example - "Give an inch and they will take a mile"

The elusive AZ archery Strip tag for monster mule deer — In AZ, if ya got a sore shoulder you can get a doctors note and hunt with a crossbow. My friend had this elusive permit and came across two very healthy 30 year olds hunting legally with their crossbows. It just goes to show ya, if ya make a loophole in the system, some poor sap will take advantage of it!

So Leedslinger/MT257/Feenix, keep Montana Hunting honest and legitimate.

So how do you know they didn't have issues? I know of two people that are younger, in pretty good shape and would have a hard time with a bow. I had issues with my shoulder that didn't allow me to pull my bow back for about 2 years before my surgery and I work out regularly. Was your friend making assumptions?
 
I am mainly a Bowhunter here in AZ. I do my rifle hunting in CO. In AZ, crossbows are legal during archery season, with a Doctor's excuse. I know for a fact, the system is abused. With that being said, I feel that, for the most part, crossbows are somewhat of a handicap compared to using a bow to hunt. Yes they might have a first shot advantage in distance and accuracy, but it goes downhill from there. The noise is also a huge issue for me. Also,the chances of making a follow up shot, if necessary, are almost nonexistent. Where I totally disagree with AZ, is they allow the use of air bows during archery season. I ran into a guy last year who was taking shots at elk from 120+ yards. I believe he finally took one at an extended range. Don't get me wrong, it's done on occasion by archers, but it's not the norm. I consider archery, crossbows and even muzzleloaders, to some extent, to be primitive weapons. An air bow crosses the line for me! For archery, the projectile should at least be propelled by a string!
 
As far as the system being abused. I hate to be negative Nancy but how does one not figure it'll be abused. No different than all these people who got green cards before dope was legalized. Your telling me everyone of those card carriers really had an issue?
 
Take it or leave it is all I gotta say. If you want to hunt in our state don't complain. Your general tag is good for archery and rifle so if you are not able to hunt with a bow as per our archery laws then wait until rifle season or hunt somewhere else. It's as easy as that.

And threatening us with a lawsuit??? Best of luck with your attorney. You knew the hunting laws when you applied for a tag. The only joke will be you when the Judge throws the case out of court. That is if you can even find an attorney dumb enough to try the case. Do us all a favor and just stay home. You will not be welcome in Montana.
Come on Ledd. What is with your hostility? It is sadly apparent that you do not understand the impact of a disability. Consider apologizing. LRH members should be supportive. If you disagree with someone's post, think first and then reply tactfully. There is already enough hate in this world
 
Lotsa fired up people here. I hunt with a vertical bow, crossbow and rifle and wish everyone one success in their respective seasons (I've had 2 shoulder reconstructions and still enjoy using my vertical bow albeit with less poundage that I used to). Hunt what ya' can, when ya' can and as often as ya' can. I'm going fishing until archery opens in a few weeks :p
 
Come on Ledd. What is with your hostility? It is sadly apparent that you do not understand the impact of a disability. Consider apologizing. LRH members should be supportive. If you disagree with someone's post, think first and then reply tactfully. There is already enough hate in this world
He says he's disabled, yet talks about hiking in the mountains. Can obviously draw a compound bow under his own power to use the draw lock system, but that's not good enough. He wants a crossbow. I was actually concerned and sympathetic as I first began to read his post until I got to the snowflake liberal part about getting a lawyer and suing the state. That's what tipped me over the edge. I'll snarl and fight that every time to keep people from turning Montana into anything else than what it is right now.
 
Have two seasons- Firearms-run what you brung, and a hunt with whatever you want during a "Limited Range Weapons" season. The limiting factor is that it can't propel it's projectile faster than 250fps.
 
While I understand that each state should be entitled to it's own rules, I don't think that rule is a reasonable one. However, if Montanas want it, as others have said, then to each their own. Based on what I have seen with the compound bows of today, anyone who claims there is an advantage with a crossbow is kidding themselves. There are many vertical bows that are faster with heavier arrows than my crossbow can shoot. I used to hunt with a recurve but lost the ability to draw a vertical bow due to my service-connected injuries and subsequent injuries due to improper treatment by the VA. Take away my ability to use a crossbow and you reduce my time in the woods. I struggle to even walk some days, so I'm already reduced. Not asking or wanting sympathy but providing an alternate side to the issue. Thankfully, I live in a state that does allow disabled hunters some leeway when it comes to this. Like I said before, to each their own. I spent a year in a war zone for the country making sure we all had our freedoms. I don't ever regret that! Someday I hope to be able to get to do a dream hunt out west...even if I have to use a rifle.🙂
 
I thought this was a "long range" hunting forum. Interesting discussion on archery... but decidedly NOT long range...
Long range IS determined by an individual not the masses.
I live in NJ where the longest shot on game for me was about 45 yards. My longest kill ever was 97 yards in SC hunt. So to me if i saw a deer at 250 i woukd be like holy cow thats FOREVER.. too everyone else its a duck shot. So no one can say to anyone what is long range
 
While I understand that each state should be entitled to it's own rules, I don't think that rule is a reasonable one. However, if Montanas want it, as others have said, then to each their own. Based on what I have seen with the compound bows of today, anyone who claims there is an advantage with a crossbow is kidding themselves. There are many vertical bows that are faster with heavier arrows than my crossbow can shoot. I used to hunt with a recurve but lost the ability to draw a vertical bow due to my service-connected injuries and subsequent injuries due to improper treatment by the VA. Take away my ability to use a crossbow and you reduce my time in the woods. I struggle to even walk some days, so I'm already reduced. Not asking or wanting sympathy but providing an alternate side to the issue. Thankfully, I live in a state that does allow disabled hunters some leeway when it comes to this. Like I said before, to each their own. I spent a year in a war zone for the country making sure we all had our freedoms. I don't ever regret that! Someday I hope to be able to get to do a dream hunt out west...even if I have to use a rifle.🙂
I can appreciate that but the ease of becoming efficient with a crossbow is a few hours. Becoming experienced with Bow is a years long process. Some don't want to dedicate the time and practice involved in becoming a skilled Archer. My 82 year old father is unable to pull his bow back anymore, know what he uses now, his model 99 284 Winchester during rifle season. Even if he could use a crossbow during archery he wouldn't as he feels it's a unfair advantage over the quarry and the Archer that has spent years practicing and trying to perfect his skill. Thank you for your service!
 
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