Crossbows

Recently, the crossbow has been receiving quite a bit of exposure in the Texas media. Positive and negative comments have been creating controversy amongst hunters. Currently, crossbows are legal to use for hunting in Texas’ general deer hunting season but they are not legal to use during archery season. (See TP & W regulations).

I have used crossbows for years and support the use of crossbows during archery season. The effectiveness of crossbows quickly taking down game is the latest reason some use for not legalizing them during archery season.

Crossbows shoot as accurately and as effectively as any modern compound bow. Having hunted with them from Africa to Texas and taken some huge animals with crossbows, I feel I am well versed on this misunderstood hunting tool.

A well-placed arrow from a crossbow quickly takes down game. Recently my 12-year-old son used his crossbow to take a record book Black Bear. At 12 yards, the arrow passed completely through the bear and we recovered the bruin less than 40 yards away. Quick, humane and very effective.

With participation in hunting dropping and the population of deer steadily rising, the crossbow could be a Godsend for TP & W and others. The crossbow could recruit more hunters as well as retain more participants who already hunt. The advantage of crossbows is merely they are easier to shoot than a compound. Otherwise, there is no advantage.

The way I see it, the crossbow will remain a hot topic among Texas hunters until they realize that crossbows effectively take down big game animals just as ethically as a modern compound bow.