Published: June 28, 2008 11:58 pm            

JOE GORDEN | Crossbows gaining acceptance

Those who would like to see crossbows accepted as general archery deer-hunting tackle have done well lately.

As reported last week, state Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Patton, introduced House Bill 2653 on June 18 in an effort to get crossbows approved for hunting across the board. With 55 co-sponsors, including local representatives Bob Bastian, R-Somerset, and Johnstown Democrats Ed Wojnaroski and Tom Yewcic, the bill looks as though it’s got a good shot at passage.

Then, near the end of Tuesday’s quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Commissioner Russ Schleiden of Centre County instructed agency staff to prepare a report for the Oct. 23-24 commission meeting on the ramifications of approving crossbows for general use in hunting all species in all seasons.

Specifically, that would legalize them for hunting deer during archery season, as the commission has gradually expanded their use through the years to all other types of hunting.

Now, their only legal use is in archery season by properly permitted hunters whose doctors have certified them too physically impaired to draw and hold a long bow or compound bow.

Schleiden said his request was in response to public interest.

“I think we should note on the record that most things we do are for a perceived need or a desire from some groups,” he said.

But, Commissioner Tom Boop of Northumberland County took exception, pointing out that most testimony offered through the years to the commissioners in favor of legalizing crossbows has come either from manufacturers or their representatives.

“There seems to be much interest downtown and here,” he said. “But, this seems to be driven by manufacturers rather than our stakeholder groups.”

After the meeting, Boop and Schleiden briefly debated the matter, with Schleiden saying he felt there was more public interest than Boop suspected. He also said that he felt it was time to allow crossbows across the board, pointing out that they are now allowed for deer hunting in all but archery season. He said removing that final barrier would make it easier for young hunters to take up archery, help older hunters practice it longer, and provide an incentive for women to give it a try.

“I do know that sales of those additional licenses will help this agency,” he said.

For some time, crossbow use was limited to hunters with permanent disabilities that kept them from drawing and holding a conventional bow. Other than that, the devices were on the state Legislature’s list of prohibited hunting arms. But, the General Assembly took crossbows off that list in 2001, and created a one-year crossbow permit that allowed hunters with temporary injuries to use them in archery season.

Gradually, the game commissioners approved crossbows for archery seasons in special-regulation areas, then during muzzleloader and flintlock seasons, and finally made them legal statewide for bear and elk and during any regular firearms season for deer.

They also won approval for spring gobbler hunting, which brings us to the point – as Schleiden mentioned – that the only group of people who are not allowed to use them are able-bodied hunters, and then only for deer during the regular archery season.

That is almost entirely because of the adamant opposition of the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, which has managed to keep that final prohibition in place so far.

Whether it can muster enough clout to maintain it remains to be seen.



Joe Gorden is the outdoors writer for The Tribune-Democrat.

        

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