Public Hearing on HB 968...

[DoubleJ]

The biggest support for the crossbows comes from the Archery Trade Association. Everyone of you that buys commercial bows, arrows, stands, broadheads or any other archery equipment supports the members of the ATA. The NRA was there but they are not the reason.

I will keep my membership to the NRA, TSRA etc.

[Thump1]

Here's a copy of NRA's email-alert for their PA crossbow campaign. For the NRA its a nationwide issue. Stepping stone to place muzzle loaders into all state bow seasons. That's why the NRA and TSRA were there.

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Your Help is Needed to Expand Hunting Opportunities in the Keystone State!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Please Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission Today!

Over the last several years, there has been a growing debate concerning the use of crossbows in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, January 27, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will be voting on a proposal that would make Pennsylvania the twelfth state to allow the use of crossbows during the state archery season.

The Commission will take public remarks on Sunday, January 25 at 1:00 p.m. The doors will open at noon and you must register at that time to speak at the hearing. The Commission will again take public remarks on Monday, January 26 at 8:30 a.m. The doors will open at 7:45 a.m. and, again, you must sign up to voice your opinion.

NRA strongly advocates for any expansion of hunter opportunity and choice when there is no biological reason to oppose the expansion. In fact, states that have allowed the use of crossbows have been able to maintain healthy wildlife populations. Additionally, the recruitment and retention of hunters has improved by removing crossbow restrictions. At a time when the number of hunters is declining, nothing is more important than the ongoing effort to preserve and strengthen our hunting heritage. To read NRA’s letter to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, please click here.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has received input on both sides of the issue from stakeholders concerning this proposed change. It’s time the Pennsylvania Game Commission hear from the very sportsmen and hunters they represent. There is little doubt that non-hunters and animal “rights” forces will be active in making their voices heard, so it is vital that sportsmen speak loudly.

Your calls are working, so please continue contacting the members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and respectfully ask that they act to preserve our cherished hunting heritage by voting for the inclusion of crossbows during the state archery season.

Contact information for the Game Commission can be found below.

[DZaidle]

This whole muzzleloader business is just more knee-jerk rhetoric, but in the unlikely event such an attempt occurred in Texas, I would help fight it tooth and nail.

[tinman]

That last part is good to hear, Don...would be nice to agree with you (guys) about something.

Seriously, there's no rhetoric to it...two of the people who were at the Senate hearing supporting HB968 were discussing "opening up one long general season" and everybody could just "hunt with whatever they want to"...who needs a "special season"????

With support from groups like the NRA/SCI pushing it, how far fetched is it to think that some of these same people will be back (without their crossbow-buddies) next session to push this agenda next? Why wouldn't they?

BTW, I still don't think that when Fred Bear challenged hunters to become a "two season hunter" that he meant to do so by changing the rules to either of the seasons. The structure that was fought for by Mr. Bear on a national scale and by many, many LSBA members here in Texas has been compromised by this and the door is wide open now for a "primitive arms" season to replace the "archery season" with basically the same arguements on our side to stop it. Hopefully, some of the crossbow supporters will fight with us when/if that happens.

Anyhow, even though we (still) disagree, it's good to see you posting, Don. You should consider coming to the LSBA Banquet next month and meeting some of us and having a good time...I promise not to make you wear a sign that says, "I love my crossbow".

[DZaidle]

Originally Posted by tinman

You should consider coming to the LSBA Banquet next month and meeting some of us and having a good time...I promise not to make you wear a sign that says, "I love my crossbow".

Don't have to--I have a T-shirt...