BCWF supports BAN on crossbow scopes

[358mag]

So what's the motivation behind this enforcement? Too much harvest? Been hearing the talk of banning target turrets as well...whats the deal? Is the anti hunting gov't just trying to edge us out one useless rule at a time?

Hate to say this , but we as hunters are our own worse enemy . The government + greenies know that and they play us according .

[chilcotin hillbilly]

So what's the motivation behind this enforcement? Too much harvest? Been hearing the talk of banning target turrets as well...whats the deal? Is the anti hunting gov't just trying to edge us out one useless rule at a time?

the thinking behind the scoped crossbows was the huge increase in moose harvest in region 6 and 4 during the moose bow season. The options given to the review committee was shorten the bow seasons to a couple days only, remove the GOS bow season and go to total LEH, or eliminating crossbows all together during bow seasons like many other jurisdictions

[Piperdown]

the thinking behind the scoped crossbows was the huge increase in moose harvest in region 6 and 4 during the moose bow season. The options given to the review committee was shorten the bow seasons to a couple days only, remove the GOS bow season and go to total LEH, or eliminating crossbows all together during bow seasons like many other jurisdictions

I would like to know where they got that data as they even admitted in the proposal that they don't know the numbers because it is not asked in the hunter survey mail out. I hunt 6-04, and know of 1 bull that was harvested where i hunt this past season

[limit time]

the thinking behind the scoped crossbows was the huge increase in moose harvest in region 6 and 4 during the moose bow season. The options given to the review committee was shorten the bow seasons to a couple days only, remove the GOS bow season and go to total LEH, or eliminating crossbows all together during bow seasons like many other jurisdictions

Where can a person find the data on the “stats” ? I would like to read them.

[ElectricDyck]

From my understanding the region 6 moose numbers are doing fine...Indians just want to get an easy moose and are putting more and more pressure on the gov't to get a bigger piece of the pie...and it seems to be working....wonder how many cows are shot off sleds in the winter? Guess we'll never know..

No..no..it's the crossbow scope, that's the problem...

[Ron.C]

Where can a person find the data on the “stats” ? I would like to read them.

As would I. I've taken my share of game bow hunting from GOS to LEH and I've never been asked what sort of archery equipment I used?

This is all BS. Unless you have all the data "ALL MORTALITY" data you are just targetting the low hanging fruit in an attempt to justify a perceived problem or you have another agenda.

How many of the moose in these areas get killed by predators, parasites, FN, Non FN, poaching, vehicle collisions, shot legally and not recovered, and on and on. But let's go after a specific group. And who benefits from the change?

If there is a management concern, do the research and prove it. Id rather see seasons go LEH then target one group within a specific group. To me this is driving a wedge in the hunting community and if I were an anti hunter I'd be laughing my ass off right now.

[IronNoggin]

the thinking behind the scoped crossbows was the huge increase in moose harvest in region 6 and 4 during the moose bow season. The options given to the review committee was shorten the bow seasons to a couple days only, remove the GOS bow season and go to total LEH, or eliminating crossbows all together during bow seasons like many other jurisdictions

The information suggesting the "huge increase" during the bow session is subjective at best, and therefore suspect.
As it was presented and then supported by biased sources, it is further suspect.

The reaction of the government in the options it presented is nothing more than Government Over-Reach. Period.
To suggest any of them were necessary Province Wide was and is beyond LUDICROUS.
To then openly state that the options and subsequent decisions came directly from those on the panel, rather than the government itself, was dishonest and intentional misdirection.

Again, Say When and reap the consequences...
Nog

[Piperdown]

From my understanding the region 6 moose numbers are doing fine...Indians just want to get an easy moose and are putting more and more pressure on the gov't to get a bigger piece of the pie...and it seems to be working....wonder how many cows are shot off sleds in the winter? Guess we'll never know..

No..no..it's the crossbow scope, that's the problem...

Just got from the cabin in 6-04, most moose sign i have seen in probably at least 6 years, tracks every where and saw a lot of moose, very good calf/cow recruitment. Positive thing is not much for wolf sign, from personal observations the bear population is the issue, so remember to buy your bear tags and help do your part!!

[Onesock]

Why would a moose shortage have any consequences for blacktail deer on Vancouver Island or Whitetail deer in Cranbrook/Rock Creek? There is more afoot than we arebeing told!!!

[IronNoggin]

Nope. The strongest statement yet from the BCWF:

The BCWF does NOT support the proposed ban on scoped technology on bows during any hunting season.
I wrote the following short essay explaining my reasoning.


Chuck Zuckerman


Is the Crossbow Scopes Regulation Proposal a scientifically based -recommendation or a public relations faux pas?
If the optics on a crossbow are viewed as a temptation for a hunter to shoot further than they are capable of, then this proposal should be accepted; however, if optics are viewed as a tool to more effectively harvest game in an ethical and humane manner then the proposal must fail.


If you believe that the accuracy of your shot greatly improves with a cross hair scope on a bow as opposed to using a distance pin system you would be against this regulation proposal to banish scopes from bows.
Further, if achieving greater accuracy was the intention of the proposal, then incorporating a range finder in to the scope would make more sense than clumsily holding a range finder in one hand while you positioned your bow for the desired accurate humane shot, again not banishing scopes from bows.


What needs to be considered is that the method of harvest is secondary to the ethical use of the harvesting tool. Once the tool user has a sufficient skill level the association of similar harvesting tools during a season is of no concern.
The opportunity to hunt a week before the beginning of the general hunting season is available to anyone who wishes to purchase a bow or crossbow and become proficient with it.


The season provides a unique opportunity to encourage, recruit, and retain hunters because it is prior to the beginning of school, as well being the only convenient time available for some participants.
Our youth is the future and further opportunities must be made available to them.


More restrictions also affect the economics of hunting.
Sporting goods providers generally, and archery suppliers and local businesses specifically will lose the revenue generated by this early season hunt.


Additionally gathering harvesting and observation data would be diminished because there would be observers available for reporting.
The emphasis should be the teaching of ethics not legislating morality.


The CORE program of the BC Provincial Government, delivered by the BCWF, devotes the entire Chapter 2 Ethics of the CORE manual to that subject.


The Chapter paraphrased reads:
Ethics are standards of behaviour which are generally considered to be morally correct.
Personal ethics are unwritten laws that govern your behaviour when you are alone or with others.
Your personal code of ethics is based on your respect for other people and their property, for all living things, their environment and your own image of yourself.


Hunters have a Code of Ethics and they are judged in society by the values and deeds of each member and those of the hunting group as a whole.

Without the Code of Ethics developed by hunters over the years, today’s society would not tolerate hunting for long in spite of its long and significant role in human history.


Hunting ethics support behaviour that emphasizes the quality of the hunting experience and the way the hunt is conducted.
A hunter’s pursuit of game should always be governed by the “fair chase” principle.


“Fair Chase is the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild, native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals. Free-ranging is any native North American big game animal that is unrestricted within its biological home range, has adequate protective cover, and reasonable opportunity to elude the hunter.” The Boone & Crockett Club


Achieving these ethical guidelines will demonstrate your respect for wildlife:
1. Before you go hunting be certain your harvesting instrument is accurately sighted in and is suitable for the species you plan to hunt.
2. Practice using the harvesting tool and learn to safely and effectively use it. Learn the distance at which you can be most confident in harvesting game quickly and humanely.
3. Don’t shoot until you have a clear shot at a vital part of the animal.
4. Make sure you have properly identified the species and get as close as possible to the target.
5. Make certain it is completely safe to take the shot.
6. Determine that you can recover the animal considering its location, the time of day, and the time that may be needed 
for retrieval?
7. Make every effort to find the animal. The law requires you to remove all edible portions of your harvested prey.

8. If you miss a shot, carefully examine the place where the animal was to ensure that it was not hit.

9. Wait for 10-15 minutes before pursuing the animal.


The attached chart shows that every State allows crossbows with scopes, except for Oregon. Fifteen of fifty states have age restrictions for crossbow use, however all states allow the disabled to use crossbows throughout their hunting seasons.
It could be argued that the use of crossbows is safer than the use of firearms because their effective range is usually less than 50 yards. Their use beyond seventy yards can be problematic.


Limiting available technology rather than emphasizing its ethical use would be similar to restricting the taking of rifle shot to a maximum of two hundred yards because it is assumed most people could not shoot that far accurately.
I do not support restricting the ethical use of technology.


Chuck Zuckerman