Crossbows in Archery Seasons
January 25, 2009

The longstanding issue of crossbows in archery seasons took on a new perspective on January 16, 2009, when the National Rifle Association (NRA) sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Game Commission supporting crossbows in archery seasons. Their statement reads "NRA strongly advocates for any expansion of hunter opportunity and choice when there is no biological reason to oppose the expansion." The entire letter is posted on the NRA website.

Bowhunting organizations and individual bowhunters have responded to NRA in strong opposition to that position. MBI has long had the position that crossbows definitely do not belong in the Minnesota archery season. MBI has testified at the legislature opposing any such move. MBI remains supportive of the existing Minnesota regulation allowing disabled hunters to use a crossbow within the archery season. MBI has taken no position relative to crossbow use during rifle seasons. MBI is continuing to fight against crossbows in the archery season and will keep members informed about any proposed legislation or additional related information.

MBI is an active member of the North American Bowhunting Coalition (NABC). On January 21, 2009, NABC responded to the NRA in strong opposition of the support for crossbows in archery seasons. A copy of the NABC letter was also forwarded to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

In August 2005 the NABC and its members created a position paper relative to crossbows in archery seasons. That position paper and the names of the supporting coalition members is available in PDF format: NABC Crossbow Position Paper

On a related note, PSE at the recent Archery Trade Association show was marketing their new TAC 15 crossbow with a claimed accuracy of 1-inch at 100 yards. Just what we don't need in archery seasons! If you haven't seen the video from the show here is a link to it.

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