Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Alright I heard you the first time.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Our hobby is archery, more specifically 3D target shooting. The 3D, sometimes life size, models are place in woodland in various positions around the course. You get so many points for a "kill" so many for a "wound". You need skill to be able to do it properly, and that skill comes from practice. We use traditional sightless bows and arrows so we are less likely to score a kill than if we used say; a recurve, or a compound, or a crossbow. - Listed in increasing order of accuracy.

This sport has a completely different character to a hunt. The only adrenalin is from winning, or not being attacked by the real wildlife.

Some hunters use the sport for training of course, but it's a social day out more than anything.

BTW you don't need to be close to shoot with a bow. Hunters who chose to use a less accurate method to kill are more interested in their own ego than in the animals welfare.

I don't see anything wrong with hunting for food. I do worry about those who get their rocks off by killing, that to me is a rather primitive emotion that should be controlled.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Nah, that one's done to death.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

More skill involved hunting these I think.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

I can't even buy a live lobster and throw it in the pot :eek:

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

mmm no doubt, ask the hawks and owls and coyotes that have been eyeing them up for supper.

Thems the breaks of living in the country.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Yes and its these that do the sport injustice. ooooh I dunno - what is the distance for a decent bow shot? 30 yards away? Bloody close enough for me!

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Depends on the bow. With a compound and composite sights you should never miss at that distance. You could hit a target at 100m easily.

With a traditional and no sights?? I couldnt even reach 100m at the weight I pull. 30m you should hit, but a kill??

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Something along the lines of these are pretty typical hunting bows.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Yep, those are compound bows. They design means that you can hold the draw for sometime while you aim using accurate sights. They are as accurate as a gun, possibly more so, and silent. A crossbow is more accurate still, and faster. So would be better for a large animal.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Crossbows are illegal to hunt with unless you have a disability

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

I do :sneaky:

They aren't illegal in Ontario, I know someone that uses one.

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

yes I know you do but I was under the impression that you could only use a crossbow if you physically could not use a compound one. Hang on just going to check now

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

no, you can use a crossbow as long as it isnt bow hunting season,it's classed as a gun i think

Re: Something that will no doubt spark controversy....
 

Aaaah thats where we got it wrong. Crossbows are only illegal in archery season unless you are handicapped.

All other times they are fine.

Actually heres some interesting info if anyone cares!


Note: The following applies to bowhunting other than with a cross-bow. Scroll down for information about hunting with cross-bows.

Except for the hunting of black bear, coyote or wolf under the circumstances as outlined under Access for Control of Livestock Predation, a Bowhunting Permit is required by anyone who hunts big game, game bird, wolf or coyote with a bow and arrow. Bowhunters with appropriate general or special licences may hunt during the general seasons as well as archery-only seasons. A Bowhunting Permit is required in combination with a big game licence. In some areas of the province, hunters require special licences to hunt certain species of big game – see season tables. A bowhunter who obtains an Antlered Moose Special Licence, Antlerless Moose Special Licence, Calf Moose Special Licence, Antlered Mule Deer Special Licence, Antlerless Mule Deer Special Licence, Antlered White-tailed Deer Special Licence, Antlerless White-tailed Deer Special Licence, Antlered Elk Special Licence or Antlerless Elk Special Licence may, if an early archery season is offered, hunt under the authority of that licence during the archery season but only in the WMU specified on the licence and only for the type and species of animal for which the licence was issued. Bowhunters are reminded that, in some situations, archery-only seasons for some species may be in progress at the same time as primitive weapon and rifle seasons for other species in the same WMU. Bowhunters, under the authority of their White-tailed Deer Licence or Mule Deer Licence can hunt during the primitive weapon seasons.

Persons hunting big game must use an authorized bow and an authorized arrow. An authorized bow is one that is held, drawn and released by muscular power and has a draw weight of not less than 18 kg (40 lb.). This is the number of kilograms (pounds) required to draw an arrow of 71 cm (28 in.) to its head. An authorized arrow is one that is not less than 61 cm (24 in.) in length that has a tip that bears a head that is not intentionally designed to resist being withdrawn after it has penetrated an object. Furthermore, it must either have a solid, sharp cutting head of at least 7/8 inch in width, or a head that, when the arrow impacts, opens to present sharp cutting edges at least 7/8 inch in width.

Hunters are asked to remove their tree stands at the end of the hunting seasons unless permission has been granted by the landholder to do otherwise.

HUNTING WITH CROSS-BOWS

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Since the fall season of 2002, cross-bows are no longer "prohibited" for hunting wildlife in Alberta, although there may be federal licensing requirements (click here to view Federal Firearms Legislation).

Cross-bows may not be used to hunt big game during archery-only seasons. The only exception is for an eligible handicapped hunter who has obtained a cross-bow licence.
A Bowhunting Permit, as required by bowhunters using conventional archery equipment, is not required by persons who are hunting with cross-bows.

In accordance with federal regulations, cross-bows may not be used for waterfowl hunting.
Persons hunting big game with a cross-bow must use an authorized cross-bow and arrow (bolt). An authorized cross-bow is one that requires 100 pounds or more of pull to draw the string or cable to its cocked position. There is no restriction on arrow length however it must have a tip as described under the heading "Bowhunting" above.