Bowhunting

[JohnGalway]

.

Edited September 2, 2009 by JohnGalway

[The Sniper]

Hello John,

 

I voted no because I think we already have weapons i.e. firearms, that are more than capable of humanely despatching animals.

 

I think if you legalised bowhunting it would lead to a lot of injured animals.

 

 

 

Just a whimsical post to see what people think. It's my first poll and I've not read the instructions so here goes

 

I'm only asking for a reason why or why not IF we can agree not to let it decend into anarchy If your neighbour votes yes and you think no, bite yer unless it's civilised

 

I voted yes because it's a traditional way of hunting that's evolved worldwide through the ages that's been banned in some places for being obsolete basically, IMO.

[rarms]

I voted yes.

 

If the hunter practised and got proficient with it then why not. No different to any other hunting tool, you just need to put the time in to train with it.

 

Yes if you hit the animal in the wrong place it would perhaps only be wounded, however if you shoot a rabbit in the **** with a .22 it will only be wounded. Doesn't mean to say a .22 cannot humanely kill a rabbit.

[SNAKEBITE]

I am sorry to say I voted no.

I would love to have a go at it, and have nothing against it as such but the problem lies with licensing IMO.

 

I know you can go and buy an airgun and immediatley go and shoot at rabbits but I would rather be shot by a 12lb airgun than a bow/crossbow in the event of an "accident"

 

If the bows were controlled in the same way as a firearm, and to be honest they have the same potential to kill then no problem. Until then I would say no.

[al4x]

I voted no. To me large animals in the UK shouldn't be taken by Bow as we have far more effective means of taking them. I know bows are highly capable but it would concern me having the kinds of arrows used arround in the UK unlicensed.

[Highlander]

I'd be surprised if the overall concensus voted yes. I would certainly say NO. I've seen bow hunting of game in SA and quite frankly it's not for me. Fine if you're an aboriginal or a bushman (Kalahari sort not Ray M) looking to feed your family in whatever (traditional) way you can but as a 'sport' I'm afraid I think it's in poor taste. Plus we've enough 'gun crime' to contend with without adding another dimension.

[Cranfield]

I voted "Yes", not because I would want to hunt with a bow, but I have never seen the logic of bows being banned for hunting.

 

I am sorry to say I voted no.

I would love to have a go at it, and have nothing against it as such but the problem lies with licensing IMO.

 

I know you can go and buy an airgun and immediatley go and shoot at rabbits but I would rather be shot by a 12lb airgun than a bow/crossbow in the event of an "accident"

 

If the bows were controlled in the same way as a firearm, and to be honest they have the same potential to kill then no problem. Until then I would say no.

 

You can acquire an air weapon with no restrictions, or qualifications whatsoever.

A SGC is quite easy to obtain, provided you have no criminal record (and then quite a few are excused), the same goes for firearms (except the addition of restrictions in areas of use).

 

Any of these three types of weapons could hurt you and two could definitely kill you.

The current licensing arrangements do nothing to protect you from getting killed by an inexperienced, stupid, deranged, or careless shooter.

The same goes for bows.

[pavman]

Hello John,

 

I voted no because I think we already have weapons i.e. firearms, that are more than capable of humanely despatching animals.

 

I think if you legalised bowhunting it would lead to a lot of injured animals.

 

 

Sniper, you have it bang on, not to mention the anti element, we can only imagine the outcry that would ensue

[Bazooka Joe]

I'd be surprised if the overall concensus voted yes. I would certainly say NO. I've seen bow hunting of game in SA and quite frankly it's not for me. Fine if you're an aboriginal or a bushman (Kalahari sort not Ray M) looking to feed your family in whatever (traditional) way you can but as a 'sport' I'm afraid I think it's in poor taste. Plus we've enough 'gun crime' to contend with without adding another dimension.

 

 

Got to agree with Highlander & vote no. It would among other things open a can of worms for the anti's, play straight into there hands, & they would love it.

 

Apart from that, give the animal justice, I've seen them shooting pigs in America with them, hardly humane, & certainly in my eye not a sport. All it done was bring suffering to the animal.

 

I know the Americans are into this in a big way, & without doubt someone is going to come on defending the so called sport on this forum, but we in the UK have moved on, bows & arrows went out with nelsons eye, & we use guns now.

 

BJ.

[Axe]

I voted yes. Bows used correctly can deliver a massive amount of energy on target. Personally, i'd stick to a rifle but why should others be prevented from using a bow if it does the job.

[JohnGalway]

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Edited September 2, 2009 by JohnGalway

[M ROBSON]

No No No.

 

A nice quiet tool for the poachers to use!!!!

[Graham M]

Whilst I agree that bow hunting can be very effective, in the right hands, it seems to me that it would be a licence for any Tom, **** or Harry to go out and try their luck without a care for wounding.

We already have eejits going out with crossbows causing havoc so can you imagine some dipstick buying a cheepo bow and arrow and trying to shoot foxes with it.

It hardly bears thinking about.

G.M.

[Dunkield]

I voted yes, but only if there is an expensive training course you have to go on first

[Graham M]

One for BASC then.

G.M.

[SNAKEBITE]

I voted "Yes", not because I would want to hunt with a bow, but I have never seen the logic of bows being banned for hunting.

 

I am sorry to say I voted no.

I would love to have a go at it, and have nothing against it as such but the problem lies with licensing IMO.

 

I know you can go and buy an airgun and immediatley go and shoot at rabbits but I would rather be shot by a 12lb airgun than a bow/crossbow in the event of an "accident"

 

If the bows were controlled in the same way as a firearm, and to be honest they have the same potential to kill then no problem. Until then I would say no.

 

You can acquire an air weapon with no restrictions, or qualifications whatsoever.

A SGC is quite easy to obtain, provided you have no criminal record (and then quite a few are excused), the same goes for firearms (except the addition of restrictions in areas of use).

 

Any of these three types of weapons could hurt you and two could definitely kill you.

The current licensing arrangements do nothing to protect you from getting killed by an inexperienced, stupid, deranged, or careless shooter.

The same goes for bows.

 

I can see your point Cranfield, and to be honest their are probably more idiots with air rifles than there are with bows but the thought of someone wandering around with a bow worries me more than someone with an air gun or shotgun. At 30yds with a shotgun you will have your day ruined and less so with an airgun but with a hunting bow it's game over.

It's not the hunting part it's the lack of control that concerns me.

 

Hope this makes sense, having a bit of a job putting it down right.

[Axe]

But surely that applies to centrefire rifles too?

[chunk]

I voted no. Everything i have read about bowhunting and its killing ability seems to point towards using broadhead arrows to make a large wound. The animal is generally not killed outright but bleeds to death. However you tout this, wounding and waiting for an animal to die is not most peoples objective when they hunt. Granted animals dont always die straight away when shot with a rifle, but that is the ideal.

I read a few American bow hunting magazine years ago. There was a ******** in it on a crusade to stick arrows in anything he could around the planet. Cant remember reading of one clean kill. Animals were shot and bled to death.

Saw a promotional video of someone shooting an elephant with a crossbow. A new "powerfull" type. It died........about 20 mins later. I found it truly upsetting, as was the indifferent comentary about the elephant suffering at the hands of their "wonderweapon"

 

If people are alowed to take game with bows they will enevitably be grouped with us as "hunters". Quickest way i can think of to generate bad publicity and subsequant banning.

[SNAKEBITE]

I was working on the assumption that by the time someone gets onto a centrefire they have got a certain level of experience, got land cleared and have had been through a vetting process to get a ticket.

 

Compare that to Mr. Chav who pops into the shop buys a bow and then wanders into the wilderness to get something to put on the BBQ.

 

I know that is the two extremes and not 100% realistic but I hope you can see my point.

I have nothing against hunting with a bow but it has got to be done right and controlled in some way, just don't ask me how!

 

Chunk, that is probably the most reasoned arguement on this thread. Whilst I cannot say whether it is correct or not you seem to have put a lot of thought into it.

[Axe]

fair point. I would assume that hunting with a bow, if legalised would be 'on ticket'.

[chunk]

Thanks Snakebite. I thought about the pros and cons of bowhunting years ago and thought it looked to be an excellent sport to try when abroad. I always research new activites and borrowed some magazines off an American chap i knew who hunted with a bow. Further research revealed a lot of what i really didnt want to see. I scrubbed the idea.

[arjimlad]

Has anyone else read this chap's writings ?

 

"Dr. Saxton Temple Pope (1875-1926) -- Author of Yahi Archery (1918), A Study of Bows and Arrows (1923), Hunting with the Bow & Arrow, and other important studies that contributed to re-establishing interest in archery in the United States, by proving archery was a vital sport. He was a friend of Ishi and hunting partner of Art Young. Namesake of the Pope and Young Club. [TB Jun/Jul 1998, p.69-72] "

 

 

Amazing books these. I have read two of them.

 

It does seem to me that the viability of bowhunting depends upon one's own personal view of animal welfare issues (as for example does hunting and shooting generally).

 

I don't think it's right to condemn others generally.

 

The proficient bowhunter's fieldcraft and skill is worthy of admiration. Those who would venture forth reckless of their ability to effect a clean and swift kill are excluded from this category. I guess it also comes down to civil liberties.

[MC]

No No No.

 

A nice quiet tool for the poachers to use!!!!

 

 

What difference does it make if it is legal or not if you are poaching?

[SNAKEBITE]

Has anyone else read this chap's writings ?

 

"Dr. Saxton Temple Pope (1875-1926) -- Author of Yahi Archery (1918), A Study of Bows and Arrows (1923), Hunting with the Bow & Arrow, and other important studies that contributed to re-establishing interest in archery in the United States, by proving archery was a vital sport. He was a friend of Ishi and hunting partner of Art Young. Namesake of the Pope and Young Club. [TB Jun/Jul 1998, p.69-72] "

 

 

Amazing books these. I have read two of them.

 

It does seem to me that the viability of bowhunting depends upon one's own personal view of animal welfare issues (as for example does hunting and shooting generally).

 

I don't think it's right to condemn others generally.

 

The proficient bowhunter's fieldcraft and skill is worthy of admiration. Those who would venture forth reckless of their ability to effect a clean and swift kill are excluded from this category. I guess it also comes down to civil liberties.

 

If you take the native American indians then I would think you have the prime example of how it should be done properly. Hunting for food and shelter/clothing with a bow is obviously going to hone your skills. I also think it would be hard to find a group of people who had more respect for their quarry and their land.

I don't know it just seems so much more viable when done like that

[M ROBSON]

No No No.

 

A nice quiet tool for the poachers to use!!!!

 

 

What difference does it make if it is legal or not if you are poaching?

 

 

Martin,

 

If you make it legal then shops will sell them, making them easier to get hold of so more people will have them and potentially use them for poaching.

 

I would imagine very few people use crossbows or hunting bows for poaching at the moment, but add tens of thousand of bows to the population and see if that changes!

 

If people will use licienced rifles and shotguns at present then nice quiet bows would soon rise up the favourites list if they became commonplace.

 

I would imagine the chances of being caught when there's no bang will drop quite sharply. The poaching scum would use them when the cover is too high for their longdogs.

 

Mark.