I was quite pleased to see…

I was quite pleased to see Proposal #9 (Archery season for deer in WMU 45). I've bow hunted in WMU 45 for the past 30 years. I was very disappointed when years ago, the bow season closed for the week before rifle season.

While this proposal constitutes a fair change, there may be some concern from rifle hunters about this change. From what I've learned many deer taken during the archery season are taken by crossbows. Cross bows are easy to shoot, most have scopes for low light conditions and little practice is required before the hunt. Perhaps the season that opens the week before the rifle hunt could be limited to long bows, recurve bows and compound bows. This might alleviate the concerns of rifle hunters and it might also increase memberships in local archery clubs as practice would be needed if hunters wanted to take advantage of the change.

There could be one exception. That is, hunters who can not draw a bow due to physical limitations such as a handicap or age could be allowed to use a crossbow during the week before the rifle hunt. The age could be 65 years old. Physical handicap before age 65 would require a physicians verification. I'm 67 years old and have no problem drawing my 70 pound draw weight bow, That's because I practice regularly at the archery range during the summer. When the day arrives that I no longer have the strength to draw a bow, I will switch to a crossbow. I hope that day is a long ways off.

Thank you for all that is being done to promote fairness for all hunters.