Crossbows have ruined archery season in AL, this Youth Season has got everyone with a child out shooting deer themselves (not the kids hunting like it’s supposed to be). Opening the season early in Zone D has allowed every poaching redneck the opportunity to kill anything they want, and claim it was killed in Bankhead.

Crossbows should only be allowed during rifle season, not archery season.
You might as well not own a Muzzleloader if you live in AL, the “special season “ is M-F, when working men have to work.
Just my opinions, Robinhedd

Are you sure?

Trolling?

There have been roughly 14,000 deer reported to Game Check up to this point.......For the last few seasons we've ended up with right around 190,000 being reported by Feb 10......Just sayin......

You know what they say about opinions????

The corn 🌽 license push certainly hasn’t helped anything either.

Poachers and Winston county go together like hot buttered biscuits and molasses

I agree 100%. Lots of wounded deer too because everybody thinks they have a rifle in their hands. I say fine for those who need them for some physical issue. But otherwise I dont like them either. It has had about the same effect as duck dynasty had for waterfowl. Every goober bowhunts now.

I bought a cheap one because my bow got screwed up in the middle of the season. Pretty easy to use. It has killed 7 deer the last 2 years. My bow is fixed now, so I'm going back to that. Crossbow just doesnt feel right.

Sheesh, all this crossbow hate. I'd love to see photos of the Osage selfbows you guys built to hunt with. Ah to be young again.

I do wish that muzzleloader season was a bit different, however it doesn’t stop me from using it after gun season. Just my choice if I want to or not

I’ve always hunted ML staring when I grew up in OK n it extended the season. I’m looking forward to it tomorrow.

^^^
Me too

Aint got many days dry - on my first hunt this year at bow lease - with my cross bow 😀

Never shot with it last year - nor my muzzleloader

Already seen 10 doe n young 8 point this evening - feels great to b out with it😀

Yeah should only use those primitive 1500.00 compounds with fiberglass limbs,carbon arras with perfect tolerances, release, sights, etc. 80 percent letoff .Yeah thats real primitive.

I guess you use a flintlock MZ with round ball and patch?
Nope, bet my bankroll your using a modern inline with a scope & sabots! Apparently a crossbow man also!

Exactly! I live in Lawrence County, poaching runs deep here. A lot of people don’t understand what a problem it really is!

Like it or not crossbows increased harvest in some states, when they became legal, to levels several times over what regular archery hunters were taking. The point of archery season was to allow a limited harvest opportunity. It’s not so limited with 100+ yard crossbows and scoped sights. I don’t begrudge folks who are hunting with them, but I don’t agree that it should be included in the regular archery season. Just my .2 cents. And for the folks arguing over what actually constitutes archery equipment, there is no crossbow that’s on the same level as any vertical bow that has to be drawn and aimed. Period. They’re not the same. I don’t think it’s worth bickering over until it affects deer populations in a negative way. The combo of cell cams, bait and lengthened opportunities is one that gives me heartburn though.

Got a crossbow, a recurve crossbow, dont use it. Its not capable of any more distance than a compound bow. Dont have a muzzleloader.

The recurve limbed Excalibur crossbows, aren't much faster than a compound. That's not what I have, but they are popular.

I know several guys my age that are using crossbows. We all cut our teeth on the first gen of good compounds to come out. Just after the old original Bear compound crap bow. We're all 50+ now and the crossbows have helped us get back into the game, in a more efficient way. I'd bet there are less deer hit and not recovered with a compound, than a crossbow. I'm sure more are shot, but I'd be a higher % is recovered. Anyone who takes a shot in the woods with a crossbow, over 40 yards, is taking a risk, IMO. I wouldn't shoot at a deer in a plot much over 40. I practice at 60, but I also practiced at 60 with my compound. It just makes you more confident at normal hunting distances. I hunted with 3 other guys in MO last week. We all filled our tags. Three guys using crossbows, one with a compound. Longest shot any of us made was 35 yards and that was the guy with the compound.

Oh boy i knew this thread and the you cant shoot that deer because i dont think its big enough thread was due. Pray tell how us people that cant pull a regular bow anymore is affecting your hunting. Also work your butt off and buy you some land like some of us have done then you get to make the rules! If you shoot one out of a shooter house over a green field or pile of corn is that really hunting ? Do you have trail cameras out is that really fair ? Dont worry from what I have seen out of youth i have taken in 20 more years hunting participation will be down so much Alfa will make them have a year long season. Sorry for the rant but division in the ranks is real good for the hunting community

I just like to hunt deer with whatever is legal!! I’m not against people hunting with crossbows but I’m not a fan of them. They are heavy, awkward to carry, loud, a PIA to cock and get ready to shoot and most budget crossbows are no more accurate then a vertical bow!! I have a couple buddies that shoot them and we always have to wait for them to go through the whole process of getting ready to make a shot when we’re out practicing!! However they don’t miss when shooting deer!!
I also have 2 inline muzzleloaders but last year I bought a .35 Whelen because it’s considered a primitive weapon here. I haven’t hunted the primitive season here with it yet but I’m sure I will one day.
I tend to stay in my lane and not concern myself with what others do as long as it’s legal.