Report shows crossbow use recruits new hunters

Wisconsin deer hunters have embraced the crossbow as the preferred weapon of choice during the state’s archery season, and an extensive state study has shown that this modern harvest tool has also helped both recruit and retain hunters that might not otherwise hunt.

The report, compiled by several Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff, was publicly released prior to the Oct. 22 DNR Board meeting when it was to be discussed.

The state has repeatedly said it would not reduce the length of the crossbow hunting season as an integral part of the overall archery season, nor would it prohibit the crossbow’s use during the gun-deer season, although at least one board member has repeatedly been at odds with crossbow hunters and the DNR staff.

Greg Kazmierski, of Peewaukee, vice chair of the DNR board and owner of an archery shop, has expressed concerns that crossbow use has threatened the state’s hunting traditions, namely both traditional gun and vertical bow hunting.

The study was undertaken at the request of the DNR board.

The 141-page study concluded that the DNR should not be either an advocate or opponent of any hunting traditions, including those that are continually evolving because of technology, but instead should focus on such goals as hunter safety and management of the deer herd.

One suggestion that the extensive report dispelled was that some gun deer hunters were giving up gun hunting and going solely to crossbow hunting. Analysis of annual license sales showed that gun hunters were more likely to add a crossbow license rather than quitting gun hunting.

While fewer and fewer hunters are continuing the sport nationwide, Wisconsin’s hunters are bucking the trend. Although there are fewer hunters each year in Wisconsin, existing hunters are buying more combinations of licenses to hunt with guns, vertical bows and crossbows.

License revenue was falling about $450,000 in the five years prior to 2014, when crossbows were legalized for all deer hunters, but is now increasing about $50,000 a year as more hunters add a crossbow license or buy Conservation Patron licenses, the report notes.

Total deer licenses sold was 844,000 in 2009 and last year was 817,000, with the peak of 854,500 reached in 2016. Hunters under age 40 who stopped hunting with a gun were more likely to use a vertical bow than a crossbow. Crossbows are most popular with those age 40 to 65, including those who stopped gun hunting. Many older hunters have joint or other physical problems that make drawing a vertical bow difficult.

A total of 10 sports shop owners were interviewed, and five reported no major change in vertical bow sales. The other five reported a decrease in bow sales and all reported an increase in crossbow sales.

More youth are using crossbows and therefore participating with the family in the bow deer season, which will ultimately recruit more hunters to the sport, the report notes.

Crossbow users place the least emphasis on using this weapon to increase their chances of bagging a buck, while gun hunters place the most emphasis on bagging a buck.

The report also noted little differences in the hitting and wounding rates between crossbows and vertical bows.

Perhaps the best news since crossbows were legalized for all deer seasons is their safety record. Just two crossbow-related hunting injuries have been noted since that first 2014 season (including one fatality), and both accidents were self-inflicted, the report noted.

To read the full report, visit dnr.wi.gov/About/NRB/2019/October/00%20Tuesday%202019-10-3A%20Wisconsin%20Crossbow%20Report%20Final.pdf.

Ross Bielema is a freelance writer from New London and owner of Wolf River Concealed Carry LLC. Contact him at Ross@wolfriverccw.com.

Category: