NY CROSSBOW POLL CLOSES 8/26/05

Too bad it's not official .
I've been following the debate there and the resemblance to what's going on here was not surprising . Lots of rhetoric with little factual exchange .

Doug - Don't let it bother you after all we are talking NY with some of the most radical members of the anti-crossbow camp. They are the poster children for those guys and the last thing you should do is get bothered. I would recommend "pity and a prayer" for each and every one of them.

As the crossbow assumes its rightful place in the ranks of bowhunting, the rhetoric is going to get crazier, more desperate and hate filled. I swear they are losing their minds as they watch the majority of hunters install the crossbow as another legal option for the modern hunter. So get used to it, Doug. They aren't going away and it will probably get a whole lot worse before it gets better.

Poll Results Support Crossbow Use

By Rich Davenport

Published: September 7, 2005

Three hundred twenty nine (329) votes were calculated, mostly from New York residents, with the following results: Yes, as part of Archery Hunting (46%), Only for those who are handicapped (27%), No way, not ever (17%), Yes, but for a special crossbow only season (7%) and Yes, but only during the extended archery season (3%). A look behind the results tells us that sentiments for the crossbow span across state borders, and even international borders, which could dispel the myth that most view crossbows unfavorably.

Methodology of poll

Since we are a website, we do collect votes from all over the globe. This practice, however, is in line with hunting in New York, as the Empire State sees substantial non-resident big game hunting participation, and this number has increased since 1996. In order to assure of fair results, we restricted votes based on IP address collection, limiting voters to one vote per computer. This assured the poll would not receive “loaded” results, where one or two users could simply vote repeatedly, tilting the poll one way or the other. Of course, the downside to this security potentially excluded those wanting to vote, whose computers were behind a firewall, blocking transmission of the IP address. This was not designed as a "scientific" poll.

We also wanted a good gauge of New York hunters and non-residents of New York as well. By collecting and logging each voter’s IP address, we were able to compare city and state information based on our IP server logs, analyzed by WebTrends Enterprise edition reporting utilities. A comparison of our logs revealed where each vote came from (city and state, or province) which offers additional insight based on resident opinions, non-resident opinions, and the big picture, which everyone could view upon voting, or by clicking the “View Results” command button at the bottom of the poll.

Poll based on New York Residents and non-residents

Of the 329 votes collected, 67% came from New York residents, or 220 votes. Of New Yorkers who voted, the results were as follows:

Yes, as part of Archery Hunting – 51% (113 votes)

Only for those who are handicapped – 24% (52 votes)

No way, not ever – 15% (33 votes)

Yes, but for a special crossbow only season – 5% (12 votes)

Yes, but only during extended archery season – 5% (10 votes)

Opinions are closer amongst non-residents, where the results (coming from 8 different states and 2 Canadian Provinces) showed as follows:

Yes, as part of Archery Hunting – 36% (39 votes)

Only for those who are handicapped – 34% (37 votes)

No way, not ever – 20% (22 votes)

Yes, but for a special crossbow only season – 10% (11 votes)

Yes, but only during extended archery season – 0% (0 votes)

Results as a whole

If we bucket these numbers into for or against crossbow use, the overwhelming majority, regardless of resident status, illustrates the opinion that crossbow use in New York should be allowed in some form. Current state law does allow use of a modified crossbow for disabled hunters, but, clearly, opinion shows that this restriction of a modified crossbow should be eliminated. The results indicate that 85% of New Yorkers believe crossbows should be allowed, with 15% being opposed to their use unilaterally. Outside of New York, opinion shows 80% favor crossbow use, with 20% against their use unilaterally.

Making sense of collected opinions

Although we did not request additional user feedback or explanations, our poll did allow voters to post a comment (or more than one) regarding their position. We received 20 total comments, with 10 comments voicing opposition to the crossbow, 8 comments voicing support for the crossbow and 2 comments from WLO staff thanking voters for their participation.

WeLoveOutdoors.com staff made no comments either for or against the crossbow.

Opinions varied from give hunters the choice to crossbows are guns, not bows. We also had a few posts demonstrating some room for compromise, which is the most encouraging element to the question of whether crossbows can be used in New York.

The bottom line

Regardless of how you cut the numbers and weigh the comments, it does appear that crossbow use has a place in New York State. Interest outside New York also indicates that non-residents take interest in New York’s hunting regulations, and that some may even visit our great state to hunt a trophy whitetail with a crossbow, if permitted.

Two elements of crossbow opinions became clear through this poll. First, sentiments among most hunters show an approval to use crossbows. Second, a willingness to compromise to meet the desires of hunters may indeed exist, demonstrating sensitivity to some issues against crossbow use. This could bode well for hunting in New York.

This is just a first step in attempting to gauge the sentiments of the hunting community regarding this concern, and we believe this was a big first step. Again, the WeLoveOutdoors.com staff extends a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in our poll, and would encourage more participation in our future polls. This is just one-way we are “bringing outdoors enthusiasts together.” Without sportsmen participation and involvement, we cannot achieve anything. Through involvement, however, the sky is the limit.

Rich Davenport is co-founder of WeLoveOutdoors.com, an avid Outdoorsman and member of the NYSOWA. His works are also published in NY Outdoor News, Buffalo Sports & Leisure Magazine, Walleye.com and the Buffalo News.