I'm able to hold a crossbow like a rifle (think tricep tucked against you) w/ the support of a monopod like device (going from the end away from me of my crossbow to my hip). I'm unable to have my arm extended and support the weight of a compound bow, nor be able to draw it back. I use a draw cranking system on my crossbow (Acudraw) as I'm not able to pull that back either.
Real nice.... Where are you getting this information from? I'm looking at 309 in GoHunt and there's zero mention of an archery season in this unit like in other units. The only thing I see is Rifle - General from 10/23-11/28. This is the first time I've seen any mention of a WRA (I don't live in MT and have never heard of it). I even did a search for "weapons restricted area" in GoHunt and there's 0 results. I even called Montana FWP and asked about crossbows during archery season and nobody ever mentioned WRA.
The max range on my crossbow is less than what many folks shoot with their compound bows, so I'm not sure what your point is.
it's in the regulations...GoHunt is terrible source for specific information. You need to look at the official regulations not GoHunt. He's talking about what is official called by FWP as the Sourdough Weapons Restricted Area but there are hundreds of restricted areas around the state that may only have a sign at the fence.
I pulled that information right from the Montana FWP website. The definition of Weapons Restricted Area is in the general deer and elk regulations. The information about HD 309 is seen by bringing that HD up in Hunt Planning. Since you may use a traditional bow, compound bow, crossbow, pistol, shotgun (with slugs) or muzzleloader in the WRA's there is no specific "archery season" for WRA's. You can use archery equipment throughout all the WRA seasons. The point is that opportunities for using crossbows are many and extend for many months, certainly during the archery season dates. BTW, most of the WRA's are in lower valley areas, many of which are now habitat for a lot of deer and elk.
| Season Dates | Description |
|---|---|
| Sep 04 – Nov 28 | Either-sex Elk. General Season |
| Nov 29 – Feb 15 | Antlerless Elk. Special season. |
| Season Dates | Description |
|---|---|
| License/Permit Type: 397-00 | Unlim License |
| Aug 15 – Sep 03 | Antlerless Elk. Special season. Only valid on private land. One per hunter. Valid in HDs 309, 311 (North of HWY 84 only), and 312. |
| Sep 04 – Nov 28 | Antlerless Elk. Special season. Not valid on National Forest Lands. One per hunter. Valid in HDs 309, 311 and 312. |
| Nov 29 – Feb 15 | Antlerless Elk. Special season. Not valid on National Forest Lands. One per hunter. Valid in HDs 309, 311 (North of HWY 84 only), and 312. |
Thanks for all the info!!! I would have thought the person I spoke with when I called the office would have mentioned it when I asked... I appreciate the insight!
You are very welcome. BTW, I have been trying to figure out how to access information from the Montana FWP regulations ever since I earned my Hunter's Education certificate August of 1957 and it seems to get more difficult for this luddite every year, even with the website. The titles of various segments don't often take me to the information I thought was there from the title. So hang in there as you access the FWP website and search for helpful information ... it's there somewhere; you just have to find it!
It doesn't matter what your range is. Picture this scenario. We decide your right and say it's not so bad for disabled people to use crossbows. A year goes by and the next guys says well I can't hold the crossbow steady enough to shoot a deer so I think my designated helper should be able to help me steady the weapon. This again is only a minor change to the rules so people decide that it is okay. A little later the next guys says even with his helper steadying the weapon he still is physically capable enough to make a good shot so he proposes that the helper be allowed to aim while he pulls the trigger. Another minor change to the rules currently in place so the rules get amended and it is okay. Next concession to come along is that the helper is allowed to control, aim and fire the weapon. My point is again that a line has to be drawn. It's not discrimination that some things require a certain level of physical ability and that it is the hard bricks of life that some are unfortunately excluded. Should we open wilderness trails to motorized travel for those unable to access them via the current rules?
I agree with Buckrut and have used this example in conversations. It is not as if there is only archery season available. If you can't shoot a bow or just choose not to, then wait for general season like the majority of the population.
True. Hopefully it will not reach the point in MT where so many people apply for so few tags that cheating the system becomes very appealing
Sorry to jump in late, but I'm curious why you want to hunt the archery seasons not general? Do you also hunt with firearms?
