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Airbow hits the market

6K views 44 replies 17 participants last post by  poeschel 
#1 ·
I've been meaning to post up our experiences with newly legalized crossbows for deer hunting (ain't good) but they might be the least of our worries now. This thing just hit the market.

http://www.crosman.com/connect/introducing-the-benjamin-pioneer-airbow/

"Pioneer Airbow by Crosman is a revolution of traditional archery equipment"

"This is an entirely new category of weapon that broadens opportunities for hunters while also renewing opportunities for those who may have left the sport because they are physically unable to draw a compound bow or cock a crossbow,"


Crossbows started with the exact same argument.
 
#3 ·
their description of it being a "traditional" piece of archery equipment is stupid. hope most or all states ban them for hunting in any season but firearms.
they fill a need that is not there. there is no justification for the inclusion of them in archery. they have an artificial propulsion system just like a firearm.
 
#5 ·
It still kills by hemorrhaging via a wound channel created by an archery projectile. I guess I dont see much difference between this and a crossbow. Neither has you holding draw weight, both have a stock/forearm, trigger/safety, and need to be cocked. If you buy the hand pump, there is no question there is more human effort put into each shot than with a xbow.
 
#6 ·
Could this be legal in some states already? I'm not sure how a crossbow is defined. Now that they are pretty much legal everywhere someone is bound to come up with a better mousetrap. What if it used a big spring instead? There are air springs in some air rifles now too (and most every semi-truck)...
 
#8 ·
From their Q&A.

Q:First, is the arrow ( bolt ) just laying in that wide front end, it does not appear to be centered on a rail like in all crossbows. Secondly, no mention is made of ability to shoot fixed broadheads, I assume it is ok? Last, any word on the legal use for deer hunting where the use of a traditional crossbow bow is ok? Thanks! :) :)
Chip from USA:
A:The "barrel" serves as an arrow rest. A patent pending collar and retainer keeps the arrow center and sealed. We've been successful w/ mechanicals and fixed broadheads and do not recommend one over the other at this time (1/15/16). Crosman is actively lobbying all states for inclusion in crossbow seasons.
Derek from USA:
A:The arrow has a hollow shaft that slides over the "barrel" like a shroud. So there is not a rail system like in traditional crossbows. When the gun fires a blast of air goes through the barrel and hits the solid end of the shaft shooting the arrow forward. You could say that the barrel acts as an initial guide for the arrow.
 
#12 ·
If you look on their website they are pushing every state to legalize it in the crossbow season. If these states wouldn't have allowed the crossbow into the regular archery season, this would be a non issue.
Tells me they arent trying to claim its a bow, but rather whats the difference between it and a crossbow? Neither takes any reasonable skill level to be proficient, nor any real strength.
 
#13 ·
According to Wi deer hunting regs a spear gun would be legal in the xbow season if it had a 100# draw -

Crossbows must have a minimum draw of 100 pounds, a working safety and use at least
14-inch long bolts or arrows equipped with broadheads as described above


Point to note is there is no reference to a bow or limbs of any type, only a draw weight.
 
#15 ·
So, now crossbow hunters have competition. Shoots quiet can be operated it tighter spots, no limbs to contend with aND less movement. It has been over 30 years since this type of argument confronted vertical bow hunters. The future hunter is the targeted audience for this weapon, doesn't matter how it is perceived or justified.
 
#20 ·
The Crossman shooting booth was right beside us at the ATA show. That damned thing is ultra-loud. Sounds at least as loud as a 22 magnum round being fired. Clearly (to me at least) it has even less in common with archery than a crossbow. It's a solution to a problem that does not exist.
 
#22 ·
What a travisty........are they kidding.....I use to have trouble with the cable guns.....this is JUST STUPID.

Better be in GUN SEASON ONLY.......

WHat next........trail cam that shoots your game while you are at home on your computer monitoring the whole thing.

STUPID STUPID STUPID.

Jer :(
 
#23 ·
Jer they already had to ban cyber hunting. Some guys (Texas?) rigged up a gun on a remote controlled turret with a live feed camera set up overlooking a feeder. I think they thought it was going to be a legit bisuness opportunity. Its sad there are those among us that care not about the pursuit, just have to get their deer. Heck even the stories of guys buying a deer at the bar, so they can brag about getting a deer shows where some stand. For others it matters not the weapon, its just another season to try to get one. The day is coming where there won't be alternative weapon seasons, it will simply be deer season, hunt with whatever weapon you want.
 
#33 ·
Almost all poaching is done with a high powered rifle out of a truck at night with a spot light from the road. Poachers do not use bows because their activities do not afford time or light for tracking. They generally over gun to make sure their quarry drops in place. Crossbows and arrow guns will not fundamentally change how poachers operate.
 
#34 ·
That fits the back 40 ******* definition for sure and in that case you are correct. Who would grab a xbow to shoot at deer 200yds away in a field with a spot light? Google map swiss golf and tennis club or sweetwater golf and tennis in your home town. Lets assume there were deer there around the lake along century drive or any of those roads in and around those small wooded areas. You really think poachers are going to fire high power rifles with spot lights there? Deer in these areas dont get hunted, they move freely in daylight hours and dont run when you stop a car to look at them. This is the environment that poaching is being noticed, since deer are ending up dead in peoples yards and they have "bolts" in them. NOBODY is saying these weapons will revolutionize poaching. We are saying this weapon has opened the doors for the city living poachers to drive around the block, versus driving hours to some remote area. The bucks in these city surroundings are generally older and supporting much larger antlers.
 
#35 ·
So you are saying that guys in your area sneak onto golf courses in the day while businesses are operating to shoot deer with a bow that are then likely to bolt out of a small woodlot and expose their activities to everyone? Shining a light around at night is just as obvious as a gunshot. I wish every poacher was doing what you describe because they would all get caught in short order. How many occurances like this actually happen in your area?
 
#36 · (Edited)
Shooting out a car window, otherwise they wouldnt need a compact weapon. Strange I found a full length arrow/broad head in my front yard, guessing somebody shot out of the back of a pickup with a normal bow. :brickwall:
How often is it happening, versus how often it makes the news? Xbow poachers are not alone, some guys shot a swan with a nail gun a couple years ago while building a new house. :brickwall:

Here is 3 months during the fall of 2015 of people who got "caught" with uncased crossbow in a vehicle acting suspicious. Appears some of these poachers had a xbow and gun. How many dont get caught, guess we dont know......

While working shining activity, CO Chuck McPherson and PCO Craig Neal located a vehicle whose occupants were shining for deer. The COs made contact and found an uncased loaded .22 and a cocked and loaded crossbow. The weapons were seized and numerous tickets were issued.

COs Bobbi Lively and Sam Schluckbier stopped a vehicle that was driving slow in the rain with the window down. After making contact with the occupants, the COs located an uncased bow, uncased crossbow, and a firearm in the vehicle. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Gainforth was on patrol for shining activity on the Missaukee/Osceola county line, when he conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle with a headlight out driving down an unimproved road. After contacting the two subjects in the vehicle, it was found that the driver possessed an uncased crossbow in the backseat covered with a sweatshirt. After discussing the subject's deer season, the driver admitted to shooting an eight point buck. The subject showed CO Gainforth pictures of the buck on his phone. It was apparent that the buck was not tagged in any of the pictures. CO Gainforth asked to see the subjects hunting license, and he produced both of his combination tags. When CO Gainforth asked the subject what he tagged his deer with, the subject stated that he did not tag the deer because it was wounded, and he thought it was going to die anyway. After more questioning, the subject admitted that he did not tag the deer because he filled both of his tags last year during the archery season, and did not have any tags left for the firearm season. CO Gainforth followed the subject to his residence where he produced the antlers from the eight point deer. CO Gainforth seized the antlers, restricted tag, and the crossbow used to take the deer. A citation was issued for the untagged deer, and a verbal warning was given for the uncased crossbow.

While on patrol in Clare County, CO Steve Lockwood and CO Josh Wright noticed a vehicle operating without taillights. The driver took a long time to stop the vehicle when signaled by the officers, and the passenger appeared to be frantically moving things in the back seat. Officers quickly secured the scene and located the source of excitement in the back seat. It seems the men were trying to hide a cocked and loaded crossbow. Officers took the appropriate enforcement action.

CO Casey Pullum made contact with a suspicious vehicle travelling a public land two track area in Ogemaw County. The subject had an uncased crossbow with a bolt, positioned just behind him in the vehicle. The subject was on probation and also in possession of marijuana. He was arrested and transported to the Ogemaw County Jail. CO Brian Olsen assisted at the scene.

CO Jacob Griffin was asked to assist a local police department in the investigation of one subject who illegally took an antlered deer at night with a crossbow. CO Griffin worked with multiple detectives to assure the proper questions were asked regarding the deer and an accurate location of the incident was given. CO Griffin later assisted the department with organizing the proper charges, penalties, and restitution regarding illegally taken game in the State of Michigan.

CO Bobbi Lively and PCO Sam Schluckbier contacted a 19 year old subject driving around near the Oscoda County line. The officers observed a tree stand and bait in the back of his vehicle along with a crossbow on the passenger seat. Further investigation revealed there was also a loaded shotgun behind the driver's seat. Enforcement action was taken.
 
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