I favor allowing the use of crossbows for handicapped bowhunters 

 (ie wheelchair - confined) during archery season, in designated 

 areas . 



I am new to the sport so my knowledge is limited on many things. 

 The one thing I am adamantly against is crossbow hunting. I 

 don't think it should be allowed at all but especially not during 

 archery. 



Issues that concern me; 



Cross bows are not bows don't legalize them! 



Don't shorten season in favor of rifle - game is not very 



disturbed by normal levels of bowhunting. 



Don't think that major amounts of game is lost due to arrow 



wounding. The rifle-wounded loss is much greater. I & my family 



seldom lose a hit animal with a bow. Groups I was in lost at 



least 3 antelope and 2 deer this year. I feel these animals all 



died. 



Part II, #6 I would like to see crossbows legalized for big game 

 hunting in MT, but with a 1-2 week season of its own. Possibly 

 between archery & firearms seasons. 



I believe the use of a crossbow during the archery season would 

 reduce the amount of elk & deer that get away with arrows stuck 

 in them by other types of bows. This would reduce the suffering 

 of the animals. 



I would like to see archery season lengthened by 2-3 weeks, - 

 earlier, the antelope had already rutted by the start of the '87 

 season. Crossbows should be allowed, but only the last week of 

 archery season, and hunter orange must be worn by all. Crossbows 

 during general season should be considered. Thank you. 



Several of the subjects addressed in limiting the pressure by 

 archery hunters are more seriously violated by rifle hunters; I 

 do both and find many more people who are not serious hunters 

 using rifles and road hunting, also rifle hunter do far more off 

 road driving of ATV ' s due to the archers need for quiet and 

 patients. Finally the purchase of tags by opening day would 

 decrease the problem of kill first then buy. 



Cross-bow maybe an effective method of controlling excess deer 

 populations. Because of the increased accuracy - more people 

 would purchase & use the cross-bow for deerhunting t? or 

 harvesting more animals in these populated areas ie the 

 Bitterroot - 260 - where rifle is too dangerous. 



I think the elk season is being run about right for archery. 

 Its the rifle season I'm disgusted with, thats one reason I hunt 

 with a bow. 

 Dear sirs, 



12 



