Question on tags

[Dx life Rx fishing]

I have a question regarding Crossbow hunting. When I get my tags I usually get both the bow tag and the muzzle loading tag as I hunt with both. Each tag say Bow/Muzzle on it, one is for antler less and the other is for either sex. I believe the bow is the antler less one. When I was reading the book it says in order to use a crossbow you need have the muzzle loader tag.

My question is, do I need both tags to use a crossbow or is just the bow tag OK? My friend does not muzzle load but does use a crossbow and recurve at different times of the season. He would have to get both tags to use the crossbow, am I reading that correctly?

 

[Capt13]

The bow tag does not cover crossbow. If you want to hunt with a cross bow, you need the muzzle loader license. There is a push to get cross bows allowed for the entire season instead of just the last 2 weeks of archery, but it hasn't passed yet.

From the New York Upstate website :

"In addition to allowing use of crossbows during the full archery season, the proposed legislation would:

*Tie crossbow use with the bowhunter's license. Crossbow users would be required to take the state's bowhunter safety course before heading out to hunt with a crossbow, Currently, crossbow users must read about crossbow safety information either in the DEC hunting manual or the DEC website, and carry a filled out, "Crossbow Certificate of Qualification" card on their person when hunting with a crossbow.

*Permit crossbows to be use within 150 feet of a dwelling - the same setback requirement that exists for compound bows. The current setback for a crossbow is 250 feet."

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

Am I reading that correct that you don't need a bow hunting license to hunt with a crossbow? Just need to read the few paragraphs in book cut out and sign that piece about crossbow safety and have a muzzle loader tag.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

One of my friends wants to hunt with a crossbow but didn't take bow safety course yet.

 

[Capt13]

That's correct. Couple of my friends did just that. I've been hunting with the cross bow for two years now and love it. We have been spending more time in the woods those two weeks then during gun season. We see more deer and the weather has been nicer. I took a small 8pt with mine last year. The accuracy is amazing. I think the only draw back is you are still limited to about 30 -35 yards. Even though the thing is deadly and accurate at 60 yards, in the time it takes the bolt to reach the target the "jump the string" effect comes into play.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

I agree with it all. It is ridiculously accurate. I shoot 57 yards without it dropping an inch. At my hunting camp we have taken 6 total with a crossbow. Not once did we have a deer jump the string. I think it is a little too fast for them. With a bow there is also a lot more movement after the shot, with the bow falling. In my opinion a deer picks up on it real quick and in the same instance will see the arrow and jump it. With a crossbow pull the trigger and stay still deer has no clue what it was or where it came from. Only going to get one shot though. You can sometimes get a second shot with a bow.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

Ok. Another one. Since the muzzle tag says " bow/muzzle" can you use it for hunting regular bow season with a compound bow? Thus essentially eliminating getting the bow tag. Or just get both like I usually do giving me the chance to get 2 during the bow season.

 

[Capt13]

Muzzle loading permit is used only during the Muzzle Loading season which is dec 9th thru dec 17 this year, except for cross bows which may be used from 10 days before rifle (southern zone) thru muzzle loader season (with the muzzle loader permit).

The reference bow/muzz that are on the tags are short for crossbow and muzzle loader.

NY State Cross Bow:

• During the last 10 days of the early bowhunting season in the Northern Zone; this includes the 7-day early muzzleloader season in the Northern Zone;
• Only Bow/Muzz tags, DMPs or DMAPs may be use during these times.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

That says northern zone. I dont see a reference to the southern zone.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

Each tag weather bow or muzzle both say the same thing. Bow/muzzle in top left corner. The only difference between the tags is one is antlerless and the other is either sex. There is no other distinguishing mark to tell the two apart. So if someone gets both how are they to know which is for bow and which is for muzzle in the southern zone?

 

[Capt13]

my mistake :

• During the last 14 days of the early bowhunting season in the Southern Zone;
• Only Bow/Muzz tags, DMPs or DMAPs may be use during these times.

 

[Capt13]

Each tag weather bow or muzzle both say the same thing. Bow/muzzle in top left corner. The only difference between the tags is one is antlerless and the other is either sex. There is no other distinguishing mark to tell the two apart. So if someone gets both how are they to know which is for bow and which is for muzzle in the southern zone?

That is a good question. I don't know the answer to that.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

No worries I just told my friends to get both and be done with it.

 

[Dx life Rx fishing]

OK I looked into it. If you only get one of the tags, ( bow, or Muzzle) you will get an either sex tag. If you get both you get an antler less to add to it. It doesn't matter which one you get first, no matter what the second will be antler less. Either one or both can be used during each of the seasons.