Primitive weapons cancelled in AB. Why?

[tokguy]

Just got off the phone with the same helpful F & W officer. Again; awesome help, an unprompted callback because he had received an answer from further up the chain.
A large part of the problem is the Modern in-lines. They are to repro BP's as Crossbows are to bows, a step up and away from the original intent of the season. In-line BP's have the capability of a lower cal. modern rifle. Some jurisdictions have tried to legislate the in-lines out but it's a nightmare.
He and I agree'd maybe flintlocks are the answer. Try and supe a Flinter up, LOL.
I'm on board with that. Some folks just can't leave well enough alone.
And in answer to someone's post questioning whether I use my traditional repro BP's in reg season...sometimes. But the only rifle with a scope in the cabinet is my daughters.
The rest are surplus or lower cal Winchesters (38-55's).
And none of that riding around in a truck or on a Quad neither. On foot...only seems fair IMO.
I do hunt with a compound but only with a peep arrangement, glass on a bow seems silly.

 

[CROWCA]

Knock your self out,what you like and what others like are different,not right or wrong just different!

 

[tokguy]

I suppose everyone see's things different; true.
I kind of expect " Primitive weapons " to be well ...primitive. Not with scopes and polymer stocks.
Must be just me I suppose

 

[CROWCA]

If you want primitive rocks,spears,sticks or clubs a flintlock is not what I would call primitive!!

 

[Bluffton Bill]

I do, on a regular basis. Patched roundball on top of hornets nest and ffg.

The bp seasons in AB were in the eastern zones where they were issueing the cwd, "extra" tags. They've eliminated all of those and unfortunately the bp season with them.

Simple explanation as I see it, in AB the bow lobby seems to have the ear of srd. Personally I'd like to see a true primitive weapons season(longbow and flintlock) followed by an, "advanced primitive" season(compound, crossbow and percussion, (maybe shotgun?)), then the regular rifle season (inlines and rifles).

That way all the weapons would have similar range for the season. I'd also like to see when you enter the draw for the draw to include your season of choice. With our greatly increased population the bow guys are going to have to learn to share, wether they like it or not! Breaking down the seasons something like I mentioned would spread out the demand. I'd much rather draw a mule buck tag every second year for a 1-2 week season than wait 4, or soon more years.

It's always irked me that it's possible to purchase a general bow tag and hunt with it from August to January, switching weapons with the calender, while dedicated rifle hunters get 4 weekends(in the S.) Many compound bow hunters are now shooting 60+ yards. That's further than I'd shoot a patched ball flintlock at a deer.

Unfortunately, not likely to change soon. They're Finally starting to put some bow seasons on draw. About time. One only has to look at the draw results to see the need.

Obviously I'm suggesting general suggestions which would have to be tweaked for both tag demand, success rates, and srd's wanted harvest by wmu. That tired arguement about holding a draw has been outdated with the modern compounds. They're to a bow what an inline is to a muzzleloader. They share the name, but that's about all.

Now listen to the spoiled bowhunters whine.

Doesn't sound to me like the bowhunters are the ones who are a whining

 

[Suka]

Doesn't sound to me like the bowhunters are the ones who are a whining

Try visiting that ab outdoorsman site.

 

[hillbillyreefer]

Try visiting that ab outdoorsman site.

The bow guys over there have created new rules around the ranch here. NO BOW HUNTERS ALLOWED!

 

[tokguy]

If you want primitive rocks,spears,sticks or clubs a flintlock is not what I would call primitive!!

Umm... yeah...sure...
Anyhow; back in the real world, is it worth trying to get the season back with Flinter's, guys? Should we try to put something forth to the powers that be?

 

[Bluffton Bill]

See my original point. Everyone is sort of whining

The main reason for the closure of the 'primitive season' was they had reduced the herd to the point that it accomplished their management objectives. That, and landowners, outfitters, and hunters were having a fit with the very low deer numbers.

Bowhunting lobby had nothing to do with that one. In fact most hunters want more opportunity but do not want to limit anyone else. Why they dont have a December season I don't know.

 

[Bluffton Bill]

Try visiting that ab outdoorsman site.

Yup and it wasn't only bowhunters whining. It was everybody. My conclusion is that hunters in general have become a little to campy for my liking. Old stale debate. Will go nowhere.

To previous posts.

The number of Bowhunters who should take 60 yard shots (and succeed) are in the same percentile as Rifle hunters who take 500 yard shots. Possible but only for the accomplished.

If you limit yourself to 60 yard shots with patch and ball you are selling yourself short. I'm pretty sure 80-100 yards is in the realm of most competant black powder enthusiasts.

Individual archery success rates for the most part are still very low. Hunter distribution and density is what is likely causing the reason for more draw seasons.

I think we all just need a hug!

 

[mbogo3]

Inlines aren't new they were around in the late 1600's.Remember the whining when them new fangled compound bows came out from pursuitists .Harold

 

[tokguy]

"The number of Bowhunters who should take 60 yard shots (and succeed) are in the same percentile as Rifle hunters who take 500 yard shots. Possible but only for the accomplished."

I'd not take a 60 yd shot personally. About half that is realistic for me. Putting a broadhead into an animals guts or tearing up a front quarter and having it escape to face a lingering death isn't cool.
Got to realize your limits. I try to anyhow.

 

[rem338win]

Inlines aren't new they were around in the late 1600's.Remember the whining when them new fangled compound bows came out from pursuitists .Harold

They had stainless rifles designed to accept loads consisting of 150gr of fine black and a saboted projectile that flies at 1800+ fps and optics in the 1600's? Golly......

 

[Bluffton Bill]

"The number of Bowhunters who should take 60 yard shots (and succeed) are in the same percentile as Rifle hunters who take 500 yard shots. Possible but only for the accomplished."

I'd not take a 60 yd shot personally. About half that is realistic for me. Putting a broadhead into an animals guts or tearing up a front quarter and having it escape to face a lingering death isn't cool.
Got to realize your limits. I try to anyhow.

And on that point we would agree.

Pounding paper at 60 on the range is no comparison to the real deal. There are a few very accomplished archers that can make that shot just like there are a few steely eyed snipers who can drop a deer at 600+. There just aren't very many of them.

 

[bisonhd]

If the more limited harvest of a primitive weapons season is put in place where game herds can't handle the pounding of a general open season, I'm all for it. That would be an additional opportunity no one should be turning their nose up at.

 

[Recce21]

Bumping this thread.

So does this include the Dec 1 -Dec 20 Foothills Antlerless License in WMU 212? 2 antlerless any species with primitive weapons?

 

[1899]

They cancelled our special blackpowder moose seasons in northern BC with the introduction of the inline muzzleloaders years ago. I spoke with the local CO's as to why and was told that a scoped, BP rifle shooting sabots, accurate to 200 yards isn't very primitive. I've seen guys on TV/DVD's make shots with inline's that would stretch a .30-30's reach and how many consider a Winchester 94 .30-30 a primitive weapon?

^^^this and

If the more limited harvest of a primitive weapons season is put in place where game herds can't handle the pounding of a general open season, I'm all for it. That would be an additional opportunity no one should be turning their nose up at.

But of course every time someone mentions it they are labeled "haters". I'd rather have an extra GOS bow or primitive (no in-lines) than LEH. That way you could at least get out and have a chance as long as you put the effort in.

 

[crazydave]

The population down south must have taken a lot worse of a hit than up north. Still seeing a lot of deer where i hunt.

 

[tokguy]

In almost 2 months of Bow hunting ( I live on the creek and the 'patch is slow now...so that's lots ) I've seen 3 MD does. Maybe 20 regular WT, but I'm a stalker not a sitter so they've evaded me so far.
Pop. is way down.