Publication of: ATA Crossbow Committee

Introduction
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

This overview contains information that: Explains the basic functions, dynamics and ballistics of the crossbow; Review the experience of states in which the crossbow has been adopted as an archery game management tool; and Compares crossbows to other archery equipment.

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

National Percentage of Bowhunter Participation

*

Total hunters Total hunters Bow & Arrow

23.5% in 2001 22.0% in 2005

2001 13,034 3,070

2005 14,570 3,250

Percentage of Bow hunters of Total Hunters:

Sources: US Fish and Wildlife 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife associated recreation page 83 of 116 * 2005 US Fish and Wildlife: Unpublished

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Minnesota Hunter Retention: Firearms/Archery

Usage Peak at age 39

Proportion of Minnesotans By Age Who Purchased a Firearms Deer License in 2000

30.00%
% Population of Same Age

Proportion of Minnesotans Who Purchased an Archery Deer License in 2000

Male Firearm Female Firearm
%Population of Same Age

6.00% Male Archer 5.00% 4.00% 3.00% 2.00% 1.00% 0.00%

40 52 28 44 68 56 80 32 20 12 36 48 60

25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00%

40 20 52 60 12

ALL Firearm

Female Archer All Archers

72

76

32

24

36

44

16

28

48

56

64

68

80

84

16

24

Age

Age

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, DNR ELS Database, 2000.

64

72

76

84

Physics/Archery
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

A law of Physics that affects us all everyday is: Kinetic Energy Formula Ekinetic = 1/2 mv2

Albert Einstein

Power Stroke
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

The distance the string travels: Crossbows - approx 12 Vertical Bows - approx 20 to 22 Crossbows require a heavier draw weight to generate the same energy that propels the arrow downrange.

12 Power Stroke

20 Power Stroke

Arrow Trajectory
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

High Performance Crossbow vs. Compound Bow - FPS & Energy

Model
Truth Mach X-X1 Black Mamba Drenalin Vectrix Hunter HD 175 Phantom 185 Equinox 225 Saf. Mag. HP 175 Stryker 175

Manufacturer
Bear PSE * APA Mathews Hoyt Horton Ten Point Excalibur Parker ** Bowtech

FPS
Compound Bows: 314 312 345 320 316 Crossbows: 320 343 350 340 405

Arrow/Grains
350 350 350 350 350 406 420 350 420 425

Foot/Lbs.
77 76 92 79 78 117 134 95 132 155

* Fastest Compound Bow ** Fastest Crossbow (Difference at 50 yards: 12)

High Performance Crossbow vs.

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Compound Bow

Arrow Trajectory (inches of drop per 10 yards)

Mfg Model (FPS/Arrow grain) 10 yds.

Compound Bows: Bear Truth (314/350) PSE Mach X-X1 (312/350) * APA Black Mamba (345/350) Mathews Drenalin (320/350) Hoyt Vectrix (316/350) Crossbows: Horton Hunter HD 175 (320/406) Ten Point Phantom 185 (343/420) Excalibur Equinox 225 (350/350) Parker Saf. Mag. HP 175 (340/420) ** Bowtech Stryker 175 (405/425) -2 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -1 -2 -2

20 yds.
-7 -7 -6 -7 -7 -7 -6 -6 -6 -5

30 yds.
-17 -17 -14 -16 -17 -16 -14 -14 -15 -10

40 yds.
-31 -31 -25 -29 -31 -29 -26 -25 -26 -18

50 yds.
-49 -49 -41 -47 -49 -47 -41 -39 -43 -29

* Fastest Compound Bow ** Fastest Crossbow (Difference at 50 yards: 12)

Down Range Ballistics

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

BASIC FOOT POUNDS OF ENERGY ARROW CALCULATIONS Terms: M = Mass W = Weight Wg = Weight in grains g = Gravitational constant (32.22) KE = Kinetic Energy grains (7000) = pound (1) Calculations: m = W(grn) (1-lb/7000grn) /32.22ft/s^2 KE=1/2*m*v^2x2x7000x32.22=451,08 0grn-ft/s^2 Key X 30 Compound 350 Grain 300 FPS O 20 Crossbow 432 Grain 300 FPS

Safety
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Since Ohio first legalized crossbows in 1976 through the 2003-04 season: 19 accidents involving crossbows; 15 of these incidents were self-inflicted. 12 longbow incidents during the same period; with 7 of these being self-inflicted. Rate of accidents for both types of archery is well below 1 occurance per 1 million trips Clearly, hunters are at far higher risk of injury when driving to their hunting spots than when they are in the field with either type of archery equipment.

Source: Ortman, W. M. (2007). Archery incidents in Ohio, 1976-2006. Unpublished data, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Columbus, Ohio.

Game Violations
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Ohio - During a five-year period in the 1990s; 633 hunting implements were seized by wildlife officers. Firearms accounted for 95%; Vertical bows accounted for 2.7%; and Crossbows accounted for 2.2%.

Source: Ortman, W. M. (2007). Archery incidents in Ohio, 1976-2006. Unpublished data, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Columbus, Ohio.

Success Rate
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Ohio - 2001 - 02 Hunting Season: Crossbow Hunters - 15% Success Rate Vertical Bow Hunters - 15% Success Rate

Source: Ortman, W. M. (2007). Archery incidents in Ohio, 1976-2006. Unpublished data, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Columbus, Ohio.

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

By the 2001-02 season crossbow hunter number had increased nearly 10-fold to an estimated 106,000.

Impact on Bow Hunting

Vertical bow numbers had increased to 88,000 [from 82,000 in 1982].

Source: Ortman, W. M. (2007). Archery incidents in Ohio, 1976-2006. Unpublished data, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Columbus, Ohio.

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Crossbow Season Expansion Evolution of Crossbows in the US

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Crossbow Season Expansion Evolution of Crossbows in the US

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Crossbow Season Expansion Evolution of Crossbows in the US

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Crossbow Season Expansion Evolution of Crossbows in the US

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Crossbow Season Expansion Evolution of Crossbows in the US

PA - Over 67,000 Handicap Permits Issued

Crossbow Surveys and Studies

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

North American Whitetail Magazine 2006 Opinion Poll Cornell University/Kentucky Crossbow Survey Georgia Wildlife Harvest 2003-2004 Crossbow Discussion

NAHC October 2006 Opinion Poll (non-scientific)

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Q: Crossbows should be legal hunting tools for: 1) All hunters 2) Only hunters with disabilities 3) Only disabled hunters and hunters 65 and older

Results: 63% 25%

12%

Source: North American Whitetail Magazine October 2006 Edition

Cornell University Kentucky Crossbow Survey

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Respondents were asked if they would support or oppose expanding crossbow season from its current time frame to a time frame that runs concurrently with archery season. Approximately 60% supported crossbow expansion Approximately 25% opposed crossbow expansion
Opposed Support

Note - The Cornell University is based on completed surveys from 3,240 hunters and 360 landowners. The report was conducted for Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources.

Cornell University Kentucky Crossbow Survey

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

For those opposed to the expansion of crossbows, the primary reasons given:
Expanding Crossbow Season would Recruit New Hunters
(Respondents - Landowners - 68% / Hunters - 78%)

Harvest of Wildlife - Georgia

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

2003-2004 Crossbow Experience

2003 - 04 season was the second year of general crossbow use.
Previously permitted for hunters with certified disabilities

Increase in archery deer hunters + 11.6% Increase in archery deer harvest + 44.3% Increase in crossbow hunters + 55.3% Increase in deer harvest with a crossbow + 168.0% Crossbow hunters represented 24.8% of archery hunters Crossbow hunters represented 9.1% of all hunters Crossbow harvests represented 21.8%% of archery harvests Crossbow harvests represented only 2.6% of all harvests

Nick Nicholson, Senior Wildlife Biologist, GA Department of Natural Resources

Harvest of Wildlife - Georgia

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

2003-2004 Crossbow Experience

13.5% of respondents previously used crossbows under the handicap rule 31.1% of respondents had no prior experience using archery equipment for hunting - approximately 6,900 hunters Success rate for compound bow hunters + .51 deer per hunter Success rate for crossbow hunters + .49 deer per hunter Estimated increase in archery hunters + 9,300 Approximately half (46.4%) of new archers using crossbows were over 50 year old

Harvest of Wildlife - Georgia

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

2003-2004 Crossbow Experience - Conclusions

Harvest results for crossbows are not significantly different than those for compound bows Expansion of crossbows significantly increases the number of archery hunters Recruitment Expansion of crossbows retain older archery hunters Retention

Georgia Archers Hunters Age Analysis

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+

Figure 1: Age Structure of 20032004 Georgia Crossbow Hunters

20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+

Figure 2: Age Structure of 20032004 Georgia compound/recurve archers

Reproduced with permission: Harvest of Wildlife in Georgia, 2003-2004 Crossbow Discussion Pages 1-4 of 4

BY STATE Crossbow Statistical Information

New Season Review

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Georgia Virginia Maryland Tennessee

Georgia Deer Harvest Summaries

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee 2001-2002 Archery Harvest (crossbows not archery)
Archery Deer Hunters Archery Buck Harvest Archery Doe Harvest Total Archery Harvest Average Deer/Hunter 96,721 14,000 30,600 44,600 0.5

FACT GA Total Hunters: 416,833 GA Crossbow Archers: 17,322 4.1% of Hunters participated in first year (2002)

2002-2003 Archery Harvest (including crossbow)*

Archery Deer Hunters Archery Buck Harvest Archery Doe Harvest Total Archery Harvest Average Deer/Hunter 97,392 6,300 31,500 37,800 0.4

Crossbow Hunters Crossbow Harvest % of Archery Harvest % of Total Harvest

02/03 17,322 4,429 12.0% 1.0%

03/04 22,136 10,313 22.0% 3.0%

04/05 22,738 9,380 22.0% 3.0%

05/06 21,454 9,564 19.7% 2.5%

Source: Georgia DNR/Deer Harvest Summaries/Updated 1-11-2007. 2002-2006 Harvest Summaries

Virginia Hunter Participation

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

First year crossbows considered Archery

License Sales Archery vs. Crossbow 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 3,156 58,237 2,847 58,477 2,931 58,697 2,798 52,173 2,561 628 15,039 61,084 61,408 61,495 70,401 48,346 2,611 778 19,605 74,496 Grand Total 3,156 275,930 13,748 1,406 34,644 328,884

License 101 Sportsmans Hunting and Fishing 119 Resident Archery 120 Non-Resident Archery 140 Non-Resident Crossbow 149 Resident Crossbow Grand Total

Archery Crossbow Total

100.0% 0.00% 100.0%

100.0% 0.00% 100.0%

100.0% 0.00% 100.0%

77.75% 22.25% 100.0%

72.64% 27.36% 100.0%

License Sales Big Game (Bear, Deer & Turkey) License 101 Sportsmans Hunting and Fishing 115 Resident Bear, Deer & Turkey 116 Non-Resident Bear, Deer & Turkey Grand Total 230,306 17,392 247,698 230,908 17,376 248,284 226,627 16,498 243,125 221,581 15,979 237,560 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 3,156 208,397 15,159 226,712 Grand Total 3,156 1,117,819 82,404 1,203,379

Source: VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Reproduced with permission from Carman Houston, IMS Department.

2005-2006 Summary - Virginia

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

FACTS: VA Total Archery Hunters: 74,496 VA Archery Growth Rate +21.1% (61,495 to 74,496 in one year) VA Crossbow Hunters: 19,605 (Crossbows: 26% of archery license sales in two years)

Source: Virginia Department of Inland Game and Fisheries. 2005-2006 Deer Kill Summary. Page 1 of 2.

Maryland Total Harvest Comparison 2005-2006

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

94,052 Harvest Total 21,302 Archery Harvest Bow and Crossbow

3,174 Crossbow Harvest 15% of archery total 4.3% during archery season 10.7% during other seasons

Source: Maryland DNR. Written and Compiled by the Deer Project Staff: L. Douglas Hotton, Deer Project Leader. Maryland Deer Project 2005-2006 Annual Report Table 21

Tennessee Harvest Comparison

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Deer Harvest Annual Weapon Totals

1996 Statewide Kill (Gun)* Statewide Kill (Muzzleloader) Statewide Kill (Archery)** Statewide Kill (Crossbow) Total Statewide Kill WMA Kill (Gun)* WMA Kill (Muzzleloader) WMA Kill (Archery)** WMA Kill (Crossbow) Total WMA Total Fort Campbell No. of Counties Reporting GRAND TOTAL 121,563 --20,933 --142,496 4,060 --1,222 --5,845 1,289 95 149,630 1997 121,074 --22,897 --143,971 3,772 --949 --5,405 965 95 150,341 1998 130,335 --18,931 --149,266 3,698 --1,101 --5,560 849 95 155,675 1999 116,759 --20,384 --137,143 3,774 --1,056 --5,491 863 95 143,497 2000 129,580 --19,900 --149,480 3,630 --999 --5,160 883 95 155,523 2001 131,864 --20,756 --152,620 2,901 --835 --4,348 631 95 157,599 2002 132,265 --18,272 --150,537 3,246 --904 --4,718 887 95 156,142 2003 137,598 --19,117 --156,715 2,908 --818 --4,358 707 95 161,780 2004 154,746 --19,331 --174,077 3,118 --1,135 --4,780 685 95 179,542 2005 106,015 33,935 16,346 3,800 160,096 3,324 1,130 1,009 168 5,631 652 95 166.379 2006 113,928 39,220 16,270 5,519 174,937 3,784 1,311 1,058 312 6,465 691 95 182,093

* Prior to 2005, Gun kills were a combination of both modern gun and muzzleloader ** Prior to 2005 Archery kills were a combination of both modern archery and crossbow

2.2%

3.0%

Source: Big Game Harvest Report 2006-2007, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Technical Report 07-01 Management Issue

Crossbow Percentage of total harvest

Old Season Review

Wyoming Arkansas Ohio

Statewide Harvest By Method - Arkansas

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Table 2A

2002 - 2003
Method Archery Crossbows Muzzleloaders Modern Gun Entire Season Total Archery Compounds Crossbows Total Archery Compounds Crossbows 6,934 2,815 19,515 95,187 124,451 9,749 6,934 2,815 7.8% 5.6% 2.3%

2003 - 2004
6,232 2,946 10,992 86,965 107,135 9,178 6,232 2,946 8.6% 5.8% 2.7%

2004 - 2005
8,720 4,374 18,248 100,115 131,457 13,094 8,720 4,374 10.0% 6.6% 3.3%

2005 - 2006
7,793 3,650 13,911 103,641 128,995 11,443 7,793 3,650
% Total Harvest

Harvest Results 2005 - 06

Hunters checked 132,415 deer during the 2005-2006 deer season. This is a 0.5 percent increase from the 2004-2005 harvest of 131,639. The adult buck harvest decreased 3 percent (70,480) from the 2004-2005 harvest of 72,486. The doe harvest also remained stable with a 1 percent decrease (47,464 to 47,229).

% Total Harvest % Total Harvest % Total Harvest

8.9% 6.0% 2.8%

Source: Arkansas Game and Fish. 2003-2004 Deer Season Summary. Page 7 of 28. Arkansas Game and Fish 2005-2006 Deer Summary. Pages 8 and 10 of 40.

Ohio 2006 Hunter Survey

Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Estimated number of Deer Hunters by Hunter Group, Fall 2006 PAID

Deer Hunters (325,000)

SENIOR
Deer Hunters (40,000)

LANDOWNER
Deer Hunters (100,000)

ALL
Deer Hunters (475,000)

Hunting Device/Season Longbow Crossbow Total Archers Shotgun Muzzleloader

% of group 36 43 85 63

Hunters 115,000 140,000 255,000 275,000 200,000

730,000*

% of group 5 23 68 27

Hunters % of group 2,000 10,000 25,000 10,000 31 28 90 35

Hunters 30,000 25,000 90,000 35,000

Hunters 150,000 175,000 300,000 400,000 250,000

*Total greater than 325,00 due to hunters hunting with more than one weapon during hunting season

78.4% of Ohio Hunters hunted with Archery in Fall 2006; 255,000 of 325,000 paid hunters

Source: Napier. T.L. and C.T. Smith. (2006). Ohio hunter participation rates. Unpublished data, Ohio State University, Columbus.

Conclusions
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

The basic functions, dynamics and ballistics of the crossbow: Ballistically crossbows are very similar to compound bows - no fast, no more powerful; From an injury and violation standpoint there are no differences between crossbows and compound bows.

Conclusions
Archery Trade Association Crossbow Committee

Experiences of States in which the crossbows has been adopted as an archery game management tool: Crossbows result in recruitment; Crossbows result in retention; Crossbows help harvest, but by no means decimates the herd; Crossbow can generate incremental revenues.