CROSSBOWS ARE COMING
Crossbows Past & Future
 Editor’s
note: The fastest-growing sport in archery today is
crossbow hunting. This old method of archery has suddenly
caught fire for many reasons. To learn why crossbows
are making such a strong impact on the archery scene,
we talked with Ottie Snyder, the media specialist for
Horton Manufacturing Company.
QUESTION: What’s the future of crossbow hunting
in the United States?
SNYDER: Crossbow hunting is the fastest-growing segment
of the archery business. I’d like to see it continue
to grow, just like I’d like to see all forms of
archery keep on growing. Many adults have
learned that they can take their youngsters bowhunting
with them when they shoot crossbows, because the youngster
can shoot a crossbow before he’s old enough to
draw a vertical bow. When that youngster gets big enough
to shoot a vertical bow, you can take that same crossbow
and give it to the next oldest son or daughter, who
then can shoot it. A crossbow can go through the hands
of several young people in a family as they become interested
in bowhunting. The crossbow is to hunting what the Zebco
33 is to fishing in that, anyone at any skill level
can be successful with the crossbow or the Zebco 33.
QUESTION: What seems to be the largest section of the
hunting population that’s starting to utilize
the crossbow?
SNYDER: So far, it looks to be youth and women. But
we are also seeing a number of urban, upper-echelon-management
hunters who spend five to six days a week at the office
and have had to give up archery because they’re
so busy. They don’t have enough practice time
to be proficient with the vertical bow. The bowhunter
who doesn’t have the time to practice with a vertical
bow can zero in his crossbow in 30 minutes and then
be ready to hunt without having to practice for hours
like he or she will with a longbow. There’s less
time for hunting and fishing now than there’s
ever been. People are so busy that when they have the
opportunity to go hunting, even if they haven’t
had time to practice to be proficient, the crossbow
still will meet their needs.
 QUESTION:
With more and more deer moving into suburbia, are you
seeing the crossbow utilized to solve urban deer problems?
SNYDER: Yes, but it is not only the crossbow being utilized
to solve the urban problems. The vertical bow is too.
In most states, bowhunting is seen as a recreational
pursuit instead of a deer-management tool. However,
in those urban areas where firearm useage is restricted,
the crossbow has really found a home. For instance,
in Ohio, six of the top 10 counties where deer are being
taken with a crossbow are very-urban counties.
To learn more about Horton Crossbows, go to www.crossbow.com
TOMORROW: MORE CROSSBOWS PAST
& FUTURE
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