Ten Point is the brand I'm leaning towards once we get the crossbow included in the archery season.

Anyone that has followed the crossbow debate over the years in North Carolina has certainly been aware of the NCBA (NC Bow hunters Association) total opposition for the crossbow being allowed as a legal hunting weapon except for in the case you are handicap. That is an across the board opposition including firearm season. Here is an excerpt from NCBA website on the policy on crossbows;

The NCBA’s basic position on crossbows has not changed. NCBA opposes blanket, “Across the board” legalization of crossbows for hunting in North Carolina AT ANY TIME, except as allowed by state law for legally handicapped persons who possess the “handicapped hunting permit” from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The phrase, “AT ANY TIME”, means just that! NCBA is opposed to legalization of crossbows for hunting purposes during all hunting seasons, except as provided by law for legitimatly handicapped persons.

Not only do the oppose it but if you’re a member of the NCBA you cannot in anyway openly oppose this stance.

“Members may not endorse such a weapon under any circumstances.” Endorsing crossbows, or any such a weapon, means that NCBA members who openly profess the legalization of crossbows “at any time” , during any hunting seasons, are in violation of this Bylaw. And, as the Bylaw continues to state, “If a member is caught using or endorsing such a weapon in violation of this article, he/she will be subject to immediate dismissal from NCBA membership.”
Endorsing a crossbow for hunting purposes in North Carolina may be done in a variety of ways. The most common ways are to publish a statement in favor of legalizing crossbows via any media source, such as publishing a statement in a magazine, newspaper, letter, email, internet forum or chat-room; or by talking to a group of people, or individuals, in public or casual conversation. A member may have a personal opinion that differs from NCBA’s position, and they have an absolute right to that. But, if he/she openly or publicly endorses the crossbow, or similar weapon, under any circumstances, the member is in violation of this Bylaw, and appropriate action will be taken by the Executive Council to enforce this Bylaw.

To me that is pretty clear they oppose crossbows and they don’t want them allowed as legal hunting weapons here in NC. They have every right as an organization to take that stance and that is why I and a number of other folks have left their organization.
I guess their most recent legislative update is a bit curious;

We believe our bills are fair to all involved and offer a good balance and compromise that everyone can live with. Not everyone is going to be totally satisfied with everything that comes of this process. But, we must try and do our best to convince our legislators to support our bills. We are hopeful that our Wildlife Commission and Commissioners will see and understand that we are not asking for anything that is unreasonable. In fact, we are not asking for anything except to keep our deer seasons in place as they now exist. The only exception is to allow the use of crossbows during firearms seasons.

Sounds like an endorsement of the crossbow.

The legalization of the crossbow is coming one only needs to look at the trends across the country. Every year more and more states recognize the crossbow as archery equipment. At a time where many traditional places to hunt are being urbanized the importance of controlling burgeoning wildlife populations such as deer in these areas is an issue. Archery equipment including the crossbow is a legitimate close range weapon to hunt these animals while avoiding the safety issues with the use of firearms.
If the NCBA is successful at getting this law through the use of the crossbow in archery only zones on Game Lands as well as the urban deer season will be off limits. The crossbow has the effective range comparable to a bow not a gun. The crossbow shoots a bolt that flies and looks more like an arrow and not a bullet. There is no legitimate reason as to why the crossbow is not a legitimate archery weapon to hunt with in NC.
The NCBA has to realize they are fighting a losing battle when in the public meetings their position was overwhelmingly rejected by the sportsmen of the state. I guess that may be why they are violating their own organizations rule on endorsing the crossbow by having a bill introduced to allow it during the firearm season.
I urge you to contact your state lawmakers and ask them to reject this special interest bill and leave the power of managing the wildlife with the NCWRC.

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