Bills would allow crossbows, change primitive weapon rules

Two pieces of legislation that would definitely lead to changes in the way Mississippians hunt have cleared their first two hurdles in the state’s House of Representatives and Senate.

Senate Bill 2048, passed by the Senate’s Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee on Monday (Jan. 28) would allow any hunter with a primitive weapon or archery permit “irrespective of age or disability” to hunt with a crossbow during any archery or primitive weapon deer season.

House Bill 1139, which got committee approval Thursday (Jan. 31), would allow hunters on certain private lands to use their “weapon of choice” during any regular or special primitive weapon season.

The two bills, and a handful of others, beat the coming deadline for committee action and now await action by the full Senate and House, respectively, where they face a Feb. 14 deadline.

Archers, especially those represented by the Mississippi Bowhunters Association, a well-organized and historically strong lobbying group, have long opposed the introduction of crossbows in the archery season. While they have not said they will overtly lobby against S.B. 2048, they can be expected to launch some level of opposition.

However, their past successes at dodging the crossbow bullet and other issues have come in the Senate committee. With the bill already getting that panel’s approval, it could be tougher.

“Looks like crossbows are coming, like it or not,” said Tony Jackson, an avid archer from Brandon. “I have been opposed to them in the past, but, honestly, the more I think about it I can’t see the harm. How can anyone else using a crossbow affect me if I want to use my regular bow?”

But Jackson had a more personal reason to accept crossbows.

“My Dad couldn’t bow hunt last year because he got pretty beat up in a car wreck,” he said. “Dad bruised his chest bad and it hurt too much to draw a bow. He had no serious, permanent injury and didn’t think he’d qualify for a crossbow and didn’t want to go to a doctor and see so we missed out on some weekend trips together.”

H.B. 1139 opens another can of worms, basically eliminating primitive weapon season on “certain” private lands. If passed, it would allow hunters to use their weapon of choice — i.e. regular guns — during primitive weapon season.

(Funny note: When the bill was originally introduced, the language actually read “primitive weapon of choice.” Of course, that would have done absolutely nothing, since hunters could already use their “primitive weapon of choice.”)

“Long overdue, at least ever since they started allowing those single shot centerfires,” John Blocker of Jackson said. “I never understood the difference between a .45-70 or a 35-Whelen and my .270, except that I can shoot more than once without reloading. I think they took away all the tradition related to the primitive weapon season when they took out the muzzle-loader requirement.

“I bought one of the 35s but over the next two years I was going to have to buy two more because my sons will be turning 16. It was getting too expensive. They should be able to hunt with their regular rifles after they turn 16 just like they can now as youth hunters.”

Under the proposed bill, hunters between the ages of 16 and 65 or otherwise exempt from buying a license, will still be required to possess either a primitive weapon permit or a Sportsman’s License.

Public lands are excluded in the bill.

As passed the committee, the bill leaves a couple of obvious questions, mainly, who will be allowed to use weapon of choice.

In defines “certain” private lands as land that is vested in the hunter, and/or upon private lands upon which the hunting rights have been leased by the hunter, or a hunting club, of which the hunter is a member.

Would the landowner’s guests or family members be allowed to use weapon of choice? Would a camp member’s guest or family members be allowed to use weapon of choice?

It will be interesting to follow the bill through the legislative process to see if amendments are made to answer those questions. To track the bills online, visit www.legislature.ms.gov and follow the prompts through the legislation tab.