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Pa. Game Commission still waffling on crossbow usage
But when it comes to one subject, the Pennsylvania Game Commission makes politicians take a back seat. The subject is the use of a crossbow during the general statewide archery season.
I attended a meeting when a commissioner seemed incredulous that a scope sight could be used on a crossbow. He repeatedly asked, "You mean like one that is used on a rifle?"
Still, there were enough votes to allow the use of crossbows into the regular archery season. After that many hunters purchased a crossbow outfit complete with upgraded sights. These things aren't exactly cheap. Despite this, the commission started to hedge and moved to outlaw the use of scopes on the crossbow.
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Again a change came about and the commission gave its approval to scopes on crossbows.
Things seemed to quiet down a bit and the Hunting Digest that comes with a license was printed indicating the approval of crossbows statewide. At least three pages -7, 34, and 43 - mention the crossbow as legal for the taking of deer during the course of the statewide archery season. Finally, a decision had been made. Right?
Wrong.
Someone came up with the hair-brained idea of making another adjustment to allow the crossbow only during the first two weeks of the statewide archery season. This was despite the fact that many hunters went out and bought a crossbow.
These bows do not come cheap with many costing more than a high-grade deer rifle. A friend, who I won't name for fear his wife would kill him, spent over $700 dollars on a crossbow when the commission indicated the rules would change. And his is not a top-of-the-line crossbow.
But the rule changing wasn't done yet. Now rumors are flying that with the addition of new commissioners the rules will remain as printed in the Hunting Digest.
Don't get me wrong, there has not been a final decision made as of yet and we just may not see one until Christmas the way things are going. But legalization for the full season is still possible. Of course, there are those who think the rules in the Hunting Digest are gospel and follow them regardless of other information.
After all it is in the book. Have you ever felt like a yo-yo?
n Whatever happened to Plymouth? Edsel disappeared with a large bit of fanfare as did the Hudson and Nash.
But poor old Plymouth, despite being one of the three standard-priced models, is here today but silently gone tomorrow.
In a like manner what happened to Unertl?
This Pittsburgh-based company made some of shooting's best optics. Even with today's improved scopes, few, if any could, match Unertl optically.
It seems when the company founder dies so does the company.
Much the same could be said about Weaver and Lyman.
Both made scopesights, but Lyman also was an innovator in the reloading field. It would be safe to say that Lyman dominated the field of handloading. Weaver's name lives on in scope mounts but it is not the original company. And one can still buy Lyman loading supplies but they are foreign made.
Like Plymouth, they just faded away.
Somewhere along the way Mossberg quit making .22 rimfire rifles.
It still produces shotguns and I believe a single center-fire rifle, but I don't remember when it made its last Rimfire.
There was a time when Mossberg dominated the low-cost .22 field. A young man and his Mossberg were a common sight.
When did it change? I missed something along the way.
Iver Johnson made a very popular shotgun, the Champion, and H&R made a top-selling tip-up .22 handgun, the Sportsman. They are gone.
Of course, back then Sears & Roebuck sold firearms as did K-Mart. And what about those little .22 single shots that could be acquired by selling Cloverene salve?
Come to think of it what happened to the salve?
A popular rifle that seemed to just disappear was the 99 Savage. Rumor had it that only one employee knew how to make one so when he died, so did the rifle. That can't be true, can it?
Sometimes things just slide away quietly like the Plymouth.
n An interesting fishing tournament will be held August 29 at Ten Mile Park near Fredericktown.
Scott Gates owner of S&S Bait and Tackle in Chalk Hill is in charge of this year's Fish For Life Bass and Walleye Tournament on the Monongahela River.
Entry fee for a two-man team is $100 and there will be a 90 percent pay back in prizes. First prize is $1,500, while second prize of $1,000.
Further rules and regulations can be obtained by calling Scott Gates at 724-323-3477. All proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society the organization is celebrating 60 years of fighting blood cancers. Fish For Life a good name for a good cause.
