Utah Senator Jenkins Shoots for Crossbow Hunting Provisions

BY: MAKENZIE WISTISEN

SALT LAKE CITY Utah lawmaker and long-time hunter, Senator Jenkins, is shooting for a bill
(SB 45) that would allow the use of a crossbow during an archery hunt.
Only recently were crossbows made legal in the state of Utah, but specifically under the any
other weapons or AOW permit category. Jenkins intends to change this for the benefit of hunters,
specifically senior hunters like himself who can no longer pull compound bows.
Unlike a compound bow that uses a levering system of cables and pulleys to bend the limbs, a
crossbow is a bit more intimidating in nature. A crossbow is fixed across a wooden support and
has a groove for the bolt and a mechanism for drawing and releasing the string. In other words, a
crossbow shoots with a deadly precision and force not fully matched by compound or vertical
bows.
Greg Sheehan, Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, enters the committee
meeting with an arsenal of various types of bows and crossbows to the intrigue of the crowded
audience. In physically displaying the differences between generations of bows and their
evolving technology, Sheehan and Jenkins hope to win the favor of the committee.
As sportsman affiliations remain the dominant presiders over hunting provisions, Kelly Hicks a
well-seasoned hunter from Bountiful, inserts his two cents: Theres two things that make
crossbows very effective. One, you can have them fully cocked and walk around that way, but
any snag is gonna pull that arrow cause theyre not bolts, youre shooting arrows so they can get
pulled off. Secondly, theyre really designed, yeah they have a trigger youre exactly right (nods
to Senator Christensen) but, if youve ever tried to shoot one, they are very accurate if youre in a
rest. If youre free-handing something, it is no different than a rifle.
Moving to the committee for questions, Senator Christensen, the very hunting partner of Senator
Jenkins, immediately opposes the bill after stating, Crossbows are legal; you can hunt with
them. You can hunt with them during archery season if you have a problem and get the proper
permit on themThe RACs (Regional Advisory Councils) are the proper way to pass these
wildlife issues, disputing the Legislatures involvement with the bill.
Reiterating the fact that the Legislature is simply a public process in addition to the RACs, the
bill is motioned into a vote. With a close four to three victory, SB 45 passes and an underhanded
high five is exchanged between two observers in the back. Its likely this will be the reaction of
archers across the state for years to come.