Crossbow vs.Compound Bow.

[j.krug]

For years I owned both a compound bow and a crossbow and have taken many deer with each. Over the past few years my eyesight is such that it is difficult to see both the target and sight when shooting a compound so I stopped using it and used only crossbow. The scope allows me to shoot problem free with no vision issues.

Another issue that I have, and this is a personal choice, is that I now live in town and don't have a place to practice to stay proficient with a compound bow. It takes regular shooting to stay sharp with a compound and I would not hunt if I did not feel confident shooting with one. The crossbow requires much less practice to stay sharp with in my opinion.

[L. E. Carroll]

It could be a touchy question I suspect...

But, I have often wondered how many bow hunters regardless of the type of bow used, are hunting that way due to a conviction that prevents them from hunting with or owning firearms ?

Just a thought and hope it's taken as so.

Gene

[wheelie]

I just like to hunt . I like hunting with my Excal. the best if someone wants to use a long bow or compound or recurve let them . if we as hunters don't stick together. some day we will have no hunting . that is my opinion .
W.M.

I think we are very close to that now. If you don't own your own land there will be no where to hunt.

[wheelie]

It could be a touchy question I suspect...

But, I have often wondered how many bow hunters regardless of the type of bow used, are hunting that way due to a conviction that prevents them from hunting with or owning firearms ?

Just a thought and hope it's taken as so.

Gene

In Ontario Canada they include crossbows in a weapons ban because it has a trigger. Extreme cases they will include bows also but it is not normal practise.

CHEERS!

[Bcwn]

I own 2 Mathews, and my latest purchase was a Hoyt Carbon spyder. I bought a matrix 380 strictly out of curiosity, never shot a crossbow nor hunted with one. My Hoyt, and Mathews have not seen outside since my excal purchase. I can't even recall the amount of times I've had deer look up at me coming to full draw on a vertical bow. Crossbow cocked= problem solved. Love my crossbow in a ground blind! IMHO X bow is far superior when it comes to stealth before the shot, and accuracy after

Brad

[nchunterkw]

I get an email about stuff on Archery Talk every so often and saw a post on this over there through that email. The first reply was essentially "crossbows are not archery" blah, blah, blah. "Only handicapped people should be allowed to use them", blah, blah, blah...I just don't understand the mentality. I started using a crossbow when I lived in OH and wanted to bowhunt but did not have enough time in the day to practice enough. My kids were young and involved in sport, and I coached and volunteered both there and at my church...all good things.......and they took priority over everyday practice with my bow so I would be confident enough to fire an arrow at an animal. Sure, I was probably OK enough to hit a deer, but that's just not good enough for me. So a crossbow allowed me to be accurate enough with much less practice time. It allowed me to bow hunt and feed my family and also be able to spend time with them doing things they wanted to do. When I hear all the "it's not archery BS, I simply ask the person if they instinctively shoot a recurve vert bow. And if they say no, which most do, then I simply turn the tables on them. Front and rear sights (possibly lighted), drop away rests, 75% let off, a release aid with a trigger on it, stabilizers........I'm just sayin.

[Retired CPO]

I wonder if the folks turning their noses up at crossbows would believe for a second that Native Americans would not have jumped all over hunting crossbows if they had been available. How many more babies would have survived with a more reliable source of meat in the lodges?... And I have no doubt that that goes as well for hunting in the present age.
But I have to admit, it might not have been good news for the US Army.

[jd4223]

I started with the old fiberglass Fred Bear recurve bow as a kid/spam ager,Worked my way up to the Bear Compound Bow.Shot compound bows up until 3 years ago(59 years old),and finally had to switch to a crossbow due to left shoulder being dislocated twice and having a torn left rotator cuff/cup,which I still haven't had operated on.Hopefully I can hold out and still use my rope cocker.If not,then time for a crank or CO2 cocker.

[GRUNDY]

I got so sick of something always needing tweaking or adjusting on my vertical bow. I was not willing to accept the 10yard limitation my abilities with a recurve provide me, so I bought the best recurve crossbow I could.

I'm perfectly capable of drawing a vert bow. I see very little difference between a compound V bow and crossbow. Now if you want to compare a Vert recurve to a crossbow, then you have a legit argument on your hands.

But I digress. A crossbow just works better for me now.

Regards,

B

[Pinpoint]

I love my crossbow!! I don't have the time to practice with a vertical bow. It's just a fact. It would be irresponsible for me to hunt with one but I still want to be in the field. I don't care who hunts with what, but that's just my philosophy!