How Do You Feel???

[5465]

this might be a touchy subject and maybe it's already been covered on here, but i was just curious on where everyone stands as far as hunting with crossbows??? i myself see no problem with it, but i realize that there are many die hards out there and don't think they deserve any respect, but everyones entitled to there own opinion.

 

[River1]

I believe they are an appropriate weapon for the physically impaired. However, IMO they don't belong in a capable persons hands during the regular archery season. Bow seasons were designed for the persons willing to accept the challenge of true archery equipment.

Here is some info regarding X bows. I think it explains the anti crossbow view fairly well.

http://www.bowsite.com/pbs/crossbow.html

 

[Shredder]

I agree totally RBB. No place for them in the hunting woods during the archery only season

 

[Liv4Rut]

I honestly dont see a problem with them for people who need them. I know someday I will probably be forced to use one, just like many of you. if the day ever comes when i cant hunt with a bow or crossbow then it's time to be buried 6 feet deep

 

[lxshooter]

Like everyone else stated I don't think there is any place for them to be used in a archery only season. Only exception is when the person is physically unable to use a regular bow. Just my opinion.

 

[katy]

IMO - If some needs to use them for Physically disabled reasons, then I have no problem with them using them during the hunting season. I do know that there are quite a few people that abuse this privilage. JMO

 

[simplesimon]

I feel the same way as most of you... I think that if someone has a physical condition that legitamently requires them to use a crossbow... Then that is o.k. However, I think that it is wrong and know people who have connections with their doctors, that will get them to provide documentation stating that they have a certain percentage of disability so they can shoot a crossbow. That is wrong.

 

[Thinkin Rut]

Do they have a separate book for crossbow bucks? I guess that is where I would draw the line. I would hate to see someone high in the archery book get beat out by a crossbow buck.

 

[Guest]

I was in the position that this is all about.Break your neck and strange things happen to your body.Like Supertec,I know that there are alot of folks that take it for granted.I know that I was elated when my Doc. said that he didn't see why I couldn't pull back on my bow again.
Those who know that they can pull a bow with no physical problem or pain and still shoot xbows need to quit being lazy.Just my opinion.

 

[bowmaker]

Time to play the devil's advocate. I'm not real sure how I feel about cross bows in general but I don't think that a nondisabled hunter should be able to use one during the entire bow season. Perhaps there should be a special season early like the early muzzle loader season. Having said that I would like to point out that you could take the same article cited above and replace the word crossbow with compound bow. Todays compound bows and related equipment are so far removed from the equipment used when the original archery seasons were established. Early archers like Saxon Pope, Howard Hill, and even Fred Bear would argue strongly against 85% let offs, fall away rests, glowing sight pins, 320 fps speeds, mechanical broad heads, and lots of other equipment that is believed to be essential today to hunt deer with a bow and arrow. The way I see it the only real difference between cross bows and modern compounds is a device to mechanically hold the 10% or 15% of draw weight until the release trigger is pulled.
I don't mean all this to be critical of the compounds just because I use something less advanced. I only want to make the point that there should be a place for any one who wants to hunt in a moral and ethical manner and we should encourage them to do so rather that saying that they are just lazy or crooked because they would use a cross bow. Many hunters progress to another level once they get involved and learn new skills. Cross bow users could move to compounds, then to stick bows, just like a lot of shotgun hunters have moved to muzzle loaders because of the increased challenge. If we discourage hunters because of their weapons they may never have the experiences that make most of us embrace and guard our sport so firmly.

 

[Shedhuntermd]

Up until about 6 years ago I shot competition with a bow and loved it, but in 1996 I was in a bad accident and had to have surgery on my right shoulder. My surgery got infected and I had to have most of my right deltoid removed, obviously shooting a bow is out of the question unless I pull it back with my teeth. Although I did not like the fact that I was going to have to shoot a crossbow, I thought it would be an advantage. What I quickly learned is that they drop like a rock and I missed my first three deer because they were 3-4 yards closer or farther than I thought. My crossbow is a Tenpoint Stealth, the best on the market. With it shooting 3 inches high at 10 yards, flat at 23 yards it would be about 3.5 feet low at 40, and 6 feet low at 60 yards, because of the short arrow length, just think does a javelin thrower throw a short javelin, no because a longer arrow with shoot flatter. If I had an option I would buy a Mathews Outback. The Outback would shoot about the same speed, and would be 75% quieter, and the arrow would not drop near as fast, and the kinetic energy would be much higher, and would shoot better with broad heads. From what I have seen it is also more accurate, and just try to pull off a second shot with a crossbow, good luck. From my experiences with shooting a bow-vs.- a crossbow are both very challenging and equally rewarding. True challenges is shooting a recurve or longbow, or just takes off your sights, or leaves your release at home, or forget your rangefinder.

 

[DOUBLE LUNG]

oooohhhhh, I can't wait to see what the responces are to this one. I shot a compound bow with sight and release. I have 65% let off and I don't think you can compare compounds to crossbows. That is like comparing a shotgun slug to a 300 win mag.

 

[Shedhuntermd]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think you can compare compounds to crossbows. That is like comparing a shotgun slug to a 300 win mag.

[/ QUOTE ]

I often hear those crazy comparisons, and it is clear that the person making the jugement has never shot a crossbow

 

[Thinkin Rut]

ShedhunterMD-I have never shot or have been around crossbows. If you were walking to your timber to hunt deer and your shoulders were healthy, what would you rather be hunting with, a crossbow or compound?

 

[Shedhuntermd]

Thinkin Rut
Without a doubt I would still be shooting a compound bow for competition and for hunting and yes it would have all the bells and whistles, I even have the exact bow and accessories picked out. Unfortunately it is not an option, but it is still fun to dream. Regular bows are just more fun to shoot. I just get ticked off when I hear people talk about the unfair advantage crossbow are, because they have obviously never shot one. The fact that people think you can put a crossbow away at the end of season, and pull it out opening day and be ready is a crock too. Crossbows require at least half the practice of conventional bows and that is coming from me, I am a perfectionist I am already practicing for September 15TH our opener. Crossbows are extremely accurate at 20 yards like compounds , but between the quick arrow drop and the 22.cal sound the crossbow makes anything over 25 yards is a challenging shot. Anything at or over 25 yards the deer’s duck has to be taken into consideration because of the noise crossbows create.