Crossbows????

[huntandfishguy6]

So we all know that the websites name is Texas Bowhunter. I'm not looking to create a debate on Traditional, vs Compound, vs Crossbows. I have bowhunted since my late teens, I'm now going on 61. Until recently it never entered my mind about using a crossbow. So I'm seeking information from members that actually use them for hunting whitetails. How has it changed your hunting strategy ? Do you feel that it is easier to harvest game with it, or does it present new hunting challenges ? I personally don't want to use climbing stands anymore, and I feel it's a bother to set up ladder stands. Back a few years ago i loved the practicality of moving my climber from tree, to tree. But these days it's much easier, and safer to stay on the ground. So tell me the ins, and outs of crossbow hunting.

[RiverRat1]

Good luck!

IMO it's far easier because you don't have to move to shoot. In your case hunting on the ground will make it even easier. Just don't think you can shoot further because you're looking through a scope or because the bolt hits a target at a longer range. Deer will duck.

I'd kill a deer with one if I had one. Sold my crossbow a long time ago.

[justletmein]

We use them on skiddish public deer, helps due to not having motion for the draw which is where they normally bust you. If you're not killing with a compound it's not gonna magically make you a slayer but it's definitely easier IMO. They're also great for people who can't or don't practice a lot, don't have to worry about form or all the little things that can affect a shot like torquing your grip. They're super loud though so as stated shot range suffers because the deer will absolutely react negatively. **** things have a ton of pent up energy waiting to spring, they're dangerous and legitimately scare me.

[PondPopper]

I bought and hunted with one 2 seasons ago due to a complete shoulder reconstruction.
In my opinion it sucked. I couldn’t put that dangerous contraption down fast enough.
I love bow hunting and it just was not the same.
I did kill 2 deer with it. Aim, pull trigger, deer dead.
Haven’t touched it since. It’s in the case, practically brand new.

Like RR stated the biggest misconception about them is their affective range. Shooting Responsibly, it’s no more than a compound.
They are loud and deer WILL react. Both of mine did and the shots were only 25-30 yards.

[GarGuy]

I use a crossbow. I killed well over 100 deer with recurve and compound. Now a back injury prohibits me from drawing. I'm grateful for it. They are legal and a great opportunity to get women and kids out in Oct.

Get a good one and enjoy rather than have your back lock up and ruin hunting for you.

[Onski316]

I was a gun hunter growing up. Figured I could get an extra month to hunt if I learn to bow hunt so I bought a crossbow. Used it a few years. Really loved it. Made me have to get closer to make the shot work. But then I wanted to learn to bow hunt. Got into compounds for about 8 years and the past 4-5 years I've been looking for more of a challenge and have hit the traditional bug. I still keep a crossbow around. My Pops came to visit over Thanksgiving and I put him and my 9 year old son in a blind together with it. Jacked my shoulder up for a month a few year ago and broke it out of the closet to sit in the stand with me a few times just to get out of the house but couldn't pull 10# on a regular bow at the time. I do love my Excalibur but it typically remains a display piece anymore. Being on the ground the crossbow would have a great advantage as you can set it up on a tripod and leave it till you need the shot. Much less movement than with a bow or keep it in your lap like turkey hunting. I think it retains more of the gun aspects of hunting than bow. I like they're around and it brings people to the sport. They have their place in the grand scheme of things.

[Drycreek3189]

When I reached the point that I could no longer hold a respectable group at 30 yards with my Elite Synergy I slowly stopped bowhunting. I missed it so I bought a crossbow. I bought a very nice Ten Point that had the narrow profile, a crank to cock it, all the bells and whistles (from the previous year). It would sling a bolt so fast that you could not follow it in flight and very accurate for as far as I shot it (50 yards).

Here’s the thing though, they are totally devoid of a soul. There is no pride (for me) in using one, although I don’t look aside at anyone who does. My best friend bought one at my suggestion so that he could bowhunt pronghorns with us in Wyoming. He killed bucks back to back in two years. They are huge, heavy, and just plain difficult to carry to the stand. If you just want an opportunity to hunt in October, that’s the way to go. I drug mine to the stand a total of three times I think and the only thing I ever shot with it was a turkey. I sold it. That’s my take, yours will probably be different.

[Bayouboy]

I enjoy using mine as much as I do a compound. 30-35 yds is about as far as I will shoot when it comes to killing a deer. I know it is good for more than that. But, I pretty much stick to the range I used when hunting with a compound. I have killed deer out of climbers, lock ons, and pop ups with it. Lots of good brands out there. I stick to Excalibur due to the simplicity.

I have the Excalibur Micro and it is not big and bulky.

[Fishndude]

From a bow shop perspective, expect it to break. Keep your receipt of purchase. And I don’t meant the chap ones break. I mean they all break. Limbs shatter, strings snap, cranks lock up etc…avoid “accudraw”!

[coker737]

Had to go crossbow after a Motorcycle crash. Broken Clavicle. Went with Excalibur.

[Aetheling]

We use them on skiddish public deer, helps due to not having motion for the draw which is where they normally bust you. If you're not killing with a compound it's not gonna magically make you a slayer but it's definitely easier IMO. They're also great for people who can't or don't practice a lot, don't have to worry about form or all the little things that can affect a shot like torquing your grip. They're super loud though so as stated shot range suffers because the deer will absolutely react negatively. **** things have a ton of pent up energy waiting to spring, they're dangerous and legitimately scare me.

First point is why I use. I prefer to be in a tree than anywhere else and where I hunt you wont get a compound drawn halfway back before you are busted. You still have to know your ranges. A crossbow does not shoot flat which is a misconception but a proper scope with range marks will help alot. I still shoot under 30 yds. I prefer being in a tree with my xbow than being in a blind with a compound.

[MisterB]

I’m 80 years old and have taken over a hundred deer with my longbow and vertical bows. Switched to crossbows when my shoulders went out on me and haven’t looked back. I can no longer use climbing stands or tripods since I had a hip replaced. So now I hunt from comfortable box stands and love it. I shoot Excalibur Micros and love the simplicity of string changes, ease of a crank cocker, small size and deadly accuracy.

[Bassdeer]

Easier, It's just a sideways compound.

[Quackerbox]

I like the comments on this so far. Not what I expected.

Ive never hunted with one cause Im not old enough. I did buy one for my dad and he killed a few deer with one. Also sent us on the longest track Ive ever done with one also

[Lynn21]

Why can’t you shoot your compound from a ground blind or box blind that has vertical bow windows?