The advantage of the crossbow

[horizontalhunter]

azslim said:

That is where I see the advantage of a crossbow, when life has thrown you a curve and you can't hunt the way you used to.

That is how I see it to. I am a relatively young guy (45) and I have hunted for about 27 years. I hunt all of the seasons archery, shotgun, and muzzle loader. I started hunting archery season with a recurve, then I used a compound, and this season I am using a crossbow.

After 6 back operations using the compound bow was just out of the question. The repeated drawing of the bow just aggravated my injuries. But I still wanted to hunt so I went the route of the required disabled permits to hunt the states I hunt.

Without the crossbow I would not be able to hunt the archery season which has always been my favorite time to be in the woods.

That being said hunting with a crossbow is a huge pain in the a$$. It is like waking in the woods with a big freaking crowbar. It is no more accurate than a compound bow IMO. I used to shoot a lot and I shot excellent groups out to 60 yards (never an animal) with the compound bow.

The argument that say that the woods would be flooded with crossbow hunters because it is easier than using a compound bow just doesn't add up for me. I bet they have never shot one much less taken one for a "walk in the woods." They really ought to try it. It was an eye opening experience for me.

I would go back to a compound bow in a heart beat if my back would tolerate it. Oh and yes, if it puts more hunters in the woods that would be good for our sport. Fewer hunters = a smaller constituency = the erosion of our hunting rites and privileges.

HH

[BT]

You are speaking what I have been saying for years

[shaman]

horizontalhunter said:

The argument that say that the woods would be flooded with crossbow hunters because it is easier than using a compound bow just doesn't add up for me.

Proof is otherwise.
In states that allow the crossbow in the archery season see an influx of gun hunters looking to extend their seasons and they do so only with the option of the crossbow. Deer Harvest numbers also go up within the archery weeks where crossbows are allowed. See the other guys post on his state.

Whereas in Maine, where crossbows are allowed only in firearms season (unless exempted), there are hardly any people who indicate that they took their deer by crossbow and there are few people (my dad teaches required bow safety course) who are taking the crossbow course to use the crossbow within the gun season.

You wont find many able-bodied ARCHERS taking a crossbow out during archery seasons because they know the drawbacks are substantial when compared to a stick/compound bow.

You will find MANY gun hunters willing to deal with those hassles if they get to extend their hunting season for 4 weeks without having to learn how to shoot a bow.

[horizontalhunter]

As I am sure you all know the state of Virginia allowed the use of crossbows starting in 2005. Here is the result of allowing crossbows in the archery season:

"Crossbows, which were legal for all deer hunters for the first time in fall 2005, resulted in a deer kill of 7,051 deer or 3% of the total deer kill. The crossbow kill was up 28% from the 5,505 reported last year."

After 2 years of using the Crossbow during the archery season it only accounted for 3% of the deer harvest last season so I guess I just don't see the big threat.

Yes I do have to agree with you that there will be firearms hunters who pick up the crossbow but it will also add new hunters to the sport. It has to. I very nearly stopped hunting so in a sense it kept me hunting. Also my dad, who gave up hunting many (20+) years ago is looking at rejoining the hunting ranks because he also will qualify for the permit. Hunting with my dad is something I have not been able to do for many years.

I don't know how it is where you are but here there is a sporting tax on all sporting equipment that is used to fund the expansion public hunting lands. Last year between the $5.00 conservation stamp and the taxes we picked up another 2,897.53 acres of public land to hunt. The reality is that if we don't have these public lands to hunt the "average Joe" of the future will not have a place to hunt unless he is willing, and able, to spend thousands of dollars for a hunt. Look at what is happening out west.

Here is the link for those who wish to verify:

www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/deer/harvestsummary.asp

So those are my thoughts and personal experiences.

Thanks,

HH

[vixenmaster]

The one advantage i have found with the Cb over the other Bows. Is it allows me to still bowhunt! Thank you!

[coyote170]

AMEN!!!!!

[kurt]

horizontalhunter wrote; - The argument that say that the woods would be flooded with crossbow hunters because it is easier than using a compound bow just doesn't add up for me.

What really does not add up here is the contradiction in the vertical bow clubs own mission statements. --- Most if not all vert. bow clubs say that in part, - part of their mission is to promote the sport of archery hunting, - & yet on the other hand, they "openly" admite that they want to limit it???

Kurt

[BT]

kurt said:

What really does not add up here is the contradiction in the vertical bow clubs own mission statements. --- Most if not all vert. bow clubs say that in part, - part of their mission is to promote the sport of archery hunting, - & yet on the other hand, they "openly" admite that they want to limit it???
Kurt

As you point out...vertical bow clubs

I think that you have to keep in mind that the crossbow is very old as it pertains to design..... but very new comparatively in hunting within the U.S.

The compound bow faced as stiff a resistance when it was first introduced and there was a large percentage of states that did not allow it's use during archery season....just like the crossbow of today.
The only real diffrence that I see between the two instances is that the compound had alot more lobby effort from manufacturers and far more people who hunted wanted to use them just a few years down the road after introduction.

IMO.....that's all that's holding things back at this point.

The only way to turn this around is to get more people into shooting the crossbow.
The rest will follow

[nodog]

I'm just a hunter, I don't make the regs I just have to live with them. If there was a crossbow only seaon I'd get one to hunt it. Since there isn't, I could care less who takes one out. If that's your choice go for it. To me it's kind of like hauling another climber into the woods. One's a big enough pain for me.

I don't feel comfortable around one that's lock and loaded though. I have shot one and don't care for it. Practising with one wouldn't be fun at all IMO.

I've heard the debates before and figure that there's no good reason to be a gin one. Most that are come off as busybodys always wanting to butt into someone elses business. If there afraid of them getting one up on the compound shooter they realy have a low opinion of themselves as hunters. Whatever it takes to get'r done do it. Step it up or step aside.

Just came back from a hunt with my brother on a piece of ground I hunt. Put him in a place known to me but not the others who also hunt there. One of the others showed, an X shooter.

My brother finally connected on a doe. Not 20 minutes later the other guy bumbles into the spot and say's he just came to help with gps in hand marking the spot. ;D My brother with a grin said "he really helped out. I carried my stand, pack and deer out while he carried the gun and even then had a hard time keeping up".

Here's another funny part, I was down there to fill my last tag hopfully but for the most part to find spots others don't know about. Found some very good spots. Guys like that will always be playing catch up.

[Doegirl]

I guess I'm late for the party It took me exactly one season to figure out the crossbow would not be my main weapon during archery season. Let's see, 20lb climber, 8-10lbs of clothes, 7lb pack, and 11lb crossbow. Uh, no ;D Crossbows are horrendously akward in a treestand. I gained an entire 5 yards over my compound bow. Sold my crossbow and acquired my Bowtech. Much happier
But, I will get another crossbow. Very useful for ground stands and when you're bundled up in really cold weather. Should I be lucky enough to pursue large game like Elk or Moose someday, I would much rather use something with more KE than my 50lb vertical bow.