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Post by hunter7x on Jan 5, 2011 8:39:45 GMT -5
I'm excited about it mainly because with the way my eyesight is going, I will feel more confident with a scoped crossbow. I can still shoot a bow, but not nearly as accurate as I once could, and that hurts my confidence. check out a clarifier peep decatur, Im having one installed on my bow for this exact reason. its much cheaper than buying a crossbow and you will still get the satisfaction of bowhunting.
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Post by Decatur on Jan 5, 2011 8:48:59 GMT -5
I've toyed with that idea before, but need to know exactly which one I need.
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Post by Decatur on Jan 5, 2011 8:51:59 GMT -5
Thanks Whiteoak.
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Post by hunter7x on Jan 5, 2011 8:57:57 GMT -5
I've toyed with that idea before, but need to know exactly which one I need. a good pro shop has a rig you look thru to decide. its kinda like a caveman version of what you would use at the eye doctor lol
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Post by throbak on Jan 5, 2011 9:01:00 GMT -5
you can get the satifaction of bowhunting with a crossbow also
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Post by hunter7x on Jan 5, 2011 9:10:35 GMT -5
you can get the satifaction of bowhunting with a crossbow also my comments are in jest I assure you. I find it humorous all the bickering and umpteen page threads between all the hunters due to this and MANY other subjects that has come from this rule change issue.
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Post by antiwheeze on Jan 5, 2011 9:37:45 GMT -5
" Why do you prefer a crossbow over a regular bow (compound/recurve/longbow)"
It is easier to use when it is cold. I don't have to make as much quick motion just before shooting. I can shoot a x bow much more accurately with little practice. With a few "confidence" shots I am good at 25-30yds with an xbow. The same proficiency and accuracy with a compound requires month of practice for me.
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Post by tickman1961 on Jan 5, 2011 10:14:55 GMT -5
Don't own a bow or crossbow. I will purchase a compound bow before I would purchase a crossbow. Simple reason is the compound is more efficient and effective than a crossbow hands down. Compounds arrow length and draw length allows for more accuracy at longer distances than any crossbow. Those that think a crossbow is going to allow anyone and everyone to kill a deer are not thinking about the woodsmanship necessary to get close enough for a killing shot.
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Post by esshup on Jan 5, 2011 10:41:31 GMT -5
This year I hunted behind my house from a tree stand and took a doe at 25 yds with my Bear Whitetail II compound.
On another property that I hunt I can't use treestands. 1) too old and fat to use a climber 2) can't use a ladder due to theft problems.
I used the x-bow during late archery to take a small buck that I thought was a doe, hunting from the ground without a blind. If I had to draw back a bow, I would have been busted.
The only advantage of a x-bow is not having to draw it back. I think that advantage is offset by the weight, and having to use a shooting stick to support the x-bow for a wobble free sight picture. They ARE loud, but if you don't shoot at a deer that is wound up tight and ready to explode, I don't think it's any different than a compound.
I'm all for the new regs. I know of a guy that is too proud to get a disability permit, but can't hunt with a regular bow. He'll be thrilled about the reg if it passes.
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Post by woodmaster on Jan 5, 2011 11:01:45 GMT -5
Ok let me ask you a question. An adult doe is standing 20 yards away in your shooting lane. Which weapon is easier to get a shot off? a compound or a crossbow? Compound.....no doubt. This year was the first year I've hunted with a crossbow. I had shoulder surgery (bad genetics) in March. I wasn't a big fan of using a crossbow BUT it got me in the woods. They are bulky, heavy and tough to shoot behind the tree. As far pulling a compound back when a deer is in range, it's not that frigging difficult. Wait till it's head is turned, behind a tree, or feeding. Personally I cant wait to hunt with a compound because IMO it's easier.
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Post by huxbux on Jan 5, 2011 11:18:32 GMT -5
I think its mostly because their too lazy to learn how to shoot a compound. Except for the guys that are physically challenged. Hmmm. And what about firearms only hunters? are they lazier still than the crossbow hunters? Ergo, I suppose longbow hunters are the real go-getters? Of course Woody utilizing his 99 4Runner is the epitome of slothfulness.
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Post by hunter7x on Jan 5, 2011 11:40:12 GMT -5
slothfulness
lol I am going to do my best to use that in a sentence today!
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Post by firstwd on Jan 5, 2011 11:53:35 GMT -5
slothfulness lol I am going to do my best to use that in a sentence today! If your really good you will find a way to use lackadaisical slothfulness. ;D
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 5, 2011 17:58:24 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the responses, guys. I've never had any problem with people who had to resort to crossbows due to physical imparities, or even those who choose to use them during the late archery season (it seems many in this thread prefer them for cold weather hunting, which isn't during early archery season anyway.)
I just have reservations about them being allowed during early archery season, and am looking for honest answers that might persuade me to reverse that stance. I guess my biggest fear is that everyone who only gun hunts is going to rush out and buy a crossbow, thinking that they function like a firearm and are easy to hunt with -- I believe that Excalibur recommends shots at no greater than 25 yards. I guarantee that the uneducated are going to be attempting 50+ yard shots with regularity.
I only hunt private properties, yet it seems like every year during firearms season I hear shots or see flashlights on properties that I have sole permission to hunt on. I never see flashlights in the predawn darkness of early archery season, and fear that these same trespassers will be attracted to crossbows and I'll have to deal with them the first week of October instead of mid-November.
Anyway, please do not consider what I have posted to be selfish or bashing to crossbow owners. I'm simply trying to understand the attraction to crossbows and perhaps be swayed into accepting them in early archery season (even though I have no plans to carry one then.)
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Post by Woody Williams on Jan 5, 2011 18:20:30 GMT -5
Thanks for all of the responses, guys. I've never had any problem with people who had to resort to crossbows due to physical imparities, or even those who choose to use them during the late archery season (it seems many in this thread prefer them for cold weather hunting, which isn't during early archery season anyway.) I just have reservations about them being allowed during early archery season, and am looking for honest answers that might persuade me to reverse that stance. I guess my biggest fear is that everyone who only gun hunts is going to rush out and buy a crossbow, thinking that they function like a firearm and are easy to hunt with -- I believe that Excalibur recommends shots at no greater than 25 yards. I guarantee that the uneducated are going to be attempting 50+ yard shots with regularity. I only hunt private properties, yet it seems like every year during firearms season I hear shots or see flashlights on properties that I have sole permission to hunt on. I never see flashlights in the predawn darkness of early archery season, and fear that these same trespassers will be attracted to crossbows and I'll have to deal with them the first week of October instead of mid-November. Anyway, please do not consider what I have posted to be selfish or bashing to crossbow owners. I'm simply trying to understand the attraction to crossbows and perhaps be swayed into accepting them in early archery season (even though I have no plans to carry one then.) A good question it was too. Forgive me for allowing it to get off topic. After 9 seasons with a crossbow that followed 34 years with recurves and compounds I can say there is very little difference in hunting with any of these archery huntijng tools. The actual hunt is identical, only the execution of the shot is different and not all that much. There are advantages and disadvantages to all three types. There is no significant advantage to any one of them over the others..
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Post by M4Madness on Jan 5, 2011 18:51:38 GMT -5
I can say there is very little difference in hunting with any of these archery hunting tools. The actual hunt is identical, only the execution of the shot is different and not all that much. You and I know that, but I fear that the general public does not.
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Post by deweydutchmen on Jan 5, 2011 18:57:31 GMT -5
I can say there is very little difference in hunting with any of these archery hunting tools. The actual hunt is identical, only the execution of the shot is different and not all that much. You and I know that, but I fear that the general public does not. You and I share that same fear!!
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Post by esshup on Jan 5, 2011 19:51:40 GMT -5
I bought my x-bow used, and it came with a red dot sight. Worthless in my opinion for that application. I replaced it with a vari-zone scope. Took a deer with it at 45 yds this late season, but I shot from a rest (thank you primos trigger stick) AND I practice regularly out to 50 Yds with it. I also took a lot of steps to quiet it down, including but not limited to filling the stock with expanding foam and making an overtravel string stop.
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Post by lugnutz on Jan 5, 2011 23:35:34 GMT -5
I used to have the same thoughts that the orginal poster has. All the BS that you read here is nothing until you try hunting with one. You try it, and you'll quickly realize that hunting with a compound might just be easier. Of course imo.
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Post by whiteoak on Jan 5, 2011 23:39:59 GMT -5
What ive found is that once crossbows are sighted they are much easier to be accurate with and require less practice shooting. My neighbor has limited movement due to a stroke and can still shoot his very accurately with no practice. Plus, even though we are totally different body types, I can still pick up his crossbow and shoot it very well. That's usually not true with a bow. I can see why a person new to hunting would choose to buy the crossbow over the compound, as well as the seasoned hunter wanting to make the switch. Shooting a crossbow still requires the ability to judge yardage fairly accurate. Most crossbow scopes has either 3 dots, or multiple cross hairs. Usually 20, 30, and 40 yards.If I use my 20 yard cross hair at 30 yards, I shoot about 6" low. The same if I use the 30 at 40 yards.
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