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Post by tynimiller on Dec 19, 2022 11:48:09 GMT -5
I had a little shoulder issue going on the last couple of years, but it has completely subsided on its own. I haven't hunted archery season the last five years, so I sold my bow to someone who really wanted it. Now that I'm getting excited about deer again, I have to decide what to replace my old bow with. If I go with another compound, I'll probably go with a 50-pounder. Heck, Ted Nugent has hunted with 48# as long as I can remember, and he's highly successful at harvesting game. My biggest "problem" with getting a crossbow is the stigma associated with them. I only have one friend who hunts with one. Everyone else I know uses compounds. As soon as I mentioned that I might consider a crossbow, I started getting the "don't do it" friendly teasing. If you do go compound and you love Mathews, their new Image bow is specifically designed for low draw weight folks (50lb max is their top option for it).
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Post by michaelc on Dec 19, 2022 12:17:43 GMT -5
I'm on a strict budget so for me it's a Centerpoint Patriot 415 with a Killer Instinct crossbow scope. It's 415 FPS with 153 FPE and 200# draw weight. It comes with a hand crank cocking system but I didn't really trust the cocking system and it's a optional use system anyhow. I've had mine for 3 yrs now and I haven't had any issues as far as performance goes but I will need to have all the cables replaced before next year.
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Post by titanium700 on Dec 19, 2022 12:21:40 GMT -5
I use my compound probably 98% of the time during archery. I enjoy the thrill of taking a deer or Turkey with it. I bought my Ravin on a steal (50% off new) mostly because of my son. He was born with one hand and while he can use a compound bow in early season archery when he has to put a jacket or heavy clothes on he has problems with his puffy clothing setting the trigger prematurely so when it gets cold he uses the crossbow. Because the crossbow is mine I sometimes use it. I killed my first deer with a crossbow this year and it was pretty cool but in honesty I could’ve killed that deer with my compound as well.
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mgf
Junior Member
Posts: 33
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Post by mgf on Dec 19, 2022 13:18:00 GMT -5
I use recurves and longbows because that's what I enjoy. I don't have any issue with someone who enjoys something different.
I may at times have an issue with something in our game laws but that's another topic.
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Post by scrub-buster on Dec 19, 2022 13:31:20 GMT -5
So I always appreciate the conversations here when crossbows are raised, no one gets all huffy puffy for the most part and folks are just open and honest. I'll never understand how folks don't at minimum acknowledge the easier nature crossbows are for hunters and hence the reason why their numbers and use are exploding across states (Indiana is no exception). I appreciate everyone honestly describing why or how they switched over to crossbows, no one is trying to say they're the same as vertical (to me that's as illogical as saying compounds are same as traditionals). I know someday I'll make the switch, in my case I sense it will be years of baseball/softball and throwing my arm apart - but still I will cling to bow season as long as I possibly can regardless of what that means I'm caring with me. I am curious, those of you now either fully crossbow or mostly - at what age did you make the switch? I made the switch when I was trying to start out with traditional bows. Shooting a compound and a trad bow screwed me up on both. I sold my compound and bought a crossbow. That made me a better shot with my trad bows because shooting a crossbow is totally different and didn't affect me like a compound did. I will say I have noticed crossbows are fiercely hated in the traditional bow world. I ignore a lot of comments directed at them. I have no problem with anyone hunting with a crossbow. My mom killed a buck with one this season. She couldn't have used a compound. It allowed her to kill her first deer since the mid 1980's.
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Post by parkerbow on Dec 19, 2022 14:39:00 GMT -5
I use my Mathews Traverse mostly. I did buy a cheap Barnett Raptor years back but I find it cumbersome to carry and use in a treestand. I don't care for it much. I do use it though when I hunt out of a ground blind but I much prefer the compound.
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Post by jajwrigh on Dec 19, 2022 16:02:14 GMT -5
I shoot an Excalibur Mag 340 and I will probably never go back to a vertical bow. I have dropped it, dry fired it twice and I still killed a deer with it this season. It is super tough and I can switch out the limbs or the string easily at home. I am 41 years old, so clearly the oldest guy replying to this thread.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 19, 2022 18:26:22 GMT -5
Ty,
I made the switch in 2001 at age 62. Shoulders were shot ..mostly from shooting too high a poundage compound bow. In 2002 I set about trying to get full crossbow inclusion in our archery season. It was a long battle against overwhelming odds.
Like so many others on here I’ve archery hunted with all types of archery equipment. I started out with recurves. Everyone was “traditional” then as there were no fancy “pulley bows”. I’ve killed my fair share with recurves, compounds and crossbows. A huge majority of the deer I’ve killed with archery equipment has been with a compound bow. I’ve recurve killed deer from straight down out to 45 yards. I was younger and dumber then. I’ve compound killed deer from straight down out to 37 yards. I’ve crossbow killed deer from straight down out to 42 yards. Slug guns and rifles my kills have been 5 yards to 75 yards. I hunt deer with a bowhunter mentality no matter what hunting tool I am using. It did not matter what archery or gun hunting tool I had in my hands, none of them got me to that position to kill the deer. IOW – The hunt is actually getting yourself into a position to kill the deer, not what is in your hands. I archery hunted with recurves and compounds for 32 years. I’ve archery hunted with a crossbow for 22 years. I can tell you there are pros and cons to each piece of archery equipment. No need to get in a debate on those… but we can if one insists.
I can tell you this – EVERY deer I killed with a crossbow I could have killed with a compound bow.
Two deer that I did not kill with a crossbow I could have killed with a compound.
1) A buck came in from my right and I was following him in my scope waiting for him to hit my opening. As he hit it I went BAH, he stopped and I pulled the trigger. The stand I was in was a tri-trunk tree and my crossbow limb hit one trunk. The arrow flew left and stuck in a tree halfway to the buck. He just jumped a few feet and stood there looking around. So I’m in my stand trying to silently recock my crossbow. Needless to say by the time I got it cocked and ready to shoot the buck had moved off and out of range. The close to two minutes to recock and reload was too long. With my compound I could have had the second shot off in less than 30 seconds.
2) I misjudged a buck and spine shot him. It was not a spinal cord cutting shot but it gave him a spinal shock in the vertebrae. He flopped around on the ground as I tried to get the crossbow recocked. Before I could get it recocked he got to his feet and walked off. Again I could have got off a second shot with a compound while he was still on the ground.
I do not care what hunting tool a hunter uses as long as it is legal. They hunt to please themselves and I hunt to please myself. End of story…
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Post by greghopper on Dec 20, 2022 7:12:16 GMT -5
So I always appreciate the conversations here when crossbows are raised, no one gets all huffy puffy for the most part and folks are just open and honest. I'll never understand how folks don't at minimum acknowledge the easier nature crossbows are for hunters and hence the reason why their numbers and use are exploding across states (Indiana is no exception). I appreciate everyone honestly describing why or how they switched over to crossbows, no one is trying to say they're the same as vertical (to me that's as illogical as saying compounds are same as traditionals). I know someday I'll make the switch, in my case I sense it will be years of baseball/softball and throwing my arm apart - but still I will cling to bow season as long as I possibly can regardless of what that means I'm caring with me. I am curious, those of you now either fully crossbow or mostly - at what age did you make the switch? Yeah...not sure why some folks think there needs to be an age justification to switch to a crossbow they are LEGAL statewide for anyone. Prices are a little salty, but you get what you pay for IMO
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Post by boonechaser on Dec 20, 2022 8:19:50 GMT -5
So I always appreciate the conversations here when crossbows are raised, no one gets all huffy puffy for the most part and folks are just open and honest. I'll never understand how folks don't at minimum acknowledge the easier nature crossbows are for hunters and hence the reason why their numbers and use are exploding across states (Indiana is no exception). I appreciate everyone honestly describing why or how they switched over to crossbows, no one is trying to say they're the same as vertical (to me that's as illogical as saying compounds are same as traditionals). I know someday I'll make the switch, in my case I sense it will be years of baseball/softball and throwing my arm apart - but still I will cling to bow season as long as I possibly can regardless of what that means I'm caring with me. I am curious, those of you now either fully crossbow or mostly - at what age did you make the switch? Yeah...not sure why some folks think there needs to be an age justification to switch to a crossbow they are LEGAL statewide for anyone. Prices are a little salty, but you get what you pay for IMO Funny thing is it's mostly bowhunter's that complain about crossbows?? 1 of many reasons I am nolonger a member of the IBA. Who really cares? Crossbows help with hunter recruitment, enable many to continue hunting , and end day just another weapon to choose from.
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Post by duff on Dec 20, 2022 12:18:37 GMT -5
Yeah...not sure why some folks think there needs to be an age justification to switch to a crossbow they are LEGAL statewide for anyone. Prices are a little salty, but you get what you pay for IMO Funny thing is it's mostly bowhunter's that complain about crossbows?? 1 of many reasons I am nolonger a member of the IBA. Who really cares? Crossbows help with hunter recruitment, enable many to continue hunting , and end day just another weapon to choose from. Amen! Some folks have a hard time sharing woods. Or just born to be judgmental I guess.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 20, 2022 16:12:28 GMT -5
So I always appreciate the conversations here when crossbows are raised, no one gets all huffy puffy for the most part and folks are just open and honest. I'll never understand how folks don't at minimum acknowledge the easier nature crossbows are for hunters and hence the reason why their numbers and use are exploding across states (Indiana is no exception). I appreciate everyone honestly describing why or how they switched over to crossbows, no one is trying to say they're the same as vertical (to me that's as illogical as saying compounds are same as traditionals). I know someday I'll make the switch, in my case I sense it will be years of baseball/softball and throwing my arm apart - but still I will cling to bow season as long as I possibly can regardless of what that means I'm caring with me. I am curious, those of you now either fully crossbow or mostly - at what age did you make the switch? Yeah...not sure why some folks think there needs to be an age justification to switch to a crossbow they are LEGAL statewide for anyone. Prices are a little salty, but you get what you pay for IMO I don't think there needs to be any kind of justification to shoot one - I was only curious to folks that switched naturally as shoulders, bodies or eyes wouldn't allow when they finally made the switch. I personally have zero desire or itch to switch despite thinking they're an absolute blast to shoot, and do see major advantages of them over my vertical bows I use. I will say when it is bitter cold I always think of calling up my pops and borrowing his crossbow, especially if heading to a blind.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 20, 2022 16:14:17 GMT -5
Yeah...not sure why some folks think there needs to be an age justification to switch to a crossbow they are LEGAL statewide for anyone. Prices are a little salty, but you get what you pay for IMO Funny thing is it's mostly bowhunter's that complain about crossbows?? 1 of many reasons I am nolonger a member of the IBA. Who really cares? Crossbows help with hunter recruitment, enable many to continue hunting , and end day just another weapon to choose from. It makes sense to me I guess that bowhunters are more the critical ones than gun hunters, because to be fair modern day crossbows are held and have scopes just like their gun counterparts many already are quite familiar with.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 20, 2022 16:17:23 GMT -5
Ty, I made the switch in 2001 at age 62. Shoulders were shot ..mostly from shooting too high a poundage compound bow. In 2002 I set about trying to get full crossbow inclusion in our archery season. It was a long battle against overwhelming odds. Like so many others on here I’ve archery hunted with all types of archery equipment. I started out with recurves. Everyone was “traditional” then as there were no fancy “pulley bows”. I’ve killed my fair share with recurves, compounds and crossbows. A huge majority of the deer I’ve killed with archery equipment has been with a compound bow. I’ve recurve killed deer from straight down out to 45 yards. I was younger and dumber then. I’ve compound killed deer from straight down out to 37 yards. I’ve crossbow killed deer from straight down out to 42 yards. Slug guns and rifles my kills have been 5 yards to 75 yards. I hunt deer with a bowhunter mentality no matter what hunting tool I am using. It did not matter what archery or gun hunting tool I had in my hands, none of them got me to that position to kill the deer. IOW – The hunt is actually getting yourself into a position to kill the deer, not what is in your hands. I archery hunted with recurves and compounds for 32 years. I’ve archery hunted with a crossbow for 22 years. I can tell you there are pros and cons to each piece of archery equipment. No need to get in a debate on those… but we can if one insists. I can tell you this – EVERY deer I killed with a crossbow I could have killed with a compound bow. Two deer that I did not kill with a crossbow I could have killed with a compound. 1) A buck came in from my right and I was following him in my scope waiting for him to hit my opening. As he hit it I went BAH, he stopped and I pulled the trigger. The stand I was in was a tri-trunk tree and my crossbow limb hit one trunk. The arrow flew left and stuck in a tree halfway to the buck. He just jumped a few feet and stood there looking around. So I’m in my stand trying to silently recock my crossbow. Needless to say by the time I got it cocked and ready to shoot the buck had moved off and out of range. The close to two minutes to recock and reload was too long. With my compound I could have had the second shot off in less than 30 seconds. 2) I misjudged a buck and spine shot him. It was not a spinal cord cutting shot but it gave him a spinal shock in the vertebrae. He flopped around on the ground as I tried to get the crossbow recocked. Before I could get it recocked he got to his feet and walked off. Again I could have got off a second shot with a compound while he was still on the ground. I do not care what hunting tool a hunter uses as long as it is legal. They hunt to please themselves and I hunt to please myself. End of story… Excellent! I can only imagine what that discussion and "battle' to get inclusion for them was like. 60/65 is kinda my goal to keep my shoulder capable as well for vertical, but I'll hold no hesitation if body ever says 'no more' vertical. Honestly, I believe there are quite a few vertical bow shooters that should 100% switch to crossbows from a proficiency and ability stance.
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Post by tynimiller on Dec 20, 2022 16:18:34 GMT -5
So I always appreciate the conversations here when crossbows are raised, no one gets all huffy puffy for the most part and folks are just open and honest. I'll never understand how folks don't at minimum acknowledge the easier nature crossbows are for hunters and hence the reason why their numbers and use are exploding across states (Indiana is no exception). I appreciate everyone honestly describing why or how they switched over to crossbows, no one is trying to say they're the same as vertical (to me that's as illogical as saying compounds are same as traditionals). I know someday I'll make the switch, in my case I sense it will be years of baseball/softball and throwing my arm apart - but still I will cling to bow season as long as I possibly can regardless of what that means I'm caring with me. I am curious, those of you now either fully crossbow or mostly - at what age did you make the switch? I made the switch when I was trying to start out with traditional bows. Shooting a compound and a trad bow screwed me up on both. I sold my compound and bought a crossbow. That made me a better shot with my trad bows because shooting a crossbow is totally different and didn't affect me like a compound did. I will say I have noticed crossbows are fiercely hated in the traditional bow world. I ignore a lot of comments directed at them. I have no problem with anyone hunting with a crossbow. My mom killed a buck with one this season. She couldn't have used a compound. It allowed her to kill her first deer since the mid 1980's. I'd never thought about this concept of confusion and issues shooting both compound and traditional might cause...excellent post.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 20, 2022 17:19:08 GMT -5
Funny thing is it's mostly bowhunter's that complain about crossbows?? 1 of many reasons I am nolonger a member of the IBA. Who really cares? Crossbows help with hunter recruitment, enable many to continue hunting , and end day just another weapon to choose from. It makes sense to me I guess that bowhunters are more the critical ones than gun hunters, because to be fair modern day crossbows are held and have scopes just like their gun counterparts many already are quite familiar with. Actually the vague similarity to firearms is not why gun hunters accept them more readily than bowhunters. There are way too many bowhunters that consider themselves elite hunters and look down on both crossbow AND gun hunters alike..... Most gun hunters that I know dont care what you hunt with as long as it is legal.
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Post by titanium700 on Dec 20, 2022 18:36:17 GMT -5
Knew a guy who was an “elite archery only” guy that made the stupid statement one day to me that using a gun to hunt deer is unethical…. I put him in his place and we all knew that’s all he did was hunt archery (which I have no problem with) even during gun season. The thing of it is is it but him in the butt one year when he got caught hunting with a bow during a gun hunt at Big Oaks. Hehehe.
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Post by pigeonflier on Dec 20, 2022 19:10:24 GMT -5
I say restrict then gun hunters to 4 days max...
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Post by greghopper on Dec 20, 2022 19:22:32 GMT -5
I say restrict then gun hunters to 4 days max... Good way to get your House burned down talking that smack.... lol!
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 20, 2022 19:38:43 GMT -5
I say restrict then gun hunters to 4 days max... You better hope it’s not put up to a vote who’s season gets shortened.. The last time that shorten gun season was tried the “orange army” rose up in mass and shut it down.
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