Post by cambygsp on Oct 14, 2005 6:12:30 GMT -5
www.freep.com/sports/outdoors/deer13e_20051013.htm
A hot item at Bass Pro has been crossbows, and they are bought by two kinds of customers, Peters said.
"We get firearms hunters who got a little bored with gun hunting and want to try something a different," he said.
Gun hunters without archery experience figure the crossbow will allow them to make the transition faster than with compound or traditional bows, which require more practice to gain proficiency.
The other group is made up of longtime archery hunters curious about crossbows. They decide they might as well try one during the firearms season, the only time crossbows are allowed.
Dane Rogers of Auburn Hills, who was shopping for scent-free clothing, is among the second group.
"I hunted with a compound bow for almost 20 years, then I tore the rotator cuff in my right shoulder playing touch football with my kids," he said. "I couldn't pull a bow anymore.
"I bought a shotgun and used it for three seasons, and I killed two deer with it. But shooting a deer at 75, 80 yards just didn't seem like hunting.
"I bought a crossbow last year, and it was great. I killed a nice seven-point at 18 yards, just like with the compound. But if you're thinking crossbow, there's one thing you need to know. It's not a rifle, or even a shotgun. You hear all this crap about 50-yard shots. Don't believe it.
"Keep the distance under 25 yards and practice until you can hit a six-inch circle six times in a row. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be hunting with any kind of bow."
A hot item at Bass Pro has been crossbows, and they are bought by two kinds of customers, Peters said.
"We get firearms hunters who got a little bored with gun hunting and want to try something a different," he said.
Gun hunters without archery experience figure the crossbow will allow them to make the transition faster than with compound or traditional bows, which require more practice to gain proficiency.
The other group is made up of longtime archery hunters curious about crossbows. They decide they might as well try one during the firearms season, the only time crossbows are allowed.
Dane Rogers of Auburn Hills, who was shopping for scent-free clothing, is among the second group.
"I hunted with a compound bow for almost 20 years, then I tore the rotator cuff in my right shoulder playing touch football with my kids," he said. "I couldn't pull a bow anymore.
"I bought a shotgun and used it for three seasons, and I killed two deer with it. But shooting a deer at 75, 80 yards just didn't seem like hunting.
"I bought a crossbow last year, and it was great. I killed a nice seven-point at 18 yards, just like with the compound. But if you're thinking crossbow, there's one thing you need to know. It's not a rifle, or even a shotgun. You hear all this crap about 50-yard shots. Don't believe it.
"Keep the distance under 25 yards and practice until you can hit a six-inch circle six times in a row. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be hunting with any kind of bow."
