Against or For Crossbows?

I really hope you intended that to be a sarcastic statement.

Last time I looked at it, my crossbow functions almost exactly like my compound. I draw it via muscle power, energy is stored in the limbs, and the energy is released and an arrow is propelled down range after I squeeze the trigger.

I can't ever remember firing a gunpowder propelled projectile of any kind from my crossbow.

If you are bending limbs to propel an arrow at a game animal than you are indeed a bowhunter. Enjoy the chase and challenge.

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In my state a device that keeps a compound at full draw is illegal but crossbows are legal. With a cross bow you draw it at a camp it is ready to shoot a projectile. Like a gun all you have to do is aim through a scope and squeeze a trigger and it shoots a projectile.
With a compound you have to draw the bow, (sometimes while freezing, hold the draw, aim then shoot.
If you would wait until you see a deer to use your muscles and use open sites it would be closer to a compound.
The function of what you do with a crossbow is closer to a gun than a compound imho.
Nothing against a cross bow but I see the skill as similar to a muzzle loader.
Listed from hardest to easiest. Big difference in the point and shoot methods.
Recurve
Compound
Crossbow
Muzzleloader
Shotgun
Rifle


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The method by which the string is held, released and the weapon is aimed is irrelevant as are specific state laws regarding how strings can or can't be held.

By your definition, a bow mounted in a hooter shooter should be considered an artillery weapon and grouped with a cannon or mortar launcher.

The only thing that is relevant is the type of projectile and the mechanics by which it is propelled. An arrow and bent limbs pulled taught by a string.

This debate is as never ending as the fixed / mechanical broadhead discussion and I'm willing to agree to disagree on it.

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Why is a recurve harder to shoot then a rifle?

 

If a day comes where crossbow or give up bow season happens (age or injury) I will grab one and not care one bit. Shoot I've already thought they are attractive for those late late cold freezing sits in a tiny ground blind that make bow hunting late season miserable...point and shoot a string driven gun launching a bolt is much easier LOL

 

I like you Ty but this kind of misplaced jargon is exactly what causes problems in the hunting community.

First off : Shotgun slugs (12 gauge) achieve typical velocities of approximately 1800 fps for 1-oz. (437.5 grain) slugs, for an energy of over 3,100 ft-lbs. This is a GUN...

Second: Some Crossbows shoot Arrow Weight: 400 grains / Arrow Speed: 400 fps Kinetic Energy: 142.08 FOOT-POUNDS.

That is actually really fast. Most Crossbows by Ten Point (very respected brand) shoot between 360 and 385 FPS

Bolt is a term for a vane/featherless projectile that was launched from medieval crossbows at short range to pierce through armor. All modern crossbows shoot arrows. Most are 20" in length, however some are as short as 16".

Lastly: Compound bow Arrow Weight: 400 grains / Arrow Speed: 340 fps Kinetic Energy: 102.66 FOOT-POUNDS

So a High End crossbow shoots with 40 more Foot-pounds of kinetic energy and 60 more FPS that a middle to high end Compound bow.

That doesn't sound like gun hunting to me.

 

Haha whatever man, I would never knock someone legally hunting with one and that is all that matters. My view is they are just as much gun as bow IMHO...not saying what I say is gospel at all. IT is not gun hunting, but it is drastically easier especially with modern ones than bow hunting...similar to how compound bows are drastically easier hunting choice than long bows.

 

The gap between traditional and compound bows are so much greater that compound and crossbow...


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Actually, at hunting distances of 25 yards and closer longbows are much better suited for hunting then compounds.

 

I am not entirely sure personally on this, atleast for myself specifically. I know without a doubt I can grab my pop's crossbow that has a scope on it at ANY minute and shoot bullseyes from a rest position out to 40-50 yards...I'm talking zero practice and groupings down nearly to "gun level". Yes, I can do softball size groups on a good day and definitely 6inch diameter circle always from my compound...but that is due to constant practice...if I go even like 2 or 3 months time off, I will not be consistently getting that at 40-50 yards at all.

I agree though in that the gap between lethal range of a compound and a traditional vs a compound and a crossbow (with modern ones) is 100% like you said far closer between the latter. 100% agree.

 

The idea that you do not have to actually draw it back when a deer is in range or coming in completely puts a crossbow out of the archery category for me. I know crossbow hunters argue the difference between the traditional bow and a compound, but on both of those, you have to draw back the bow and hold the draw!

 

How did this get resurrected from 6 years ago?

 

The body mechanics are not irrelevant imho. Anyone used to shooting a gun will transition to a crossbow quite easily. My wife could shoot a crossbow but a compound would take a lot of training.

The 9 pointer I got this year came in at my 4-5 o'clock. With a crossbow I could have just turned and shoot. For a right handed shooter with a compound this is not easy. I had to wait, reposition my feet. Wait for him to move to cover to draw. Hold the draw. Get lucky by having him present me with another shooting lane. Then aim and release the arrow.

Not minimizing the crossbow but but the act of positioning your body, drawing the bow with an animal at 30 yards is what makes bow hunting hard. Not necessarily the type of projectile.


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My 3rd cent---I bowhunted for over 40 years beginning with long bow, then recurves and so on--my last bow was a hoyt< Man I loved that bow, After 2 major back surgeries and a shoulder surgery its either xbow or oprah and ellen---you choose ? Now that I have to use a xbow-I will say this--The real challenge and joy for me was using a bow and the difficulties it brought to the hunt. I always loved the challenge. Yes an xbow is easier on most aspects, But please do not demean me or take try to take away my chance at the hunt the best I can ! P.S. Doc says, no climbers, no dragging deer etc either 50 plus years of hunting and have killed at least 90 bucks and a large amount of does. So learn from my experiences !

 

In the game of bowhunting, the shot is a very, very small piece of the pie.

 

While I have not taken a deer with a long bow, I have taken small game. I have taken deer with a recurve, compound and crossbow. Have you? I have taken deer with rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader (both flintlock and percussion cap) and pistol. Have you? Each has different methods and advantages but none are a sure bet for filling tags.
If crossbows are so simple then borrow one and shoot three shots then go to the woods and kill a huge buck. Video or take photos and tell how simple and easy it is. Should not take a few hours out of your season.

Hunters are created, mighty Nimrods do not just drop out of the womb. I was blessed to be born in a family that hunted and fished. What I have accomplished has exceeded both my Pa and GrandPa 's. They never hunted with a bow but were true sportsmen in ever way. They did not have Google earth or sidescan fish finders but got it done. When a guy gave me a third hand recurve bow and a bunch of wooden shafts at 14 an archer was born. I often think of that first doe when sitting on the stand.
But when someone who has training wheels on a thousand dollar bow starts putting down someone else who wants to enter the sport my hackles come up. Be a mentor and not a nagging holier than thou. I think given some encouragement and success they may progress and become a sportsman or sportswomen. Which is what we all want and need.

Now for those of you with your fancy bows with training wheels I have a challenge for you. Man up and take a deer with a traditional bow and a crossbow this season. Show us how good you really are. I hunt with all three every year and take deer every year. I will admit I have more time and less responsibilities then most of you but it is a "bull's eye " worth shooting for.

 

Don't mean to hijack, but you may be surprised how easy your wife could transition to compound bow shooting. The key is having one set up for her. There are some good options out there if you/she is really interested.

I hunt with both. I hunted with a compound for over 30 years and have taken many deer with them. This season I have taken a Pronghorn with my compound. I bought a crossbow a couple years ago when I was having shoulder issues and shoulder surgery. I enjoyed hunting with it and will use one when I choose. Most likely while hunting field edges or areas I could have a shot in that 30-40 yard area.

Carry on..

 

Here is the key to the side of the debate opposite me. Imho = In my honest OPINION.

If you look up the definition of what a bow is you get this...


The definition of bow hunting is this.


Long bow, recurve, compound, cross bow are ALL bows of different design but they are all bows none the less and anyone hunting with one is a bowhunter.

My truck drives, handles differently and has different controls than my car but I'm a motorist no matter which one I'm driving.

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