I never thought I'd be saying this...(long read)

...but I'm going hunting with a crossbow this week. I was adamantly opposed to allowing x-bows during archery season here in Texas,(or anywhere). I just didn't think they belonged in the woods during an archery only season. I admit I had never shot one and knew very little about them except for the fact that I didn't like them. I felt as if they would have a negative impact on my hunting. (and for all I know they still may, I just don't know)
Well, this past Saturday I went to a crossbow workshop help by the Texas Parks ans Wildlife Department education division. The guy holding the workshop is the guy I report to for bowhunter ed and hunter ed. I became familiar with the history and the use of a crossbow. Honestly I'm not very impressed with them as a hunting weapon. They are loud, bulky, a PITA to cock, and the effective range has no advantage over a modern compound bow
. But there is one advantage I truely like. I can get my daughter Lily into the woods with me during archery only season much sooner than I could having her shoot a compound. The skill set needed to aim a crossbow with a red dot scope and pull a trigger is much less than it would take for her to hunt with a verticle bow. If I am with her in a pop-up blind or gun blind, someplace she could use a rest, well with just a small amount of practice she would be capable of making a kill months or even years earlier than she could with a verticle bow.
And thats why I'm going to hunt with one after work on Wednesday. Horton loaned TPWD several crossbows. So The North Texas Education Co-ordinator and I will be going hog hunting with crossbows to try and get even more familiar with them. I am seriously considering buying one for my daughter to hunt with. This trip may just be the deciding factor.
We sighted in a couple of the Xbows this past saturday and they are ready to go. This is a direction I never thought my hunting would take, but if it means I can get Lily in the woods with an effective weapon sooner then I'm all for it.
I'll let y'all know how it works out.

Let the bashing begin.

 

I have zero experience with them as well...but with young kids myself...I like your thinking!

...now rolling into Elk camp with one might be a different story

GOOD LUCK!

 

Thank you for having an open mind and a willingness to change it.

 

Bashing?

What for? Congrats on having an open mind. And, good luck to you and Lily.

 

I think you know.

 

That is the exact reason I wish they would allow them in early archery season here in Indiana.

 

Go have a great time. My daughter is 7 and my son is 5, and I have thought about them using a crossbow here in the next few years. If that can get them out in the woods a few years earlier, prior to picking up the bow...then great! Best of luck to you and your daughter!

 

I'm all for any legal opportunities to get kids in the outdoors as early as possible. I say good for you getting your daughter in the woods! She's a lucky girl.

 

Good luck and have fun!

 

Good Luck Bro...I have one for the same reason..trying to get my teen son into the woods. He didn't take to the conventional bow.

 

Good deal Greg, it's all about the indian not about the weapon. And not just the skill set, but the dicipline to take ethical shots... Looking forward to your pics! :D

 

I am doing the exact same thing with my daughter here in MI!!!

 

Here ya go amigo. You and I think alike. My daughter is nine. She hates shooting guns (although she is good with them), and she is not strong enough to pull a bow with sufficient draw weight. The crossbow was an obvious solution. She shot her first deer near Wimberley, Tx. this past Xmas break. I removed the quiver attachment and had a machinist work up a camera tripod attachment. It's great! She holds and aims the bow completely on her own. My son will be next in line to inherit this tool (his stroke left him partially paralyzed on his right side)

 

Greg.

I am glad you have opened your eyes:D specially for Lilly's sake to get her into the woods sooner.

Will.

That tripod mount looks like the bee's knees mate

 

You'll get no grief from me!

Good luck and take some pics

 

How old is Lily?

 

She is 5. She shoots a scoped .22 Cricket off a bench well. I would like to start her hunting at age 7, so not this season upcoming but the next. However That will be completely dependant on her abilities and desire. And I can tell you the desire is strong. She shot a hog with her BB gun a couple of weekends ago and was very disappointed it "got away". I passed on a shot with my ML so she could pop it with her Crossman 760. so, if she is ready on October 2nd of this year then I'm all for it. And you can bet I won't take her if I'm not 100% sure she is ready.

 

Wow, I'm not used to that. My son had to wait until he was 12 here in Wis. Is 7 the legal age in Texas?

Good luck.

 

Txjourneyman, congrats for getting that little cutey in the woods. If legal, she would shoot even better with a 4X scope on there.

Huck, I have the Horton Yukon XL as well. It does get the job done! It does it too well for me. I'll only use it on very late season meat (doe) hunts.

Kanga, yes "the bee's knees". You can't beat that catch phrase! :D

 

Sounds like a great idea! Remember to keep your Thumb down or you'll lose it