Personal experience with crossbows destroys any notion of "wrong vs right"

You blatantly missed the point of that post.

The types of people I typically deal with when talking crossbows ( 6 out of 10) are not the people you would normally associate with taking proper steps to ensure good form or tune on their archery gear. With that being said, i'll again ask; Taking into example of someone who will not put forth much effort in tuning their gear and practicing... Would you rather have them shooting at game with a vertical bow or compound?

You're putting too much emphasis on the use of slob. Definitions are going to vary.

 

I'm against ALL slob hunters .... so the question is irrelevant ....actually, a slob hunter shooting a compound is more likely to wound an animal than a slob Xbow guy as it takes a little more skill with a compound

 

That is exactly what I was getting at. Crossbows can help the image of the sport.

 

LOL I don't like slob hunters either, whether it's with a recurve, long bow, compound, crossbow, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, etc..

 

My bad..I misread it...

 

No problem.

On the flip side, I do foresee an increase of stupid shots being taken on deer with the legalization of crossbows here in MT. It will likely be the same guys doing it with vertical bows, though.

 

I had a discussion with a friend that owns a local bow shop. He said he has been talking with dealers in PA about Xbows. Sounds like they sold a ton of Xbows in the first 2 years they were legal. Since then there has been a surplus of used Xbows on the market and new Xbow sales have dropped off. It’s just hearsay but I don't think it will have much of an impact as the haters think.

 

I think if its a legal weapon, then by all means hunt with it. Personally I wouldn't shoot a crossbow unless injury forced me too. I just like my compound too much and really would like to shoot a recurve or longbow. I would think that with the fact that the antis are constantly fighting against hunting that most hunters would like to keep our numbers strong. For all you guys that look down on others for using a crossbow, why would you try to drive away other people from the sport?

 

So how much time, effort, or practice does someone need to put in to be considered a "real" bowhunter with a compound bow?

I'm only asking because the big theme with crossbows is the person is lazy and wants to take the easy way out. Or how hard to do you guy make shooting a compound when describing it to a new shooter. Its not really a challenging skill if you or anyone else knows and sets their limitations. I'm sure many new shooters limit themselves to 20 or maybe 30 yards shots. I mean you haveta really be doin something messed up to make a horible shot @ 20 yards with a modern bow.

I have a 4" circle I put on my target andy sister's bf wanted to try out my bow couple weeks ago. Within 5 mins of shooting he was hitting that circle 2 out of 3 times at worst having never picked up a bow and shooting one not tuned to him. Granted this was a target and not a live animal, but he's hunted before and knows what kind of shot to take and I would have no problem letting him hunt with me. Someone that shoots every day can make a bad shot on a animal or a target just has easily has a "lazy" person can with any weapon.

Basically all I'm saying is its not difficult, if you wanna say someones lazy or a slob for shooting a crossbow, there's plenty of other hunter out there the same way that shoot compound or rifles or whatever so why even worry about it, is it because they don't live up to your manliness? If that's the case I bet some of you fall out of that category as well with other things you do in someone's eyes.

 

Yikes! LOL

 

The people that I have encountered have came out and said that they don't feel like practicing with a bow. Instead they would rather take a few shots with the crossbow before the season, which makes them feel like they could kill an animal.

Having said that, I dont care if people use crossbows. It still has some challenge to it, at least more than rifle hunting.

 

Yes? I bet I know though ha

 

I find opinions on either side of the argument to be interesting. For what its worth I am a proponent of crossbows. Will I use one myself? No, but who am I to deny someone else exposure to the sport we all love. I am all about growing the sport and if legalizing crossbows aids in this I am for it.

 

Amazing story and thanks for sharing that! I wont lie that it def choked me up a little, in my eyes there is nothing in this world more sacred than a father and son bond and to know that you guys will once again be roaming the woods together pursuing your passion for these great animals we hunt makes me so happy to hear! Continue the legacy you guys have all built together through out all these years and cherish every moment and memory made together. I am very happy for you guys and your dad and best of luck to you all!!!!

 

I forgot to respond to the original post. I think it's awesome your dad can get back in the woods with you this year. Hunting is always that much better when shared with those we are close to!

 

The ironic thing is that the anti-crossbow crowd are the ones who perpetuate this thought process. If they'd spend more time educating people on why they need to practice a lot with ANY weapon they bring into the field instead of telling people they can pick up a crossbow and go in the woods the same day we'd all be a lot further along. However they prefer to continue being a part of the problem rather than part of the solution.

 

Not to pile on from my earlier response to this quote, but I forgot to add a couple of things. First, judging a crossbow as being a gun based on it's looks is no different than the anti-gun crowd calling a semi auto AR an assault rifle based on it's looks. How it functions is what defines it, not the way it looks. As I stated earlier, I think a crossbow is archery equipment and this is based on the way it functions.

Secondly, regardless of the platform it is launched from, an arrow or bolt still kills the exact same way. That is by using a razor sharp broadhead to create rapid blood loss resulting in the death of the animal. A firearm on the other hand, uses shock created from higher velocities along with resultant tissue damage from the projectile to cause death. Besides the ballistics difference I stated earlier, this is yet another way to equate a crossbow to being archery equipment and not at all like a rifle.

 

Arguing against crossbows is basically taking sides with the anti-hunting crowd and fractures the unity of hunters. That's one crowd I NEVER want to be associated with. Bow, crossbow, traditional bow...what the hell do I care which method one chooses?

 

I must be honest when I say that part of my anti crossbow sentiment is selfish. Here, around the NYC area, the hunting pressure is insane. I cannot remember the last time I hunted and did not see another bowhunter, usually several, and I hunt mostly weekdays, and on private land. Trespassing is rampant here, the saying is if you have a parking spot, you have a hunting spot. Now add crossbows to the equation and every gun hunter who won't take the time to learn a compound, will go out and buy a crossbow and there will be more hunters than deer. In places with more reasonable hunting pressure I probably wouldn't care as much who shot what.

 

I believe there may be more pressure at first. After a few seasons it will return to normal. The plus side is some people that actually can benefit from the rule that will get to hunt that could not before.