I tagged out yesterday evening 12/22/12 around 4:30pm I came out here to kill a doe and this dandy buck came through 35 yds. Amazing how many times you can kill a nice buck when you least expect it. I would have loved to have used my compound instead but I have to say these crossbows are viscous shooters. I shot an Excalibur Phoenix 305 fps and bolt blew through no problem. It helped to be able to get steady and not have to pull a bow back. With the icey noisey treestand the crossbow did help me to minimize movement. For late season hunts I think crossbows are great! Too bad he broke that brow point off but im thinking 135-140 in. Updated picture 12/26/12
Thanks it has been one heck of a season. Two P&Y Class bucks and a Coyote with archery gear is amazing. Now its Doe patrol if I can actually get one to give me a shot, lol.
wow a little upgrade from that doe you wanted to shoot. so is everyone able to use a crossbow in Il or is there a season etc. Up here in Wi you have to get a special permit from the DNR and meet certain qualifications.
A law just passed this past summer that anyone after 2nd gun season (Dec.3) this year can use a crossbow to hunt the remainder of the archery season. A lot of people in Springfield complained about passing the whole archery season this past summer. I heard some rumors that it will pass for the entire bow season here in IL next year, but not 100% sure just what I have heard. I like them at least for late season. It helps to be able to minimize movement. I plan on using a compound in November but switching to the Crossbow for Late seasons. This buck would have been my 2nd P&Y this year had I shot it with my compound instead. Thats ok though he will still go Buckmasters and they honor Crossbow kills.
Great Buck He really lost a ton of weight from rutting, great rack, buddy just sent me some TC pictures from the front of his house where the bucks come to feed and they look healthier than they did before the rutt lmao. Congrats on a great season. Going out this afternoon to look at a few different crossbows from Excalibar then next week I'm off to Red Deer to look at the 2013 Elite Hunter and Answer. I agree with you for late seaason using a crossbow,that's why I'm looking at one, specialy after having a season ending shoulder injury from drawing my bow and tearing my Rotator Cuff. Rocky
