crossbow hunting

[BranP]

I just wanted to post some thoughts of mine after reading some very annoying comments on another site. I read a lot of things from people saying crossbows shouldnt be allowed, or they should have their own season after the archery season......

Well, 2 years ago was the first time my father came bowhunting with me and due to his medical condition (MS) he was just there for the thrill. After that season, I bought him a 10 point elite for christmas. After 14 years of hunting together, we would finally have our first bowhunt together. We hunted in a ground blind together and he got his first bowkill, a real nice 8 pointer. I cant even come close to explaining how good it made me feel to have this moment with my pops.
I guess what im getting at is, why do people have to try to bring others down with this negative attitude about crossbows, when most who make these comments are also rifle hunters, which is easier than an a crossbow. I find it funny that those who shoot compounds, shoot with trigger release, use peep sights and pin sights, stabalizers and all kinds of fancy things. If you want to comment crossbows in a negative way, you had better be shooting a homemade longbow with homemade arrows, otherwise, be a real sportsman and show some repect.

[coyote170]

Branp its all been said before,I even have but the shoe is on the other foot for me and am hunting with a xbow my self!After making the switch I have grown in the area of having a broader outlook and thinking thru some of the things that affect myself and others and what they are going
thru as they grow and age.If people could place them selves in the other
persons position maybe they would a little less quick to condem another
persons needs to continue to be able to enjoy hunting as a sport!The people I have met here has been a blessing with support,friendship and
a few digs now and then.I think the sport is growing and if we all keep
a cool head and share what we do we will help others to join in!Take
care.

[shewe]

there was a time that i felt that xbows were for hunters who did'nt want to take the time to learn to be proficient with a vertical bow. after a severe back injury i had a choice.....hunt with a crossbow ....or....quit bowhunting. i have met some wonderful folks who love xbows....as i now do too. i no longer feel the way i once did. people who have'nt shot xbows are for the most part ill informed about them.those of us who use xbows know that there is not the great advantage that some folks think we have. speeds and range are much the same as modern vertical bows. one still must practice to be proficient with our bows. sorry...so long winded....but i needed to come clean. i'm ashamed of the way i used to feel.[&o]

[coyote170]

Well said shewe,know the feeling.

[Dnk]

I think much of it stems from the days of knights and castles. The crossbow was used to launch heavy metal pointed bolts to penetrate armour that was worn by the rich and noble. The pope acutally "out lawed" the use of crossbows during warfare! Go figure, he didn't want the upper class to be killed as easily as the people in the cheap seats! Other than that it is pure ignorance of the ability of crossbows. Education is the only cure. If those turkeys that think us xbow hunters are killing massive numbers of deer could only see the thread "Your hunt today, lets hear it" they may get an idea as to the affectiveness of a crossbow. Yup, the idiots really think we are at some great advantage! Right! Don't think so! There's so much more to say about this subject but you'd best do some reading to understand.