Originally Posted by JOE PA

I don't think the range is any different really than an adult shooting a compound bow fairly well. I would probably have a 30-40 yd. limit with either. Crossbows are much louder than compounds. If you shoot at an unsuspecting deer, it should not matter. #1 advantage for the crossbow is not having to draw it in the presence of deer. My son hunted with a crossbow for 2 years, and took 2 doe. Neither went over 30 yards after being hit. He made two excellent shots! This year, he decided to go compound with a Diamond Razor's Edge, and he was shooting it very well. Bottom line is, a nice buck came up to him, 10 yds. away, and he tried to draw when it lowered its head. It busted him. With the crossbow, we'd have venison in the freezer and he'd have his first buck. The crossbow also requires less practice. I will be trying one of the suppressor devices to try to quiet down the bow though.