I have shot both and have two issues:

- the drawing in the presence of a deer with a bow, its MUCH harder to do this with a deer in range, than a xbow which functions like a gun and requires much less movement. However, your commentn about the trad bow/compound bow is somewhat valid.

My MAIN issue with crossbows is the reason spouted to introduce them, they want MORE hunters. Now wait, my objection to this is that if it IS based on biological ability, fine, add them in. However, here in NH we have about a 5-7% success rate and for most of the state the deer herd is much lower than F&g goals, some areas are UNDER 2 deer per sq mile. IN this case more hunters is a bad thing, it will result in more deer killed which is bad for the herd, and YES, I am in favor of reducing the season/limits in these areas as now. If the area needs more deer killed, I have no real issue with introducing crossbows, I would like to see them singled out as a different season, using an archery tag possibly, similar to how NH does muzzleloaders, they have their own season but use the firearms deer tag, however in some of the state you can shoot a doe.

Crossbows ARE easier and quicker to get decent with. Your claim of 3-5 inch groups at 20 yards, I don't consider that hunt ready, consistent 3 inch groups, sure, but 5 inch groups, nope. I also believe you will find that as you go to 30 yards your groups will double in size, or close to it. As the target gets perceived to be smaller, you will have a harder time holding on it. Most archers have a "slam dunk" shot range and most have a range where beyond that their groups just fall apart big time.

I have taught new archers to shoot compounds and had them inside 5 inch groups in well under 30 minutes. I have helped new crossbow shooters, who were already gun shooters, and they were slapping arrows against each other within 15 minutes. HUGE difference.

In the hands of an expert, however I will take the compound shooter over a crossbow shooter, especially as the range gets longer.

--Bob