The farthest i shoot my deer at is around 30-35 yards. Sometimes with my compound i get "trigger happy" and want to pull the trigger before i get settled in after i draw. I choose to stick with the x bow for now until i get a little older and more patient.

After over 20 years of bow hunting and over 75 harvested old age has compelled me to lay down the bow and go to the compond.

dd

You sound like StealthyCat/datamax/esspressoferralcat/et.etc.

Injury has forced me to lay down the compound and switch to crossbow.

HAHAHAHA....

Hands down winner...Compound Bow...is the only bow to shoot.

Well, I'd agree with most on here, but I prefer the compound. I've never shot a x-bow and I just started bow hunting two years ago with a compound. I don't really think using a x-bow is cheating as long as it's legal, but here in OK you can't use one unless you are disabled in some way. I just don't think you'd get as much satisfaction out of a x-bow as with a compound or traditional bow, but I guess it's up to the individual. It's better then not hunting at all, so if it's legal, by all means do what you want.

In my experience 30-35 yards is a pretty long shot at a deer with a bow, takes practice to be consistent enough to do this, again in my opinion.

As for the "trigger happy" part, welcome to "buck fever"! It's just something you learn to deal with. I have missed shots, close shots, because of this shooting before settled in stuff, again, its something that you learn to deal with and overcome. If the day comes when you aren't getting the urge to shake, not be patient etc, then its time to stop and just buy your meat in the store!

use what your comfortable with...personally, i will never use a crossbow...its just like a shotgun...and it upsets me that crossbow users get to hunt in bow season. the reason you hunt wiht a bow, in my opinion, is the challenge and the fact that its almost more fair for the animal, most anyone can hit a deer with a "gun", but with a bow, thats a true hunter.

I'll agree with you if you hunt traditional...otherwise, with modern bows, sights, releases, etc., you're not giving up much. I know all of us wanna feel like he-men with our bows, but it's kinda like saying the new muzzleloaders are "primitive weapons".

Well I could care less what you use, and I commend you for not giving into the pressure and doing something you are not comfortable with.

However I think you should work on building your confidence with the bow, I think you will enjoy it more. I think a bow is easier to carry and use than a crossbow myself. And the advantages really are not that great anymore if you are of average size.

I personally shoot a compound more accurately than I do a crossbow because it is easier for me hold steady and I can tune it better. And it is much quieter at the shot.

This summer get in a stand and shoot at a 3-d target some with your bow. That should build your confidence some.

Paul

Nice post Paul...and it's not easy for me to give compliments to someone from Michigan (Go Buckeyes!)