I think I'll have to be gentle about this. You say you practice about 12 shots a day, right? Well, do you do this all year long? 12 shots a day is not enough to become proficient to the best of your ability with anything.

Figure it this way. Hunting season comprises about two months of the year. You have the rest of the year to practice shooting form and tuning the equipment. There are lots of spring and summer activities going on at some local club where you could shoot and/or compete to learn these things. There are always people at these clubs that are more than willing to help tune or coach you to some extent. What it boils down to is how dedicated do you want to be and how good do you want to become. It's pretty much up to you. Archery can be arewarding sport---all aspects of it---not just bowhunting.

I do agree that loosing an arrow at an animal knowing full well that you are not proficient or confident is unethical no matter how you look at it. I'm not a fan of crossbows for those that can physically handle a regular bow. For most it's just an excuse for not having the fortitude to become proficient with a real bow. There are always those who just HAVE to go kill something. You may be in the league, maybe not. I'm not judging you. So long as you are hunting within the laws I don't have that right.

The saying goes that "Rome wasn't built in a day". Well, neither are good shooting skills. And you won't learn them shooting in your basement or back yard. Join a club, make some new friends, and see what archery is really about.

What he said!

If its legal, and you are better at it, use the x bow. With todays advancements in bows and equipment, you could probably shoot just as well with a compund though. Compunds look to be much easier to move around in a tree or ground blind. I have shot a crossbow at the range, I liked shooting it, but I really don't have any desire to hunt with one. In IL, you have to be disabled to use one, hope I never have to use it to hunt.

RedBaron, There is nothing wrong with hunting with a crossbow. Yes we tend to look down our noses at you. But the traditional guys look down their noses at us. However, neither group will fault you, for making the cleanest kill you can on an animal. So hunt with what you can shoot accurately and legally in your State.

Now as for the compound. You say you have shot one for 6 years. My question is..is it a modern Bow? Cuz I know I had trouble getting my Dad back into bowhunting at first, because he remembers the old days of finger releases and hay bales, where he was never as accurate as he wanted to be. Now he shoots a new Hoyt with a release and has even won the Senior division in our winter league. Any good shop can get you set-up properly and help with any form errors. Then you can practice to get where you need to be.Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect! Fix the errors with the help of a trained eyeand you're on your way!
I'd hate to see you just give up on shooting a compound if that's what you want to do.

Timbercreek, not to get off the post's subject but you do know that in NJ you will be able to use a crossbow by 2008? It was approved by F&W a few weeks ago. Take a look at this

http://www.ubnj.org/crossbow.php

Heck, Im going longbow to make it more challenging. But have no problems for people that use the X-bow or buckshot or bait or high fences or anything else that is legal I guess.

I'm going to take a different tack with this and say "Yes. Use the crossbow." If it's legal in your state and you're better at it than with a compound, and you enjoy it, go for it. I'm a neophyte trad shooter and I would rather you be using a crossbow and KILLING deer than using a compound and wounding a bunch of deer. I have a friend that was a "Wound-amatic" with all primitive weapons but put a scope on it and he can put it on it. He switched to crossbow and hasn't lost a deer since. Nothing bugged me more than having a friend wound off all the nice bucks in the area. Don't feel pressured to take up a weapon you aren't proficient at and can't put in the practice to be so. I also think some people, like my friend, have a problem concentrating on open sights in the heat of the moment but a scope helps them to focus. Have fun and be safe.

start off small, 10 yds. Time after time. Shoot 3-6 shots and quit. Make them your best shots. Go in for a while. Go back out 30 mins to an hour later and shooter another 3-6. Make those shots your best, focusing on your first shot the most. Focus on consistency, hand placement, posture, etc. Focus, Focus, Focus, and most importantly TAKE YOUR TIME. Build your confidence, then step back to 20 yds. When you become proficient, limit your shot distance on deer to 20 yds. Nothing over that. Get one under your belt then move on. Hope this helps.

NJheadhunter71 you stated: Timbercreek, not to get off the post's subject but you do know that in NJ you will be able to use a crossbow by 2008? It was approved by F&W a few weeks ago. Take a look at this


Is NJ a state? Do people really live there? Just kidding! That is why I said "in my state" (missouri)other states have all kinds of regulations I wish we had and we have some regulations I don't like.But seriously NJ has deer? Are they mad because they have to live there? Kidding again!

I know a lot of people who shot lights out at a target. Shooting at a living breathing animal is a whole lot different. I considered myself a really good shot but when I started unleashing arrows at deer I was honestly horrible missed many some badly. It took a doe or two to finally realize I could do this. Now I go through my mental checklist, clear shooting lane, proper anchor,site picture is that pin truly on target ,open palm for torque free release, squeeze trigger don't slap. If I follow my preshot routine I'm now lights out but you can't get lazy and skip steps or the whole shot can break down at least for me. confidence is an amazing thing hard to attain but so easy to lose. Best of luck whatever weapon of choice is.