I am buying myself a new bow in the next couple of months and decided to try and get the wife into bowhunting as well. She is somewhat interested in deer hunting and loves the outdoors, especially fishing. The problem is she's not very strong and has a bad shoulder so I was thinking of getting her a crossbow. Here in Iowa you can get a special permit for crossbows if you have a medical condition that won't allow you to bowhunt with traditional equipment. The problem is I have never even held a crossbow, much less shot one. I have no idea what it takes to maintain them or which brands are quality or not. Any advice from the board would be helpful. Thank you.

My Dad and a friend both use a xbow. I helped my father research the xbows and discovered that only a few are "good" xbows. The top line 10 point and the Horton Hunter XS. My father bought the XS and it is sweet shooting at 200 lb. It shoots very flay and requires the same maintenance as a regular bow except the "rail" must be periodically lubed. Luck

I have a Horton Hunter Supreme XL and am very satisfied with it. I would prefer to use my compound, but in the late archery season here in NE Indiana, the temperatures get to the point that holding the riser becomes an effort in futility. So is the reason I decided to use one.

Maintenance - The regular you would give a compound except for the rail lube mentioned above.



Shoot often - Hunt always

just wanted to move this back to the front page.

You can't go wrong with a Canadian made Excalibur recurve x-bow. My Exocet is strong, functional, accurate and reliable at 160lbs, but they also make the lighter Vixen and heavier Exomag. I honestly was shocked at its performance the 1st time I fired groups with it, it went way beyond my expectations and I will happily use it untill I'm proficient enough to hunt with my new compound.


"guns aren't for killing people, guns are for killing dangerous and delicious animals"
- Homer Simpson

I also have to use a xbow;because of a disibility.
I have a Barnett Quad 300,and love it. it is 150lbs. with 21" stroke. as mentioned the only difference as for mantiance is the rail needs lube regularly,every 10 shots or so.
you can also get a cocking device if she is unable to cocke it.

I use alumnuim arrows,spitfire 3 blade 100 grain mechinacals.I have taken 6 bucks with mine,no problems.

I don't know about the others(I'm sure there are other great ones)Barnett has a great warranty,it something goes wrong they fix it ,no charge.

good luck in your search for the right one for her. glade to hear she wants to hunt.help her any way you can.<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am not a hunter I am a whitetail population reduction specialest

remember keep your back to the sun, your knife sharp, and your powder dry.