Ditto to what joeturse said.

I think a crossbow has more knockdown power due to a heavier arrow. I could be wrong on that. Anyone know the answer to that. Just curious.

Clint.....you stated that " crossbows are not archery in the truest sense" . So, what is archery in the truest sense? Dual cams? Single cams? 50%, 65%,, 80% let-off? Fiber optic sights? Pendulem sights? Hand held releases? Graphite arrows? Mechanical broadheads? String dampeners? You also stated that they are more accurate and powerful than a handheld bow. Accuracy has nothing to do with the equipment, it has to do with the shooter.

Wear....While an arrow shot out of a crossbow initially fly faster than an arrow from a compound, most crossbow arrows are several inches shorter than the typical arrows used on compounds and stickbows. In my limited experience, the average crossbow arrow is lighter than the typical compound arrow. Plug that into the equation for knockdown power (kinetic energy), and the crossbow doesn' t give you an advantage.

I don' t think there is a debate. No one said a thing against the crossbow hunters but a couple of them started complaining they get looked down on or rediculed. No one said a thing..... they' re just a little paranoid. I guess they were yelling wolf before they saw him.

One of the guys that hunts with me hunts with an Xbow. It seems to work fine, but they' re loud as all get out. Short little arrows loose their ump pretty fast though.

I agree with Clint, x-bows have their own niche but should be used in muzzleloading and rifle season. U only draw the x-bow once and wait, unlike a bow...where u draw when an animal is approaching or nearby.

I was beat up in the woods by some guys for usng a x-bow---cardeer

Those " hunters" must be slob hunters. What did they say to you? What did you say to them? A verbal confrontation that went to a physical confrontation. Truly sorry u had to go thru that.

A law abiding hunter would inform you that x-bow hunting was not in season, or illegal. Or just report you to a CO.

OK ,I will tell the story again. First the x-bow issue in Pa. gets real heated. Nice people can loose there temper about this issue. I am disabled.Need canes to get around especially terrain off the road. I arrived real early went along a well maintained trail and set my chair down next to a briar patch.Hoping that when the crowd of hunters go in and out they will chase a deer to me. I was just sitting in the chair when hours after light 2 hunters walk up tp me.They seemed friendly were smiling. I thought they just wanted to talk and be nice. I totally did not expect what happened next.They caught me off guard and sucker punched me ,knocked me off my chair. Kicked me when I was down.They smashed my x-bow and threw it and my canes in the briars.They said there you lazy x-bow hunter ,from all true bow hunters,or something like that. By the time I got up and retrieved my canes they were out and in the parking lot and left. On there way out they cut my tires on my truck. This was public land. I will never hunt on public again.

Clint.....you stated that " crossbows are not archery in the truest sense" . So, what is archery in the truest sense? Dual cams? Single cams? 50%, 65%,, 80% let-off? Fiber optic sights? Pendulem sights? Hand held releases? Graphite arrows? Mechanical broadheads? String dampeners? You also stated that they are more accurate and powerful than a handheld bow. Accuracy has nothing to do with the equipment, it has to do with the shooter.

A bow that is held and shot at arms length is archery. A crossbow ih held and aimed with a stock, like a rifle. Typically, crossbows have scopes or similar devices to aim them. The equipment obviously does make a difference! Such a setup makes for a much steadier hold. Believe me, I have shot crossbows. A shooter with little practice and effort can quickly master shooting a crossbow. Crossbows typically have a draw weight of around 150 lbs as opposed to a compound' s 60-70 lb draw. Crossbows obviously shoot a faster projectile than a compound. I have nothing against crossbows or those who use them. I just think it is easier to harvest an animal with a crossbow than with any bow that is held at arms length. True archers should have the first hunting opportunity since this is the most difficult and challenging way to take a deer. As I stated, I believe that crossbows are a hybrid between a bow and a gun. I maintain that archers who hold their bows at arms length should have their own season. It is too bad that the disabled gentleman was treated so badly. They were obviously slobs, cowards, and criminals. Let me ask...would you want to compete in your archery competitions with your handheld bow while others are competing against you with a crossbow? I think most competitors would cry foul.

Clint

i believe disabled hunters should use crossbows.

number 1..... they are disabled hurt shoulder,etc....
number 2..... if you are hurt you can not pull a compound back most of the time.
number 3..... when they are hurt their goes their compound bow, no bowhunting for them.

number 4..... so the disabled hunters are able to use a crossbow. now they can go hunting and enjoy the sport again.

number 5..... if a hunter is not disabled and uses a crossbow .that should not be a loud at all.if their is nothing wrong with you, you should be able to use compound bow.but if you are hurt ,disabled,etc... they need to use a crossbow to enjoy bowhunting again. THATS WHAT I THINK, GET OFF THE CROSSBOW HUNTERS BACK AND LET THEM GO HUNTING TO.THEY GOT TO BE OUT IN THE WOODS TO JUST LIKE US COMPOUND BOWHUNTERS.

GO DEEP HUNT HARD.

MTNEWBOWHUNTER......... DISABLED HUNTERS GOT TO HUNT TO . CROSSBOW CAN BE HARD TO SHOOT TO .BUT THEY GOT TO HUNT WITH A CROSSBOW. SO WHERE THEY CAN GET OUT IN THE WOODS .



GO DEEP HUNT HARD.

Let me clarify what I think is a misunderstanding between some of us. I have no objection to a disabled person using a crossbow. Some of you have made good points. What I object to is allowing crossbows for any and all during the archery season.

Clint