Bog Country - Number of posts has nothing to do with knowledge of person posting, and I do mean aboslutely nothing.

As to the point that crossbows are as challenging ..... I think so, yes. When you factor in that they are not built to be ultra accurate like compounds, that they are loud, and awkward and don't have the downrange punch that compound do and thet you get one shot only ... why would they NOT be considered tougher weapons to use ?

Arthur P - You got viruses because you haven't updated your Mcaffee or Norton. I highly doubt anyone "sent" you viruses. If they did, check your recieved items, isolate which email contained the worms and report it. Simple.

Stealthy, I might be crazy but I'm NOT stupid. My stuff is updated. The attacker is using a worm. It did NOT come as an e-mail extension. You can pick this thing up just by visiting websites, like this one. That's why I've got a FIREWALL on this 'puter. The problem with THIS site is, I can't post here without dropping my firewall long enough for the post to transmit. Just turning off the popup blocker doesn't work. So, that last attack just happened to be made while I was in the process of posting.

Now, back to you, Ruger... I did not put words in your mouth. I cut and pasted the quotes directly from your post. They are your exact words, and they ARE in direct contradiction with one another.

First you hop up and down, saying I accused you of sending me a worm. Now you're hopping up and down, saying I'm accusing you of being from Canada. Methinks you protest too much. I also think you came on this thread full of nothing else than the desire to get into a fight, and made darn sure you were rude and obnoxious enough to get into it. But, that's okay. In my opinion, you're a fine spokesman for the crossbow side and a glowing example of what I've been talking about, all along.

Folks, I've been in on this crossbow war, by writing letters, making phone calls and going to the game commission's public input meetings for 25 years. Now on the internet. Not because I'm opposed to the crossbow as a hunting weapon, but because I believe bow season should remain a season for bows only.

In those 25 years, I've watched compound technology skyrocket to the point these kinds of arguments have gotten to where they seem reasonable. There is nothing left but a fine line between the compound and crossbow and only ONE real difference remains between them. The compound still has to be drawn and held by the shooter's own muscle power, and held for a relatively short amount of time before the shot, compared to the cocked and locked crossbow. The higher the letoff, the longer compounds can be held and the closer to the crossbow they get. That's not much to stake the future of bow-only seasons on.

In this point, I agree with Zelazny/Stealthy. If you are against the crossbow, then you also MUST be against the high letoff compound or you wind up looking like a flaming hypocrite. I believe my opinion on that issue is also well known on this forum.

I'm outta here for a few days R&R. I'll be back when I get the stench of this thread worn off.

Arthur - Firewalls are an issue but not a fail safe, I agree. But for someone to target just you ? I still think thats reaching, but with crossbow hunters you an't even tell eh ?

What was a bow again ?

In this point, I agree with Zelazny/Stealthy. If you are against the crossbow, then you also MUST be against the high letoff compound or you wind up looking like a flaming hypocrite. I believe my opinion on that issue is also well known on this forum.

See Cougar ? A mind of reason that understand the crux of the argument AGAINST crossbows. Arthur is applying the same reasoning across the board as have I and he's seeing the same conclusion - is there really that big a differnce between crossbows and compounds ? Not anymore there isn't, and people are realizing this and states like GA and others are opeing up archery to the. Fight technology is you want, but do it without blinders on and present an argument that hols water.

I can't believe this thing is still going !!!!

But Zel cat ........there may be a small difference to you ..........but I'll garentee that the majority of shooters compound or especially crossbow hunter would tell you that there is a huge difference in between a crossbow and holding say a 70# modern bow on 80 % letoff for a mere 3 minutes !!

You can say what you want............. but you know the answer !!!

Bug country, I see your point, but you are still missing my point. I will state it one more time. I don't care if your opinion outnumbers my opinion 300,000 to 1. In my particular state, crossbows ARE allowed in the regular archery season, and that is my weapon of choice, so you or Arthur or anyone else's opinion is pretty much Irrelavant. Don't tell me to use a crossbow in gun season. That is not your business. You don't write the hunting laws for my state. When they change the law, then I will consider buying a compound bow, or will hunt only in firearms season, until then I (and thousands of others) will continue to use a crossbow in this state.

In the last seven pages I've learned:

-Narrowmindedness
-Close mindedness
-Selfishness
-Ignorance
-"Holier than thou"
-Cliche, cliche, cliche
-And there is nothing more virtuous than a person "convinced" they are right

Aside from all of that....this thread has been the most entertainment since Watchman left!

I am not picking on your comment, only as a general statement that many people say. But how can you (or anyone else) have an opinion on how easy it is to harvest a deer if you HAVE NEVER USED ONE.

Crossbows are just a hunting tool and nothing more. They have some advantages but then so do compounds. Since trees usually grow in a vertical manner, crossbows have a disadvantage in needing horizontal space where compounds need vertical openings to shoot. Compounds can shoot second and third shots easier and more quickly than crossbows. Compident compound shooters will have greater accuracy than crossbows (as long as the equipment is good).

Where crossbows have an advantage is that it will take less time to become compident then with a compound. But you still need to practice with a crossbow just not as much. Some shooters have families, work, ect and can't spend hours and hours each week practicing.

As we watch more and more areas opening up to crossbows, and more and more people getting educated in the actual use and capabilities of the crossbow, the false statements about crossbows will be put to death. In general; Although there are different advantages between crossbows and compounds, their advantages will even out in different situations.

RugerNo.1 says.....

This is where reading comprehension comes into play. I never attempted to tell you what type of weapon to use. I stated my majority opinion on the matter. Since crossbows are legal in your home state, you have every right to use them.

Stealthy says.....

I will agree that the new wave of 80-99% letoff bows really stretch the envelope of technology and ease of use. I personally prefer 65% on all of my bows. IMO, P&Y opened up pandoras box when they caved to the whining!

All that being said, to answer your above quoted question.....the difference is still huge, and you know it.

AKbound says...

Dude, you are too easily amused!

Well heck.... I've been avoiding this thread and now it's go so long I can't possibly read all these replies. Me, the head "Crotchetty Old Fart", could give a rats. What someone else hunts with isn't going to change the outcome of my hunt. My success or failure is mine and you can't prevent it. Hunt with what you want. You want to hunt with a muzzleloader or gun when I'm bowhunting.... more power to you. I really don't care. I may have to change my ways or pick my spots more carefully. If I do it right.... I WIN!!!

Ahhh, the majority are not always right though, are they ? The REASON the above is true is selfishness and hyporcacy IMO.

RugerNo.1 - But WHY should you be allowed to use a crossbow ? Saying its legal isn't a valid reason, although it does validate you using one.


akbound - check out the Fat thread on the political forum ...

Most argue based on what P&Y says. Thats true, look at the thread prior to the letoff rule being changed.

The difference is huge alright - between recurves/longbows and crossbow/compounds ! You line up 10 crossbow shooters and I'll line up 10 compound shooters and we'll put $20 on the table for each. Best shooters head to head win. Deal ? I could use some extra $$ for the holidays ! Compounds ARE that easy to use, and that much better a shooting weapon.