RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Charlie P - actually, I shot my longbow more in 2004 than most guys posting here combined. I hit a really bad streak beginning in Oct with shooting and missing then wounding the same buck and lost him. My confidence was shaken. I went to KS a few weeks after that. My shooting continued to decline and after sitting in a tree for a few hours my practice shots before I got down were horrible - sometimes 12-16" off where I wanted the arrow to go. I hunted Sat/Sun/Mon and Monday my Dad killed his nice buck. That night he said "why don't you use my Q2, at least you won't wound a big buck " and you know what ? He was right. After 15 minutes I was shooting 2" groups at 20 yards with his Q2. I didn't shoot it again until Saturday morning, and I had been in my tree maybe 2 hours when a nice buck come in. I swung way to my left, one heart shot and he was mine.

The extreme ease of shooting the compound was what I chose to do with no regrets. I was shooting awful, there was a high chance I'd miss/wound with my longbow. In my mind I did the right thing and would do it all again the same way.

So no, I didn't go to Kansas with a compound. I switched to a compound, then back again when i got back to Arkansas when I started shooting better.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

It seems to me that any negative a crossbow may bring can be argued. The same can be said for any positive. While I don't see any in your face negatives for using a crossbow during archery season, I dont see any real positives either. I dont think that adding to the already incresing numbers of archers in the woods during the archery season is a real positive.
There is an archery season and if you want to hunt during it in a state that doesnt allow crossbows, then pick up a compound with all its bells and wistles and hunt during archery season. If you can afford a good crossbow, why buy one over a compound bow, if they are so close in comparison? If you can use a compound what is the point in pushing a crossbow?
Why add another weapon? There are plenty of options for all types of hunters. Every form of taking an animal has its own unique elements. To me a crossbow doesn't add any new unique element to a hunt, but is seems to rob some of the uniqueness of archery hunting.
A cross bow is a hybrid a cross between a gun and a bow, it isnt really a gun, and it isnt really a bow.
I just dont see the point in adding a weapon to the choices.
If you want to hunt during rifle season, get a rifle.
If you want to hunt during muzzle loading season get a muzzle loader.
If you want to hunt during archery season, get a bow.
There are several types of bows to choose from, the line has been drawn in most states not to allow crossbows. The line has to be drawn somewere.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

The general and accepted definition of a bow by most states is as follows: A long, recurve, or compound bow with a minimum pull of 40(substitute for state minimums) pounds at some point within a 28 inch draw.

A crossbow or any mechanical device capable of maintaining a drawn or partially drawn position on a bow without the hunter exerting full string tension, is illegal.

A crossbow works because it maintains a fully drawn position WITHOUT the hunter having to exert any tension whatsoever! In essence it works in the same way that a draw-loc would work on a compound bow, which is illegal in almost every state! Data, you surely don't think draw-locs are acceptable do you?

Don't tell me that an archer shooting 80% letoff can hold the bow at full draw for as long as a person who is holding the crossbow locked into place!!! Its simply not true.

X-Legion.....you made some very good points. Bravo!

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I will agree with you on one thing datax, the Harry Potter series is excellent!

--Bob

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

X Legion General - You don't see the need for more changes in archery equipment ? You're wanting lines drawn ? Draw them then. You want to define the uniqueness of archery ? That was breached long ago when compounds weazled their way into archery season, wasn't it ? Ironically, compounders now see crossbows as the weasles - don't they ?

Cougar Mag - most states and therein lies the flaw in trying to define what is archery equipment based on State laws. Its absolutely 100% IMPOSSIBLE to change what something is by moving it across state lines, isn't it ? You can take a cat, that is a cat in Colorado, and move it to Arkansas and voila! it becomes a dog ? No, regardless of whether its called a dog, or a cat, its still a cat.

Take a crossbow and move it from a state that allows them in general archery season to one that doesn't, and its still a bow, just like it has been for centuries. Its not legal to use in archery season but its STILL the same thing.

See ?

I never said they could. However I submit that IF its all about the draw, theres a VAST differnce in drawing and shooting with a compund vs a recurve. VAST differences.



The biggest positive is strength in numbers of bowhunters. Be them new, two season, converts or whatever, if they're buying archery tags, and participating then they're adding strength to bowhunting.

But you must agree that the vast number of archery hunters use compounds ? If its about keeping low archer numbers, ban compounds and you'd really be pleased how uncrowded it'd be. Right ?


Good question - but people DO choose compounds over crossbows, don't they ? If they didn't then its logical to assume crossbow legal states would have virtually no compound hunters - and we know this isn't true. People choose compounds because they are super light in comparison, quiet, fast, easy to shoot and give them the BEST chance at killing animals.


Same can be said of mechanical releases, fiber optic sights, drop away rest ....... and you can expand that line of thinking to incliude scent lok clothes, electronic deer calls, deer scents, etc etc. But back to your comment ......... compound were added 40 years ago - why ? Why wasn't archery season good where it was ? Answer that question and you'll have cracked a dandy that will be the answer to why adding crossbows.

Websters ....... and history, say different.

Why ? has compounds had lines drawn ? Forever 65% was what was argued ........ until people tried it and LIKED it and it was changed. mechanical heads were once illegal, mechanical releases, certain arrows, arrowheads, etc etc.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

datamax in your response dont one bit. i carried mine one time. in fact the whole season counting mine i seen 3. so all this ya ya about it is pointless. if someone wants to shoot one let them, but they need to make sure they know how to use it. do i think they belong in archery, well i guess thats debatable, im for either or as far as archery season, just be responsible and be safe is what i say

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I'm almost ready to start building my new bow. I'm going to pull the leaf springs out of an old 1 ton truck and bolt them to a modified set of front forks off of a 82 Honda three-wheeler. I'm going to use the drive chain off of same three wheeler for my bow string. I've got some 3/8" stainless steel round bar for arrows (broadheads and fletchings are still in the works, thinking about welding on some tail fins and just sharpening those) A 6x scope will top this monster off. Since I can dead-lift about 600 pounds, a draw weight of around 550 should provide plenty of knock down power. The patent application is in the mail. For Sale: Matthews Featherlite

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Xlegion,

How about giving women and children a chance to be in the woods with a weapon during the archery season? How about giving those that previously hunted with compounds but now have injuries that prevent them from shooting to be in the woods with a weapon during archery season? How about the possiblity of bringing new hunters into our rapidly declining sport? Are those not positives?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Let's be honest guys that's what it's all about. You all don't want to share "your" woods or "your" deer. Ironically enough you are going to want other hunters to step in and support you when they threaten to take away what you enjoy doing. Well don't be surprised when they don't.:(

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

datamax, I'm no bowhunting phenom, but I have arrowed approx. 30 whitetails and over the years I would wager that from draw to shot was less than 10 seconds on each animal. I don't draw and hold for a minute and don't know anyone else that does. I wait to I get the shot, I draw, anchor, shoot. Very fast, within a few seconds. Does that sound like VAST difference b/t what you do with a recurve/longbow? Is the equal with that of a xbow vs compound?

I'll give you that compounds are easier to master that traditional equipment, but a VAST difference in being drawn in the presence of game? Thats BS and you know it. I would wage that I hold approx. 5 seconds longer than you do....... That 5 seconds means everything right? You can sell your holier than thou traditional sh!t to somebody else, I'm not buying.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

mnbohunter - if its legal go for it. Its unlikely you'll have much success but hey, you only have so many deer tags to fill, whats it to me if you fill them with a bow made from leaf springs or a .444 ? Thats right - it DOESN'T matter, because your choices of bow will have NO impact on my hunting nor the overall health of the deer herd.

Now, if your idea catches on, is 100% gauranteed to kill deer, and everyone starts using them and they slaughter the deer herds, then yeah, I'd say its time to reconsider the use of your homemade bow. Wouldn't you ?

silentassassin is yet one more person that hunts in a crossbow legal state - meaning he has first hand knowledge of them - and they don't effect his bowhunting one little tiny bit.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I'm just kidding. I only wrote that because I entertain myself pretty easily. Truthfully though, my uncle did make a cross bow out of a set of leaf springs I don't know if it worked and it wasn't for hunting. Just one of those things you do when the winter gets too long. (I think entertaining oneself runs in the family) On the topic at hand though I really don't think much would change if crossbows were legal during archery season. I know in Minnesota if you can't draw a bow because of a disability you can hunt with a cross bow. I don't think there are a lot of hunters being left out because crossbows are not legal. Crossbows have been around for a lot longer than compounds so I don't really see the validity in the point that this is the same argument that traditionalists had when compounds came out.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Let me just say...............

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

again

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

lmao........ That's pretty good DC. I may be down in your neck of the woods turkey hunting this weekend, don't know for sure yet though.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

:D

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

datamax, I would piss on a matthews too if I had a chance;)


Where abouts SA?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

:D:DFinally it's all settled p1ss on Matthews and p1ss on cross bows:D:DI finally got to the end of this thread.I hope.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Not real clost to you but we are thinking about going to Holly Springs Nat. Forest. I have a buddy that got down there this morning and got on the birds. We may go hook up with him.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Cool, yeah that's a little ways from here.


My nephew struck pay dirt last friday on gobbler on our place. 9 inch beard and 1 inch spurs. His first gobbler!!! He was stoked!

Goodluck.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

The only real difference between a longbow and recurve bow is that a compound has some relaxation(letoff) at full draw. I have shot recurves too Data. You can add a sight and stabilizer to a traditional bow if you wish and some do. Would you tell someone who shoots traditional equipment with a sight, stick-on flipper rest, and stabilizer they are not shooting real archery equipment? No, I didn't think so!

But the difference is much greater with the crossbow! Around the 40 years ago you keep talking about, the debate about allowing compounds into archery season was little to nothing. Remember also at that time very few bowhunters could be found, and the deer numbers were very low.

Silent, your statement about not allowing people with a disability to hunt is invalid. Most if not all states allow those people to use a crossbow. All they need is validation for their physician.

Data......when it comes down to it and you do not shoot a crossbow yourself.....what is in it for you? Why are you so adamant bout allowing crossbows into archery season? Don't tell me the same ole stuff about strength in numbers, bowhunters are increasing in numbers, not decreasing. It is hunters overall that are decreasing. In fact, knowing you as I do, its debating and arguing just for the sake of it.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I dont know if cross bows would have a bad effect here or not but thats not really the issue. I'd like to see them leagalize it during firearms seasons in bowhunting only areas but dont really think its fair to bunch it in with bow season just because they shoot arrows.
The arguement that compounds are easier than traditional doesn't cut it either. I liken it to saying, regarding muzzleloaders that a cap & ball is easier than a flintlock & its allowed during muzzleloader so why cant I use my 30/06?
Its not the same period. If it ever does happen here I think we can kiss our 4&1/2 month archery season goodbye. Probly see an increase in accidents due to accidental discharges as I'm sure many guys are gonna load their xbow upon entering the woods (something that cant happen with a bow) & likely be pulling them up trees even loaded. Not real easy to unload one without shooting it.
If they do legalize it I'll likely use one but dont think it'll be the same. I have one now, put a lazer sight on it & I can kill my 3d target at 25 yards from the hip. Just put the dot on what you wanna shoot & squeeze the trigger. That with a cheapo Barnett wildcat. Not bowhunting IMO. ;)

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

dude, i want one . seriously.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Ditto

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Matching book ends. Catch 'em in a "cross fire".

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

BWAHAAAAAAHAHAHAH !! Whew ! Okay ... uh ...... yeah (snicker snicker)

Virtually EVERYTHING is different, from the way you draw, to the letoff to the mechanics, to the sights/rests/arrows/broadheads and extreme difference when it comes to shooting the animal. You're trying to trivialize those differences - it aint going to work ! If you are correct, vastly more people would shoot trad equipment, wouldn't they since there isn't much difference ?

Ahhhhhhhh so the compound was evil but if it brought in more hunters and the herds could handle the added impact its all good and cool ?

Absolutely nothing. Its kinda like seeing ya'll argue that a cat is a dog. You and the others have adopted the P&Y "hate crossbow" theory hook, line and sinker and when asked WHY you hate them - and I don't mean a simple nod of the head, I mean a REAL argument - ya'll stumble and flounder and your arguments fall flat.

Don't you EVER wonder why you have a certain belief ? Whats it based on ? Is it resonable ? Can it be put to the test and some through wihout fault ?

Every year issues are put to those tests, and G&F and to a lesser degree hunters must decide on where they stand. Do you like hound hunting ? Baiting ? Mechanical heads ? Mechanical releases ? Electronic game calls ? Electronic sights ? > 80% letoff ? Not unlike crossbows the G&F looks at all this and they weigh the good vs the bad and they decide on if something is legal to use in general archery or not.

Now, this doesn't mean that a lighted pin sight using AAA batteries is NOT a sight does it ? It most certianly IS a sight - just not legal. So too is a crossbow a bow - legal in all states to some degree all the way to legal for use in general archery. Funny that Matt / PA is so insistant that a crossbow isn't a bow - uh, wel, it IS a bow, if a handicap person uses it, but it magically changes into a non-bow if a non-handicap person picks it up ? LOL

So I hit the crossbow threads every single time I find one - why ? Becuase I have lived all my life in a state that allows them and they have NEVER been one iota of a negative for archery - ever. They do impact my bowhunting one single bit. You'll notice just about everyone that says the same are also from crossbow states - in other words, we got first hand knowledge and all the fears and old wives tales and P&Y shock tactics - they aren't true, they simply are not. Add that to the fact that every argument put forth against crossbows can be equally applied to compounds (its all about the draw, the drawing in the presence of game, the letoff, the technology etc etc) and the inevitable conclusion is that crossbows are NOT bad, and they are no more advanced and no more advantageous than a compound and in fact LESS.

Oh , geeeez, are you reading what you type ? A crossbow and compound - 2 limbs, a string, the energy stored and released into the arrow ........ same concept. A muzzleloader is NOT the same critter as a high powered rifle (though the gap is closing by leaps and bounds) Its been covered already HOW they are different.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

No it's not. There are lots of people out there they have shoulder problems or back problems that prevent them from shooting yet doesn't qualify them for disabled status. Take a guy that has arthritis. He may be able to shoot sometimes but not at others and the pain that comes from his shooting my be too much to bear and not worth it. Every state is different in the standards that it takes to be qualified for disabled status and therefore a crossbow. Some of those states are VERY stringent. I have researched this on several states for my father so I think I have a pretty good grasp on it. So not it's not invalid are even uncommon for that matter. But what about my arguments about not letting women and children into the sport? Were they also invalid?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I love the old "its NOT a bow ! because my State has laws that say so !

yet the same state allows handicap people to shoot crossbows as bows. So which is it ? If its not a bow how can a handicap person be shooting it in archery season ? uh ............. because it IS a bow ? hehehehe the contradicitons abound with anti-crossbow zealots :D

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I am coming into this late .. and tried to read all the posts but there is one VERY large negative with crossbows.

The NEGATIVE about crossbows is that they can easily be used to kill and take deer outside of legal shooting times without detection. During gun season and ML season there is a very loud BANG!!! when someone shoots after legal shooting hours, and anyone who has hunted much has heard these people and many have been caught by Conservation Officers because of this. If you have hunted in rural areas and hear a shot at night .. you know exactly what is happening, and can call authorities to respond.

With a bow, where you need one hand to hold the bow and another to draw it back, there is no holding a light. You can't see the pins well enough to take a shot after legal shooting hours and even if you were tempted to try and sneak in a silent shot after legal shooting time you would not be able to see well enough to do it. If you were to screw in a flashlight or some other device to your bow, which is illegal in many states ... would at the very least have you answering questions from any CO you met. Now with a crossbow, you can easily sit in your treestand as long as you want .... and just flip on that flashlight and snuff deer with no one the wiser. I am not saying that any good and respectable hunter would do that ... but we have bad apples among us, and we need to be very careful to defend our passion from those types. I don't think allowing crossbows during archery season allows us to patrol our ranks effectively from these types.

There is a reason crossbow's are the "Poachers Choice" and allowing more of them into deer woods in stands during archery season is a bad decision.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

doubled post

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

So can a compound.


You can use the same types of sites on compounds that you can on crossbows. Also, I use to know a group of guys that poached with compounds all the time. One guy drove and help the light and the other guy rode in the back with a coupound. There was eough residual light from the spotlight to see the pins on his bow and he would just set up, draw, anchor and let it fly. If someone wants to poach they are going to poach it's a simple as that.

That is again quite irrelevant and can also easily be accomplished with a compound as well. I have seen several people with flashlights for stabilizers. I believe it's quite popular in Texas where hunting hogs at night is legal. I am sorry but your arguments just don't hold water.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Guys, remember that most of these poor souls from Arkansas and Ohio have never known a bow season without the crossbow. They have absolutely no idea what they are asking us to surrender. They truly think it's NORMAL to have crossbows in bow season. The guys in Ohio truly think it's NORMAL for there to be more crossbow hunters in the woods than bowhunters during bow season.

Please... I beg you... pity them for they know not what they do. [8D]

At the same time, I do have something to say to you guys who have spent many years now, demanding ever increasing arrow speeds, higher and higher letoffs, shorter and shorter bows, trickier releases... To those of you who bellyached about Pope and Young Club's rules of fair chase to the point they caved in and left their values in the dust rather than endure even more of your hatred.... To those of you who have directed so much derision and foul words at those of us who have long been saying "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" as far as technology is concerned....

Just stand back and take an honest look at how many people now don't believe there is much difference between compounds and crossbows.

On behalf of the few who joined me in denouncing the runaway train of technology in archery, I ask you to remember these words:

I TOLD YOU SO!


Edit-

Stupid computers! I HATE TECHNOLOGY! LOL

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I assume you can prove that huge "point" ?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Good post ArthurP.

I agree, if bows keep improving and advancing, the next logical step will be xbow:(

And I'm said to say I am one of the tecno weenies with cams, 75% letoff, mechanical releases, etc..... I think we need to fight this tooth and nail and atleast I have the satisfaction to know my state's bowhunter association is fighting it.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

I lived in Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri ........... and have hunted 6-8 other states and none of them allowed crossbows in legal archery season (except if you had a permit). o again, your assumptions are incorrect.

The thing is Arthur P .... at least you recognize that compound have opened Pandora's bow - WIDE OPEN. IF you want a tricked out compound, high letoff, huge advantages all designed towards making longer shots, faster shots, BETTER shots ....... heck thats is EXACTLY what crossbows are/do ! Amazing anti-crossbow zealots cannot see this overall .




LOL ! Talk about pot calling the kettle black ! You want YOUR easy letoff, all the tricks and gadgets, YOUY want to have all your stuff to make bowhunting easier and all ......... but dammit it you'll let anyone else ! LOL ........ whoa, yah, that REALLY makes a lot of sense, doesn't it ?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Arthur, no need to pity me. I am young and healthy and have a beautiful wife and we make a very comfortable living. I travel all over hunting and and doing things that I truely enjoy and my wife supports me 100%. I have been fortunate to kill some tremendous whitetails and I have made some great friends alond the way. I am a born again Christian that believes once saved always saved, therefore my eternity is secure. So, if you are pitying me then your are wasting your time. On the other hand.......................;) But I won't take the conversation there.

In essence you are an archer not a bowhunter. Bowhunting is but a mere byproduct to you, of archery. That is one of the primary differnces between us. You are and archer that hunts every once in a while. I am a hunter that also enjoys archery. As a matter of fact, I would wager that at 30 years old, I have killed more deer in my life than you have in yours. You are just taking your elitist views of archery and trying to force them down the throats of others. I know you are going to try to spin that and say no I am the one forcing views but since when as giving someone a choice become forcing it downs someones throat;) If you don't want to shoot them then don't....................... wha la no forcing involved.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

datamax, no not really, I still see a VAST difference b/t compound and xbow. Much VASTER than compound and recurve IMO. But I will admit that technology has bridged the gap. Once xbow is allowed I guarantee you that muzzleloaders will be next. It's a logical progression.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

SilentAssasin- I will not debate that a compound, recurve or long bow "could" be used to kill deer outside legal shooting times, but it is not something the average bow owner can do while hunting legally. It would require pre-planning on the bow users part, such as the described incident where you know people who ride in the back of trucks with spot lights and shoot from the back, or bringing lights that attach to their archery equipment, which as I said is illegal in many states. If you have hunters using lights, such as on hog hunts, then CO and other hunters are aware of these activities and can factor them into their strategy to stop poachers. Such as knowing a guy going out for an evening archery pig hunt comes back with a deer was poaching and should be reported. Or if you see a guy in the woods with a flashlight screwed into the end of his stabilizer walking in as you are walking out of the woods, that should be reported.

Now my point and experience has shown me that ANY crossbow hunter sitting in a treestand, with a simple flashlight as almost every hunter carry’s can shoot and shoot accurately holding that flashlight on an animal within the kill radius of his crossbow. So unlike a normal, average bow hunter with the equipment 95% of archers use, when the light fades his hunt is done. That is NOT the case with a crossbow hunter, his equipment can easily be used to kill and take deer after it gets dark with the gear all hunters carry. It is providing temptation and ability to the average hunter, who if they were using archery equipment would be forced to leave their stand at the end of legal shooting hours. Now I would bet ALL bow hunters have been in a stand when that deer came in just 10 minutes to late to take an ethical and clean killing shot with their bows .... now any crossbow hunter, using a red dot scope, a crosshaired rifle type scope, open sites or using fiber optic rifle like sites can rest that crossbow on a knee, or on the shooting rail of their stand .. click on that flashlight they have in their pocket to help them out of the woods and make a clean kill. It is a fact guys... at my archery club, we all tried it on the range with one of the guy’s crossbows .. it's as easy as using a rifle for a 20 yard shot. Now all of us trying to make the same shot from the elevated stand, using our flashlights in our mouths, trying to grip them in our hands ... taping them to our stabilizers .. were unable to make a clean killing shot. It is just a fact guys.....

Now this of course doesn't mean ALL crossbow guys are poachers .. it just means that ANY crossbow hunter has the ability to be a poacher, or kill deer outside of legal shooting time with absolutely no preplanning. In my opinion it makes the weapon to great a risk and temptation to be used illegally to the average guy. The reason more deer aren't killed this way with rifles, slug guns and ML's is the tell tale BANG of the gun .. it gives them away, and is enough of a deterrence for the average guy to not "risk" it. A crossbow hunter has no such deterrence ...

SilentAssasin .. I hope for all our sakes you reported those poachers you were aware of.

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

Ahhhhhhh geeeeez man, you're KILLING ME !!

A muzzleloader uses limbs and stored energy and tranfers that energy through a string to shoot an arrow ? NO !!! its not a bow because of that, its a GUN ! Do you want me to fetch what a gun is for you ?

Main Entry: fire·arm
Pronunciation: 'fIr-"ärm
Function: noun
: a weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder --

Main Entry: 1gun
Pronunciation: 'g&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English gonne, gunne
1 a : a piece of ordnance usually with high muzzle velocity and comparatively flat trajectory


gawd ya'll are wearing me down here [:o]



MA Jay - if what you fear is true .. handicap hunters are likely to be poachers then, thats the logical leap of reasoning. But IF crossbows are such the weapon of choice for poachers ........... why haven't we seen it ? C'mon, if your premise is true, you should be able to find a boat load of poachers cases that use - not a gun - but a crossbow. If you can't ......... then its like fearing the boogey man in the closet. He's not real, he doesn't exist, people have opened the closet and shown you ...... and yet you are still afraid ?

RE: please tell me just one negative to crossbows
 

It does have a stock, scope, "barrel", shoulder mounted, pre loaded.. Much more like a gun whose bullets are arrows IMO

You will NEVER convince me otherwise and anyone that uses one for any others means than being physically disabled is a puss.

Women can shoot compounts, kids, IMO aren't mature enough to be flinging arrows at game. So the argument about bringing new people to the sport is BS.

If you want to shoot an xbow, go ahead, put down your rifle and buy an xbow.