Should I get a crossbow?
 

Guys, I love bowhunting, but I love hunting period first and foremost. Now that Minnesota allows crossbows during gun season and our gun season has been extended, I've been thinking about getting a crossbow. I'm going to hit the local pro shop I know and trust to try several out first, but I also wanted to get some opinions on here because I know there are a lot of people who have a great deal of knowledge on crossbows here.

The main reason I want to get one is that I think it would extend my effective range in my hunting grounds where I do not feel safe firing a gun, even thought its legal. Too many neighbors and houses within the potential path of a bullet. Right now, I can confidently shoot 30 yards with my bow. I mean, 40 would probably not be a problem but I don't want there to be even a one in ten chance I wound one. Am I mistaken about extending my effective range? I've read articles that say with practice, a crossbow would be deadly at 50 yards with extreme confidence. But others will tell me its no different than a bow, in which case, I'm not really interested in adding another weapon right now.

Well guys, any insight is much appreciated. Take care and happy hunting.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

You may want to rethink that extending range part. Some vertical bows do that and more now. With practice and patience you can do that with a crossbow...some of the time. I can hit my 50 yard target with a crossbow all day long when practicing; it's quite a different story when it comes to real live game. It tends to move. Crossbows are much louder than vertical bows and there isn't much that can be done to make them a whole lot quieter. So unless the game is unaware and relaxed a 50 yard shot is unethical IMO.
They are fun and perfectly suited for hunting where gun noise is an issue, I just think that 50 yards is an outside limit rather than a given.
By the way, don't be surprised if your local shop is not too informed about crossbows. I actually got the local one to order it's first for me. Since they don't use them, even now they don't know all that much about servicing them or what works. I live in Detroit Lakes, Chuck and would be very happy to talk with you about the subject. Currently shoot two recurves and a compount crossbows, make my own arrows and strings as well as bow press, string stretcher, etc. Just send me a PM and I' give you my phoine no. And/or you can talk to Dave at Wyvern Creations (603-659-05750 he is very knowledgeable and great to deal with.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

you would not believe the number of hunters that shoot 50/60/70 yds with their crossbows.

they have to be wounding deer and makes me sick to my stomach when i hear these jerks talking how they got a big buck at 60 yds or more.

they dont talk about all ones they wounded [:@]

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

In my opinion; it is 100% purefoolishness to take a shot at a deer over 40yds with a crossbow. There are crossbows that are capable of shooting accurately at 50, 60, 70 yds BUT.......persons shooting accurately at those distancesare extremely experienced crossbow users and they are very scarce.

I agree that the average person shooting that far will wound and lose far more deer than they would ever recover!!![:@]

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

crossbows are being sold like there is no end to it in pa. from what i am seeing.

the comments i am hearing at sport shops on how far a lot are shooting at deer is GASTLY.[:@]

even if you tell these people you should not shoot that far, they look at you like you are GIRLIEBOY:eek:

you would not believe the number of bolts that are being sold and its same looking type of hunters i see grabbing them.

those same guys use 3 and 1/2 inch 12 ga shells for turkey and i see them every sat buying more.:)

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

I take the same shots with my XBow as I do my other bows...mostly 30yrds or less. I have never attempted a 40 or 50.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

Your right Sproulman I wouldn't believe the number of guys who take 50/60/70 yard shots with their crossbows and you my friend sound like a crap saleman with a mouthfull of samples.

You should continue your search for the PA panther.

Sproulman you would not believe the number of compound bow hunters who take 50/60/70/ yard shots. They don't talk about all the ones they wounded...Geez, What crap.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

I ran into a pheasant hunter while bow hunting in Southwick last week. He was interested in my xbow and he said" So what does it shoot, like 150?" It is amazing how much miss information, or lack of information is out there. After I explained that it is really no different than a regular bow. I had him look thru the scope and explained the range chevrons to him. He was shocked:D

Bob

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

the ones that are doing this, most likely did it with a compound bow too.

i just am hearing more come into shop and make comments they shoot out past 50 yds, some said 80 yds.

there needs to be more education that crossbows are NOT GUNS.

but, i believe you cant change these people that make those comments, they are still going to do it.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

very well said, bob.

i was SHOCKED when i heard these KNOTHEADS saying they hunt this way.:eek:

same ones that shoot a box of3 and 1/2 inch mag shotgun shells at turkeys.

why, cause they are shooting turkeys at 80 yds too and coming back for more shells.[:@]

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

I always believed that the premise of bowhunting, be it with a longbow, compound or crossbow; was to meet the critter in their own enviroment and match wits with them. Trying to outsmart them and get as close as you can before shooting. It sure as hell isn't about having to kill something. Outsmarting a critter and getting within 30 or less yards is the real meaning to bow hunting!!!

If I wanted to shoot at 50plus yards I would use a center fire rifle. not a bow.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

I commend you on your ethics, re: one in ten chance of wounding one. I can hit poker chips out to 40 yds. I'd take that kind of shot on a lot of game, but not deer. I've gotten string jumped at 30 yds at 328 fps w/ my xbow. Clean miss, but a wake up call.

I can hunt turkey, bear, small game, varmits ect here in Ar. You're pretty well going to be limited to deer only if I understand your regs right.

By all means get one. They are a lot of fun even just on targets. Sooner or later you'll want to gig a deer w/ it. By then you will have a full understanding of it's limits.

Like all else in the hunting world, there's a craze for speed. Don't be fooled by that, there's been more game taken w/ xbows under 280 fps than over. This is just my opinion, but around 300 fps seems to be a very popular common denominator. Have fun!

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

Thanks for the replies guys. Lots of good information for me to take to heart. awshucks, I learned the hard way that even a chip shot can result in a wounded, lost deer. I've only lost one, under ideal circumstances, but it teaches you not to take anything you perceive as an iffy shot if a good one could go wrong.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

What part of Mn you from......

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

i think cross bow is only way to go

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

i like shooting my crossbow, a lot.


nice thing is my basement is 52 ft long,so i can shoot all winter long:D

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

Interesting, sure I can hit every time at 50 yards. . .but a deer, I think I will hold to 40 yards. What if you hit a bone? I can't believe it will break at50+ YDS.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

when i used my compound bow a few years back,ONEIDA EAGLE,i would never take shot over 30 yds.

with my recurve i shoot at 20 yards,BLACK WIDOW.

scopes on crossbows , i think show 50 yds.

so, many think thats great to use on deer.

scope co. should only put like up to 30 yds in huntingscopes.

this might stop the KNOTHEADS from shooting out to 50 yds or more.


i heard one yesterday say, I SHOT THE BUCK RIGHT UP HIS HIENY HOLE.

he said, i got out of car and pulled back, shot and the buck turned and arrow went up his butt.[:@]

this was with COMPOUND BOW and he said it was a 75 yard shot.[:@]

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

Ranger, near Willmar. Sproulman, I hear you. Fortunately, around here, most of the lazy hunters like that are carrying shotguns? Or is that fortunate?:eek:But during bow season, most everyone I know or hunt with won't go past 30 -40 and the latter end of that range is only under ideal, ideal conditions. Myself again, I won't shoot outside of where - barring any upredictables - I know I wont nail the target.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

your a good hunter that cares about deer,i cant see that.

the big buck i had come out to me after 4 weeks of hunting, you believe that, 1 buck in 4 weeks here in wmu2g of pa.

i left him go because it was WINDY, HE WAS AT 33 YDS,15 minutes before dark,rain was to happen at 8 pm.


i just diod not feel comfortable at that range with ANY BOW with wind blowing and rain coming.

all that went thru my head was,WHAT IF I WOUND HIM AND HE HEADS DOWN IN HOLLOW AND RAIN STARTS.

this is why i like hunting in morning, you have all day if something happens.

then he winded meand was froze at 33 yds sniffing and licking his nose for , i bet 10 minutes.

i could not MOVE,then wind blowing,man, i did not feel right.

but did he have a rack of horns, you bet,it was one of tallest racks i have seen in years.:(

you know what MOST said at our sportsmans club,WHY DIDNT YOU SHOOT, I WOULD HAVE.unreal[:@]

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

That's exactly right sproulman, you did the right thing.
That's why it's called bow hunting not bow harvesting. No such thing as a sure thing.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

i wish the majority of hunters were like us all on here, but fact of life is, not to many are.

you should see my brothers face when i passed on that buck, he has not got a doe meat yet and he is starting to look nutty.

he is getting DESPERATE.:)

i see that face on MOST of hunters now.:(

very few are like us now, its all about filling those tags and filling freezer.[:@]

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

Yes, if you want more of a challenge. I don't take shotsbeyond 25 yard with the crossbow.
Of my last 11 harvests, eight have been with the crossbow. I do use it duringrifle season.
I have developed a new appreciationfordeer because of this method.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

you are like me, i am planning to use my .50 cal hawkins this deer season with my new V-PEEP SIGHT.;)

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

I saw a guy on TV about two weeks ago, he was using a vertical compound bow and shot a deer at 75 yards. Looked like he hit the spine and the buck dropped. I don't know the name of the hunter they were showing, but I bet they got a good many emails about that one.

Just think, if there was any sudden wind when he made that shot...

Anyway, my crossbow shoots around 260fps and even though it's sighted in at 25 yards, the arrow drops about a foot at 40 yards from the point of aim. There sure isn't much room for error when you're shooting any type of archery equipment. Crossbows are a ton of fun and once you shoot one for a while you WILL want to take it hunting. If you get one, I'd recomend an Excalibur or Ten Point, don't be lured by the hype the salesmen give about Barnett, those are pure junk.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

i think my horton drops 21 inchs at 40 yds.

but you have sight to compensate for it.

i like you feel a deer has to be calm and close, like 30 yds.

i use my horton at club, kids love it.

but if you watch drop of crossbow vrs compound, you can see compound shoots much flatter at 40 yds.


then throw in a windy day,no way i would take shot at 40 yds.

BARNETT bows afrom ones that own them,there is 2 opinions.

the ones that shoot say over 100 shots,200 and more seem to have problems.but i did too with my horton but they said AGE cracked my limbs.

my brother has one for 10 years.

NO PROBLEMS,but he takes it out each year, shoots 3 shots, hits the penny dot at 20 yds, puts it away,and gets his buck about every other year.


i saw my first EXCALIBER commercial on tv yesterday.

they are getting popular here in pa. but horton dealers DONT want you to buy one.

they say,WAIT TO YOU SEE TARIFF YOU WILL PAY TO GET ONE.:eek:

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

LOLOLOL, NO, wouldn't think a Horton dealer makes much money when someone buys an Excal.

Whatever taxes/duties/tariffs on them are reflected in the price you pay or should be, in either event, not the buyers concern.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

My Cyclone get 350 fps with a 425 grn arrow and drops only 7" between 20 and 40 yards. I still don't like shooting that far at deer, and have not so far. The close and personal aspect of bow hunting appeals to me more than hitting a deer.

RE: Should I get a crossbow?
 

horton shows 21 inchs, i believe at 40 yds on my legend ultra