Which kind for me (new law)
 

I'm from Michigan too and have been waiting for this new crossbow law for years.Hunters 50 and over can use a crossbow during bow season. I am so happy to have my bow season back. I'm female, 60 and have been hunting all my life. I hunt all the deer seasons and use a handgun or a rifleduring firearm. The last few years I have had more and more trouble pulling a bow back. I'm also right handed and left eyed which has caused some problems with my bow. I mess up my shoulder practicing and it ruins my season.

Now that I will be buying a crossbow I came to the experts for some advice. I know I will get some good advice at the sporting goods store but I want YOUR opinions before I go. Can you tell me which crossbows are the least trouble to cock? I have strong legs but arthritis in my shoulders and hands.

like tpcollins I will probably spend more than I can afford on it. I, too, am retired and on a fixed income but my hunting season is what I wait for all year. Hope you can give me some advice on brands or types. thanks, Laura

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

The TenPoint AccuDraw 50systems works great and reduces the draw weight by 50%.. They also make a crank type drawing system where you turn a crank and mechanically draw the bow. Parker, BowTech and Excalibur use a rope cocking assist which gives a 50% reduction in drawing weight.

The TenPoint AccuDraw Systems are by far the best.

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

Parker has a crank assisted system as well, mine also fits my Excaliburs.

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

I would suggest you check out anexcalibur vixen crossbow. This is a recurve crossbow not a compound crossbow. With the excalibur you don't need a bow press to change the string with a compound crossbow you do. IMO the excalibur would be the way to go. Visit a dealer and try a couple out and then decide which you like.

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

Ditto on the VIXEN.

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

Thank you for your suggestions! I have been reading about the ones you mentioned since you posted. My husband is rolling his eyes. He knows I read and dig and research and drive him nuts till I get what I want. I'll be visiting the sporting goods stores tomorrow and thanks to you I will be checking out the ones you suggested. I think you are right!! Thanks again.

Laura

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

I noticed that one of the big differences in cb's and regular bows is that the string needs to be changed out. I've never had to change a string in my compound bows. Is it because of the high poundage? Excalibur suggests unstringing recurves between hunts and especially in a hot car when transporting.

How can you tell if you have left your string on too long? Can you tell if it is stretched out when you cock it?
If you replace a worn string is there a major adjustment to the sights?
Should I just get an extra string when I buy the bow? (I noticed there arebetter quality stringsthan what you get with the crossbows)
Should I read up more about 'boo'?
Do compound cb's have a longer string life? (assuming everyone takes care of their bows)
Do I ask too many questions?

I have a ton of them but I promise I will save most of them for the store. I would just like to get your opinions if youwouldn't mind. Also, sometimes salespeople spot a rookie and sell them stuff they don't need. Been there, done that.

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

all strings will have to be changed out over time and use, servings reserved. yes the higher poundage causes lots of string/limb shock & it wears on the strings & cables of those that have them. string left on too long, signs when you see bad wear on serving reserve, broken strands replace string. compound type stretch will cause some cam out if timing. should be able to put on press and twist til its in time again. recurves just twist up til its back on brace measurement. its always good to have one or two extra strings on hand. does a compound have longer string/serving life one of my wheel toting friends here will have to answer that. i get 400-800 shots with my vixen before it needs reserved when i use heavy arrows. if i use light arrows then its 150 on up for serving replacement. i had my original string on vixen for 9 years and it broke a couple strands when i put it on my phoenix and shot a few hundered times. ask all your ?"s here not at a store. be informed prior to being helped by a sales person. which CB you will know when you pick it up and feel its balance. cranks are the easyest way to cock any CB just takes abit longer. if not in any hurry then thats the way to go. as the years and body wear down cranks make it so nice to shoot your CB. with that in mind poundage is not a problem. advice the more poundage the more abuse limbs and string receive for the speed you get. its all trade offs. i don't own the biggest poundage CB from Excal cause it uses up string & servings too fast for this poor man. i have to be frugal as i am also on fixed income. :D

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

I do not unstring my bows between hunts. If fact once I put the string on (this week) it's there for the season unless I remove the string to turn it end for end (extends serving life IMO) or to re serve it. I do remove the strings, as well as the rubber pads from the disapator bars, off my Excaliburs during winter, while the bows are not in use.
The biggest cause of string failure is serving wear not stretching. Waxing the string and lubricating the deck (I use Jig A Loo, a dry silicone lube) prevents wear. Keeping the bow out of hot places is more to protect the limbs, I think.
The sting on my compound seems to wear faster than on my Excals; most likely because there is only one compound but two recurves. I think that the biggest cause of serving/ string wear is not only lack of maintenance but the draw weight of the bow. Bows holding back 200 lbs of pressure are bound to wear faster.
Boo makes VERY GOOD Flemish strings. They are quieter, and a bit faster than the stock Excel (endless loop) strings that come with Excals. I would definitely get a spare string. Changing out a string on a recurve is much easier than a compound. In fact, it can be done without a press (using nothing more than a $20 Stringer) something that cannot be done with a compound.
I make my own strings and re serve them about three times, so they last several years, but I do rotate a the strings when re serving them.
Keep asking questions, we'll try help any way we can.

RE: Which kind for me (new law)
 

Well, I just called every sporting goods store within 4 hours drive from me and nobody has the Vixen and won't have it unlessI order it. I found a few that have the TenPoint. Looks like there is no way to try the Vixen unless I order it. Bummer! They are all trying to talk me into the other Excaliburs or TenPoints.

They will probably expand their inventory when all us old people start demanding it. But I'm not known for my patience.