Migration to crossbows......age
 

I been bow hunting for over 40 years, it is my most enjoyable aspect of deer hunting for numerous reasons that I won't get in to. But, due to arthritis, bursititus, and other unnamed calamities and injuries , I can no longer pull my bow back enough times to keep in good form. I can get it back a couple of times but more tries than that and the next day I can't pull it back at all. I backed off the poundage but it really didn't help. My two options, give up the bow season or switch to crossbows which is legal here in Tennessee during bow season. I still love to deer hunt so I bought me a new Parker Hornet Extreme Crossbow. I was looking at the wicked ridge bows but I like the narrowness of the Hornet Extreme. I've just got it and it hasn't quit raining to allow me to shoot it plus I need to get a target that will handle a crossbow.
I've not told my bow buddies, I'm sure they will give me hell but to hell with them, a man has to do what he has to do to hunt and enjoy himself. I'm sure I'll enjoy crossbow hunting just as much as bow hunting but I'll miss my bow shooting evenings with my friends.
I've been shooting my Mathews Q2 for about 11 years I think, I never replaced it because I've yet to see a bow that made me want to get rid of the old Q2. I guess I should sell the Mathews, if not, I'll be tempted to pull it out and mess my shoulders up.
Anyway, I'll meet some new folks on the crossbow forum and hopefully next fall, we'll all be bragging about our kills.

The hunting part is the same. The shooting part isn't much different and you're doing the deer a favor. If you can't shoot enough to be accurate, one should have enough respect for the game to either quit or try another weapon. That's the reason I quit using a handgun for hunting deer. Crossbows are keeping me in the game at 70+; had to stop using a vert (both shoulders cut and back-twice).
No doubt you'll find that effective crossbow distance isn't any further than your vert and you'll still have to shoot as accurately. But at least you'll be able to do so. If your hunting buddies can't understand that, there are lots of us out here that do.
Best of luck

Been through the arthritis stuff myself. Two shoulder surgeries and two hip replacements later and I still hunt. It wasn't easy to switch from my Hoyt to the crossbow but what ya gonna do. Quiting hunting wasn't an option. Don't feel bad, just enjoy!!!!

Good Hunting!:party0005:

X2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:woot:

Welcome to the not growing old gracefully club. I too have run into some of these gents that think they will be 50 forever, and in spite of their attitude I do wish them well.

I appreciate the kind words and I mean to keep on enjoying my bowhunting season with a crossbow.
Old People Rule :sheep:

Switched to crossbow two years ago....have never looked back! Much better on my shoulders too!

Wish you the best with your new endeavor and I am sure you will enjoy your Parker Hornet. I considered one before purchasing my Excalibur.

I'm only 38 and am making the leap this year. I'll keep my compound for hunting elk in Colorado, but her in NC they just made the crossbow legal, so why not. Any risk I can remove to make a clean kill, I will do. I believe I'll enjoy it just as much.

I should note, I'm also an avid rifle hunter during gun season. The hardcore, bow only hunters, are the ones that give others grief for using the ole string rifle.

Welcome
 

To the Parker family and to crossbow hunting. I remember when I first switched to a crossbow, after not being able to bow hunt due to herniated discs in my neck and some resultant nerve damage. I was at a party, and told a friend of mine that I'd be back in the fall woods with a crossbow. Now, I've known and hunted with him for
15 years....he actually turned his head away and would not look at me or talk to me. I ignored his ignorance then, and do so today when faced with it from others.

you know tha old say'n briarpatch...

!@#%'um an feed'um fish heads......:rock:

After reading all of your post, it seems that most have given up their compound bows because you can not draw them. Has anyone considered putting Draw-Locs on your bow? They have been out for years and now have a brand new version that has a anti-dryfire system, its a pretty advanced system. You can draw your 70 lbs, without a ****ing devise, bow back with your foot and keep it at full draw until ready to shoot. Your bow will be quite, fast, accurate, weigh less than most crossbow, easy and fun to shoot, and will save you lots of $$$$$. Search "draw loc" to see what it is about. It can keep you shooting your bow for years to come.

About the same situation that I found my self in a few years back. Blew out a by-cep (2 ruptures). Still cannot manage holding steady. Even after surgery, just too much pain for me. Been using a cross bow since the initial injury. Having the legal option to hunt with a X-Bow has salvaged 3 seasons of archery hunting for me. Still have my SQ-2 and working on getting stronger in my left arm and shoulder. Either way, Lord willing, I'll be out there Oct. 15, 2011 ... SQ-2 or Parker Tormado in hand.

[I was at a party, and told a friend of mine that I'd be back in the fall woods with a crossbow. Now, I've known and hunted with him for 15 years....he actually turned his head away and would not look at me or talk to me. I ignored his ignorance then, and do so today when faced with it from others.[/quote]

Some friend, hardly worth having, IMO. Wondering what his response would be if you really had to count on his support.

i really don't know what i'd do ifin i had that kinda attitude roun here.
tha guys here don't giva dam what ya shoot'n wif.... just down foul there hunt
an don't do nuthin elegal. don't throw golden acorns out during season...
or sweet taters either......
and don't mess witha camp. after dark, don't drink beer thats not yours and don't make noise and wake hunters before the perfect time !!!!
if ya gotta verticle, horizontal, centerfire, cap & ball, shotshell or handgun... we gotta
hunt together, its easy as that.... ifin ya don't like it... don't let tha gate hit ya inya @$$
and remember to leave your gate key with me:party0005:

jag101.....unfortunately, sold my Mathews so I could by my crossbow. Don't have a compound to try it on.....

maybe you know, but others have told me that they're (draw-locs) are not good for your compound....they tell me that vertical bow limbs are not designed to be kept at full draw for extended periods of time.....being uneducated in this area, my only argument would be..if this is true, no one would be buying them....not much of an argument, I know...but, its all I got

so what is the main difference between using a crossbow and using a draw loc system on a verticle bow? Both allow you to draw the string to full draw and then hold it there for a long period of tiem. Both allow you to lauch an arrow at a target. The only difference really is that one is held verticle and one is held horizontal. The use of the weapon should be up to a hunter and their own capabilities and desires.

Would you want someone to judge you on the way you hunt even though you are conforming to all regulations of the area wher you will hunt. The snobbish attitudes are one of the reason hunting is in the shape it is in today. When ever hunters decide to get back to the basics and respect all other hunters and their methods then this will become a better sport again.

All off us guys and gals, that bad shoulders can't hold the bow up any more, pain and there weak. Draw locks are good but they just add more weight.

I would not let an uninformed so called, fellow hunter, keep me or in any way ruin my hunting expierence! It's your choice. Hunting with your legal weapon of choice is YOUR decision. If any so called friend or hunter does not agree with your choice so be it! Enjoy the Autumn woods!!!!