I'd really hate to pass up an opportunity to hunt this place, it sounds too good to be true to be honest. I have a bow but haven't spent any time practicing and don't want to take the chance maiming a deer. I'm leaning toward picking up a crossbow and practice, practice, practice. It solves the range/overshoot problem, there's an abandon run down horse barn on the property that would make an excellent hide with plenty of deer sign right out front and KY has a 73 day crossbow season vs a 16 day modern gun season. I'm thinking the better use of resources would be to go crossbow rather than ladder stand/harness this year.

Any takers on that one?

Any suggestions on a crossbow for a beginner. I'm taking a shine to an Excalibur Axiom.

For crossbows I use an old Barnett with a 150 lb draw and 175 gr Slick Tricks. It's topped with a 3 dot optic. Not fancy but it doesn't have a problem killing deer. I've got a buddy that is really into crossbows and he uses a top of the line Parker. His is a lot fancier and expensive than mine but it doesn't kill deer any deader. Since I rarely use a crossbow I don't see the need to do a serious upgrade.

My suggestion is go to a good archery shop and look at as many different brands as you can. Most will have some sort of range where you can fire them. Make your decision based on which one fits your budget and feels best. Remember, a crossbow is still just a bow and isn't a rifle. Range is still a major factor. For me, 40 yards is tops since the bolt drops pretty fast.

There is also a forum on this site dedicated to crossbows. I'm sure some of the guys that post there can give you some advice.

I definitely agree with Flags on his distance staement with the crossbow. If you go that route, you need to keep your shots no further than with a compound bow since it's not like shooting a gun even with the similarities involved! Does KY make you choose which season you hunt and not allow both in one year?

hmm, i didn't know that flags...
i have never used a crossbow, i guess i just assumed a 150# crossbow would have much greater range than a 65# compound.

learnt something new there :-)

Not too late to start with a bow. If the bow you have is hard to get consistent shots, get a decent more modern bow and in a few weeks you can be hitting bullseyes. Then start with an inexpensive ground blind near where you have to shoo away the deer. Make a blind from burlap or get a cheap popup and brush it in good. A good place to get a bow is http://www.huntersfriend.com/ - they will site it in for you to shoot bullseyes and provide the proper arrows, release, etc. Or, a crossbow, if legal and you don't need much practice at all since it is much like a gun - on my 3rd, 4th, and 5th shots with my cross bow I hit a target the size of an apple at 30 yds. Get one or two of those "easy" deer this year - kind of like that first fish on the stringer it will get you going on hunting. With respect to gun safety, it all depends on how much wood is behind your shot - hard to answer here. And take a good shot - see http://www.deerhuntingbasics.com/shot-placement.php

Take either the 30 30 or the 45 70 and enjoy.

Deer season here has overlapping layers. Bow season starts Sept 6 and runs to Jan 19. Crossbow season starts Oct 1-19 & Nov 8 to Dec 31. Muzzleloader season Oct 18,19 & Dec 13-21 and Modern Rifle in Zone 1 Nov 8-23. So you can shoot a bow throughout the whole season regardless of what other season it is, crossbow can be used during any of the more restrictive seasons, etc. You don't have to select what you are using as long as you are in the right season.

Since my bow is a recurve and it was my hope to learn to shoot instinctively, I think I'm going to splurge on a crossbow and spend what little time I have left learning the ins and outs. There's a run down shed on the property that would make a great hide with plenty of sign out front well within 40 yards so I should be in good shape. On top of that, crossbow season is a 73 day season where modern rifle is only 16 days.

Oh heck ya! I am new to Xbow myself - missed a few turkeys this spring but I learned what to do and what not to.......

Will be out for deer this yr for sure.......

JW

crossbow is deadly under 40yds...the problem with them is the "bolt or arrow" is shorter so after 40yds the drop is significant. Ive shot a few deer with a crossbow and they were a clean pass through with the exception of one which I shot above the shoulder and it didnt go through or hit any major veins...needless to say I never found that one. The rest I or my wife shot and died within 40yds of where they were shot.

IMO you're seriously overthinking the safety issue. I don't believe there is one based on what you've said. A hunter always needs to think about where his bullets will go. Beyond that, just go hunting and shoot some of those deer.