timbercruiser i really don't like bashing any bowhunter i just get pretty tired of reading how some trash crossbows and i even seen some want to bash firearms.
i mean i like to hunt with my bow and love getting out and shooting it. i would rather shoot my bow than my crossbow but i like the crossbow.
i really have the belief that if one is good with a weapon and it is legal go for it. even though i feel that ethically a firearm is the best weapon to harvest a animal thats why they call it modern.
and firstshot is right you can hold a crossbow at full draw until the cows come home but can you hold it to your shoulder that long?

Here in NC crossbows are for permitted, handicapped hunters only. I'd like to try one but I don't qualify. Don't really know much about them. Here's a question I haven't seen addressed. What about reloading for a follow-up shot? We've all missed one that just stood there, wondering what happened. Doesn't the compound have an advantage here?

rwilson

You are right on the money on that one. Follow-up shot with a cross-bow......might as well forget it......especially if you are in a tree stand...LOL. The compound has a HUGE advantage in that regard. If the deer isn't looking right at you, you can usually nock another arrow without too much commotion. Not so with a cross-bow where recocking can be a real trick while in a tree stand. I've got a Grand Slam climber and you've durn near got to be a gymnist just to get your foot into the cocking stirrup. Either that or sit back down and cock it with the but stock against your chest. Either way you're making so much commotion, that getting a second shot is highly unlikely.

Another reason to: Make your first shot count!


firstshot

Firstshot is correct ,
even a lighter weight crossbow is difficult to recock without an aid of some sort . I own a 150# Barnett Ranger , and it takes a good effort to draw it to cock after a shot . Forget a follow up shot , you won't get the chance .

I can't speak for other states, but right now PA bowhunters are fighting to keep the crossbow out of our archery season. One of the biggest concerns here is the shear number of hunters we have....over 1 million. Currently about 300K of those hunters are bowhunters. If the crossbow is legalized for archery season there will be a huge influx of rifle only hunters that think a crossbow is the ticket....the uninformed and lazy will be storming the woods just like they do in rifle season. Taking shots at rediculous distances, putting on drives, and screwing up the dedicated hunters that have actually scouted and carefully placed stands. They'll sight in with field point then screw on broadheads with no knowledge of planing and wonder why they corkscrew to the deer that's too far away. Now, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it's a fear in many of us in this state. If you live in a state that has far fewer hunters it probably isn't that big of a deal. I don't see a problem with disabled folks using crossbows in archery.

Now, I pose this question to those of you that say it's no easier than hunting with a compound: Why is Ohio's crossbow harvest higher than it's vertical bow harvest?

"Why is Ohio's crossbow harvest higher than it's vertical bow harvest?"

Because there are more folks hunting with crossbows than regular bows there according to their 2003 Harvest Summary . Crossbows were liberalized in Ohio over 20 years ago .

Currently Indiana is relaxing a bit on the crossbow and the bow hunters here are just as worried as you are . They've been fighting it tooth and nail for all of the reasons that you stated , and some that just don't make sense . If lazy stupid hunters are all you're worried about then relax , crossbows are intimidating to someone who only gun hunts . They don't like to fuss wth all the things you have to do to send an arrow downrange with accuracy . They also don't like knowing that they only get one shot with no chance of a follow up shot . At most you'll probably have some muzzleloader hunters continuing with it after the first season .

Kevin, you just made my point that crossbows are easier. The numbers in Ohio speak for themselves, there are more guys shooting crossbows because it's easier. At least that's my opinion....why else would so many use them?

As far as relaxing about it....doubtful! As soon as the opponents relax in any debate they get hammered. Why would it be any different in this case? I can't speak for Indiana's hunters, but in PA we have more than a few bad apples. Not most or anyting of the sort, but there are plenty....simply a product of the numbers I assume.

I won't deny that a crossbow is easier to master than a compound bow , so who says that a tool must be difficult to master to be proficient ? Personally , I prefer knowing that a fellow hunter is in the woods with a tool that they can humanely kill with . Equipped with the same type of scope , red dot sight , or even electronic range finder that you can now put on most compounds will only help ensure that the crossbow hunter will have little excuse for missing except lack of practice .

Just for my own curiosity , have you ever owned a crossbow Jason ? Ever fired one more than once ? Ever sight one in ? If not then I'll say that you probably have no fair base for comparison . If so , then you know what they can do in the hands of a hunter who has "done the work".

i have to laugh at the comparisons some make. it shows they really do not know anything about a crossbow.crossbow distance is a great deal shorter than a compound.the arrows are smaller therefore lose their energy faster.it is no morer accurate than a compound.when they say it is easier to use i laugh again. how many of you can pull back and hold 200lbs?if being honest it would be none.they are heavier,more cumbersome, and have less distance.crossbows do not have any where all the bells and whistles that a compound does.compounders put everything they can on their bows to hepl them shoot better.there is very little you can put on a crossbow.where is this accuracy that compounders talk about?i have heard compounders say the cb has a trigger.what does the compounders have that they use to release the arrow>there are no advantages of one over the other.if honestly speaking it is the compounders that have all the advantages.then the question,"then why don you use a compound?"that is like saying why doesn't everyone use the same brand.it is a mute argument but the only one compounders can use or have

Well from the posts i did read it looks like most folks seem to accept the cross bow i have used both i just like using my compound better