Crossbow, Compound Bow or traditional Long Bow?

nononsense

I was reading jimdeere's post about his harvest with a crossbow and it got me thinking about the choices.

I use a compound bow, wood laminate and carbon fiber but some of the folks down in Georgia use some pretty fancy (expensive!) crossbows. I can't justify $2,000 for a crossbow... One of my friends here in AZ is a traditional long bow hunter and has been successful with it forever.

Bow season let's all of us expand our hunting time in the field whether we harvest anything or not.

What do you use?

Best.

Frogdog

My days hunting with a traditional or compound bow are over. After years of it, I am just sick of the hassle. Last year, I switched to crossbow, and will never go back.

By the way, you need not drop $2,000 to get into crossbow hunting. I found a Centerpoint Specialist XL-370 on sale for $200, with scope. It is truly terrific. At 40 yards and under, it will group so tight and accurate that I rarely risk shooting more than one bolt at a time for fear of “Robin-Hooding” and damaging the others.

Is it as “sporting” as a traditional bow? Maybe not......but I don’t care, the venison tastes just as good to me.

Frog

nononsense

I wasn't suggesting that I felt compelled to spend that much money, just commenting on how much some spent on a crossbow. I still like the compound so I can put in for archery tags. The crossbows extend the ability of those hunters who don't do as well with a compound to get out during archery season. I'm all for it.

Best.

SCOUT5

Through the years I've used recurve, long bow, compounds and a crossbow.   While practice is needed with  any of them how much time you have to devote to practice is one factor to consider.   When I was young 18-23 or so I hunted with a 70 pound Bear recurve bow and I think that was my favorite through the years.   The longbow is, well, long and I liked a recurve better for that reason.   When I was young I hunted from the ground more and the recurve was great for that.  Still hunting through the hills when the leaves are still falling and acorns have the deer's attention is great stuff.

As I progressed in years and time to hunt became less I did more hunting from a tree stands than still hunting, usually a climbing stand.  I found a compound bow best for this and have killed more deer with a compound bow than all the others combined.   I have a crossbow and have hunted with it but I still prefer the compound bow.    Because of my knee issues my bow hunting has been very limited the last few years.   Since having both knees replaced I hope to get back into it again next year.  If I have physical issues using a compound bow I will gladly go to the crossbow if that is needed to keep me in the game.

William81

I started bowhunting in 1969 when I was 11 with a 40# Bear Bearcat recurve bow.   I enjoyed using that for a number of years but finally outgrew it when I hit my maximum height and my draw got to 31 1/2".....I moved on through a few different early compound bows which I used for long periods as Left hand bow choices were few and far between...Since I retired I am currently using  Bear Compound bow but have had to lower my draw weight from 70 down to 55.  I figure I am in my last few years hunting with a bow as my shoulders are not happy with me when I practice too much...Also my eyes do not pick up my pins as well as they used to...


I have started looking at crossbows and will likely transition to one soon...I am just a little stubborn and will try to draw a bow as long as I can get away with it......BUT I do really want a crossbow !!!!

Chief Shaway

I went to a Killer Instinct cross bow last year and love it.

I have a few stands that there is just no way to use my compound.

I switch back and forth between the two.

buddyb

I always used a recurve.When compounds with sights came out,I never considered that a real bow,About the time crossbows were legalized I had decided to never shoot another animal with an arrow.I am not condemning anyone that does,I just choose not to.Outlooks tend to change with age.

RobOz

My hat is off to traditional archery they should have a season to themselves. With that said I'm lazy and use a Excalibur Micro with a scope.

jimdeere

Yep, traditional bow shooter are in a class of their own. 

bustedknee

When I moved back to Virginia (retired) 12 years ago I went shopping for a crossbow.

One of my hunting buddies' whom I greatly respected, began asking questions rather than give me his recommendation.

Are you currently competent with your compound bow with no medical limitations?

Yes.

Have you taken any animals with your compound?

Yes, moose, deer, turkey...

Do you expect a crossbow to extend your range?

No.

Have you tried a crossbow to compare how long it takes to make a follow-up shot?

Nope.

So, what is your reason for wanting a crossbow?

I dunno.

I'm still taking critters with my Oneida and Parker compounds.

But as soon as my aching shoulder locks up I'm going shopping...again.

select-fire

He shot a Nice Buck

JimmyJack

When you approach 80 if you are still hunting,  your choices get marginally smaller.  I still use a rope, pulley cocker on a crossbow and may have to get out the mechanical one pretty soon.  I hate to hear about people taking too long of shots,  think crossbow shot shots shouldnt be much more than a compound.  Now I pass up the horns for the kids and shoot for the freezer.

randomnut

I actually hunt with all three. I usually use my Elite compound, but hunted several years with only traditional. A 67 Bear Kodiak, and a Howard Hill "Wesley Special" longbow. Got this one Wednesday evening with the Elite. I've only actually shot 1 deer with a crossbow, and that was in 96.

Mobuck

I have a $300 Barnett X-bow that's plenty good enough for shooting deer past 50 yards. My hunting buddy uses an Excaliber that is even better but 2x the cost.  The downside of my compound X-bow is having to fire a dummy or target bolt to uncock it.

SCOUT5

I have a 40# Bear recurve in the closet, I may have to get it out and sling a few sticks.

Sam06

I don't hunt anymore but when I did and I bow hunted I used a Ben Pearson recurve bow 45# pull.  3 or so months before the season I would really practice hard.  I shot year around to keep sharp but before the season I really went at it.  I never took a shot more than 30 yards(no sights or pins) and most of y shots were from a tree stand.  I have probably harvested 15 or so deer with it and a few black bears when I was stationed in WA.

The 1st time I messed with a compound bow I was amazed at its power and accuracy.  I think it was a PSE 2 and that would have been in the real early 90's. 

I have no use for a cross bow unless you have some handicap.  Its like an inline muzzle loader or one of these muzzle loaders shooting smokless powder, IMO they are not in the spirit of the hunt.  I you want to use them during the regular gun season have at it but not during primitive hunting season.

victorj19

Definitely a crossbow and it doesn't need to cost $2k although it could if you have to have top of the line and pay MSP! 

serf

Compound bow is the best with a longer arrow and the hold back tension is much easier to hold. Long bow you better have some muscle for range. Tuning the bow to the arrow is an art form they say.

                                                serf

                       

Gregor62

Used to use a compound, now I have my second crossbow, a Barnett Ghost 420. They don't have a chance within 50 yards.

My shoulder will no longer let me hold the compound at full draw, so my days of shooting any type of conventional bow are long gone.

nononsense

victorj19 said:

Definitely a crossbow and it doesn't need to cost $2k although it could if you have to have top of the line and pay MSP! 

No it doesn't and we don't need Purdeys for Quail hunting or Holland & Holland rifles to hunt deer in Alabama or a Ferrari to drive either. But some folks do buy Purdeys and some buy Holland & Holland and others drive a Ferrari also. Just because you choose not to buy doesn't mean that others can't buy what you won't. That's why there are premium quality products in every commodity because there is someone to buy them.

Best.

discusdad

i tore up my shoulder shooting a heavy draw compound to the point was no longer able to shoot any bow.  i just didn't want to use a crossbow as i felt it was more gun  than bow..  so i switched from big game hunting to waterfowl hunting.  then more body part breakdowns have stopped all forms of hunting. i'm content passing on my knowledge  and equipment to the younger generation.  grandkids get a great start in the shooting sports,  and some other kids do too  that don't have a hunting family background.

Frogdog

Why do folks always seem to think that crossbows are so unsportsmanlike or “not in the spirit” of hunting......but somehow don’t think the same of rifles and shotguns? I just don’t get it.

Sam06

Frogdog said:

Why do folks always seem to think that crossbows are so unsportsmanlike or “not in the spirit” of hunting......but somehow don’t think the same of rifles and shotguns? I just don’t get it.

Well to my way of thinking the season set aside for Primitive weapons is just that.  What is a primitive weapon?  Well the STATE defines it as XYZ and if a crossbow is on the list along with inline muzzle loaders with scopes I guess that is legal.

But as I stated IMO(In My Opinion) I don't feel they are in the spirit of primitive weapons.  So what you don't get is the way I define primitive weapons NOT hunting. 

This is what I said:  IMO they are not in the spirit of the hunt.  If you want to use them during the regular gun season have at it but not during primitive hunting season.

Does that clear things up for you?

Oh and I did put in a caveat that if you have a handicap and cannot pull a bow I guess a crossbow is fine.

Frogdog

Sam,
Not trying to call you out specifically on that one - coincidental use of words on my part. Lots of folks have a similar opinion on crossbows, though......and that is okay.  To me (IMO), however, it's all silliness. None of it is REALLY primitive........unless you chip your own arrowheads, make your own arrow shafts, craft your bow from wood, make your string, etc.  Ultimately, however, as long as you're legal, it's about what helps you personally enjoy your hunt.