So I Bought a Crossbow

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 8:52 am

I have been thinking about getting back into archery for a few yrs but it seems I never have the time. So I purchased a crossbow Dunhams had this on sale for $349 with a coupon.http://www.dunhamssports.com/products/barnett-qua ... -crossbow/ So my wife just found out that her Christmas shopping is done for me this year.

I still have to sight it in this week since archery season starts Saturday. But seems like a lot easier to stay proficient with a crossbow over a regular bow.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 9:21 am

Good Lord Dave, a crossbow's not archery--it's kinda like takin a sniper rifle to a 22 cal. 100 yd. competition

Now, a recurve, that would impress me

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 9:26 am

freetown fred wrote:Good Lord Dave, a crossbow's not archery--it's kinda like takin a sniper rifle to a 22 cal. 100 yd. competition Now, a recurve, that would impress me

I know. I feel a little like I'm cheating. I would rather traditional archery but not enough time to be proficient. I am still waiting for Obama to come in and take some of my workload off me.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 9:28 am

Indeed

Post by **franco b** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 10:10 am

Flyer5 wrote:I know. I feel a little like I'm cheating. I would rather traditional archery but not enough time to be proficient.

The kings of England had that same dilemma. To have an army proficient in the use of a long bow they also had to put up with an armed citizenry that could kill at several hundred yards distance. It became law that practice became mandatory and as you would think the rulers became less oppressive compared to their cousins on the mainland who stuck with the crossbow that required no such practice.

It paid off big at the battles of Crecy and Agincourt in France. The two edged sword of an armed citizenry was something the English kings had to live with and those attitudes eventually found their place in our own Constitution.

Cyber36 · Post by **Cyber36** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 1:55 pm

I own a Ten Point Wildcat. I'll tell ya, there's NOTHING like silent death. Just ask Darryl in "The Walking Dead".

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 2:12 pm

I was thinkin about askin the deer & what they might consider FAIR sportsmanship

Just an old farmers thoughts

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 2:29 pm

freetown fred wrote:I was thinkin about askin the deer & what they might consider FAIR sportsmanship Just an old farmers thoughts

As someone who has already had 2 of the 4 little gizmos completely torn from my right rotator cuff requiring surgery and a 6 week non use then 6 months till I could fully use my arm again, I'll use my crossbow if I want to go archery hunting.

Fred, you still have to get them to come near you to begin with and not spook them. I will note here that unless you have a little crank to reattach the bow string to the trigger mechanism, you only get 1 shot. I cannot cock the string from in my treestand. Most crossbows have a stirrup to put your foot into, then you use both hands to pull the string back. Too afraid of dropping the damn thing so I have to climb down thereby scaring anything else that may be around.

And I think top distance is only about 30 yds with a crossbow.

Rick

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 2:58 pm

Well I should do well then. I have woke up many times to have forest rats standing under me in my stand. I am not BSing anyone I go for my beauty sleep.

KLook · Post by **KLook** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 7:29 pm

30 yards is easy with a bow... a crossbow is reaching out to 100 yds. now. I have friends that can hit well enough to shoot out to 50 yds. with a compound bow.

Kevin

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 8:50 pm

Personally,Gentlemen,I've worked in the idea that I've seen the light and am using a '53 Desoto to claim my wild game quadruped(deer). N.E.Ohio Deer have acquired the nasty habit of slummimg along the ditches and roadsides of our scenic area. I'm taking advantage of that fact. Advantages-Heater !/ Rear Seat Area that doubles as a Pullman Sleeper Car when huntin's been tough,and you need to pull over for a snoozy/Absolutely no exposure risks to poison ivy,ticks,chiggers,skeeters,coyotes and those nasty tree-stands/All Weather comfort and constant,patrol-like mentality hunting opportunities......After talkin' to some deer,possum's,coon's and the thinning woodchuck species,they've all concurred that the DeSoto gets it done,while still having a sporting chance to make it out from under the damn thing.....Past that,Kevin,As a Plan "B",I'd get that Crossbow Laser Sighted in and take home a winner. I've got an ancient Horton Hunter 150lb. Compound Cross that my ex decided I absolutely had to have as a consolation prize. That was 1987. The damn thing's amazing.

KLook · Post by **KLook** » Mon. Sep. 30, 2013 9:12 pm

Two January's back my brother borrowed a crossbow as he could not pull his Matthews back with a bum shoulder. (sound familiar?) I have one at this time also. (bum shoulder) With the borrowed piece, he could put a bolt in a 1 inch circle at 40 yards with a stick he picked up from the woods as a "shooting stick". It had a scope and a nice trigger. Just amazing. And every year the bows get lighter and more powerful. My Matthews is about 5 years old or so and it is obsolete. But you can still get it done with old technology, just like using a 30-30 lever action to take a deer. Even though I don't like the 30-30 or the Win. lever action.

Kevin

Cyber36 · Post by **Cyber36** » Thu. Oct. 03, 2013 1:48 pm

KLook wrote:30 yards is easy with a bow... a crossbow is reaching out to 100 yds. now. I have friends that can hit well enough to shoot out to 50 yds. with a compound bow.

Kevin

100 yds. accurate shot is dreamland. 50 yds. is pushing it. I won't try a kill shot past 40 - IF - the wind is over 8 mph......

Flyer5 · Post by **Flyer5** » Thu. Oct. 03, 2013 10:58 pm

Cyber36 wrote:
KLook wrote:30 yards is easy with a bow... a crossbow is reaching out to 100 yds. now. I have friends that can hit well enough to shoot out to 50 yds. with a compound bow.

Kevin
100 yds. accurate shot is dreamland. 50 yds. is pushing it. I won't try a kill shot past 40 - IF - the wind is over 8 mph......

That is about my max as well maybe less. 50yds it is pretty consistent But it just seems like too much opportunity to screw up, especially with the adrenalin pumping. I figure my first yr archery I will try to limit shots closer to 30 if possible.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Fri. Oct. 04, 2013 8:18 am

Thank you Dave

I don't know if it's my Native Heritage or just me--but in all my hunting years--oh yeah, about 55 now, I've never been in a tree stand & I NEVER thought it was about getting the deer or whatever, close enough to ME for a shot--rifle or bow-- but about ME getting close enough to them for a clean shot--I don't think I've ever had a kill or taken a shot over 25 yds. WHOOPS--let me get on my 4 wheeler & make sure my walkie-talkie is working on my out to my fiber-glass tree stand--NOT--

to ME, that's not huntin--that's just target shootin/killin--sorry guys, just an old Native, farmers thoughts. Bow opened here Tues. I've not seen anything hangin yet---week-end's a-comin though---corn is all chopped behind me & I had about a dozen deer chewin on the nubs last evening:)

So I Bought a Crossbow

Attachments