Compounds and Crossbows

[BowTechExperience]

Who shoots and hunts with both? Recently I've been struggling with the temptation of buying a crossbow. I don't need to shoot one for any kind of injury or handicap, I just want to because I think they are cool and that little voice on my shoulder keeps telling me to.

 

The following is not meant to brag, just to illustrate my current shooting ability.

 

I shoot my BT Specialist well enought to hold an average of a 445 on a "Vegas" style target where the small inner circle is a 10 and the yellow is a 9 at indoor league.

I shoot groups with my BT Experience with broadheads where I can put the arrow in a 2" circle out to 60 yards consistantly.

 

So why am I obsessing over getting a crossbow?

 

I think they are cool looking.

 

I think they are an effective weapon. Oh wait  "hunting tool". lol

 

I like the feeling of snugging up to the shoulder for a shot.

 

I think they are harder to shoot free hand without support, but that is ok and part of the challenge of learning to shoot different weapons.

 

I am pro gun ( owned shotguns in the past ), pro crossbow, pro compound, pro traditionalist ( recurve, longbow, self bow ). Ive hunted and killed deer with both the recurve, longbow and the compound.

 

Am I bored?

 

I could be....But, also this section of the forum is very quiet, and I wonder if there are more closet crossbow shooters that might feel like their peers might think it is cheating and don't want the "heat" from fellow hunters so they don't post up. I can tell you guys that when both Sportsmens Center and  Cheyenne Mountain had their jamborees last weekend, the crossbows were flying out the door.  Both stores were selling out and pre-selling because they could not keep up with the demand, plus being on sale always helps but the point is where are all these people who buy them. I think it might be the fastest growing part of our sport, passion, way of life...

 

 

Should I "take one" for the team?  lol

 

Yeah I probably will, I've got my eye on a sexy black Matrix 380..

 

 

Thoughts always welcome guys.

Edited August 8, 2013 by BowTechExperience

[Nomad]

Challenge in hunting is in the eye of the beholder.  To some challenge is shooting a deer at 500 yards with a 50 cal.  To others it is shooting a deer with a turkey fletched cedar shaft and self bow.  Hunt with what makes you happy and for reasons that inspire and satisfy you. 

 

Personally, I feel a brotherhood with the old time archers of the past when I hunt with my long bow and cedar shafts.  Hunt with what you like and,  good luck with the "sexy" bow! 

[robnj]

I use both. I could careless what i kill the deer with. I like hunting for big bucks in the pines. That's challenge enough for me. I would think no less of the buck I'm after if i killed with a gun either.

[Cousin Brown]

I use both.  Its all about shot placement no matter what you use.  I love the compound & Love the Xbow cause its like shooting a rifle to me & I love rifle shooting.  The Xbow saved my season after spinal surgery & its great when my shoulders & spine start acting up. The xbow has its own set of challenges.....Unlike the compound which is vertical you are now dealing with horizontal.  Oh yeah, They are both cool to me!

[silver]

I'm in the same boat as you. I am looking at the parkers xbows now. I just feel they do a great job of ethical killing. Just might pull the trigger. Haha.

[Axiom]

I hunted with a x bow for the first time last year and i enjoyed it but it was a bit 2 easy for me...  I hear using a compund is somewhat more challenging so thats one reason im using one this season as well as the x bow..

[rec913]

I have used both now  X bow all the time be cause of shoulders being operated on I like the X Bow but do miss my Mathews I tried to go back but tore my shoulder again and needed another operation