Compound vs crossbow

[rookieforever33]

Like many my age my introduction to archery was with traditional bows through boy scouts, and yes also in SCHOOL GYM CLASS.
As time progressed I got into shooting compound bows in backyards with friends. I did not start bow hunting until my 30s and bought an inexpensive compound so I could take my nephew out hunting. After a few years I bought a nice Hoyt and that was my baby for 10 years. I hunt out of blinds a lot and when it was time for a new bow I bought a crossbow. I found it had advantages and disadvantages just like anything, but it didnt really change hunting for me. People seem to believe crossbows are "long range". I still limit myself to 50 yards the same as I did with my compound when I practiced regularly. A second shot is pretty much nonexistent unless the animal is severely wounded and it is just a finisher. Its heavier and more awkward to carry around. But it is compact and has less movement at the time of the shot. Why do so many people act like it is cheating when a compound is so "pure" in their opinion? They are almost exactly the same when comparing to trad bows or firearms.

 

[Beendare]

Really?

You aim and shoot a crossbow....thats it, just like as rifle.

There are 10 things you have to do right to shoot a bow to execute a good shot....heck just the wrong grip pressure alone can screw up accuracy.

A cross bow should be called a CrossGun....

 

[rookieforever33]

Its a compound bow mounted sideways on a stockish thing. You still need to get in bow range which is way different than rifle range. You still are way more concerned with scent and wind than rifle hunting. Most crossbow scopes are a bdc reticle, pretty much like a 5 pin bow site. Some of these slider sights are even more technical.

 

[LostArra]

It's doubtful you will get busted by a skittish whitetail when just pulling a trigger. Not so when drawing a bow.

I took a friend's crossbow on a morning hunt just for the experience. It's a cumbersome PIA getting in a treestand but when a doe came by she didn't have a chance. I had the crossbow propped on my knee, looked thru the scope, pulled trigger, dead deer. No way I could have drawn a compound or traditional bow without getting busted. No where near the same skill set. Crossbow is an ultra short range rifle that is legal in bow season so go hunt and enjoy it. I've no problem with crossbows just not for me.

 

[LongWayAround]

A crossbow is a short range gun that shoots an arrow/bolt.

I think it would be fun, but don't pretend it's archery.

 

[Overdrive]

I recently bought a crossbow and can't wait to take it hunting. I've hunted with all legal weapons and wanted to add this one to list. I don't listen to the nay sayers as I'm a hunter, I'm not locked into an identity of "Archery" or "rifle" only kind of guy.


Like you said there are advantages and disadvantages when comparing compounds to crossbows. But with the advances made with both not everyone will set their boundaries the same. There's people shooting 100 yards with a compound these days, a crossbow can easily do that with with a heavier arrow/bolt and faster flight time with a more efficient way to be stable for the shot.

 

[Yoder]

It's not archery, but it's not a gun either. I've used one for three years now. I couldn't draw my bow anymore due to a shoulder injury. I've killed 4 deer with it. If I had my compound, I would have killed the same four deer. Shooting offhand, I can shoot better groups with a compound bow than with the crossbow at 40 yards. I think the biggest advantages are the optic and not having to draw. Otherwise, I would rather shoot my bow. It also doesn't require the commitment to practice like a compound does. A few shots and you are good to go. I actually enjoyed shooting my bow. The crossbow just sucks to shoot. It takes forever to reload it. For me, it's just a tool to kill stuff.

Is it a bigger advantage to go from a compound with a release, sights, stabilizer, illuminated pins and 85% letoff to a crossbow as it is to go from a trad bow to the loaded compound? I don't think so. You can make the same arguments. You have to practice 10x more with a trad bow than a loaded compound and your range is extremely limited. If you are dedicated, you can make comparable shots with a compound and a crossbow.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I’m all for people using the weapon they enjoy. Definitely not someone who snubs their nose at crossbow shooters. But I do not feel they should be used in archery season unless for someone who cannot draw a bow because of physical limitations.

I see it as similar to allowing rifles during muzzleloader season.

All hunting requires skill sets that vary with weapon choice. But we should have more level playing fields.

I’d would like to try coyote hunting with a crossbow though.

 

[mntnguide]

Crossbows should not be allowed in an archery only season, unless a person is prohibited from pulling back an actual bow from injury or age. . Currently in WY, it's legal to use, and being utilized by outfitters to go after the biggest bucks and bulls for their high dollar clients who are buying commisioner tags right before season once a giant is found. Its a law that i hope someday gets changed to be like the other surrounding states.

This year, one of the biggest mule deer in north america hit the ground from a 120 yard crossbow shot in the highcountry of WY. I was there, 150 yards above the deer with my bow, I never had a chance. There is some other things that group was doing prior to season that were very much not legal and I documented all of it, but the actual harvest was legal. That crossbow, was smaller than my bow, and had a scope with a turret on it, just like a long range rifle. The buck was in the wide open after it was jumped out of its bed in the timber, if that guy would have had to pull a bow back, that buck would have seen it and disappeared. But, a crossbow is a gun, and all he did was sit there on a tripod, and wait to blow a bolt through that buck at 120 yards while talking to his spotters on their radio ear pieces. One of the worst days ill ever have in my hunting career watching the biggest buck ill ever see hit the ground cause of a rich guy and a crossbow.

So, I am very much against them being used by able bodied people during an archery only season. They have come so far from back when they were big and cumbersome. Now these new Ravins are smaller than a normal bow, and very easy to be shooting 100+ yards with, as i witnessed first hand. It is not archery, and nobody is shooting those distances with a compound in the wind at an animal. I could pick up a crossbow tomorrow and be shooting 100+ yards with little to no practice. It is nothing like shooting an actual bow.

 

[KBC]

When you use a crossbow, don’t you have to change your camo colours to match the pride flag?

 

[Speaks]

I bought one (though an inexpensive one and awhile ago) never could shoot it as well as my hoyt. Sent it down the road after a few years.

Im sure it would have been easier for a novice to learn but didnt see much advantage for me.