I had shoulder surgery to repair labrum tear, clean up bone spurs, and old scar tissue. I applied and received the permanent medical exemption.
Here are my thoughts on crossbows and crossbow hunting having killed a few deer with one.
1.- Unless you *want* to spend $1500 on a xbow, it is absolutely unnecessary to spend this much. I got a Carbon Express ready to hunt package for like $400 several years ago. It came with the hand cocker, scope, and 6 bolts. After initial sight in with 125 grain target heads, it was easy to group all 6 inside 3" at 50 yards off a stick (I never had this level of precision with my compound in the past). I didn't have any stands/blinds where I would reasonably shoot farther than this, so I called it good. I've killed 3 bucks with this outfit from 10 to 44 yards, and the experience was unremarkable from a shooting perspecitve. The approach was no different than shooting with a firearm. The NAP 125 spitfires all opened appropriately and left devastating wounds and blood trails.
2.- I was a diehard bowhunter for 20 years before I got the xbow. I enjoyed slinging hundreds of arrows before every season, because it was quick and convenient. Practicing with a xbow is tedious and annoying IMO. Having to shoot off sticks seated or standing is just added complexity. Also, unless you have a decocker, having to shoot the bolt to relieve the limbs after a hunt is annoying as well.
3.- Crossbows are not rifles, but they do provide a mechanical and physical advantage. Anybody that argues otherwise is not being honest. However, they do not make mediocre hunters better hunters. You still have to invest the time to practice and know your drops. You also need to make sure you have a steady rest for optimum accuracy.
4.- If I decide to archery hunt whitetails this season, I am going to pick the old compound bow back up and leave the xbow at home. If I need to crank down the poundage and reduce my range so be it. I find the entire experience more enjoyable and guilt-free.
If you're shoulder injury is such that you absolutely cannot draw a bow, then disregard everything I said. However, if you were a bow hunting fanatic before, and you could work back up to your compound through physical therapy, I would go that route. I just think you may be disappointed with the xbow experience.
Xbow purists feel free to launch the hate.
