Compound Bow Or Crossbow

[stlavsa]

Which one and why??

 

Its legal in PA to use either Crossbow or Compound. I am goin to start archery hunting this year. I was set on getting a crossbow, Im all about getting the clean kill, more than the challenge.

 

My one concern is that though crossbows were legalized in 2009, that they will be banned again I will have wasted $500 and need to purchase a compound bow anyways.. Anyone ever heard of that happening? It seems more and more people are moving to crossbows.

[10silveradoz71]

Which one and why??

 

Its legal in PA to use either Crossbow or Compound. I am goin to start archery hunting this year. I was set on getting a crossbow, Im all about getting the clean kill, more than the challenge.

 

My one concern is that though crossbows were legalized in 2009, that they will be banned again I will have wasted $500 and need to purchase a compound bow anyways.. Anyone ever heard of that happening? It seems more and more people are moving to crossbows.

 

I have a compound now, but selling it for a crossbow. Im also in PA. I just think a crossbow is easier and more powerful. Im also in PA, and I have no fears of them being banned.

[wurgs]

Have heard of allowing crossbow use only during firearm season in some areas but never outlawing them once they are allowed for hunting.

[Austin83]

30-30 lever action.....but if you are going the bow route then go compound.

[tyhuck]

If you are going to bow hunt, get a compound or shoot traditional. If you are going to use a crossbow, might as well just use a shotgun or something. Just doesnt seem as much fun to shoot a crosbow. Having to actually draw down on an animal has some kind of magical quality that shouldering a firearm, or crossbow, cant provide.

 

I feel that crosbows are cheating when it comes to archery. But, I have a buddy that says my compound, rigged out with sights, a rest, stabilizers, etc., is cheating. He makes his own traditional bows to hunt with and shoots instinctively.

[stlavsa]

I do use a rifle.. during rifle season.

 

My main reason to start hunting archery is simple. Its not just about the challenge, its about having the longer, earlier season. I travel for work so I sometimes I catch a bad break and miss half the short rifle season. If you miss opening day, your odds of getting a buck are much lower for the rest of the season. I will have more hunting opportunities if I hunt archery. Things like warmer weather, getting first chance at the bucks, challenge of close hunting, etc is all secondary, but still enticing.

 

 

I get the part about drawing down on the animal, but thats really where my main conflict is. I like the idea of hunting with a compound, and having to draw back on the animal, and it does take a lil more skill than the cross bow.. BUT drawing that arrow back is also what gets you noticed by the anmial. its nice to have that arrow cocked and all you do is shoulder it and pull the trigger.

 

Some people view the cross bow is cheating, but honestly you can start shooting tight groups and a full loaded compound bow in like 20 minutes.. its really not much harder than a cross bow. The only cheating that may come to mind is the fact that you dont have to draw back the crossbow its already cocked.

[tyhuck]

I do use a rifle.. during rifle season.

 

My main reason to start hunting archery is simple. Its not just about the challenge, its about having the longer, earlier season. I travel for work so I sometimes I catch a bad break and miss half the short rifle season. If you miss opening day, your odds of getting a buck are much lower for the rest of the season. I will have more hunting opportunities if I hunt archery. Things like warmer weather, getting first chance at the bucks, challenge of close hunting, etc is all secondary, but still enticing.

 

 

I get the part about drawing down on the animal, but thats really where my main conflict is. I like the idea of hunting with a compound, and having to draw back on the animal, and it does take a lil more skill than the cross bow.. BUT drawing that arrow back is also what gets you noticed by the anmial. its nice to have that arrow cocked and all you do is shoulder it and pull the trigger.

 

Some people view the cross bow is cheating, but honestly you can start shooting tight groups and a full loaded compound bow in like 20 minutes.. its really not much harder than a cross bow. The only cheating that may come to mind is the fact that you dont have to draw back the crossbow its already cocked.

 

I can certainly see the advantage of hunting archery versus just rifle season. Thats why I bow hunt as well. And, dont think Im knocking a crossbow hunter. Im just saying that Im not gonna use one. You use what you want to because its your right.

 

As to being seen when drawing back, thats all part of the challenge. Being that close is exciting, but being able to outsmart a critter in his own element, at less than 20 yds makes it even better.

 

Its all in what you like, and can afford. Crossbows are getting cheaper, and compounds can get expensive depending on what you get. Its all relative I guess. Im just glad to see people still taking the sport seriously. There are so many uneducated anti-hunters out there that are all about the "cute and cuddly", and "poor deffensless animals". Hell if they are that defenseless, why do I need a high performance bow and hundreds of dollars in camo, scent prevention, etc. to get an edge on them?

 

Its scary some times at the way people think of the world around them. People like that DO vote and reproduce offspring that are most often less educated or improperly educated than their parents.

[cparks555]

I had a compound bow for a few years, definately way more challenging than the rifle. The bow was fun, but I got tired of having to pass up deer because they were out of range. I only hunt with a rifle these days, it's to hot during bow only season in SC anyway.

[stlavsa]

I had a compound bow for a few years, definately way more challenging than the rifle. The bow was fun, but I got tired of having to pass up deer because they were out of range. I only hunt with a rifle these days, it's to hot during bow only season in SC anyway.

 

Seems we got the exact opposite problem.. in PA its too damn cold to sit in a tree stand for hours on end. Even with the best gear you still get numb! October in PA on the other hand is beautiful.

[tyhuck]

Ide much rather be cold than sewating though. Last year I actually went bow hunting in shorts and a T shirt, and sweated them down. 90* in October with a 75%+ humidity and no wind makes for a steamy hunt.

[cparks555]

Our deer season is from August to January, so I don't mind waiting untill it starts to cool down. I usually get out there in September once most of the mosquitoes are gone. Can't stand sitting there getting eaten alive.

[tyhuck]

August is about the time I get the bug, so I think I could hit the stand and sweat and swat at least a couple of times just to tide me over. This thread has got me so itching for the season to start. Only 35 more days to go.

[jtstacy77]

Which one and why??

 

Its legal in PA to use either Crossbow or Compound. I am goin to start archery hunting this year. I was set on getting a crossbow, Im all about getting the clean kill, more than the challenge.

 

My one concern is that though crossbows were legalized in 2009, that they will be banned again I will have wasted $500 and need to purchase a compound bow anyways.. Anyone ever heard of that happening? It seems more and more people are moving to crossbows.

 

I have a compound now, but selling it for a crossbow. Im also in PA. I just think a crossbow is easier and more powerful. Im also in PA, and I have no fears of them being banned.

 

 

Actually most crossbows are generally not more powerful! Most compounds and crossbows are in the 300-350 fps range. Since a compound's arrow is longer it is heavier which means you have more mass pushing the broadhead upon impact. Also a lot of guys that hunt with crossbows and scopes take longer shots and end up wounding deer they never find. Also it is harder to kill a deer with a compound because you have to draw and hold till you get a shot. With a crossbow you are already at draw and don't have to worry about muscle fatigue waiting on the deer to present a shot. Shoot what you are comfortable with, both are lethal with the right skills!

[renegadeking]

what kind of hunting are you going to be doing. if you sit in a tree stand you should get a bow. you will only have one shot with the crossbow cause you will never get it loaded again for the second shot. and the new big crossbows you need a pulley gadget just to load the thing cause the pull of it is to strong for the average guy. bows are fast and easy to use. they both have there advantages and disadvantages. I personally use a crossbow everyyear for the last coupe years. the bow will also shoot farther and probably faster then the crossbow.

[tyhuck]

The main reason to shoot a crossbow over a compound is that hte crossbow is easier to use. If you can shoot a rifle, you can shoot a crossbow. Compounds on the other hand, require a whole different set of skills, and quite a bit more practice than either rifles, or crossbows.

 

It basically all boils down to personal preference. Do you want a magnifying scope or pin sites? how much practice time do you want to spend?

 

Another thing to concider, comounds dont have to be fired to unload them. Not a big issue to fire a bolt to unload the crossbow, but with every shot, you have potential to ruin a bolt or broadhead. They do make discharge bolts that are basically biodegradable plastic. But they are a one-time-use item and run about $4 each. Just something else to concider.