Crossbow Hunting

[Rick]

My state allows crossbow hunting for deer in the late archery season. I'm considering getting one. According to DNR it must have a 125 lb. pull and a mechanical safety.

I don't bow hunt and know nadda about bows of any type. As far as I can tell there is not a great deal of difference between a compound bow and crossbow except the crossbow holds the draw and, of course, the size of the bolt. But that aside, any suggestions on a good crossbow? My research says Excalibur is one of the better brand names but land-o-goshen they are expensive.

Any other suggestions on a balanced cost vs. performance crossbow?

[trax]

Did you really say land-o-goshen? I don't know diddly about crossbows, I've heard Excalibur's the big name, but I'm pretty sure you oughtta go slap yourself for sayin' land-o-goshen.

[your_comforting_company]

get as close to 300 fps as possible. I would go with 150 lb draw. I'm not much of an archer, and don't own a crossbow but the fella teachin me to shoot my recurve has an excalibur and a ten point. very high end crossbows.
Hoyt makes good entry level crossbows, but still, they are all too expensive for my blood. PSE also makes good equipment of any kind. either of these should be durable and reliable and as close to balanced price as I would recommend.
here, a crossbow is considered archery equipment and you can hunt with it from archery season right through the end of deer rifle season in mid January.

[Old GI]

Barnett makes a good line in lots of sizes. Years ago I bought an Imp, very small, for fun. It can take small game.

[Beo]

Crossbows are for weak men that can't or are too lazy for real bows, Compound, Recurve, or Longbows.
Just my opinion, might as well use a rifle.
Beo,

Oh and trax is right, wth is Land-o-goshen even in your vocabulary for?

[Rick]

And muzzle loaders are for guys that can't figure out the complexities of modern thingies. Now, about that "kilt"......

[Beo]

Harder to muzzleloader hunt (especially flintlock) than modern rifles, and real men wear kilts, Rick I am secure in my manhood... somewhat. Lol.

[Old GI]

What was that about - securing your manhood? How DO you do that with kilts? I never looked.

[Beo]

Grab your nuggets and make sure their still hanging around.

[crashdive123]

I'll bet that was the second thing you did after getting shot in the arse.

[NightShade]

I hunt with a compound bow.. Crossbows are illegal in Mass. Unless u are permanently handicapped.. My dad is, and he hunts with a crossbow... He has owned a few and told me the best was, by far, ten point.. Pricey but worth it!.. Excalibur a good brand too but his preference was Ten Point... Like anything... U get what you pay for.. Worth the extra coin for the quality in my opinion.
As for them being the same... Absolutely not!! Crossbows shoot much much faster than compounds and with more power!... A "strong" pullback with a compound bow is in the 70 lb. Range... Its much easier to "get good" with a crossbow than a compound with a lot less practice.. Line up the crosshairs and pull the trigger.. Also the "arrows" shot opt of a crossbow are call "bolts" and are much shorter than traditional arrows..
If I could legally hunt with one ,without permanently maiming myself, I would buy a crossbow in a second... I have lot of fun just target shooting it with my dad... Yea expensive... But isn't everything that's really worth it?
I say go for it!.... And happy hunting!

[Bushmeat]

As for them being the same... Absolutely not!! Crossbows shoot much much faster than compounds and with more power!... A "strong" pullback with a compound bow is in the 70 lb. Range... Its much easier to "get good" with a crossbow than a compound with a lot less practice.. Line up the crosshairs and pull the trigger.. Also the "arrows" shot opt of a crossbow are call "bolts" and are much shorter than traditional arrows..


Hate my first post to be like this but i do not like mis-information given as fact.



A FAIR COMPARISON: Regarding range and accuracy, the modern crossbow is actually more similar to the modern high-performance compound bow. Take a look at a popular 175# crossbow (Horton Legend HD) vs. a 70# top-of-the-line compound bow (Bowtech Allegiance).

Crossbow
Arrow Mass: 420 Grains
Max Speed: 305fps ENERGY OUTPUT

KE = mv²/450240
KE = (420)(305²)/450240
KE = 39070500/450240

KE = 86.78 ft-lbs. Arrow Mass: 350 Grains
Max Speed: 335fps
ENERGY OUTPUT

KE = mv²/450240
KE = (350)(335²)/450240
KE = 39278750/450240

KE = 87.24 ft-lbs. Compound Bow


As you can see, the outputs of these two weapons are similar. Of course, not many compound bows are as fast as the Bowtech Allegiance, and some crossbows are even faster than the Horton Legend HD175. Yet the point remains the same, a crossbow's output is much closer to that of a modern compound bow than it is to any type of gun.


I hunt with a Compound Bow by the way.

[crashdive123]

Hey Bushmeat - how about hunting your way over to the Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14

[Bushmeat]

Hey Bushmeat - how about hunting your way over to the Introduction section and tell us a bit about yourself. Thanks. http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14


Yea Sorry, got caught up, have a go at that.



http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9199

:blushing:

[Rick]

I've had my right shoulder rebuilt three times and I just don't think I can handle a long bow or a compound. That's why I chose to go with the crossbow.

[Old GI]

I've had my right shoulder rebuilt three times and I just don't think I can handle a long bow or a compound. That's why I chose to go with the crossbow.

Same here (exactly) and my left is going. You have to adapt to your capabilities, e.g. 870 pistol grip.

[NightShade]

you can see, the outputs of these two similar. Of course, not many compound bows are as fast as the Bowtech Allegiance, and some crossbows are even faster than the Horton Legend HD175. Yet the point remains the same, a crossbow's output is much closer to that of a modern compound bow than it is to any type of gun.


I hunt with a Compound Bow by the way.[/QUOTE]


Bushmeat.. My apologies if I gave the impression that crossbows are closer to guns.. Not my intent! Just trying to highlight the differences betwee bows.. As a fellow compound bow hunter I think you'd have to admit there is a huge difference between the two styles!
I think your comparison of bows is a bit unfair with all due respect... You yourself admit to comparing top of the line compound bow to a "popular" crossbow.. If u were to compare average compound to average crossbow... Or top of the lin crossbow to top of the line compound the difference will be much more apparent..
And quite frankly it IS much easier to shoot more accurate with less practice using a crossbow.. Imagine never shooting a bow before.. U have a compound andacrosbow.. Which one will hit the target first?.. Simply put a compound bow takes more skill to shoot! I believe any archer who has shot both types would agree!

[Huntinfool]

Bushmeat is right I like to put it in layman's terms though.

A compound shoots a longer, heavier 'arrow' (bolts were metal darts used in Medieval times) and has a longer power stroke. My Excalibur 175 Phoenix kicks an arrow out approximately 305 FPS. With a short power stroke about 15 or 16 inches.

But because it's lighter than an arrow from a modern compound's arrow kicking out at a slightly slower speed will have more energy.

Night shade is right if you can shoot a rifle it's easy to learn to be accurate with a compound the only difference is a longer follow through is needed. But it is still an arrow flinging contraption you still have to thread that sharp stick thropugh the brush and all! Nothing like a firearm.

Rick if you are still in the market let me know I have the number of a guy in Ohio he's got the best deal on Excalibur's. I bought mine from him it wasn't cheap but he set it up for me all I had to do was put two bolts in that held the bow limbs on the stock. And he had the best price I could find.

He even sighted it in for me of course I had to tweak it a little but it came capable of hitting a 3" dot at 25 yards.

~HF~

[Rick]

That's a very generous offer. The Excaliburs are a bit out of my price range right now. I'm not certain I will enjoy using it and I hate to drop that kind of money on something I might not use. I think I need to play with one first. BUT!! I will keep this in mind and thanks!!

[your_comforting_company]

Looked like a good place to pose this question. A fella offered to sell me a Barnett Demon crossbow for 100 bucks. Everything I've read on it says (to me) that it's a toy. Anyone have experience with this little plastic stabbie chucker? Is a used one worth 100 bucks tricked out with cocking kit, sights, bolts, etc?
When I was in the market for a crossbow, I was wanting something a little more than entry level. Since then I got a recurve and I'm really not AS interested as I was.
Thanks

[Huntinfool]

If I could still shoot a recurve I wouldn't fool around with a crossbow.

But if you wanted to toy around with one $100 is extremely decent price if it's capable of hunting especially.

~HF~

[Camp10]

Hey Rick...did you end up getting a crossbow? Did you hunt with it? Do tell! Maine added them last year but only during regular firearms season.

[hunter63]

I'm listening as well.
Not to hijack the thread, but a couple of observations.

My FIL hunted with a cross-bow, and I or should say DW, has it now, the boys grabbed the guns, and she says, no, this in mine!

He was a vet, and paraplegic, so was legal for him to hunt with it.
Could sorta walk with leg braces and a couple of canes, by swinging his legs, but brush was tough, so we(BIL's and I) would, brag him out in the woods with a plastic sled, till he got to his ground blind.

He killed a couple of deer with it, and we all shot it at targets.

The main thing I noticed was that because of the length of the bolt vs an full length arrow was the bolt, seem faster out of the bow, but lost speed quicker than the arrow.

This sort of translates into greater penetration by the arrow on the straw bale target at most anything over about 15 yds, over the bolt.

The other thing I noticed was on one deer, he had scored a good chest shot, but the bolt didn't stick out, so the was minimal damage on the deers interior than say an arrow sticking out, tearing up heart, lungs etc internally as the deer is running thru the brush.

Did some tracking to find it, (us not him).

The crossbow is still just a tool, so I guess I don't see a lot of difference between it and say a tricked out compound bow, as both allow you to "hold" a greater "pull" with the mechanical advantage, with the edge going to the cross bow.

I really like the home made bows and arrows over the modern stuff, to me that's a real as it gets. You guys know who you are, so my hats off to y'all.

Sorta like a flint lock vs the latest in-line, scoped (w/drop compensator) rifles.
Each to his own.

[chiangmaimav]

People here have hunted with crossbows for hundreds of years and still do, but these days I see some made with pvc pipe and rubber. I have hunted with these homemade crossbows also, but they are usually for small game like birds and rabbits. Some hilltribe people use poison arrows.

[Rick]

Camp10 - Not yet. I've had too many other things I've wanted. Is there ever a point that you finally have enough toys?

[crashdive123]

Nope - not gonna happen.

[hunter63]

No such thing as haveing enough toys, like a women too pretty, car too fast, having too much fun..............
No such thing.

[Huntinfool]

No such thing as haveing enough toys, like a women too pretty, car too fast, having too much fun..............
No such thing.

I'll double down on that!!

~HF~

[hunter63]

Trick is to keep stuff spread out all over the place (I call it Deployed), so as you never get pinned down on what, or how many, of what ever you really have.......

[Chris | Jordan]

As close as 300 frames per second as possible. I'd go with a 150-pound pull. I'm not much of an archer, and I don't possess a crossbow, but the guy who is teaching me how to shoot my recurve has an excalibur and a ten point. Crossbows of the highest calibre.
Hoyt offers decent entry-level crossbows, but they're all out of my price range. PSE also produces high-quality equipment of all kinds. Either of these should be durable and dependable, with a price that is as close to balanced as possible.
A crossbow is classified archery equipment in this state, and it is legal to hunt with one from archery season through the conclusion of deer rifle season in mid-January.

[crashdive123]

Another one bites the dust.

Give away was copying and pasting a years old post to make it look like your own.

[jordanchris]

Hey, did you ever have a chance to try out a crossbow? Did you go hunting with it? Please tell me! Maine implemented them last year, but only during the regular guns season.
Crossbows have been used for hunting for hundreds of years and are still used today, however I've seen a few made out of pvc tubing and rubber. I've hunted with these homemade crossbows before, but only for small game like birds and rabbits. Several hilltribes employ poison arrows.

[Rick]

Gosh jordanchris, you aren't the same as Chris|Jordan are you? Or maybe Chris-Jordan? These guys from Prague just never give up.

[Michael aka Mac]

Crossbows are not cheap that is for sure (ones worth owning that is). I wouldn't go as low as 125 lbs. definitely least go 150. Personally I prefer the crank version crossbows for cocking, its worth the few extra bucks imo to get the crank option.

Although a crossbow's power is in line with bows, aiming is a different animal. Just never cock it then pull the trigger with no arrows in it, as it doesn't handle well with no load.

Rick definitely get one in person and not via mail, best to have it in your hands for comparison. Fact is you may end up wanting to spend more money for a better crossbow vs. skimping on purchase only to want something better later on and having to fork out even more $$$$. Least that is what happened to me, sigh 3 times in a row. Wish i Started off with my 3rd pick and saved the cash from the previous 2.

Also a warning about arrows (called bolts).. they ain't cheap either, and nor are the arrow heads which are the next thing your going to have to look for those too are a personal choice.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002440183146.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3c 961f5ejRcABz&algo_pvid=1c7f08a0-ca16-4266-b905-f788b4d48909&aem_p4p_detail=20220220103053131775297682768017899 8547&algo_exp_id=1c7f08a0-ca16-4266-b905-f788b4d48909-3&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000020662821151%2 2%7D&pdp_pi=-1%3B1.41%3B-1%3B-1%40salePrice%3BUSD%3Bsearch-mainSearch

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

"The forbidden link" here they play for real money. Volcano Casino is profitable to play for money, here you can earn real money. Large selection of profitable slots and generous winnings.



Odd, that the Ukrainians would have the time or inclination to gamble casino style....

Alan

[Rick]

Yea, he's floating in the ether now.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Ahhh... the ether world.... I hear there is no return from there..

Alan

[Rick]

We're so up on this computer stuff. I asked Crash if he wanted me to ban the guy or fry his computer. He said ether one. We are tec savvy, I tell ya.

https://www.citrusuk.net/wp-content/uploads/burnedlaptop-300x225.jpg (https://www.citrusuk.net/wp-content/uploads/burnedlaptop-300x225.jpg)

[crashdive123]

Frying spam or frying a computer..........so many choices, so little time.

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

Oh boy! Fried computer just like Mama used to make!

Alan

[Michael aka Mac]

Why did it have to be Spam... If I see one more can of Spam ....(covid food)

[NathanDeleon]

Today, crossbow hunting has several advantages that distinguish it from other hunting methods. Now, I thought I would come back and spam your site so as to get the link in search engines around the world. I was wrong and it was removed. Guess I'm not as slick as I thought.