Gonna try crossbow hunting this year

[jsasker007]

I have never even shot a crossbow. Waiting for my new purchase to show up and start getting an idea of what these things are all about. I used to hunt with compounds and that was absolutely my favorite way to hunt. I got into bow hunting pretty late at age 28 and after I started I wished I would have started a lot earlier. Then back problems came along and I was out of bowhunting for 8 or 9 years. I don't think I can take another archery season sitting on the sidelines so I finally decided I'd try a crossbow. When I was able to use compounds it gave the feeling of accomplishment getting a deer with those. It was always a blast to go to the woods bow in hand. I'm hoping a crossbow fills that void but I doubt it will be as rewarding as the compound hunting was. Rifle season is too damn short and isn't the same as hunting with a bow. Anyone who hunts with a crossbow please share any tips on hunting or practice routines. At the very least it will give me an excuse to spend many more days in the woods which is what it's all about for me. The worst day hunting is better than my best day at work for sure. Looking forward to it. Wish me luck!

 

[H20fwler]

Nice! What kind did you get?

I just started using one a few years ago, had used compounds since the late 70's, you know when it's time to switch.
Pretty much the same as using a bow but different, a pure bitch to recock in a tree, almost impossible. So don't count on a second follow up shot very fast. Unlike all the crazy distance hype great accuracy to about 40 yards, beyond that very hard to steady from a tree, most of my shots have always been around 20 yards or less whatever I am shooting anyway. I was way stealthier and quieter with my compound...still shooting deer at same distances I always have.
They are blistering fast, but louder than a compound. I use a nice mid priced TenPoint with Rage expandables. I put dampeners on mine to quiet it down some.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

I'm in the same boat, plan on hunting with one this year. Just bought a "mid range" one (I guess it's really lower range price wise) and I'm waiting for it to come. Even though I have one already that I could hunt with, but the dang thing is slower than my mid speed bow shooting 700+ grain arrows. lol
Sadly I'm in no shape to hunt with my bow this year, or maybe ever again. And that's after just getting back into it two years ago after a 15 year pause. Bought some land so I finally had a place to bow hunt and now I can't shoot a bow. Figures.

 

[crappieman2380]

Good luck tou you! I'm not that old, but in my early 20's had a close call on public land during rifle season that caused me to hang it up for a while. One day a kid at work was selling an older Horton crossbow for a cheap price and I decided to buy it. Getting to hunt during archery after that completely rejuvenated my love for hunting. I know the purists think it's the easy button, but I don't think it's that far removed from hunting with a bow as far as my hunting goes. With my stand setups I still don't have a shot over 30yds so I still have to wait for them to get close. I shot a number of deer with that old, slow Horton and loved it. 2 years ago one of the limbs developed a crack so I bought a new Excalibur. I like the simplicity if it and it's faster, but can't say it's any more efficient that the old Horton.

 

[SwampCat]

I hunted with a recurve and compound for 45 years. 12 years of that was exclusively compound bow hunting for deer - no rifle. Rotator cuff problems stopped pulling a bow. When I switched to a crossbow, early that season in one of the ladder stands I had killed a dozen or so deer out of with my bow, I shot a decent buck with my crossbow - like a 130” deer which is a decent deer for here. Right after I shot, a much bigger deer came in and fed around for 15 minutes - with me unable to reload. I could have easily shot that buck, also, had I been hunting with my compound. We are a two buck state. The deer I could not shoot would have easily been my best ever. Wasnt too high on a crossbow after that hunt.

I did not feel the rush with that first kill with a crossbow that I did with my compound - it my have been from the fact that bigger buck ran in right after I shot and I was trying to figure out how to reload. I changed up my hunting a little bit over the next few years. I am in my 70’s and dont lug deer stands around anymore. In the last six or seven years using a crossbow, I have killed one more deer - my best ever - and two bears. I could have killed 100’s of deer. I hunt from a strutter chair on the ground. I look at a crossbow as allowing me to be effective from the ground, without a blind - because I dont have to draw a bow. I dont shoot over 40 yards - which is about 5 yards farther than I would with my compound.

I never really considered hunting with a compound to be all that difficult - but it required a lot more practice. I was a lot more likely to shoot smaller bucks and does with my compound. I now have grand kids and rarely shoot a deer at all. I am much more selective because I would rather one of my kids or grandkids shoot one. It takes very little practice. I shoot a few arrows at 20, 30, and 40 for three or four days before season opens and make sure everything is dialed in.

 

[jsasker007]

I went with a Ravin brand crossbow. A couple of guys at work have them and they like the bows they have. I will be shooting from the ground. I have plenty of different spots to set up for a good ambush. My favorite part of hunting with a bow is the getting as close as possible aspect. When I started bow hunting it definitely made me a better hunter even though I've been rifle hunting for over 40 years. Should be much more enjoyable getting in the woods while the weather is fairly decent. Earlier season hunting is easier to pattern the deer before the rut kicks in and then you don't know what they're gonna do. Just waiting to get my rig so I can practice and have confidence in my gear and be able to take a couple of deer hopefully at about 20 yards. Learning curve should be fairly short with bows of today. I don't think it'll feel as rewarding as a compound but will be more of a challenge than using my guns. Finally, something to look forward to and getting to spend some days in the woods.

 

[Bill]

The adrenaline rush after shooting a buck with anything is the same for me. Crossbow included. Like others say 35 to 40 yards is about max. Even though with my ravin I can put them in a tight group in target at 70 yards. I did shoot a coyote at 70 yards once. The outcome wasn't as pretty as shooting a still target. With my elbows there is no way I could be out there in the fall without one so I love it.

 

[jsasker007]

How many shots or how many years can a guy go before having to get the strings replaced? I've heard a couple of years or 400-500 shots? That's the only thing that I'm not thrilled with about a crossbow so far. With compounds I was making my own arrows and had my own bow press to try and do as much of the bow maintenance that I could myself.

 

[Bill]

How many shots or how many years can a guy go before having to get the strings replaced? I've heard a couple of years or 400-500 shots? That's the only thing that I'm not thrilled with about a crossbow so far. With compounds I was making my own arrows and had my own bow press to try and do as much of the bow maintenance that I could myself.

Ravin says 100 shots or 2 years. The 2 year thing is accurate. However, I took the strings off my xbow after the season. Hopefully that extends the life.

 

[jsasker007]

Glad I asked. 500 shots probably wouldn't have gone too well. That doesn't seem like much shooting before having to do the strings. Wondering if getting the specific bow press for the Ravin would be worth it. Nearest place to take it in for strings or repairs would be 50 miles one way and most likely they wouldn't do it while I wait. Be a couple of 100 mile round trips just for strings. Maybe a press would pay off in the long run.

 

[Bill]

Glad I asked. 500 shots probably wouldn't have gone too well. That doesn't seem like much shooting before having to do the strings. Wondering if getting the specific bow press for the Ravin would be worth it. Nearest place to take it in for strings or repairs would be 50 miles one way and most likely they wouldn't do it while I wait. Be a couple of 100 mile round trips just for strings. Maybe a press would pay off in the long run.

I bought a Ravin press. Much easier to do my own than have to find somewhere. You’ll see 100 shots is a lot. Once you get it sighted in it’s good to go. Don’t need lots of practice. Check ravins website it may be 200 shots.

 

[SwampCat]

Glad I asked. 500 shots probably wouldn't have gone too well. That doesn't seem like much shooting before having to do the strings. Wondering if getting the specific bow press for the Ravin would be worth it. Nearest place to take it in for strings or repairs would be 50 miles one way and most likely they wouldn't do it while I wait. Be a couple of 100 mile round trips just for strings. Maybe a press would pay off in the long run.

50 miles one way. Closest steak restaurant is that far from me.

 

[jsasker007]

Having to travel that far for anything makes it a "special occasion" for me. I don't get out much and I'm OK with that. Also helps that the wife is as good of a cook as you'll find anywhere. Trips out to eat are to give her a break from the cooking.