Natty Bumppo
5 year old buck +
I have been bow hunting since the early 80's, tried the crossbows a little twenty years ago it's not my thing but I sure don't have any issues with anyone that uses one. I don't get why compound bow hunters think it is so difficult to get a compound sighted in or to shoot? I get a new bow and within an hour am pretty much dialed in from 10-60 yards...to say shooting a compound is somehow so difficult is a stretch, it's harder than a crossbow but not much.
But you have over 35 years experience and strength and muscle memory and training. You're actually making the point. You did not become an expert out to 40, 50, 60 yards overnight. You did not develop the muscles to pull and hold a bow in hunting situations without hundreds of practice hours. You are clearly devoted to archery. An 18 year old pimply face kid can buy a crossbow out of the box store and be on paper out to 40 yds. in about 10 minutes. No muscle required. No need to draw back when the deer is 15 yards away. Awesome scope to help with target acquisition. And the ability to use a rest. I have a hard time seeing how anybody thinks that crossbows are not a huge advantage. That's just me though. But essentially I agree with you. To expert archers, yes, I guess maybe the advantages of crossbows are fewer, but still present.