Crossbow Deer Hunting (The Definite Guide)

[dogghr]

The argument that xbows are helping to save the hunting tradition doesn't hold water. Statistically by the industry itself, sales of xbow were mostly crossovers from present bowhunters. And their sales, according to them, has pretty much gone stagnant. I don't mind if one chooses to hunt with them, so be it. As for its legal, there are lots of laws in affect that I don't support. I do know this, if the xbow is no more effective, then why did our bow kill jump by 10000 deer first year it went into affect in this state with same hunting numbers??
Loss of hunters? I've said it before but loss of the hunting community goes further than weapon of choice. If that were the case, we would have increased numbers already with all the extra seasons and more deer available in the last 30+ yrs. Loss of number is our change in a comradory of groups hunting together. No longer do I go hunt with my buddies as much, but lone go at it for a variety of reasons. My memories are not very often of a trophy taken, but of the times I've had with my friends. As with most things, those days are gone and I'll accept it to some extent. But please don't tell me that inlines, or compounds shooting 400 fps, or the damn xbow is the saving grace of the hunting community.

 

[Deadeye]

What you are saying has merit. We as a Group do not hunt like we did 40 years ago.
The TV Shows have a lot to do with that where if you are not "growing deer" and "managing" 2000+ acres you are not hunting right. Gone are the days of shooting he first legal deer you see and then going to look to see "what ya got". Sort of like opening present on Christmas Morning.
Also gone are the days of going to Deer Camp for the Opener with your family and friends. The Nightly Card Games, The Best Eating from cooks you never knew of, the Getting together for Deer Drives and taking turns being Standers and Watchers.

Now we tend to go to our property and the only ones else there are a few people we let come along. There are no things like Deer Drives as we all hunt alone. We tend to seek to know every deer on our property and even name them and build a Hit List.

To sum that all up there was a day when I was telling my son in law of one of my memories of hunting in my early teens ans he stopped me to say "you know I hear you telling these tales of deer hunting, but honestly they are hard to believe". He will never get to experience those days for sure.

But if shooting a Crossbow brings into hunting that guy that never did, or kid that never heard of or even keeps a guy trying-- then who cares. It is a good then.

 

[Mennoniteman]

What you are saying has merit. We as a Group do not hunt like we did 40 years ago.
The TV Shows have a lot to do with that where if you are not "growing deer" and "managing" 2000+ acres you are not hunting right. Gone are the days of shooting he first legal deer you see and then going to look to see "what ya got". Sort of like opening present on Christmas Morning.
Also gone are the days of going to Deer Camp for the Opener with your family and friends. The Nightly Card Games, The Best Eating from cooks you never knew of, the Getting together for Deer Drives and taking turns being Standers and Watchers.

Now we tend to go to our property and the only ones else there are a few people we let come along. There are no things like Deer Drives as we all hunt alone. We tend to seek to know every deer on our property and even name them and build a Hit List.

To sum that all up there was a day when I was telling my son in law of one of my memories of hunting in my early teens ans he stopped me to say "you know I hear you telling these tales of deer hunting, but honestly they are hard to believe". He will never get to experience those days for sure.

But if shooting a Crossbow brings into hunting that guy that never did, or kid that never heard of or even keeps a guy trying-- then who cares. It is a good then.

You retelling nostalgic deer camp stories sound like you are native to the northeast or Michigan rather than Florida?

 

[Mennoniteman]

The argument that xbows are helping to save the hunting tradition doesn't hold water. Statistically by the industry itself, sales of xbow were mostly crossovers from present bowhunters. And their sales, according to them, has pretty much gone stagnant. I don't mind if one chooses to hunt with them, so be it. As for its legal, there are lots of laws in affect that I don't support. I do know this, if the xbow is no more effective, then why did our bow kill jump by 10000 deer first year it went into affect in this state with same hunting numbers??
Loss of hunters? I've said it before but loss of the hunting community goes further than weapon of choice. If that were the case, we would have increased numbers already with all the extra seasons and more deer available in the last 30+ yrs. Loss of number is our change in a comradory of groups hunting together. No longer do I go hunt with my buddies as much, but lone go at it for a variety of reasons. My memories are not very often of a trophy taken, but of the times I've had with my friends. As with most things, those days are gone and I'll accept it to some extent. But please don't tell me that inlines, or compounds shooting 400 fps, or the damn xbow is the saving grace of the hunting community.

Not hunting with buddies is a choice. Is finding some new friends to hunt with?

 

[Zeek]

Xbows, ML, longer, more seasons is just CPR for the sport of hunting. Keeping hunters in the game, is the name of the game now. The land is all fragmented now. Gone are the big farms and woods where drives were done, and camps were built. Sold off 10 acres at a time. I think lack of access to hunting ground is the biggest hindrance. Lots of weapon choices, nowhere to use them.
"The houses went up.
The trees were cut down
And there went the best deer huntin around."

 

[Deadeye]

You retelling nostalgic deer camp stories sound like you are native to the northeast or Michigan rather than Florida?

Yup for sure.

• Raised in NW Pa, Jefferson County to be exact, and lived there for the first 38 years of my life.

Moved to Florida for work and some health issues.

 

[dogghr]

Not hunting with buddies is a choice. Is finding some new friends to hunt with?

Maybe I should clarify. I still have most those hunting buddies but the camping a mountain top and hunting public land with no access of motor vehicle and several mile deer drag of buck shot, and loss of large farming tracts broken down into 5 ac family housing, and targeting so called trophy bucks in part by choice and in part by no longer shooting 6 deer/ season, has changed all that aspect, and expendable money to own or lease land to manage habitat and deer population. Wow that was a long sentence. My point, I don't know many that pack up a tent and spend the wk hunting with a group of 10 or more guys/gals sitting around the fire telling lies and shooting what might come by when given the chance. It changed, and I accept change, but I do think it is a contributing factor of many causes of the loss of attraction of the younger age groups. Barking up the wrong tree with new weapons and seasons to save the culture I think.

 

[Drycreek]

My two cents: I don’t think crossbows are gonna save hunting either. A culture shift is the cause of hunter numbers declining. We have transitioned from a rural to an urban society. That’s the bottom line. There are so many things that kids can do without getting out of town these days, and both parents working in order to pay for all the “stuff” that they “have to have” doesn’t leave much time to enjoy or $ to pay for hunting “stuff “. Priorities change over time.

 

[Mennoniteman]

While hunting has changed drastically over the last 40 years, it isn't on life support in the circles where I hunt, my buddies and I still get together, and there's plenty of hunting going on when there's something to hunt. The biggest factor here in there being no game isn't in loss of habitat, it's that the people that were into protecting game are now into protecting predators, including hunters on this forum. In the last 20 years it's been a more and more common sight if you see a game animal, it's being pursued by a predator. As an example, after they cleaned out the pheasants, there's always redtails following the hen turkeys with their broods this time of the year and their broods get smaller and smaller as the summer progresses and there's no season or solution for redtails. A crossbow season for redtails might be the answer.

 

[jteeen]

I'm 31 and started with a crossbow 4 years ago. I've probably killed 6 or 7 deer with it. I was brand new to hunting.

I don't think it has anything to do with saving the hunting "tradition" mentioned above. But it sure makes it easier to get into it.

Biggest issue is what's already been said, younger people don't want anything to do with it. Even here in Oklahoma mentioning killing a poor helpless animal (not my words) can get some looks. So in turn, I don't say anything, and go hunt by myself. I would love to have a group of guys to hunt with, even if I never killed anything. I grew up in the suburbs and got into it, so I think anyone can.

 

[FL Plotter]

If it's legal, I'm quite sure an animal doesn't care which one sends an arrow through his lungs.
I'll never shoot a spike because I don't believe spikes should be shot, but that's a personal decision for me, kinda like what tool I want to use to hunt deer. See how that works ?

Two really great lines there.

I have/had both "bows" but still prefer to send a .270 bullet through them pine goats. We have loooooooong deer seasons in Florida...kills during bow season reduce the amount of trigger pulls I can do in January/February!

 

[Mennoniteman]

Two really great lines there.

I have/had both "bows" but still prefer to send a .270 bullet through them pine goats. We have loooooooong deer seasons in Florida...kills during bow season reduce the amount of trigger pulls I can do in January/February!

I'm with you! And I confess I have a split personality. Guys who have cut their teeth on a rifle, out in the woods alone at 10 yrs old with a 32 special, may convert to archery hunters, but the rifle hunter is always lurking in the background. You can take the boy out of the rifle hunting crowd, but you can never take the rifleman out of the boy.

 

[Deadeye]

I'm with you! And I confess I have a split personality. Guys who have cut their teeth on a rifle, out in the woods alone at 10 yrs old with a 32 special, may convert to archery hunters, but the rifle hunter is always lurking in the background. You can take the boy out of the rifle hunting crowd, but you can never take the rifleman out of the boy.

Much truth here.
I hunted with Dad the first time at age 12, but hunted alone and shot my first buck (7-point) with my 30-30 model 94 the next year at age 13.
I enjoy Archery, but honestly it is so hot here during the Fl Archery Season it sort of ruins it for me. I miss the leaves changing colors and the smell of fall. The russell of the leaves on the ground as something approaches.

I still get out some, but once Rifle opens the weather turns cooler and in the Panhandle the season runs later so you get a taste of winter. Yes it has gotten cold enough to wear my insulated Bibs and Jacket, damn glad I packed them.

 

[farmhunter]

Ahhhh this post turned into a remembrance of how things used to be - truly hunting nostalgia at its best.

Oh yea I can relate to all of it. We still have it at our hunting camp - we have to try a little harder to make it happen - but we simply don't have the numbers of youth involved as much. Truthfully - there isn't as much youth these days in the country. My dad was one of 8 kids- I had 16 cousins (on just that side of the family!) - of those 16 - even in the 1980s - only a few of us hunted. They were great times though!! I was one of three, some of my cousins were only children -NONE of us had 8 kids!! My family is spread out across the country and -me and my few cousins that did hunt have to work to get our few kids involved. We do - but its different - there is less of us no doubt!!

Crossbows I'm all for them, but I've not owned one before. My dad had to go to crossbow a few years back from a compound - he's well into his 70s now - he didn't have a choice. I was thrilled not to lose him as a hunting partner (been since I was 14!!!) that's almost 40 years now. We learned to bowhunt together. NY needs to let people over a certain age hunt with them for ALL of bow season though, not just two weeks of it -that's silly and not forward thinking - that just has to happen!

I've hunted with my Dad's crossbow a couple times and I've taken a couple does. I love deer hunting and I enjoyed every part of it. I didn't experience the same nerves I get with my compound though - and I think that made it easier for me to take deer with little practice. I haven't had a big buck to shoot at yet - so maybe not a fair comparison. But I can tell you growing up - there were times with my recurve to start, and my couple compounds later on - that I was too nerved up to shoot a deer, even a doe or small buck. I've always been a good bow shooter - but I've always been an emotional deer hunter. I've blown it plenty times bowhunting in my lifetime. Not so much the nerves with a crossbow - it was a little more like gun hunting. But - with almost 40 years of hunting - who knows!! I might have been just as amped up in the 1980s with a crossbow. Could be all those years of hunting have me less anxious with a crossbow as my implement of choice than with a bow.

I will add that its that anxious feeling, the uncertainty of coming though with the pressure on, and the sheer rush of excitement when you do..... that makes bow hunting special. I still felt it with crossbow - but it was a little less so to be honest - and at least somewhat different. That is my honest assessment of my experience thus far.

 

[Jon]

All, I don't want to come across as a know it all in any respect. Although I love this forum... there are a million misconceptions of crossbows in the market and reading bits of this thread seem to promote some of that... I definitely think a lot of us don't necessary understand the safety concerns and the longevity of these products. Needless to say and I don't want to say I'm an expert but I do design testing and analysis for all crossbow companies in the industry, and publish some of my evaluations in a notable archery trade magazine, I guess you could say the magazine is know as the industry insider so to speak... needless debates on terms like bolt and arrow are fruitless... focus on what really matters, getting people in the woods. Crossbows are just another implement that have major pros and cons, and they have helped (IMO limited) the industry refocus on gaining those in other segments to try archery. But they aren't easier to carry in the field than most compound/long/recurve bows, they weigh more that many heavy barreled guns, they generally have safety concerns (from a use standpoint...not talking about functionality-though some products do as well) and their lifecycle is not comparative to compounds bows...

But crossbows are a useful implement, the point and shoot methodology due to fixed interior ballistics has better results afield. I have taken deer with crossbows and bows and feel no different from one to the other when it comes to an implement, but again they have many key differences. I am not a traditionalist in any sense, I am focused on clean, effective kills... if you give me a choice in weapons I'm taking my rifle, bows and crossbows are at the bottom of the list, but our seasons like everyone else dictates weapon choices and as a result shoot with what you are comfortable- and as a result I think for some they will pick a crossbow over a compound. Saving the hunting community numbers by implementation a crossbow season or inclusion in archery season I suspect has helped increase the archery community from a user standpoint but its not shifting overall hunter numbers much from my understanding.

 

[Jon]

One other point, crossbows that are available in the marketplace have in some instances catered to youth, but there are only a few models that have done that, and IMO not very well. Id love to see more of that and Id love to see lower weights, high reliability and complete idiot proof safety features that minimize any youth injuries... I think that would be a game changer for kids... and from my standpoint my son (hes 8) will stick to shooting fingers on a low poundage bow until he's proficient then he can work up to a crossbow when he's bigger and stronger and understands more of the actions a shooter has on a compound bow, etc he will appreciate those challenges and respect the output of other weapons like a crossbow, rifle etc.

 

[Jon]

OK thanks off my soapbox.....hahaha!!!!!!

 

[Lone]

I began with a recurve waaaay back in the 1960s. Compounds have come a LONG way from when they first came out. So many gadgets on em. And even trigger release. NO Fingers,,like I began with. Why all these innovations ,,gadgets ? Drop away rests. 80% let off. Why ? to make using a bow EASIER! Yep easier. Like CrossBows are too" EASY". I was instrumental in getting Cross Bows legal for the handicapped in MI. This paved the way to Full inclusion now. And I am glad.. My severe scoliosis led me to a crossbow. Still an arrow with a broadhead on it. Still close range hunting. Oh I know dummies that try for 50 yrds but to be real,,30 or less is what you want. The Industries keep soupin up Compounds and Crossbows. They both are far beyond whats needed to take the life out of game animals. Just like cars, though there always has to be something NEW. I also hunt low. Hard to move without a deer spying you at 10 ft or on the ground. Especially with educated deer who keep an eye on the trees from experience. To draw back a bow on an animal you have to go quite high, Not with My back! Deer are educated, At least in my area. Crossbows are old weapons. The souped up compounds are not like the ancient bows. Crossbows have been souped up too , but you can still purchase just a bow and a string. Bow and arrows are NOT firearms with bullets. When hit with a Rifle bullet or a shot gun slug, deer do not usually run for 150 yrds, which is what my Crossbow deer did this season. Crossbows are easier in some ways and more difficult in some ways. So are Compounds compared to Recurves. All shoot arrows at animals that should be close. All bows require stealth and planning and still patient waiting to get game near. All bows with arrows should be accepted .

 

[Mennoniteman]

I began with a recurve waaaay back in the 1960s. Compounds have come a LONG way from when they first came out. So many gadgets on em. And even trigger release. NO Fingers,,like I began with. Why all these innovations ,,gadgets ? Drop away rests. 80% let off. Why ? to make using a bow EASIER! Yep easier. Like CrossBows are too" EASY". I was instrumental in getting Cross Bows legal for the handicapped in MI. This paved the way to Full inclusion now. And I am glad.. My severe scoliosis led me to a crossbow. Still an arrow with a broadhead on it. Still close range hunting. Oh I know dummies that try for 50 yrds but to be real,,30 or less is what you want. The Industries keep soupin up Compounds and Crossbows. They both are far beyond whats needed to take the life out of game animals. Just like cars, though there always has to be something NEW. I also hunt low. Hard to move without a deer spying you at 10 ft or on the ground. Especially with educated deer who keep an eye on the trees from experience. To draw back a bow on an animal you have to go quite high, Not with My back! Deer are educated, At least in my area. Crossbows are old weapons. The souped up compounds are not like the ancient bows. Crossbows have been souped up too , but you can still purchase just a bow and a string. Bow and arrows are NOT firearms with bullets. When hit with a Rifle bullet or a shot gun slug, deer do not usually run for 150 yrds, which is what my Crossbow deer did this season. Crossbows are easier in some ways and more difficult in some ways. So are Compounds compared to Recurves. All shoot arrows at animals that should be close. All bows require stealth and planning and still patient waiting to get game near. All bows with arrows should be accepted .

How do you feel about airbows?

 

[Lone]

Not very familiar with them but there is a limit to weaponry. Crossbows go way back in history. I don’t think Air Bows do. An air gun shooting an arrow I believe. Not really a bow with an arrow