Crossbow Vs. Compound Vs. Traditional

[CrossVolle]

Hopefully this will not go off the rails, but i am genuinely curious of the opinions of the forum. I go back and forth constantly.

Is crossbow hunting "archery" hunting??

 

[megalomaniac]

Heck no... but I don't care.

I use both. If im in a tree, I'd MUCH rather hunt with a bow. It's quieter, and I've killed all my archery deer and elk with a compound, so I have more confidence in it.

That being said, I greatly prefer hunting with a crossbow when I'm on the ground in a blind or hunting spot and stalk for deer. Not having to draw a bow at ground level is a HUGE advantage.

When I'm hunting, I'm out to kill. Sure, I enjoy the heck out of the hunt itself, and only rarely actually kill a deer, and all the hunts without killing are still a 'success'.... But I'm not going with a weapon in the woods hoping for a hunt to just get to watch critters. And I'm going to carry the most effective weapon that is legal depending on the season.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Buckle your seatbelt....keep hands and feet inside the ride..... maybe it stays on the rails.

I shoot compound.....I have hunted with traditional....killed deer with recurve, cedar shaft, hand sharpen zwickey broadheads...... very rewarding!

But I feel more confident and comfortable with my ability to kill with my Mathews.

Hats off to the Traditional guys and their dedication.

Never shot a crossbow? Don't have any comments or opinions...... nothing against them...just don't have any experiences to share.

 

[Safari Hunt]

I have seen comments where B&C doesn't recognize X-bows. Anyone know for sure?
My wife shot a X-bow for the first time. Did rather well. Two of three shots at about 30 yards.

 

[CrossVolle]

What brought me to post this for discussion is I saw a random advertisement for a new model of CB that is claiming to shoot 500 FPS. I'm sure that's an elevated estimate, but it still made me just shake my head.

 

[CBU93]

I prefer my Matthew's, but will be converting to a crossbow due to shoulder deterioration after not bow hunting at all in close to ten years.

 

[DoubleRidge]

I have seen comments where B&C doesn't recognize X-bows. Anyone know for sure?
My wife shot a X-bow for the first time. Did rather well. Two of three shots at about 30 yards.

B&C recognizes the animal not the method in which it was taken.... providing it's a legal method....so in many states the crossbow would be perfectly fine.

Comments below from B&C:

Method of Harvest

Boone and Crockett Club, emphasizes the trophy instead of the hunter or owner and accepts hunter-taken trophies harvested with any equipment legal in the state or province where the animal is taken. (Pope and Young Club only accepts trophies taken with a bow.)

The Club also accepts trophies that are picked up (e.g., winter kills, road kills, etc.) and trophies of unknown origin (e.g., garage sales, taxidermists, attics, etc.). Trophies accepted with unknown locations of harvest are eligible only if they are for a category without a boundary.

 

[philsanchez76]

I went from compound to crossbow this season due to a shoulder surgery. I used a Hickory Creek mini vertical xbow and it was awesome this season! My shoulder will likely be ready for a compound again next season, but I am thinking I may go buy a recurve this spring. The only think I dislike about my xbow is that it takes very little practice. It's too deadly. I will look forward to practicing again, hence why I want to try the recurve.

 

[Snake]

I prefer my Matthew's, but will be converting to a crossbow due to shoulder deterioration after not bow hunting at all in close to ten years.

Me as well , hate it but as Mega said I not going in the woods to watch the wildlife I'm going to kill something. Like to shoot my Mathews but when you can't pull it back then its time to quit or change channels (term I use when a person can't kill a deer ) so I've bought a new Xbow .

 

[beefydeer]

Is crossbow hunting "archery" hunting??

Why isn't it?

 

[Arrowslanger]

I own both crossbow and compound. Haven't been able to bring myself to take the crossbow into the woods as I just like my compound and am more confident with it. If my ability to practice changes (kids sports, activities) I bought the crossbow as a back up. But until then, compound for me. Actually got my brother into hunting this season with it (first time hunter), so that made it worth the cost in itself.

 

[CrossVolle]

Why isn't it?

Well, first and foremost it is a shoulder mounted weapon.

 

[BSK]

When I'm hunting, I'm out to kill. Sure, I enjoy the heck out of the hunt itself, and only rarely actually kill a deer, and all the hunts without killing are still a 'success'.... But I'm not going with a weapon in the woods hoping for a hunt to just get to watch critters. And I'm going to carry the most effective weapon that is legal depending on the season.

This.

I don't hunt archery season so I have no skin in the game. But this question reminds me of advancements in muzzleloader technology. The original "black powder" and "muzzleloader" seasons were meant to be just that - the old Hawken style side-hammers and flintlocks using real black powder. Had them; used them. But now I shoot the best technology that is legal, which includes inlines using shotgun primers and powders that are definitely not black powder.

But per the original question, is a crossbow a bow? No. Should they be legal during archery season? Yes.

 

[Madbowh]

I don't feel it is Archery, my daughter uses a crossbow at 50 yards me and her have got 3 Robin hoods. I've been bow hunting for 25 years and not got one with my compound and can shoot pretty good all shots within 4 inches. I have had instances where I missed, doesn't happen often but it does, and was able to knock another arrow that is not likely with a crossbow. A compound bow is so technical every part of your body goes into the shot just prepping your bow for season is a job. And really what crossbow has anyone had to paper tune after getting a new string i think that says a loton its own. I have no problem with people using crossbows in actually happy to see crossbows allowed in Tennessee it gets hunters that don't use a compound in the woods for a season that is nothing like any part of deer season without Archery. I have to stop I could go on for ever about Archery lol

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I'll stick with my Mathews. My dad gave me his Creed when he no longer could pull it back, but I still hunt with my Switchback xt. The guys at the bow shop think I'm crazy. My dad just found his long bow in the attic and I am bound and determined to kill a deer with it. I'll have to practice all summer though. Having said all of that, I do not look at a crossbow as "archery". Would I hunt with a crossbow if I thought that was the only means of putting a deer on the ground? Absolutely!

 

[Snake]

Hopefully this will not go off the rails, but i am genuinely curious of the opinions of the forum. I go back and forth constantly.

Is crossbow hunting "archery" hunting??

Actually traditional should be archery only . But here came the compound and today's compound is no comparison to the recurve likewise xbow to compound . But all shoot arrows (bolts) so why shouldn't it be archery ? It would complicate things but they could have a season for all , so the logical thing to do is what they have done IMO .

 

[JeepKuntry]

We are allowing technology to push the limits. I wonder where states draw the line. Ravin's new xbow comes to mind. To me the challenge isn't the same and I prefer what I started with, a compound.

 

[waynesworld]

So for the older people is compound really archery? or you have to use just the basic one? I think cross bow It is a type of archery that allows some less talented or physically challenged people enjoy hunting.

 

[philsanchez76]

I would be on board for capping the speed of a crossbow for it to be legal archery tackle. My vertical crossbow shoots 320 fps so it's limited to compound distances of 30-40 yard max shots. This still feels very sporting cuz it's all about scouting and proper set up to get close enough. When crossbows start to exceed 500 fps and you can reach out to muzzleloader ranges during archery season?! That doesn't sit well.

 

[KPH]

Here is another one to think of is the ammo shorted going to cause more people getting crossbows.? I muzzle load and bow hunt just to stretch my season out.. I had much rather gun hunt. Back when I was a cute child I had a recurve bow then as I aged I got a compound when I had trouble pulling it back (for reasons I won't go into) I got a crossbow back when you had to have a Doc's letter. Never did much with it till this past season, now I may bow hunt a little more.