What was your deer killed with this year? Poll?

[Bowhunter57]

I suggested a Poll to Mike Moore, one of the writers for Ohio Outdoor News. He may have something wrote up in one of the upcoming issues.

I'm curious about the rise in deer harvest numbers from archery kills. There are a lot of hunting publications that are stating Ohio's archery deer harvests supersede the firearms harvests. I'm guessing that the reason for this is the increased interest and use of more crossbows....in all age groups. The use of a crossbow can take a lot of the human error out of the shot taken to kill a deer. Plus, the range (within reason & good practice) is extended. The combination of extended range and less human error, alone, could make up for increased kills.

I'm open to your thoughts and/or opinions as to the increased "archery" kills.

Bowhunter57

 

[bowhunter1023]

I'm responsible for one compound kill (mine) and two crossbow kills (daughter's). There's little doubt crossbows have saturated the market and at the end of the year, you can submit a FIOA request to the DNR for the #s to get your answer to this question.

 

[CJD3]

First year with a x bow after 45 years with recurve/compound. I'm old an busted up...

 

[Bowhunter57]

I'm old an busted up...

I've seen rotor cuff surgeries over the years and have been dropping my bow poundage to avoid it.
Now that I have my bow poundage down to 55#, which is about where I started over 40+ years ago, age is going to be the next thing to make me switch to a crossbow.

I used to think that crossbows weren't "real" archery and was only for youth or elderly or the injured. Fact is, crossbows have been around since Mid-evil times and have advanced in technology, just like compounds. Therefore, my thoughts/opinions have changed to: it's legal, it's a personal choice and shoot what works for the individual to get a clean kill.

Bowhunter57

 

[jagermeister]

I think we already know the answer to this question.

Yes, crossbows are a reason why the archery harvest is so high. That, and more people bowhunt than ever before.

 

[Smawgunner2]

45-70

 

[hickslawns]

EHD

 

[dante322]

2014 chevy malibu

 

[Outside]

Two with crossbow, one with 0.450BM.



Sent from my moto e6 using Tapatalk

 

[giles]

How is the range increased with a crossbow? People out west have been killing animals a long time with 80+ yards shots.

Archery in general has increased. The guy spending money on leasing land and such is usually sporting a bow sticker in his back window. Hardly ever is it a crossbow sticker. This is also the guy that will eat a buck tag and won't shoot a doe.

Crossbow people are usually the type of people that like to eat venison, not tags. So to compare the 2 isn't apples to apples. The dedication to be the best of the best just isn't as strong. The "good enough" crowd if you will. Those are the guys that don't let 200 deer walk by looking for that 1.

 

[Bowhunter57]

giles,
I haven't thought about the western hunters and the extended yardages that they have to deal with, rather I was thinking Ohio and east of the Mississippi. The guy that does my processing, shot a VERY nice buck in November, at 74 yards, by spot and stalk method. He was using a Raven R20 crossbow. He had spent enough time shooting it, that he could get 2" groups at 100 yards, so he knew what the weapon was capable of doing.

I have to agree with you about the mind set of most crossbow users, being out there for meat. Crossbows work well for people that don't have a lot of time to spend shooting a vertical bow....and I'm talking about work related time, not too lazy to spend the time. It also works well for people with injuries, older age groups and youth age groups that are lacking the strength to draw and shoot a vertical bow.
That being said, my personal opinion is that a crossbow, being a shouldered weapon, lends itself to the shooter of being a firearm. They think they can "get a shot through there"....it's not a 45-70 and if the shot isn't wide open/clear/unobstructed that arrow/bolt isn't going to make it to the intended target.

As bowhunter1023 suggested, I sent in a request for kill numbers with weapon types, but in all honesty, I don't think that information will reflect what I'm asking. Like you said, it's not an apples to apples comparison.

Bowhunter57

 

[giles]

Just get one, stop trying to justify it and go for it. They are fun and even them little ones can start sharing this passion with you. You've made the step, jump!

 

[Bowkills]

The advertisement for 100yd Raven bows is awful in my mind. It needs a warning label....WARNING: Although Raven crossbows are extremely accurate one should have a mental evolution if shooting at far distances at live game with a crossbow with little practice or experience. ive heard a lot of people speak of this add. A deer could run ten yrds before the bolt reaches it. You would have to know your shit and situation to kill deer at a distance with a Xbow. I like them though 15-30yrds aim shoot dead.

 

[giles]

The advertisement for 100yd Raven bows is awful in my mind. It needs a warning label....WARNING: Although Raven crossbows are extremely accurate one should have a mental evolution if shooting at far distances at live game with a crossbow with little practice or experience. ive heard a lot of people speak of this add. A deer could run ten yrds before the bolt reaches it. You would have to know your shit and situation to kill deer at a distance with a Xbow. I like them though 15-30yrds aim shoot dead.

You could do the same with a vertical bow.

 

[Bowhunter57]

giles,
I intend to buy one, but not until the spring. I'd like to get plenty of practice with it, to get used to it. Plus, I'd like to take a turkey with it. Meanwhile, I'll be visiting a few pro shops to learn as much as I can about this device.

Bowkills,
I understand and agree with your thoughts on ethical long shots.
The ability to do so, does not account for what happens after the shot is taken.
My longest shot was 32 yards, at a relaxed deer. However, I prefer them between 18 to 22 yards. Closer shots than 12 yards and the deer seem to sense things and move when you least suspect it.

Bowhunter57

 

[Bowkills]

You could do the same with a vertical bow.

I don't think there is a chip shot with a vertical bow for me at least no matter how much practice I do. Crossbow groups in a kill zone at 20 until the string snaps. I don't think I've yet to Lose an bolt fired at a practice target in my life. My yard is a graveyard with arrows never found from practicing with vertical bows from different distances.

 

[Bowkills]

I don't think there is a chip shot with a vertical bow for me at least no matter how much practice I do. Crossbow groups in a kill zone at 20 until the string snaps. I don't think I've yet to Lose an bolt fired at a practice target in my life. My yard is a graveyard with arrows never found from practicing with vertical bows from different distances.

I find a crossbow as most efficient. Not as satisfying for sure.

 

[whitetailjunky3]

350 legend for both of mine this year would have much rather got them with my halon 32 tho just couldn’t get a buck close enough before gun. Saved my doe tag for the 350 since I wanted to see what it was capable of before I take my daughter out with it next year.

 

[giles]

I don't think there is a chip shot with a vertical bow for me at least no matter how much practice I do. Crossbow groups in a kill zone at 20 until the string snaps. I don't think I've yet to Lose an bolt fired at a practice target in my life. My yard is a graveyard with arrows never found from practicing with vertical bows from different distances.

If the shot you are taking doesn't feel like a chip shot, you probably shouldn't be taking the shot. The weapon doesn't change that. That is all part of the mental game. If holding that crossbow does that for your brain, you should just carry it or practice more with your vertical bow.

There is multiple people here that can whoop up on some crossbows at some pretty crazy distances. To include those between. Summer shoots are a great place to see some outstanding shooting. 90% of this game is mental. Which is why I commented to BH just to go with it. It is obvious he doesn't trust himself with what he has. Some battles are worth fighting past, some aint.

 

[Wildlife]

1. Two w/ compound bow
2. Three with shotgun
3. Muzzleloader harvest will tag me out. Looking forward to it!