Why do you hunt with the bow you use?

[Fletch]

I've hunted with everything from a recurve to a crossbow... Today I either use the compound or the crossbow, depends on the circumstance or just which one moves me on any given day... The crossbow is alot of fun, don't know why but it is... Still gotta do your scouting and put boots on the ground to make it all come together whether using a stick and string or the crossbow... Main thing is to harvest your quarry in a quick and humane way...

 

[Big_Holla]

My choice is the vertical bow, my Elite Energy 35 might be the last bow I own as I absolutely love shooting it. Why that and not the crossbow for me? I have had to tote the crossbow for the kids over the years and man is it cumbersome to me. Especially once it was cocked and you carried it. I know there are way more choices today that are lighter, smaller and faster then when I picked this one up but man that shit is expensive!! The thing about the vertical bow is I just enjoy shooting it, trying to maintain consistency. It's taking a break from all the shit going on in life to let you relax and shoot a bunch of arrows. It's spending time with my dad in years past shooting together and now it's spending that same time with my kids shooting, talking, enjoying each other and the frustrations and excitement when it all comes together. It's this husband/dad's dream to see it come true with all of us out shooting at the same target ribbing each other, congratulating and just having fun. It is also the sense of accomplishment that you made a good shot on the target and when you do it with a deer it is 10X better for me. It's so very different than shooting the crossbow for me, that feels more like work for some reason. Setting up a chair, bipod, cocking device, the noise from it, etc. it just feels like it isn't as easy as walking up, nock an arrow and thwack, it's in the target. That said I would never discount one of the newer crossbows to add to my arsenal. There are times where I can definitely see the need and or advantages.

 

[Redhunter1012]

If you can find one to try: shoot a Wicked Ridge M370 crossbow. Weighs in at 5# 10 oz. Right at 12" across when cocked Shoots 370 fps. Lifetime Warranty.. Wyvern Creations sells them the cheapest (set price but no shipping or tax) I have shot more varieties of crossbows than I can even remember...I am impressed with this one. And it will not break the bank.

Really? You had to send me online checking it out. FUGG! My daughter is 5 and has so much desire to get out and hunt. Seems way more enthusiastic about than her older brother at the same age. So she'll inherit the pink Lady Barnett he currently uses. I'll need to get him his own. I have a boat motor to sell, now I know how I'll spend that money

 

[Quantum673]

I carry my recurve. The main reason why? I guess is because apparently I don’t want to kill any deer.
I have enjoyed hunting more than ever since I started carrying a recurve two years ago. I have yet to harvest a deer with it but man I have had some ultra close encounters.

 

[bowhunter1023]

What would make you switch or choose to hunt with a crossbow?

Bowhunter57

To answer the OP's original question, other than a wild hair on my ass, the only way I switch from a compound to a crossbow is if I physically cannot draw back 40, or more pounds. I'm not a hater, but crossbows should be used for kids, women, seniors, and any physically handicapped 18-60 year-old male. Not a judgement; just an opinion. I get some of the counter-arguments to this point-of-view, I just don't see me conceding my POV after years of debate, so I simply don't say much about it anymore. To each, his own as long as it's legal and ethical. I personally have no desire to shoot a deer with a crossbow and will only do so when that's my only remaining entry point into archery season.

 

[Boarhead]

Recurve is all I hunt with anymore..just enjoy the challenge and feeling i get after killing something with it.
I own 2 now and gonna buy a third one soon.
They are just plain fun to shoot and it does take alot of practice time to become efficient with them.

 

[Boarhead]

I carry my recurve. The main reason why? I guess is because apparently I don’t want to kill any deer.
I have enjoyed hunting more than ever since I started carrying a recurve two years ago. I have yet to harvest a deer with it but man I have had some ultra close encounters.

It will happen Jon and will be worth the wait.

 

[Bowkills]

The bow ? is laughable if people get to arguing over what people think others should or shouldn't use. flint lock patch and ball vs. new inlines. picture sending cell cams, thermal scopes, drones all for scouting now. Use whatever trips ur trigger if it's legal, no need from judgement from other hunters.

 

[giles]

Really? You had to send me online checking it out. FUGG! My daughter is 5 and has so much desire to get out and hunt. Seems way more enthusiastic about than her older brother at the same age. So she'll inherit the pink Lady Barnett he currently uses. I'll need to get him his own. I have a boat motor to sell, now I know how I'll spend that money

No need to wait. My kids have been prepping for years. Found this gem last night. Our deer chasing adventures started September 30, 2013. Youth model Barnett that i and others killed a bunch of deer with. We plum wore that thing out. I still have it for memories, but I'm not sure i would trust shooting it. Lol

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Mostly for the wiener tickle I get whilst pulling back on the training wheels. However, I have recently tossed around the idea of a string rifle for ground assaults and taking the girls out, when they're ready.

 

[Fletch]

To answer the OP's original question, other than a wild hair on my ass, the only way I switch from a compound to a crossbow is if I physically cannot draw back 40, or more pounds. I'm not a hater, but crossbows should be used for kids, women, seniors, and any physically handicapped 18-60 year-old male. Not a judgement; just an opinion. I get some of the counter-arguments to this point-of-view, I just don't see me conceding my POV after years of debate, so I simply don't say much about it anymore. To each, his own as long as it's legal and ethical. I personally have no desire to shoot a deer with a crossbow and will only do so when that's my only remaining entry point into archery season.

Going to add a little to what Jesse said as to who should be using a xbow... Well actually who should NOT be using a xbow and that would be first time archery hunters... The gun hunter that all of a sudden becomes: "AN ARCHERY HUNTER" when xbows were legalized... Then brags about his "ARCHERY KILL"... Nope.... Earn your stripes with at least a compound then play around with a xbow for shits and giggles...

Anyone looking for a great xbow for the money, check out Centerpoint.. Also watch Walmart right after Xmas...My friend got a Centerpoint AMPed 415 last year for around $140 on clearance...
Thing shoots darts....

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

I've bounced back & forth between compound & crossbow, having success with both types. My biggest buck was taken with a compound . Any more, the crossbow has become more of a necessity for my eyes.

 

["J"]

Started with fiberglass stick bows as kids chasing rabbits. Graduated too a recurve after that, still chasing bunnies. No deer too speak of or anyone who hunted them because there just weren’t enough around too bother with. Wife bought me a PSE Titan compound (left hand, long story) bow for a Xmas present a year after we were married. Shot targets and 3D shoots with my brother and some friends. Finally started deer hunting after moving back from California back in 88. Sold the PSE and picked up a Hoyt Game Getter. Shot a lot of deer with that one over the years. Sold that and bought a Hoyt Heat with energy wheels and a blistering 200 FPS.... Always shot heavy arrows and heads. Lots of guys shot minimum weights (with over draws) for the speed but with speed came noise and noise wasn’t a good thing in my thinking......
Fast forward, wood prices went through the roof, most of the properties I hunted were timbered out and left gutted with tree tops and very little cover from any elevation. I started hunting from the ground with a lot of frustration getting busted while drawing on them. Buddy from work was selling a Horton crossbow and got a deal on the complete setup with bolts and broad heads. Shot it all summer and got used too it. Hunted that season and tagged out before gun season.
Never looked backed after that. Kids sports, neighborhood changed and neighbors put in a pool behind my backstop which killed my shooting in the backyard. Didn’t take a whole lot too kill my desire too go back too a compound.

 

[Fletch]

J.... No need to go back to a compound.... You earned your stripes with that old fiberglass bow... So your good to go.... Besides.... You now fall into one of Jesse's catagories: OLD...

 

[xbowguy]

J.... No need to go back to a compound.... You earned your stripes with that old fiberglass bow... So your good to go.... Besides.... You now fall into one of Jesse's catagories: OLD...

Ehhhh we don't worry about the younguns...they just jealous cause you can't buy experience....

 

["J"]

J.... No need to go back to a compound.... You earned your stripes with that old fiberglass bow... So your good to go.... Besides.... You now fall into one of Jesse's catagories: OLD...

I was pretty good at setting them up, paper tuning and shooting them. Then they got all technical with them and those freaking cams got looking atrocious and I hung up bow tuning tools

 

[Fletch]

Ehhhh we don't worry about the younguns...they just jealous cause you can't buy experience....

I was pretty good at setting them up, paper tuning and shooting them. Then they got all technical with them and those freaking cams got looking atrocious and I hung up bow tuning tools

Ah..... Experience... What we have learned throughout our many days afield... Now that we have gotten grey in our old age, we have to remember those experiences.... Now where the hell did I put my keys????

"J"... I hear ya on getting so that the average person cannot work on something without going out and purchasing a bow press etc...

 

["J"]

These younger guys have a way better understanding and are more tech savvy which helps imho.... Seems too come more natural too them.... My experience was more trial and error and (hopefully) learned from it.

 

[xbowguy]

Ah..... Experience... What we have learned throughout our many days afield... Now that we have gotten grey in our old age, we have to remember those experiences.... Now where the hell did I put my keys????

Yea...I got to pee too...lmfao

 

[Fletch]

Man, I remember buying A Browning Compound Stalker and taking it out of the box and directly into the vise (padded of course), drill in hand and drilling a hole through the riser for a: "BERGER BUTTON".... Right now some of the youngins are wondering: What the hell is a BERGER BUTTON???