Why a crossbow is not the same as a bow

[lokidog]

I got a crossbow, Barnett Jackal, 150 lb draw, from my parents for Christmas.  My second shot robinhooded at 15 yards, offhand.  By my tenth shot, I had it sighted in for 20 yards.

Tonight, my son, 11 yo, 4' 7", and 77 lbs shot it for the first time form twenty yards.  Second pic is his target, three dead deer if he was hunting.

Can anyone actually argue, coherently, that a crossbow is the same as a bow and should be allowed during the archery season?  My dad thinks so, I think he's delusional on this issue.     He lives in WI where archers 65 and older can use a crossbow during archery season.  I asked him why can't kids or women, that are too weak to pull a legal draw weight bow back, use a crossbow during archery season?  His response, "they're not old".      

Now, don't flame me on the disabled person's use of a crossbow, I have absolutely no problems with that.  However, if a person has been a gun hunter all of their lives, becomes disabled and then wants to use a crossbow during archery season, my opinion might change a bit.   

Let the games begin......   

[Bob33]

Great job, Dad. Hope he catches the bug and can join you hunting soon.

[dreamunelk]

Great job, Dad. Hope he catches the bug and can join you hunting soon.

 

May I suggest a youth recurve in the very near future?  You don't need an excuse!

[trophyhunt]

My dad is a disabled hunter, he was able to hunt this year with a crossbow with a scope, it is not as easy as people think. 

[bobcat]

I don't think crossbows should be legal during archery season, but it makes no sense that they're not allowed during modern firearm. The rumor we've heard on here is that they will be making them legal this year for modern firearm season, and that's how it should be. I never understood why they made them legal to use only in firearm restriction areas.

Lokidog, keep us updated on how you are liking that crossbow. I want to get one eventually, and I know nothing about them.

[mfswallace]

What's the range limit of a crossbow?

[Bob33]

Now if you could just find a good place to hunt deer that was in a firearm restricted area...

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, learning curve is much faster with the crossbow, especially with a scope.
Did they change the requirements for a legal crossbow in the regs last year?  Seems I recall there being some focusing on the bow (size/weight/draw weight), but now is only on minimum bolt weight.  I had thought the old requirements would be good for deer/bear, but now with no maximum should be good for elk too.

[JimmyHoffa]

What's the range limit of a crossbow?

depends on how much you weight you want to carry.  Since a winch can be used for cocking.
But crossbows have a more arced trajectory than bows.  The bolts are so much shorter in comparison to arrows for bows, that they can't use the leverage to stabilize so they use larger fletching.  That slows the bolt down a lot faster.

[Bob33]

What's the range limit of a crossbow?

I've read several instances of crossbows shooting 2" groups at 100 yards.

[Lucky1]

What's the range limit of a crossbow?

I saw a utube video of a guy shooting a PSE crossbow at 100 yards. He was very accurate. The PSE crossbow is about $1200.00. Some of the other crossbows might not be as accurate.

[bobcat]

Now if you could just find a good place to hunt deer that was in a firearm restricted area...

Some private property I have permission to hunt is essentially a firearm restriction area, since the landowner will only allow archery equipment. But since it's not an official state "firearm restriction area," crossbows cannot be used there. I'd like to use a crossbow (with a scope) during the modern firearm season. (for blacktail deer)

[lokidog]

Now if you could just find a good place to hunt deer that was in a firearm restricted area...

Hmmmm, have to do some scouting I guess..... 

 

Yeah, learning curve is much faster with the crossbow, especially with a scope.
Did they change the requirements for a legal crossbow in the regs last year?  Seems I recall there being some focusing on the bow (size/weight/draw weight), but now is only on minimum bolt weight.  I had thought the old requirements would be good for deer/bear, but now with no maximum should be good for elk too.

Not last year, 125lb min draw, 350 gr min bolt weight.  As far as I know, there are no maximums.

What's the range limit of a crossbow?

depends on how much you weight you want to carry.  Since a winch can be used for cocking.
But crossbows have a more arced trajectory than bows.  The bolts are so much shorter in comparison to arrows for bows, that they can't use the leverage to stabilize so they use larger fletching.  That slows the bolt down a lot faster.

As of now, less than 20 bolts fired, I would restrict my range to 30 yards.  With more practice, I think 40 would be doable.  However, this crossbow is a lesser draw and not as expensive as some and it seems really loud.  Also, not sure about your fletch theory as the ones on these bolts are only 3 1/2" long

[ghosthunter]

Not as easy as some may think. They can be heavy.  Walk around with your rifle or bow sideways. They can be rather cumbersome .

I could see sitting in blind or sitting and waiting, but spot and stalk or still hunting could get tiresome real soon.

Wouldn't be my choice.

I have had several game agents refer to them as poaching tools.
Accurate as a rifle and quiet.

[mfswallace]

"Accurate as a rifle and quiet"


Couldn't or rather shouldn't that be said about a compound bow if you practice and it sounds like they have similar effective ranges but the crossbow is heavier and more cumbersome, why shouldn't it be used during archery season?