Why a crossbow is not the same as a bow

[Westside88]

Drawing a bow and getting a shot is more difficult than a crossbow would be. I wouldn't support them for Archery other than disabled. I do think it should be acceptable as a "lessor" weapon option for modern

[Stein]

"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?

A bow is harder because you a) have to draw it (takes muscle, time and makes movement that can be detected) and b) can only hold it at full draw for a relatively limited amount of time and c) only have pin sights to use and d) can't shoot of a rest.

Honestly, I could teach a child to be crossbow accurate in an afternoon but the same can't be said about a bow.

[Brad Harshman]

"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?

Well put. 
Great job Loki.
And I agree with many others here: crossbows should be reserved for modern firearm only, or for disabled hunters.
A bow is harder because you a) have to draw it (takes muscle, time and makes movement that can be detected) and b) can only hold it at full draw for a relatively limited amount of time and c) only have pin sights to use and d) can't shoot of a rest.

Honestly, I could teach a child to be crossbow accurate in an afternoon but the same can't be said about a bow.

[Jellymon]

A recurve is harder because A)there is no letoff. B) there are no sights C) There is no release D) You have a much shorter range. 
The Traditional guys probably sit back and laugh at these discussions. Lol
Personally I don't like crossbows and would still use my compounds. If I can't shoot my vertical bows anymore I'll switch to rifle/muzzy.

[combs338]

 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

My 72# compound can shoot accurat at 100+ yards...  I would think that a 100 # cross bow could go way further with way more ke and fps.  With a scope you could probably kill deer at 150 + yards easy with very little practice.  Would be fun for the modern season. 

[Firedogg]

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

It's tough finding them in firearms restricted areas. In most small communities where there are chunks of property they are plentiful.
b

[Katmai Guy]

My 72# compound can shoot accurat at 100+ yards...  I would think that a 100 # cross bow could go way further with way more ke and fps.  With a scope you could probably kill deer at 150 + yards easy with very little practice.  Would be fun for the modern season.

Unethical to shoot that far with either a compound or a crossbow.  You are still in the 300's with FPS and to much can happen in the time from release to arrival at the target.  Learn to sneak or buy a rifle.  JMHO

[runamuk]

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

like his backyard

thats is cool I would like to have one but no point cant hunt a different season so may as well just haul my rifle around.  Sucks that I can't meet the "legal" requirements to hunt with a bow.

[huntingfool7]

My 72# compound can shoot accurat at 100+ yards...  I would think that a 100 # cross bow could go way further with way more ke and fps.  With a scope you could probably kill deer at 150 + yards easy with very little practice.  Would be fun for the modern season. 

Crossbows are much less efficient at transferring energy to the bolt than your compound bow.  A 100# crossbow is more similar to a 20# bow than your 72# hunting compound.

[Doublelunger]

The most challenging things when archery hunting are standing up and drawing back without getting busted...making the shot is the easy part. You don't have to do either with a cross bow.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Lots of good points on here.  I worked 8 hunting seasons in Wyoming, where crossbows are legal for anyone during archery or general (rifle).  About 85% of Wyoming archers hunt with a compound, about 2% trad and 13% crossbow.  Why not more crossbows?  The most common complaints I heard were: field points are like shooting a rifle, broadheads plane incredibly compared to bows, it takes a great deal of tuning to get bolts with broadheads to fire accurately; and they suck for spot and stalk compared to a bow: heavy, bulky, and loud. 

I kind of laughed when I moved here and heard all the rhetoric about crossbows as a poachers weapon.  In every state, I firmly believe, the true poachers weapon is the .22 rimfire rifle.

I don't have a dog in this fight.  I was given a crossbow, which I subsequently gave away and never hunted with.  I archery hunt exclusively with a compound, always have.  I have a classic Bear recurve and cedar arrows, which I greatly enjoy shooting; once I am an empty nester and have more time, I hope to shoot it daily and subsequently hunt with it.. 

[huntnnw]

My 72# compound can shoot accurat at 100+ yards...  I would think that a 100 # cross bow could go way further with way more ke and fps.  With a scope you could probably kill deer at 150 + yards easy with very little practice.  Would be fun for the modern season. 

Crossbows are much less efficient at transferring energy to the bolt than your compound bow.  A 100# crossbow is more similar to a 20# bow than your 72# hunting compound.

   I dunno about that..My dad hunts with one and it burries arrows considerbaly farther into the target then my 68lb bow at 40 yards.

[huntingfool7]

My 72# compound can shoot accurat at 100+ yards...  I would think that a 100 # cross bow could go way further with way more ke and fps.  With a scope you could probably kill deer at 150 + yards easy with very little practice.  Would be fun for the modern season. 

Crossbows are much less efficient at transferring energy to the bolt than your compound bow.  A 100# crossbow is more similar to a 20# bow than your 72# hunting compound.

   I dunno about that..My dad hunts with one and it burries arrows considerbaly farther into the target then my 68lb bow at 40 yards.

Is it a 68 lb crossbow?

[csaaphill]

Oh well! hope they get them legal I see nothing wrong in allowing a crossbow in archery season since that's they point they're still an arrow and nota gun!
If they're going to allow them in rifle why not archery
Whats the big deal too? if it's legal there why not here. thats the thing too were constantly bickering amongst ourselves!