Anyone hunt with a crossbow?

[KDfishbiologist]

I've been leaning towards bow hunting, but being a left-eyed dominant (but right hand dominant) individual, I'm not that coordinated with compound and recurve bows. So I've been looking at getting a crossbow. Anyone here hunt with one? I read in the regs that it's only legal to use a crossbow during firearm season (not archery) here in WA.

[WAPatriot]

Doctors note and you can hunt archery season

[emac]

That is correct you can only hunt deer and elk with them during modern firearm season. But I am pretty sure you can hunt anything else with them during any open season. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a bow you can use one during archery season. I have one and love hunting with it

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[lokidog]

Doctors note and you can hunt archery season

I don't think left eye dominance quite counts as a disability, an oddity sure... but no special permits....   

My son is left eye dominant and right handed, he shot his first deer last year using a crossbow, no problems.  He did shoot lefty, but with a scope, it probably doesn't matter. 

[KDfishbiologist]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

[JDHasty]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

We have a couple Exclalibur Matrix 355 and they work pretty well.  We have killed deer w/them.  Same issue you have w/compound bows re: wind.  Tehy are slow to reload, but everything else is pretty much the same.  They are a PITA to pack around in the woods still hunting, but fine for stand hunting. 

Sometimes I grab my compound and sometimes I grab a crossbow during modern season when I am on property or in an area in which I cannot use a modern firearm or ML.   For archery or ML season you have to have the doctor's stamp of approval to grab the crossbow

[Bob33]

Disability eligibility:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requirements_status.html

[emac]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

We have a couple Exclalibur Matrix 355 and they work pretty well.  We have killed deer w/them.  Same issue you have w/compound bows re: wind.  Tehy are slow to reload, but everything else is pretty much the same.  They are a PITA to pack around in the woods still hunting, but fine for stand hunting. 

Sometimes I grab my compound and sometimes I grab a crossbow during modern season when I am on property or in an area in which I cannot use a modern firearm or ML.   For archery or ML season you have to have the doctor's stamp of approval to grab the crossbow

Yeah Excalibur's seemed large and not hunter friendly when I was test out xbows. I ended up going with a stryker 380 and love it. Easy to pack around and I do alot of spot and stock hunting

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[Bob33]

I just bought a crossbow to hunt elk in Wyoming this fall. In Wyoming, crossbows are considered legal archery equipment.

I'll report on my experiences.

[lokidog]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

We have a couple Exclalibur Matrix 355 and they work pretty well.  We have killed deer w/them.  Same issue you have w/compound bows re: wind.  Tehy are slow to reload, but everything else is pretty much the same.  They are a PITA to pack around in the woods still hunting, but fine for stand hunting. 

Sometimes I grab my compound and sometimes I grab a crossbow during modern season when I am on property or in an area in which I cannot use a modern firearm or ML.   For archery or ML season you have to have the doctor's stamp of approval to grab the crossbow

Reloading was a concern when we got one.  We got the Barnett Jackal as it was economical and met the axle length requirement (which now seems to have been removed from the regs). It is a 150lb pull and can be done by me without a cocking device.  I even managed to re-cock on the ground after missing a turkey, got the second one though thirty seconds later. There are better ones out there, of course.

[JDHasty]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

We have a couple Exclalibur Matrix 355 and they work pretty well.  We have killed deer w/them.  Same issue you have w/compound bows re: wind.  Tehy are slow to reload, but everything else is pretty much the same.  They are a PITA to pack around in the woods still hunting, but fine for stand hunting. 

Sometimes I grab my compound and sometimes I grab a crossbow during modern season when I am on property or in an area in which I cannot use a modern firearm or ML.   For archery or ML season you have to have the doctor's stamp of approval to grab the crossbow

Yeah Excalibur's seemed large and not hunter friendly when I was test out xbows. I ended up going with a stryker 380 and love it. Easy to pack around and I do alot of spot and stock hunting

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Compounds & recurves both have their strong points, I have used both and don't really like packing any of them around.  We like them for stand hunting though and the Excalibur was best fit for both of us. 

[KDfishbiologist]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

We have a couple Exclalibur Matrix 355 and they work pretty well.  We have killed deer w/them.  Same issue you have w/compound bows re: wind.  Tehy are slow to reload, but everything else is pretty much the same.  They are a PITA to pack around in the woods still hunting, but fine for stand hunting. 

Sometimes I grab my compound and sometimes I grab a crossbow during modern season when I am on property or in an area in which I cannot use a modern firearm or ML.   For archery or ML season you have to have the doctor's stamp of approval to grab the crossbow

Reloading was a concern when we got one.  We got the Barnett Jackal as it was economical and met the axle length requirement (which now seems to have been removed from the regs). It is a 150lb pull and can be done by me without a cocking device.  I even managed to re-cock on the ground after missing a turkey, got the second one though thirty seconds later. There are better ones out there, of course.

I've been looking at the Barnett Jackal since it's a good price and from what I've read is a good starter crossbow until you can invest in something better. Any luck deer hunting with it?

[Stizz]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

I had the exact same issue. Just go with your dominant eye and lots of practice.

I used to shoot with my dominant hand and non dominant eye...worked ok but had to close one eye, hated that for hunting. I swapped and started shooting with my dominant eye and non dominant arm. At first it felt like trying to throw a baseball with my glove hand, but really it only took 2 or 3 weeks of shooting to get comfortable. In a matter of a few months id already surpassed where i was at shooting with my other arm just from the benefit of aiming with my dominant eye. Now it feels completely natural and i can shoot well with either side.


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[Bob33]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

I had the exact same issue. Just go with your dominant eye and lots of practice.

I used to shoot with my dominant hand and non dominant eye...worked ok but had to close one eye, hated that for hunting. I swapped and started shooting with my dominant eye and non dominant arm. At first it felt like trying to throw a baseball with my glove hand, but really it only took 2 or 3 weeks of shooting to get comfortable. In a matter of a few months id already surpassed where i was at shooting with my other arm just from the benefit of aiming with my dominant eye. Now it feels completely natural and i can shoot well with either side.


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It's far more common that many know. In our hunter education courses, we have students test themselves, and it's rare we don't have some who learn for the first time they are cross-dominant.

"In a study conducted in the early 1960s, more than 5,000 subjects were tested for eye dominance and almost one third were cross dominant. In that study, 28.6 percent were right handed, but left eyed. Only 3.9 percent were left handed and right eyed. In my experience, females are far more likely to be cross dominant, for reasons as yet unknown. In some groups of females we have trained, as many as one in four were cross dominant."

[KDfishbiologist]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

I had the exact same issue. Just go with your dominant eye and lots of practice.

I used to shoot with my dominant hand and non dominant eye...worked ok but had to close one eye, hated that for hunting. I swapped and started shooting with my dominant eye and non dominant arm. At first it felt like trying to throw a baseball with my glove hand, but really it only took 2 or 3 weeks of shooting to get comfortable. In a matter of a few months id already surpassed where i was at shooting with my other arm just from the benefit of aiming with my dominant eye. Now it feels completely natural and i can shoot well with either side.


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I had to do that when I was younger shooting rifles with my Old Man. I was always shooting off to one side with his right-handed .270 so I just swapped the gun around and shot with my left hand and I finally hit a deer after 4 years of hunting. Luckily...he was a patient guy Although reloading was a pain in the ass with a right-handed bolt action. Now I'm really interested in archery (crossbow) and just need to build up some strength and get some practice in. Thanks for the advice!

[KDfishbiologist]

It's far more common that many know. In our hunter education courses, we have students test themselves, and it's rare we don't have some who learn for the first time they are cross-dominant.

"In a study conducted in the early 1960s, more than 5,000 subjects were tested for eye dominance and almost one third were cross dominant. In that study, 28.6 percent were right handed, but left eyed. Only 3.9 percent were left handed and right eyed. In my experience, females are far more likely to be cross dominant, for reasons as yet unknown. In some groups of females we have trained, as many as one in four were cross dominant."

Wow that's crazy! Thanks for sharing =)

[lokidog]

Sadly, don't think my odd left-eye dominance (but being right handed) is a true disability, but nice to know I'm not the only one out there! =) Thanks for the advice all!

We have a couple Exclalibur Matrix 355 and they work pretty well.  We have killed deer w/them.  Same issue you have w/compound bows re: wind.  Tehy are slow to reload, but everything else is pretty much the same.  They are a PITA to pack around in the woods still hunting, but fine for stand hunting. 

Sometimes I grab my compound and sometimes I grab a crossbow during modern season when I am on property or in an area in which I cannot use a modern firearm or ML.   For archery or ML season you have to have the doctor's stamp of approval to grab the crossbow

Reloading was a concern when we got one.  We got the Barnett Jackal as it was economical and met the axle length requirement (which now seems to have been removed from the regs). It is a 150lb pull and can be done by me without a cocking device.  I even managed to re-cock on the ground after missing a turkey, got the second one though thirty seconds later. There are better ones out there, of course.

I've been looking at the Barnett Jackal since it's a good price and from what I've read is a good starter crossbow until you can invest in something better. Any luck deer hunting with it?

Yep.  My son got his first deer, I reloaded, swapped seats with him and shot another buck about seven minutes later.  Unfortunately, I did not recover mine. I think I hit high in that zone above the lungs and below the spine.  I was also shooting up at him about four feet from thirteen yards away. I have also gotten a turkey with one.

[Bango skank]

Disability eligibility:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requirements_status.html

What if i physically am not disabled, but i self identify as a parapalegic?

[BULLBLASTER]

Disability eligibility:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requirements_status.html

What if i physically am not disabled, but i self identify as a parapalegic?

pick me for your reignited shooter. 

[konradcountry]

I've been leaning towards bow hunting, but being a left-eyed dominant (but right hand dominant) individual, I'm not that coordinated with compound and recurve bows. So I've been looking at getting a crossbow. Anyone here hunt with one? I read in the regs that it's only legal to use a crossbow during firearm season (not archery) here in WA.

Being cross dominant is not a big deal. I was shooting right handed just fine before I even learned about dominant eyes. If you are strongly left dominate then get something to practice shooting left with. Spend an hour with a tech at a bow shop. They will give you tips and help your form.

Crossbow isn't allowed in general archery because it is too close to a short range gun. If you want more of a challenge then get a slug gun or 30/30 with iron sites. You will prefer carrying those around compared to a crossbow.

[Jimmy33]

Thinking of going back to archery but broke my wrist and can't use traditional stuff. Can you have a scope on the crossbow if you have the permit or do you have to have iron sights? Anyone know?


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[emac]

2 years they made it legal to use a scope on a crossbow since iron sights are hard to find and pretty much all crossbows come with a scope

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[JDHasty]

2 years they made it legal to use a scope on a crossbow since iron sights are hard to find and pretty much all crossbows come with a scope

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I doubt that applies during archery season unless you have a visual handicap as well as a disability that affects your ability to draw and hold a bow.

[3dsheetmetal]

2 years they made it legal to use a scope on a crossbow since iron sights are hard to find and pretty much all crossbows come with a scope

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I doubt that applies during archery season unless you have a visual handicap as well as a disability that affects your ability to draw and hold a bow.

    You can use a scope on your crossbow even during archery season. I checked with Delores who is in charge of the disability program at the game dept.

[JDHasty]

2 years they made it legal to use a scope on a crossbow since iron sights are hard to find and pretty much all crossbows come with a scope

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I doubt that applies during archery season unless you have a visual handicap as well as a disability that affects your ability to draw and hold a bow.

    You can use a scope on your crossbow even during archery season. I checked with Delores who is in charge of the disability program at the game dept.

Wow!  Interesting.

I sometimes will use my crossbow and sometimes my compound during modern season when I am on certain properties and the scope on the crossbow does give me a few extra minutes at sundown.  Other than that they are about equally capable.  The crossbow may have a range advantage of a few yards, but the compound is much more convenient.

[bearpaw]

Crossbows are the new kid on the block, they are gaining popularity in the eastern states rapidly. Most western states only allow them for disabled archers. If you have limitations that prevent you from shooting a regular bow or have gone through a surgery that prevents you from shooting your bow, it has been my experience that you can usually get a disabled archery permit by submitting the required paperwork (including a note from your doctor).

I've had several hunters with disabled archery permits who have used crossbows. We killed a nice bull elk and a mule deer last year in Idaho with a crossbow, they seem to be very effective.

[Bob33]

I just bought one to hunt elk in Wyoming where they are considered legal archery equipment
 Three shots to get it sighted in, then I could hit tennis ball sized targets at 60 yards 9 out of 10 times. I can't understand how people consider them equivalent to compounds.

[JDHasty]

I just bought one to hunt elk in Wyoming where they are considered legal archery equipment
 Three shots to get it sighted in, then I could hit tennis ball sized targets at 60 yards 9 out of 10 times. I can't understand how people consider them equivalent to compounds.

I guess because I am equally capable of big game hunting accuracy within archery range of an animal with either.  Granted, the crossbow didn't require that I practice regularly and maintain my strength.

[KDfishbiologist]

I just bought one to hunt elk in Wyoming where they are considered legal archery equipment
 Three shots to get it sighted in, then I could hit tennis ball sized targets at 60 yards 9 out of 10 times. I can't understand how people consider them equivalent to compounds.

I guess because I am equally capable of big game hunting accuracy within archery range of an animal with either.  Granted, the crossbow didn't require that I practice regularly and maintain my strength.

That's the reason I've leaned more towards the crossbow -- I don't have enough strength and stability in my left arm to draw back the compound with any kind of accuracy. Guess I need some time in the weight room haha. I'll try the crossbow this year and go from there!

[4fletch]

I have issues with both shoulders where I can't hold or shoot my semi high tech bow. Picked up a mission craze it was  easy To draw weighs 3 lb adjusts from 15 to 70 lb. only draw back is it is a short bow which will not bother me because I'm a 40 yrd shooter. Go try one out you may like it. Cost $300

[KDfishbiologist]

Hey, thanks all for your suggestions on the crossbow hunting. I finally broke down and bought a Barnett Jackal crossbow and I love shooting it already. Local archery shop hooked me up with everything I need and showed me how to care for it. Now I just need to find some deer this fall! 

[lokidog]

 

The fun part is figuring out where those multiple crosshairs will hit the 'X'.  We chose to set the top one at fifteen yards and then worked our way back figuring out where the others were on the money. I made a chart taped to the bow so it would be easy to remember.

[backyard bucks]

the HHA optimizer sight takes that cross hair confusion out of the game. 

[lokidog]

Hey, thanks all for your suggestions on the crossbow hunting. I finally broke down and bought a Barnett Jackal crossbow and I love shooting it already. Local archery shop hooked me up with everything I need and showed me how to care for it. Now I just need to find some deer this fall! 

Radical Archery Designs has a new crossbow broadhead, 125 grain available, that I would highly recommend.