Thinking of picking up a crossbow for coyotes and Turkey.

[syoungs]

So I've come across a few archery/shotgun and firearm restricted areas that hold coyotes, and was thinking a crossbow might get me into hunting them.
I also would like it for use on turkeys in certain instances, and as a loaner type weapon to help introduce people into turkey hunting.

Few questions though. I've never shot a crossbow, no idea if it's like a rifle where someone can pick it up, practice for a day or 2, and make a 20 yard shot from a blind. I wouldn't dream of someone picking up a compound bow for the first time and trying to hunt with it after 2 days, and maybe it's a pipe dream that someone could with a crossbow?

I take it crossbows stay cocked through the hunt, rather then cocking before the shot. If I were to cock it as we got setup in a blind, then did not fire it during the hunt. Is shooting it the only way to de-cock?

I honestly just kind of want a crossbow to have as well, for target shooting and general recreation. Do the lower priced crossbows hold up to use, or do they fall apart quickly? (200-350$ range)

Thanks for any thoughts or insight!

[Bango skank]

I think a crossbow would be a damn fun weapon for calling bears, but ive heard theyre a PITA to pack around.

[syoungs]

Never even thought of it for calling bears!!
I imagine they are terrible to walk around the woods with, luckily most places I hunt are too deep, and are pretty open trails leading to stands.

[92xj]

Be careful a lot of areas around that are archery and shotgun only are areas where you cannot hunt yotes, elk, turkeys etc. Which is why they are loaded with yotes. The tear sheets list the animals huntable

[Gobble Doc]

Sounds like fun for a coyote.


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[carpsniperg2]

I have one and its loads of fun to use.

to answer a few questions:

No its not a pipe dream, You could pick up my cross bow shoot it 0-50 yards a few times and hunt with it that night.

After a hunt if you want to decock it some bows have the ability's to do so. Like the recurve style bows and a few of the newer compound bows. They make a super heavy arrow that you can use to just shoot it into the dirt or bank a few feet away as well.

[Parasite]

I relocated here from the midwest and own 4 crossbows. Scorpyd, Ravin and Mission. Fee free to ask me any questions. I love hunting with them, but for mountain hunting and long distance trekking, they are more of a pain and I'll just take my vertical bow.

[Johnny Doe]

Be careful a lot of areas around that are archery and shotgun only are areas where you cannot hunt yotes, elk, turkeys etc. Which is why they are loaded with yotes. The tear sheets list the animals huntable

Spot on! This was about to be my post when I saw the original poster was from TriCities

[rainshadow1]

Be careful a lot of areas around that are archery and shotgun only are areas where you cannot hunt yotes, elk, turkeys etc. Which is why they are loaded with yotes. The tear sheets list the animals huntable

Spot on! This was about to be my post when I saw the original poster was from TriCities

You mean like the federally managed stuff where you can only hunt waterfowl and upland? Or are there others? I was surprised to find out that coyote hunting was prohibited on them... I guess, like the state, management isn't directed at the wildlife there either!


I have a brand name 150lb crossbow, but I'm dissatisfied with the accuracy. Accurate, sure, but groups are much looser than I anticipated. Pie plate at 50, where the tv ads show dixie cup at 100. Any crossbow guys have any thoughts?

[TheStovePipeKid]

We took my Dad's crossbow with us in September for taking turkey. My Niece shot her first turkey ever with the crossbow. She had only used it for a day shooting out to 20 yards. Here are some of my observations.

We have a hard case for the bow and it is huge. It takes up alot of room in the back of an SUV compared to long guns. That was the biggest down side for us was the space it was taking up.

Trigger control on a crossbow is crucial. If you jerk the trigger you jerk your shot. Not alot of forgiveness.

Our crossbow gets cocked at the vehicle at the beginning of the hunt. Before we get back into the vehicle we have a bolt with a big rubber pad on the end. You fire at the ground and it bounces to a stop thus de-cocking the bow. We never stored it cocked, too many possibilities for trouble and stress on the components.

Our crossbow falls in the price range you stated and it hasn't had any issues yet, but does not get used frequently.

We increased our turkey access by about 50% in the Colville area by having a crossbow with us. They are fun and challenging at the same time. My Brother bought a crossbow as soon as he got home from our trip. Good luck and happy hunting.

[syoungs]

Be careful a lot of areas around that are archery and shotgun only are areas where you cannot hunt yotes, elk, turkeys etc. Which is why they are loaded with yotes. The tear sheets list the animals huntable

Spot on! This was about to be my post when I saw the original poster was from TriCities

That's a good catch, cause I have almost hunted coyotes on land not open for them, but I have a few other places in mind, most of which are only restricted due to proximity to the landowners premise 

I think this spring I am going to pick up a crossbow and play with it through summer, if nothing else, it'll be a fun camp toy. Ive been looking more into them though, and I think that it'll work great for coyotes out to 50 yards, which I can get into them that close at night when they are coming into the chicken coops.
For turkey hunting, its nice to be able to say you have quiet ways to hunt when knocking doors, so I am hoping a couple of my hunting buddies that don't have the drive or time to be proficient with archery, will be able to use the crossbow on private lands from a blind. Seems to me you can become pretty sufficient with one in short order! there are a few models on amazon that sell rather inexpensively, and get great reviews on other forums. probably go that route as it wont be a primary choice 90% of the time

[Parasite]

I have a brand name 150lb crossbow, but I'm dissatisfied with the accuracy. Accurate, sure, but groups are much looser than I anticipated. Pie plate at 50, where the tv ads show dixie cup at 100. Any crossbow guys have any thoughts?

1) go through the bow and make sure all screws/bolts are tight

2) make sure the cams are timed

3) shoot bolts with offset fletching to induce spin

4) shoot a longer bolt

5) shoot a bolt with higher FOC. I shoot 110gr inserts with 125gr tips.

6) buy bolts that have been spine indexed. You will not believe how big of a difference this can make in a crossbow for longer range accuracy and precision.

[Bob33]

I have a brand name 150lb crossbow, but I'm dissatisfied with the accuracy. Accurate, sure, but groups are much looser than I anticipated. Pie plate at 50, where the tv ads show dixie cup at 100. Any crossbow guys have any thoughts?

100 yards is a long shot with a crossbow. For one, even with a fast (400 fps) crossbow the bolt has probably dropped seven or eight feet and is dropping four or five inches per yard as it goes. Misjudge the distance by a couple yards and you will miss or cripple the animal.

There are some high end crossbows that might be able to shoot minute-of-DixieCup at 100 yards, but I think they’re few and far between and depend on a lot of variables. It’s somewhat akin to a modern rifle that is capable of taking big game at 1000+ yards. The firearm itself may be able to do it, but other factors influence whether or not it should be done.

[syoungs]

Well Christmas was good to me this year, I found a CenterPoint Specialist XL 370 under the tree from the wife!
Seems to have really positive reviews on forums, its not a super high end bow, but for the amount I will use it, and never having owned one before, I am more then thrilled with it!  I haven't had much time to play with it yet, cant wait to get off work and start getting acquainted this weekend!