Crossbows OUCH!

[shootbrownelk]

Well it has happened. I am curious if there are other archery hunters here that have finally reached this point and what did you do?
I admit for years I have looked down on crossbows as not really archery, kind of how many long bow hunters feel about compounds (I'm on my 5th compound bow) Archery season and September Elk woods are irreplaceable,
Two years ago in the Spring I couldn't draw my 70# bow set at 60# though 4 months prior I was pulling 65#. I replaced it with a 60# for a Arizona Elk hunt that year (10 year wait) and shot my elk pulling 55# (a nearly $1800 dollar bow investment when all was said and done). No pass through, though he only went 20 yards before bedding down.
Now I am unable pull 50# and have a Wyoming Elk tag in hand (minimum weight 50#) and of course my Montana Elk tag. Went to the Orthopedist, bone on bone both shoulders and I am a candidate for two shoulder replacements, Just like That!
Bought a Excalibur crossbow for this hunt and relieved this tag will get hunted (another 10 year wait for this one).
Not sure what next year will hold as I am going to try to rehab my shoulders this winter but they are not optimistic I can.
Busy with Wyoming so I'm OK I didn't make the Montana opener today.

My shoulders are the same as your's WT, I can't draw my compound. Bone on bone in both, plus arthritis.

 

[Falcon75]

I am with pointingdogsrule. They get kids in the field when weather is better and dont have the craziness of gun season. Also it has kept my dad hunting. Before voting against them I would say try a hunt with one first. Still need to have woodsman skills and hunting skills of when to move and when not. My son has shot one deer and this past season got lots lessons on what not to do with crossbow as far as movement.

 

[OverlordBear]

Crossbows are older than firearms with them being first invented in 500 BC in Europe and China. Modern Crossbows should be used during muzzle loader season as a compromise for able bodied hunters and as a tool for disabled, youth, and senior during the archery. I think there is nothing unethical with a crossbow as long as the hunter knows how to use it and it is sufficient power to penetrate the animal.

 

[Elite7]

I don't see the advantage to crossbows for western hunting. I have both here in Missouri and it is legal. I bought the crossbow because my wife hunts a few times a year and I will use it if I need to hunt from the ground.

In a tree stand the crossbow is more difficult to shoot to the left and right unless you have a fancy tree stand. Trekking that thing around is awful and offers me no more confidence in shooting. If crossbows help new hunters get into the sport (Increases public land support & Conservation $) and helps less serious hunters (Who would hunt regardless) make more ethical shots, I see no issues with it.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I will stop archery hunting before I use a crossbow.

If I become disabled ill get out of archery hunting.

They dont belong in any archery season.

 

[vanish]

If you want to use a crossbow and can legally do so, be my guest.

I was going to post a rant here, but made its own thread: https://onyourownadventures.com/hun...seasons-with-a-proposal&p=2721180#post2721180

 

[Mallardsx2]

The Pope and Young Club was founded to promote bowhunting and to record for posterity the outstanding examples of North American big game animals taken solely with the hunting bow.

For the purpose of the Pope and Young Club, a bow shall be defined as a longbow, recurve bow or compound bow that is hand-held and hand-drawn, and that has no mechanical device to enable the hunter to lock the bow at full or partial draw. Other than the energy stored by the drawn bow, no device to propel the arrow will be permitted.

Consequently, the Pope and Young Club does not consider the crossbow to be a hunting bow and will not accept any trophies collected by crossbow hunters. Further, the Pope and Young Club considers the use of crossbows during bowhunting seasons to be a serious threat to the future of bowhunting.

The Pope and Young Club therefore recommends the crossbow should not be considered for use in any bowhunting only season. Also, the Club strongly recommends that crossbow hunting be abolished from all existing bowhunting only seasons. We encourage all states and provinces which desire to allow use of crossbows for hunting big game, to require mandatory crossbow specific education, licensing, seasons and reporting requirements.

 

[cur dog]

The Pope and Young Club was founded to promote bowhunting and to record for posterity the outstanding examples of North American big game animals taken solely with the hunting bow.

For the purpose of the Pope and Young Club, a bow shall be defined as a longbow, recurve bow or compound bow that is hand-held and hand-drawn, and that has no mechanical device to enable the hunter to lock the bow at full or partial draw. Other than the energy stored by the drawn bow, no device to propel the arrow will be permitted.

Consequently, the Pope and Young Club does not consider the crossbow to be a hunting bow and will not accept any trophies collected by crossbow hunters. Further, the Pope and Young Club considers the use of crossbows during bowhunting seasons to be a serious threat to the future of bowhunting.

The Pope and Young Club therefore recommends the crossbow should not be considered for use in any bowhunting only season. Also, the Club strongly recommends that crossbow hunting be abolished from all existing bowhunting only seasons. We encourage all states and provinces which desire to allow use of crossbows for hunting big game, to require mandatory crossbow specific education, licensing, seasons and reporting requirements.

Most folks I know, could care less about entering a trophy in the Pope and Young record books. This is an issue that has been beat to death on hunting forums all across the country. It usually ends with banned members and locked threads.

It seems to me that most of the negativity around crossbows is based on fear of increased harvest and more competition. This seems like silly divisive nonsense.

 

[Western Traveler1]

I've been away for a while but laughed when I saw this post was still being beaten to death up to a couple of months ago. After lugging that crossbow around during archery season and passing on cows I went back and hunted rifle season with my buddy. We passed up a couple of small bulls and I shot a cow the last day of the hunt. The freezer is nearly empty now and she has been delicious.

My latest update: I got a second and third opinion on my shoulders. I saw a specialist in Missoula and when the nurse walked in she asked if I was a hunter. I said "yes" and she asked "Bow hunter?" "Yes". She then asked "What's the matter can't you draw your bow?" "That's when we finally see you guys, pain all the time, no problem, can't draw your bow, better see the Doctor."
I've had one shoulder replaced and I'm scheduled for the second in December. The doctor has not ruled out archery in the future so I've kept my Mathews Chill. He did say I can forget drawing over 60# again.
With the points I've accumulated over the years I hope to apply for an archery tag in Colorado in 2019. We will see. I'll be just shy of 72 by then if I get to stick around.
My observations before all this and demonstrated here and afield over the years; Long bow hunters don't care of recurve hunters, recurve hunters don't care for Compound bow hunters and nearly all dislike crossbow hunters.
We as hunters are a dying breed. If we are not careful and don't stick together good luck for the future of hunting.
For now I drew a Montana Unit 215 Antelope tag for this year. Won't get to hunt archery but I'll be shooting off my new shoulder by then and can hardly wait.

 

[kiwi hunter]

The Pope and Young Club was founded to promote bowhunting and to record for posterity the outstanding examples of North American big game animals taken solely with the hunting bow.

For the purpose of the Pope and Young Club, a bow shall be defined as a longbow, recurve bow or compound bow that is hand-held and hand-drawn, and that has no mechanical device to enable the hunter to lock the bow at full or partial draw. Other than the energy stored by the drawn bow, no device to propel the arrow will be permitted.

Consequently, the Pope and Young Club does not consider the crossbow to be a hunting bow and will not accept any trophies collected by crossbow hunters. Further, the Pope and Young Club considers the use of crossbows during bowhunting seasons to be a serious threat to the future of bowhunting.

The Pope and Young Club therefore recommends the crossbow should not be considered for use in any bowhunting only season. Also, the Club strongly recommends that crossbow hunting be abolished from all existing bowhunting only seasons. We encourage all states and provinces which desire to allow use of crossbows for hunting big game, to require mandatory crossbow specific education, licensing, seasons and reporting requirements.

if you go down this road youre only shooting yourself in the foot,,there is enough greenies out there without hunters being at each others throat

personally anything above a knife is cheating,,but i do use a rifle and will use a cbow at some future point in time

 

[Rzrbck918]

I've been away for a while but laughed when I saw this post was still being beaten to death up to a couple of months ago. After lugging that crossbow around during archery season and passing on cows I went back and hunted rifle season with my buddy. We passed up a couple of small bulls and I shot a cow the last day of the hunt. The freezer is nearly empty now and she has been delicious.

My latest update: I got a second and third opinion on my shoulders. I saw a specialist in Missoula and when the nurse walked in she asked if I was a hunter. I said "yes" and she asked "Bow hunter?" "Yes". She then asked "What's the matter can't you draw your bow?" "That's when we finally see you guys, pain all the time, no problem, can't draw your bow, better see the Doctor."
I've had one shoulder replaced and I'm scheduled for the second in December. The doctor has not ruled out archery in the future so I've kept my Mathews Chill. He did say I can forget drawing over 60# again.
With the points I've accumulated over the years I hope to apply for an archery tag in Colorado in 2019. We will see. I'll be just shy of 72 by then if I get to stick around.
My observations before all this and demonstrated here and afield over the years; Long bow hunters don't care of recurve hunters, recurve hunters don't care for Compound bow hunters and nearly all dislike crossbow hunters.
We as hunters are a dying breed. If we are not careful and don't stick together good luck for the future of hunting.
For now I drew a Montana Unit 215 Antelope tag for this year. Won't get to hunt archery but I'll be shooting off my new shoulder by then and can hardly wait.

Glad to hear the report. Keep at it.

 

[maxx]

I have no issue with children or disabled people using a crossbow that can't shoot enough poundage for an ethical kill. What I have a problem with is able bodied men using one out of laziness, lack of or unwillingness of vertical bow practice. I see it on TV all the time where a show has a crossbow sponsor and guys that have no problem shooting a vertical bow run around shooting a crossbow. If you physically cannot draw a vertical bow, then. by all means shoot a crossbow. But if you're able bodied then hell no.

I am kind of with Cush on this. The reason that having a separate archery season works is becomes there isn't that many people doing it because they don't want to do the work. WI went to xbows fro everyone a few years back. My dad went to one (he should have been using one for years anyway). Hunter numbers have gone through the roof. Also most bow seasons are during the rut so it has really put a beat down on the deer herd. Say what you want but the lack of practice and not having to draw is a huge advantage. My old man has been 80% more successful since going to xbow. He is old, fat and out of shape also.

Now I get it some could say the same about modern compounds. They are freaking accurate and much easier to use.

Stupid fact here in Iowa. They have a youth season. Goes sept 15 through the last weekend in Sept. You can use any of the legal weapons for deer in Iowa for that season except a x-bow. That is really dumb a kid can shoot a straight wall rifle cartridge. My daughter likes hunting with hers so we have to wait until late muzzle loader.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

I've been away for a while but laughed when I saw this post was still being beaten to death up to a couple of months ago. After lugging that crossbow around during archery season and passing on cows I went back and hunted rifle season with my buddy. We passed up a couple of small bulls and I shot a cow the last day of the hunt. The freezer is nearly empty now and she has been delicious.

My latest update: I got a second and third opinion on my shoulders. I saw a specialist in Missoula and when the nurse walked in she asked if I was a hunter. I said "yes" and she asked "Bow hunter?" "Yes". She then asked "What's the matter can't you draw your bow?" "That's when we finally see you guys, pain all the time, no problem, can't draw your bow, better see the Doctor."
I've had one shoulder replaced and I'm scheduled for the second in December. The doctor has not ruled out archery in the future so I've kept my Mathews Chill. He did say I can forget drawing over 60# again.
With the points I've accumulated over the years I hope to apply for an archery tag in Colorado in 2019. We will see. I'll be just shy of 72 by then if I get to stick around.
My observations before all this and demonstrated here and afield over the years; Long bow hunters don't care of recurve hunters, recurve hunters don't care for Compound bow hunters and nearly all dislike crossbow hunters.
We as hunters are a dying breed. If we are not careful and don't stick together good luck for the future of hunting.
For now I drew a Montana Unit 215 Antelope tag for this year. Won't get to hunt archery but I'll be shooting off my new shoulder by then and can hardly wait.

Glad to hear things are trending in the right direction. Good luck moving forward.

 

[Howie]

BOHNTR, we'll put Sir

 

[targetpanic]

I've been a die hard archer since I was 14 or 15 (42 now). When it is not hunting season, you will find me shooting Indoors, Field, 3-D etc. THis summer I tore my rotator cuff at work, the MRI shows a full thickness tear that requires surgery. I can't pull back a bow at this time. I will be using a x-bow this archery season in a neighboring state that allows them to be used by the general public during archery season. Am I happy about it...hell no, do I plan on shooting one forever...hell no. This is just a way to keep me in the woods this fall with a bunch of other issues that I'm not happy about either...no climbing treestands, ground blinds or ladder stands only. It is what it is.
My initial impressions after purchasing one and sighting it in...it's almost not fair. Shooting off a wobbly TV table I was keeping 3" groups at 60yds. As I said, I'm an avid archer and it takes a lot of practice to shoot like that with a vertical bow; with the crossbow it was almost too easy.