Compound Bow or Crossbow? Why?

[Chip W]

I was all set to go out for my first time hunting last year in firearm season, went to the hunter safety class etc and was about as ready as a newbie could be. Unfortunately the guy I was going with had an illness in the family and we were not able to fit anything into the tight firearm season window.

This year I want to expand that window with a bow. My only experience with bows was shooting a Parker Enforcer 160 crossbow at Cabelas (I liked it a lot), and then struggling like all hell to use a new Bear compound bow belonging to another forum member. This elicited much ribbing as I could not pull the string back all the way, the 2 times I did manage it I found shooting the arrow where I wanted easy enough, but it was hell to pull it past the breaking point (correct term?). Maybe the reach and poundage were just all wrong for me, I don't know.
My wife is heartily encouraging me to get which ever I want, but I don't know which to get.

Crossbow- Pros?
-Easy enough to cock it.
-Has a trigger so makes it a whole lot easier as it's a more familiar feel.
-Cock it and wait for the right shot to come to me.
-Red dot or scope could offer me better shot accuracy.
Cons?
-If I screw a shot up it's going to take time to nock another bolt.
-I perceive there being a stigma about hunting with a crossbow.

Compound Bow- Pros?
-I have seen that many view using a compound or longbow as a purer form of hunting (although to quote another forum member, "Can the deer shoot back? So is any of it really sporting?")
-If I screw a shot up I can nock another arrow relatively quickly with practice.
Cons?
- A seasoned hunter told me he recently switched to a crossbow from a compound as he said pulling the string back and waiting for the shot to come to him could take an eternity and then his arms might be too tired to let off a good shot.


I guess at this point I have a heavy leaning to the crossbow, I've always kind of wanted one even before I considered going hunting, and maybe my negative experience with that 1 compound bow bolstered it, but I would like to hear some unbiased opinions and input from those of you way more seasoned and knowledgeable on these things than I.

[Dredly]

Bow pros:

- The challenge is greater because of having to move while an animal is right in front of you
- You'll respect your kill much more and it requires much more skill
- its more fun

Crossbow Pros:

- you don't have to practice
- its rifle hunting


The only people who should use a crossbow are those who can't shoot a bow, its cheating and the fact that its permitted in PA is bullshit. If you want to be an archery hunter, then get a bow, practice, have fun and get good, then go hunting. If you want to be a lazy hunter go get a crossbow, shoot it twice and then go hunt with it...

you know those guys who hit the firing line 2 weeks before season, shoot 5 rounds and all hit the backstop so they are "Ready for hunting season"? those are crossbow hunters

[aubie515]

I have both...people who make stupid comments above shouldn't reply to these types of threads. If using a crossbow is cheating...so is using a compound bow since it's not a traditional long bow.

I say use whatever you want...as long as it's legal. Who cares what the "purist" think...putting meat on the table is the bottom line.

I find the compound bow to be the best choice if you are up in a tree stand. For hunting on the ground, I find the crossbow to work better since you have a bolt in the ready position.

I do not agree that you don't need to practice with a crossbow. IMO, you need to practice with whatever weapon you use...be it a bow, crossbow, shotgun or rifle. If you don't practice with your weapon, how in the world can you expect to make clean kills? We all owe it to the animals that we hunt to try to make a clean kill and not allow the animal to suffer.

Both have their place...if I could just have one, I'd probably go with my Excalibur crossbow.

[ReconLdr]

I have shot both... I don't find the crossbow challenging at all. You still have to let the critters get close (inside 40 yds realistically) but shooting it consistently was just like shooting a rifle at 25 yds.

If you want the "Easier" way get the crossbow... If you enjoy the competition get the compound bow.

I bought a compound bow and never looked back. I will caution you, it gets very addictive very, very quickly.... I shot a 3d course with a guy who sold a shit ton of his guns to buy bows. He now has 12 bows, 1 CC gun, 1 rifle, and 1 shot gun.

[bigandy1966]

make your own bow, twist your own strings and make your own arrows,
everything else is just for the posers.

[1iarrowking]

make your own bow, twist your own strings and make your own arrows,
everything else is just for the posers.

Yea, right.

[B2Luv2Hunt]

I have both...people who make stupid comments above shouldn't reply to these types of threads. If using a crossbow is cheating...so is using a compound bow since it's not a traditional long bow.

.

I can remember when compound bows first started to get popular in the early 70's. You heard the same argument, compound bows were cheating. No real bow hunter would use a compound bow. When I bought my compound bow in the mid 70's I still heard that I was cheating. Many wanted compound bows made illegal to hunt with.

Now when I hear someone putting down crossbows it makes me laugh. I think bullshit, if they have a problem with it use a recurve bow instead of a compound. I used recurve when I first started hunting. When I first started to use a compound bow it was so much easier it did feel like I was cheating. I did not care because I was after the meat.

[crlovel]

Chip, why don't we go to Cabela's this week? I can guarantee you, almost beyond any doubt, that my bow was the wrong draw for you because of my longer reach. We can go up on Thursday or Friday, you can find one that matches your size. Knowing you, you'd enjoy a compound bow a lot more than a crossbow, just because of the amount of competition between you and Dave and I.

[keystoneman 85]

Bow pros:

- The challenge is greater because of having to move while an animal is right in front of you
- You'll respect your kill much more and it requires much more skill
- its more fun

Crossbow Pros:

- you don't have to practice
- its rifle hunting


The only people who should use a crossbow are those who can't shoot a bow, its cheating and the fact that its permitted in PA is bullshit. If you want to be an archery hunter, then get a bow, practice, have fun and get good, then go hunting. If you want to be a lazy hunter go get a crossbow, shoot it twice and then go hunt with it...

you know those guys who hit the firing line 2 weeks before season, shoot 5 rounds and all hit the backstop so they are "Ready for hunting season"? those are crossbow hunters

I knew we'd see this post! Classic and full of fail. Typical elitist compound shooter who has a problem sharing the woods. As others have said, if crossbows are cheating, and don't leave a lasting feeling of enjoyment after the kill then go back to using the longbow, stop using the latest and greatest camo, no scent killer, no gps, etc.

That being said, I've used both - a compound from the age of 12 and then when crossbows were made legal I got one of those, used it one season and sold it. Just wasn't for me. The weight, and bulkyness were to much, it was loud and clunky and I just enjoyed the compound more.

Head to your local archer dealer (if your near Lancaster Co check out Lancaster Archery) and shoot a variety of both.

Chances are your issues with the compound were due to it not being setup for you, get your poundage in check and have them figure out your draw length.

But most of all, have fun out there - being in the woods come fall is a fantastic time!