I have never done either, just shot them for fun at the range using other peoples equipment. I have always hunted just using a rifle, but looking to buy a bow or crossbow for deer hunting.
What do you think would be more fun if either, and maybe easier to use.
My vacations are planned around bow season. One of my favorite times to be out hunting, early bow season. The deer are not as spooked and not on high alert. You get to see more deer and can pick and choose if you want. I enjoy watching the deer as much as taking one. Once the gun season opens up and everybody and their brother are out there I go back to work. Crossbows have been illegal in NY (except for special permit/handicap) until just this year so I have no experience with them.
I think its great that you are thinking about taking up archery hunting. If you are an able citizen and can pull a bow back without any problems, then go with the compound bow. A local archery shop can easily set you up with everything and show you proper technique to shoot a bow.
if you can not shoot a compound bow due to a disability or shoulder problems then the crossbow is the way to go.
I for one spend over 30 days a year in a tree watching those beautiful whitetails walking through the woods, there is nothing better than that. Archery hunting allows you to get close to the animals and enjoy the wildlife in their natural setting with little to no pressure. Go for it and please ask any questions...we love to help
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I am able to pull back a bow just fine. I just found out there is public hunting land nearby a lake that allows bow hunting only. When I usually hunt, I have to drive 2 hours so this would be a nice change of pace.
Is there anything to look for when purchasing a bow, whether it is new or used? I don't need to drop 1K on one since I won't do it much, however I obviously need one that will take down a deer for good, and not just injure them.
I'm a bowhunter. Many of my friends consider crossbows to be "cheating." Certainly a crossbow will be easier for you to master, very similiar to using a 40yd rifle. A compound will be a little tougher to master, but with the right setup and a little practice, you'll be shooting good groups in no time. Either way, this will definitely turn you into a much better hunter. You won't have a choice but to adhere to good practices at all times. Scent control, movement, camo, choosing a stand with a good backdrop, scouting for the right spot will all improve. Things that you could get away with during rifle season will get you busted in short order. To me, it's the ultimate thrill. Good luck, and either way, be sure to ask good questions. There's a lot of knowledgeable people on here.
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What is your budget? You can purchase an excellent bow combo for under $500.00. I would suggest a bow that you can draw comfortably. go to http://www.perfectarrow.com and check out their stuff. neat site and from a local guy near me.
you need to make it to a bow shop though and pull a few back and get comfortable with a bow. Martin makes an excellent low cost bow that is phenominal in the field. The mathews, bowtech, hoyt, PSE market so much that their pricing definitely reflects it. Be choosy and pick something you like and feels comfortable. We can give suggestions on bow sights and rests, but only you are the one to really make that decision because of comfort.
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im a crossbow guy myself, alot of fun .if you can shoot a gun you can shoot a crossbow.alot of 300 feet a second crossbows on the market at a good price. I considered a regular bow but just dont want to put in the practice.besides here bow season opens almost a month before gun season so once gun season comes in the bow gets put up..may only make 3 trips a year with the crossbow.Plus the frog bite on guntersville is usually on fire the same time bow season comes around.
I try to save most of my vacation for deer season which begins Oct 1st where I live. Like stated that gives you a month b4 gun hunters get in the woods. I hunt with a crossbow and love it, its a passion obssesion etc etc.Either weapon you choose to use bowhunting is as good as it gets, getting the animal as close to you as you can, theres nothing like it as far as I am concerned
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If your're new with the whole archery thing, start out with a compound, and one of these days buy you a crossbow if its ever made legal where you hunt. Hunting with a crossbow is an aquired taste for me much like muzzleloader hunting was backs in the mid 90s when I bought my first one. Its fun and differant and much easier on the ground or a shooting house that is set up just right for a crossbow, but I believe you'd appreciate it more with a bow. And the less fancy you get with a bow the appreciation level of being able to go out and have success with it rises. Bowhunting is a passion much like smallmouth fishing. Deer hunting is a way of life much like bass fishing........couldn't do without it myself...
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Used to compound bow hunt for many years. I got a Barnett Predator crossbow 2 years ago and would never go back. Less practice. Less junk required to setup the bow for use. Less things to go wrong. And this thing hammers them. A personal pref. thing.....
crossbows let you reach out a bit further than a compound bow..its personal preference really( game regs not withstanding...)
me , i prefer a compound bow..i feel it makes you a better hunter.....once you master ( sic ) bowhunting, using a rifle or muzzleloader seems like cheating....JMHO
The bad thing about a compound bow it is very addictive! I shoot year around if sitting around the house with nothing to do I can occupy myself for hours on end some days pissed caused I am shooting bad but I never see my brother in law shoot his cross bow for fun!
Archery is an addictive and expensive sport so find someone you trust in your area for a bow technician he can save you money or cost you money ask around you will find a good one. As for bows go not telling you to spend $1400 but I would not buy the cheapest you run across either you can find some good deals on 1 or 2 year old bows that will save you alot and you can get a better bow as long as it was taken care of. For example if it weren't so close to season I would sell my 2010 hoyt alpha max 32 which is not even a year old I gave $900 w/tax for the bare bow and would sell for $500 I like trading every year or so. Accessories can be almost as expensive as the bow as well but this is a place where you can upgrade as you learn. Good luck
Crossbow/Pro's - Single package purchase with scope and some string wax. Buy some extra bolts and mechanical broad heads. Sight in once. Wax the strings. You’re ready. No other crap to buy. End of season hang it on the wall. Next season shoot it a couple times to verify zero and you’re ready to go again. Inexpensive after initial purchase. Simple and less non-sense to fool with or go wrong in the tree stand. Efficient. Deadly. That is why after 20 years of long bow hunting I went with the Xbow.
Con's- The damn thing is like carrying another person in the woods with you. Most are 9 lbs. and front heavy.
Most archery purists have issue with the crossbows even though they have been around almost as long as a longbow. Just ask them if they are shooting a recurve with willow shaft/turkey feather fletching/flint broad head/leather fingers and arm guard.
the arrowgun would be easier to use. the real bow is much more fun to master and take game with and much more rewarding also. arrowgun is just like shooting a firearm so they are not hard to kill game with if that is what you are in to. if you want something that is more challenging go for the bow, the real bow, not the arrowgun.
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