I've hunted with a bow 1 time. It was 20 years ago and I was 13. I've been toying with buying a bow or xbow for awhile now. Mainly to give me more public land hunting opportunities. I've seen some older threads on bows vs xbows, but not quite as specific as my questions:

a) For a beginner, which would be better in the < $400 range.
b) What are some trust worthy brands for each? For a beginner.
c) Have any of you hunted Swan Creek for deer? I've squirrel hunted and seen some sign, but never actually talked to a person who has actively hunted it for deer.

The "if it matters" knowledge list:
-I'm smart enough to learn mechanics of operation...I hope
-I'm a large, strong guy so I don't think draw weight matters, but I'm wrong a lot.
-I live in the middle of Madison County, so I don't have many options for public land during the week.
-I have $414.56 to spend on bow/xbow, arrows/bolts, heads, & Copenhagen
-I have no idea of the pros and cons. Most people I talk to have both types and urge me to spend more than I can afford.

In that price range you could get a Wicked Ridge G3 xbow ready to hunt. They have great customer service and are made in USA.

I'd get a compound bow. In that price range, you'd be better off buying one used already rigged out and ready to go. You can get one a couple years old for peanuts compared to buying a new one. Some of the good brands, like Hoyt, will have a "lower end" fully rigged package deal that is a good bow, but I'm not sure they'd be that cheap. Maybe 5-600. You could get a really good used bow for 3-400, just make sure to check it out really good (and shoot it) before buying

Lots of variables do you want a quick fix or to be a bowhunter ?
a bow requires more work and dedication, meaning practice. I'm a bowhunter and will not use an x-gun. Bowhunting is about being quiet and getting close to animals. For your price range you can get a used bow with the works for that amount. I shoot a Mathews, but there are several great brands. If you would like some help on bowhunting send me a pm. I'd be happy to give you advise on getting started. Killing a deer with a bow gives a high i never experienced with a gun. Oh stop the copenhagen, that crap causes cancer. don't put yourself or your family thru that. Merry Christmas

There is a good looking Matthews for sale in Classifieds. 400 ready to go.

That Mathews Drenaline is down to $350 loaded and ready to hunt.

Thanks everyone. Perch, sending PM now.

A- A bow is harder to learn and get use to. Practice, practice. But man is a bow fun and satisfying kills out there. Xbow is more like a rifle than anything else. expectantly with a good scope +50 yard shoots are very possible.

B- I started with a bow from Craigslist for super cheap. Missions by Mathews makes some great ones. But it is personal preference. So shoot all you can to see what you like.

C- I have not personally hunted swan creek because it is only open for about 2 weeks. I am at Wheeler most of the time. Where it is bow only for all but 2 weeks.

I would recommend going to Custom Archery in Huntsville and see George. Very knowledgeable and not a pressure salesman kind of guy.

-draw weight 60 lbs should be the max but that is personal. Main reason I feel that way is the FPS you gain at 20 yards is less than 0.007 of second in impact time (30 ft divided by 300/280 fps). Also lower draw is quieter. Better to be slower and quite than fast and loud with a bow. It's easier to pull, easier to hold, and easier on the shoulder.

Well I guess that's about all. I love my bow and that's what I use 90% of the time.

Thanks, ego. Good stuff. I would like to be a bow hunter eventually. I thought maybe the xbow would give me an advantage with learning to stalk in the dense Alabama stuff. Considering the 50 yard threshold.

I haven't really considered a used bow, or xbow for that matter, mainly because I don't know what I'm looking for. I don't know if something is ragged or not. I forgot all about Wheeler. Since I'm only hunting with a rifle, I just forgot it even existed.

Are there any brands that I should stay away from when buying a bow?

There's no deer on Swan Creek WMA!

If you pee standing up, get a regular bow.

If it'll fit you, there's a helluva deal on a complete Mathews Drenalin package in the classifieds.

For God's sake don't get a XBow. The Bow hunters on here will rip you a new one! LOL

50 yd shots ? Thats not getting close. concentrate on 25 yds or less. thew closer the better. I didn't get any Pm from you.

Perch, it told me you couldn't receive any more private messages. "50 yards" gives me, a rookie, a pretty big cushion. That's why I was considering a xbow. I'm definitely moving towards a regular bow. Mainly because I pee standing up, like Shaw suggested.

Swan Creek, Mallard fox Creek is open to bow hunting till the 13th or so of November.yes there is some deer at both if you like squirrel hunting anyway put the boot leather down scouting them.kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak.

It is simple. Do you or will you practice enough to master a bow? If the answer is no, then a 50 yard shot is out of the question, buy a xbow.

50 yards is a long shot with either IMO.

I'm definitely leaning towards a bow. Yes, I will practice enough. I have plenty of room to practice in my yard up to 30 yards. I agree, a 50 yard shot is too far for a bow. Like I said, I'm a green horn with anything other than a rifle. That's the main reason for considering a xbow. I've never had to stalk at close range, use calls, rattle, or find a brush hide. I'm looking for something more challenging AND looking for more WMA opportunities.

Just for information I have never even attempted to shoot my crossbow 50yds, and I pee standing up but also sitting down when nature calls.

Like I said, I'm extremely new to bow/xbows in general. I, literally, wouldn't know if they were accurate at 10 ft or 200 yards. I pee however I feel at the moment. I was just joking with that other guy. Just trying to learn and get some advice.

another vote for a bow. I've never hunted with a crossbow, but I have hunted with a bow and have killed 1 with it (shot at 2, killed 1). The rush of adrenaline I got killing that little buck with my bow was 2nd only to having a turkey, that I didn't know even existed, gobble about 80yds behind me. While I can't say for certain, I suspect the adrenaline rush of killing one with a crossbow wouldn't be quite the same, but maybe I'm wrong.

get a good used bow, either here or craigslist. get proficient out to 30yds. If you want to practice beyond 30, then by all means go for it, that just makes the shorter shots that much easier, but plan on keeping real-life hunting shots inside 30 if at all possible.

either get a range finder or, step off distances to multiple points so you have known distances to judge a deer by.

WEAR. A. HARNESS. they're cheap, heck people occasionally give them away on here.