Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer Bow Talk Compound vs Crossbow

I haven't bow hunted in several years had to quit because of shoulder problems sold my bow and just never got another one but am going to buy one and start back next year. Was considering going with a Crossbow was just looking for opinions from people that have used both. And any opinions on best bang for your buck especially on crossbows as i have no experience with them.

aint nothing like putting a hole in a deer with a compound bow! although i have not hunted with a crossbow and i hope i never have too,to me its just like deer hunting with a rifle,which i also never want to do(anymore). i just couldnt imagine that i would get the rush and excitement shooting a deer with a crossbow.same with a rifle, the day i cant pull the bow back is the day i quit hunting,period!

That is cool i hope you get to enjoy it as long as you live.

Glad to see you want to stay in the game any way that you can! Good luck!

Compounds are, IMO, more challenging because you have to draw and hold before shooting. Practice is required to effectively build your skills to shoot from different angles, standing, sitting, with winter clothing, etc., and be consistent for a killing shot.

Crossbows can be drawn (cocked) and then put aside or in your lap. It still requires an ethical decision for killing range shot distance. Practice with the crossbow is good to become comfortably familiar with the weapon.

Crossbows definitely are deadly weapons. They're not for everyone, of course, but if you want to get back into hunting and can't pull a compound, the option is there.

Mike,

How bad is your shoulder? And how much are you able to pull back safely without hurting it? I ask, because if you've been away from bows for awhile, you'll be amazed how much ooomph a low-poundage bow now has. With todays speeds and carbon arrows, you could probably get away with a 40 pound bow. You see kids with bowkills all the time. Just a suggestion.

I don't know anything about crossbows.

Shoulder problem is not that bad now. Only problem with shoulder would be excessive shooting while practicing but that prob not a big prob either. I was just thinking of going the crossbow route something new. And not sure what advantage a compound has over a crossbow. Other than preference.

Compounds don't weigh as much, for starters, and aren't as clunky or unwieldy.

Crossbow hunting in no way shape or form compares with rifle hunting, totally stupidity.

I tried the crossbow for half a bow season and found it to be bulky and uncomfortable but if that is the only way to hit the woods than go for it. Crossbows still have the same yardage limitations as the compound so it doesn't compare to a rifle.

Both are deadly.

The crossbow is more bulky and harder to handle in tight situations.

Crossbow is not as effective at longer distances as most think it is.

Compounds require practice.

Compounds are MUCH quieter. Well, except for Mathews bows. Just kidding.

Crossbows require more care and maintenance.

I have not hunted with a crossbow but these observations are from second hand experience from several of my friends that do hunt with one.

Shouldering the crossbow stock, turning off a safety and pulling a trigger is pretty similar to a rifle.

Dude,

I do not want to start this arguement again. But, how in the world can you say that.

Scope - Yes, just about every hi powered rifle has one.
Trigger - Yes, every rifle has one.
Safety - Yes, every rifle has one.
Gun Stock Yes, every rifle has one.
Precocked - Yes, very similar to a preloaded round.
Shoulder fired - Yes, unless you are the Rifleman from the old westerns, we all shoulder fire our rifles.

I think each of these compares in SOME WAY to a rifle. And please understand I am not against crossbows at all anymore. They are here and here to stay. But, let's be honest when we refer to them. I have several friends that hunt with crossbows and I am glad to share the woods with them.

I wasn't comparing it in anyway to a rifle. was just looking for some suggestions from people that use a crossbow. Dang lol

I'll give you a downside to X bows. You can't cock them easily in a treestand. This pretty much makes multiple shots impossible.
You know missed shot,more deer coming into range. Killing more than one deer at a setting. It will hinder these things.

I agree with this, I would recommend one for someone with shoulder problems.

It is similar to shooting a gun, its very repeatable. But you still have to practice and dont expect to shoot further than a bow.

I couldnt get used to how bulky and odd feeling to carry.

I've used both and like both. I switched to the crossbow because of shoulder problems. The bow is lighter and quieter than the crossbow.The crossbow is bulky but it doesn't take near as much practice to become profiecent. The range is the same. Personally I think the crossbows are more accurate than a compound and more effective as an ethical way to kill deer. Thats just my opinion from shooting both. I am a MUCH better shot with the crossbow than I was with my bow. If your gonna get a crossbow theres only one that I would consider and thats an Excalibur. Very accurate very easy to set up maintence is a piece of cake and you can do it all yourself. Crossbows are not for everyone but I wouldn't trade my Excalibur for my Mathews.

Prop a compund bow at full draw on a shooting rail and see what happens?

let me rephrase that,prop a bow at full draw on a shooting rail to hold it steady to shoot a deer and see what happens? you can get away with that using a crossbow and a rifle,there is a lot of similarities between the two.(rifle & crossbow)

So it seems most compound bow people think a crossbow is to easy to use not enough expertise needed to be accurate or what ever to compare one to a compound bow. Probably the same way people that were shooting recurve bows felt about people shooting compound bows when they first became popular. Kinda weird i wonder if people using single shot rifles felt that way when they came out with the repeating rifle. I bet they did lol. This is crazy.