myths and facts...

[G-Man]

!

10 Myths vs 10 Facts onewsstandrary Crossbows

Posted by Gunworldmag

Seven-year-old Casey (shown with his mom) proves that, with proper training, crossbows can be safe and enjoyable, even for youngsters.

By Ron Roberts

Crossbows are hot. There is a growing army of crossbow enthusiasts, and they are passionate about these weapons and everything about them. But, like other distinctive pursuits, myths abound, often to the detriment of crossbow shooters and to the avocation itself. Misinformation is out there, and it’s fueling the fire of those who don’t really know. Fortunately, however, truth is on our side.

So, what are 10 of the wildest crossbow myths and 10 of the most important crossbow facts? Read on.

Myth 1

A crossbow isn’t really a bow.

Fact 1

When comparing a crossbow to a compound bowshot with a release, the only differences between them are:

*The crossbow trigger mechanism holds the draw for shooters.

*The crossbow’s bow assembly is positioned horizontally.

*The crossbow is aimed like a rifle.

Both weapons fire an arrow equipped with a broadhead designed to penetrate an animal, causing it to bleed to death. The arrow from both weapons travels approximately the same distance at about the same speed and energy with nearly the same trajectory.

Myth 2

Crossbows make deer hunting too easy.

Fact 2

The X-Force 800 Pro from Eastman removes all doubt that modern crossbows are legitimate hunting tools.

The only advantage a crossbow has over a conventional bow is that it holds the bow in the drawn (ready-to-fire) position for shooters. Shooting a crossbow is generally easier to master than shooting a vertical bow, but it’s not “just plain easy.” Crossbow hunters must have the same woodsmanship ability and nearly all the same shooting skills vertical bowhunters have.

Myth 3

Anyone can pick up a crossbow, practice for an hour, and be ready to head to the woods.

Fact 3

There are many ways to make a bad shot with a crossbow. First, if a crossbow isn’t cocked straight, it won’t shoot straight. If the bowstring is pulled even 1/16 inch off-center, that difference can translate into a 6-inch error at 20 yards. Also, like any conventional bow shooter, a crossbow shooter must maintain a proper stance and squeeze, rather than “jerk” the trigger. The shooter must steady his or her entire body and follow through (watch the entire arrow flight through the sighting mechanism) after the release. And finally, crossbow hunters must be adept at at distances.

Myth 4

A crossbow shoots much faster and farther than compound bows.

Fact 4

Under controlled conditions, velocity and kinetic energy tests were performed on two compound bows with 70-pound peak draw weights (248 and 205 fps) and two crossbows with 150-pound peak draw weights (228 and 242 fps). Compound bows and crossbows produced similar ballistic results. That is, the crossbows didn’t shoot farther or faster than the compound bows. If anything, crossbows begin to lose velocity and energy a bit more quickly than do compound bows after 40 yards because they shoot a lighter and shorter arrow. However, the difference is slight.

Myth 5

Crossbows have the knockdown power of a firearm.

Fact 5

Crossbows are ballistically comparable to conventional vertical bows and they kill by hemorrhaging rather than shock.

Myth 6

Crossbows shoot as flatly as black-powder rifles.

Fact 6

Again, comparison tests show that crossbows don’t perform the same as firearms. Crossbows typically start losing velocity and energy at 30 yards compared to black-powder rifles, which begin losing velocity and energy at 100 yards.

Myth 7

Crossbow hunters are less experienced than conventional bowhunters are, so they’ll injure more deer.

Fact 7

There is no credible evidence to support this claim. Crossbow hunters must apply the same basic skills and techniques conventional bow hunters do. Nobody enters the woods for the first time as an expert. As a hunter gains experience in shot placement, judging distance and overall hunting skill, he becomes far less likely to injure a deer. Additionally, one of the largest groups of new crossbow hunters are experienced conventional bow hunters who can no longer hunt with a compound bow. They bring a vast amount of bow-hunting knowledge with them. Finally, plenty of conventional bow hunters injure deer. The best approach to the issue of ethical shooting might be for individual states to require proficiency testing of all hunters.

Myth 8

Crossbow hunters are less ethical, less dedicated, and less proficient than conventional bowhunters.

Fact 8

This myth generally assumes conventional bow hunters are skilled experts that share a common passion, fervor and ethics about hunting. However, this assumption is unsupportable. It’s safer to assume (and easier to support) that many conventional bow hunters would have greater success and more “ethical hunts” if they used crossbows.

Myth 9

The crossbow is the preferred poaching weapon.

Fact 9

On December 13, 1999, at the request of the American Crossbow Federation, Michael J. Budzik, director of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, wrote: “From a law-enforcement standpoint, violation statistics are just about equal between crossbows and vertical bows, and the total of both is an extremely small portion of the overall enforcement effort.”

Ohio’s experience suggests that claims about crossbows being the preferred weapon of poachers is false. In fact, conventional wisdom suggests crossbows would not be efficient poaching weapons.

Myth 10

Crossbows are dangerous.

Fact 10

Referring to the previous material, we again cite Budzik: “ …Our statistics regarding hunter incidents [accidents] show very little difference between the two bow types. Since 1976, we have had only 21 archery-related hunting incidents: 10 caused by longbow and 11 by crossbow. Harvest data suggest that more people hunt with crossbows than with longbows in Ohio.”

Some crossbow manufacturers have added safety features to their crossbows to reduce hunter and shooter injuries and to reduce opportunities for dry-fire situations.

[Arrow Flinger]

I have no dog in this fight as I will continue to hunt with my compound for as long as I'm able to draw one back but I'll go out on a limb here and say this article was written by a crossbow enthusiast. Fact #1 made me LOL

[Terry]

You mean crossbows aren't the devil?

[Arrow Flinger]

You mean crossbows aren't the devil?

 

That was fact #11.....it just missed the list!LOL

[G-Man]

Heres a link to bowhunting magazines myth article. Http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/2012/07/19/crossbow-myths-misconceptions/

[Arrow Flinger]

Heres a link to bowhunting magazines myth article. Http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/2012/07/19/crossbow-myths-misconceptions/

 

Just as I thought....written by a crossbow enthusiast. Who coulda guessed that? I'll bet the anti crossbow guys could write 10 facts to make their argument too and the funny thing is, #1 would be the same in both articles!

[phade]

The only advantage a crossbow has over a conventional bow is that it holds the bow in the drawn (ready-to-fire) position for shooters. Shooting a crossbow is generally easier to master than shooting a vertical bow, but it’s not “just plain easy.” Crossbow hunters must have the same woodsmanship ability and nearly all the same shooting skills vertical bowhunters have.

 

 

These lines must have come from an someone who rides the short bus. That's two clear advantages in my book. Not one.

Edited April 4, 2014 by phade

[Lawdwaz]

This is all you need to know...........

 

Fact 1

When comparing a crossbow to a compound bowshot with a release, the only differences between them are:

*The crossbow trigger mechanism holds the draw for shooters.

*The crossbow’s bow assembly is positioned horizontally.

*The crossbow is aimed like a rifle.

[Lawdwaz]

Remember how the "gun hunters" have bitched about bowhunters killing all the good bucks?

 

Just watch what happens now..................................................

[Arrow Flinger]

This is all you need to know...........

 

Fact 1

When comparing a crossbow to a compound bowshot with a release, the only differences between them are:

*The crossbow trigger mechanism holds the draw for shooters.

*The crossbow’s bow assembly is positioned horizontally.

*The crossbow is aimed like a rifle.

 

Yep...the only differences are big differences!

[mike rossi]

All that, and while the gun hunters and archers were going back and forth for three years about whether it is easier to take a deer with a crossbow the senate, assembly, governor and the DEC were ignoring you all and looking at page 4 Audubon and page 7 Nature Conservancy of these links:

 

http://www.nysenate.gov/files/pdfs/Testimony%20Audubon%20New%20York.pdf

 

http://www.nysenate.gov/files/pdfs/Testimony%20The%20Nature%20Conservancy.pdf

[G-Man]

Aimed like I rifle is the only big advantage I see.. my bow has 80% let off anI use a mechanical release with a trigger . For those that shoot traditionally that advantage I have is the same as a crossbow is to me.... still takes woodsmanship to get into range..something that's lacking in a lot of hunters today.

[phade]

Aimed like I rifle is the only big advantage I see.. my bow has 80% let off anI use a mechanical release with a trigger . For those that shoot traditionally that advantage I have is the same as a crossbow is to me.... still takes woodsmanship to get into range..something that's lacking in a lot of hunters today.

 

The lower practice count for mastering hunting accuracy is a huge advantage. My FIL who has never shot a bow in his life and is a lousy shot with a gun...took 25 shots to be shooting softball groups at 40 yards with his xbow. He shoots the thing one practice session a year before going out to hunt.

 

That's a clear advantage in my book.

[Arrow Flinger]

Aimed like I rifle is the only big advantage I see.. my bow has 80% let off anI use a mechanical release with a trigger . For those that shoot traditionally that advantage I have is the same as a crossbow is to me.... still takes woodsmanship to get into range..something that's lacking in a lot of hunters today.

Yea but you still have to draw that 70 pounds back. You may only be holding 15 pounds but you still need to pull it back. X Bow is a definite advantage for a guy like one of the guys I hunt with who sky draws his bow. He always complains the deer spook when he draws. I tell him to quit waving the bow around and that wont happen! If he buys a crossbow he might actually shoot a deer!LOL

[G-Man]

I can pick up my bow with its set pins and peep 1x a year and shoot 4in groups . At 40 yards every year after having not touched it in 9 months or more (once season starts i never seem to practice with it so prolly closer to 10 months in all honesty. No real advantage over a compound there... traditional archery yes absolutely..

[Arrow Flinger]

I can pick up my bow with its set pins and peep 1x a year and shoot 4in groups . At 40 yards every year after having not touched it in 9 months or more (once season starts i never seem to practice with it so prolly closer to 10 months in all honesty. No real advantage over a compound there... traditional archery yes absolutely..

 

IMHO that's not very ethical. The deer deserve better.

[G-Man]

I shoot 47lbs on my bow...kills clean every.time. if your friend is sky drawing a bow he is shooting way to much weight... I can draw my bow with my pins on the deer with minimal movement. Not really an advantage if you know how to properly draw a bow...... and I can draw very early and hold for very long time... the amount of movement it takes to raise and aim a x bow is about the same. The exception is the x bow being front heavy will be harder to hold freehand or move and follow game.

[Arrow Flinger]

I shoot 47lbs on my bow...kills clean every.time. if your friend is sky drawing a bow he is shooting way to much weight... I can draw my bow with my pins on the deer with minimal movement. Not really an advantage if you know how to properly draw a bow...... and I can draw very early and hold for very long time... the amount of movement it takes to raise and aim a x bow is about the same. The exception is the x bow being front heavy will be harder to hold freehand or move and follow game.

 

Ya think? You try telling him that and see how far it gets you!

[G-Man]

I can't see him doing any better with a crossbow then.... personally I will continue deer hunting with my bow, but am considering a crossbow for turkey hunting... but no time this year for regs to fall into place for this spring hunt and iI figure a lot of crossbows will be for sale after new users realise getting to within 30yards of a deer takes a little skill. And give it up...

[NFA-ADK]

Arg!

[Arrow Flinger]

I can't see him doing any better with a crossbow then.... personally I will continue deer hunting with my bow, but am considering a crossbow for turkey hunting... but no time this year for regs to fall into place for this spring hunt and iI figure a lot of crossbows will be for sale after new users realise getting to within 30yards of a deer takes a little skill. And give it up...

 

I don't know. He always sees deer and some nice bucks (or so he says) but never seems to close the deal. We call him the deer watcher!

[phade]

I can pick up my bow with its set pins and peep 1x a year and shoot 4in groups . At 40 yards every year after having not touched it in 9 months or more (once season starts i never seem to practice with it so prolly closer to 10 months in all honesty. No real advantage over a compound there... traditional archery yes absolutely..

 

You obviously are not the majority of bowhunters. Most bowhunters need to practice much more often to be proficient at killing deer in a hunting situation.

 

Xbow makes that practice need much less.

[G-Man]

Ha , I have a friend who saw big bucks all the time. So one year my one hunting partner and I see a big half rack 10 pt (if other side matched) maybe 120-130 in if both sides matched.during bow.. opening day of gun my friend calls on radio saying he got a monster 1/2 rack..so we thought he shot the 1/2 rack we passed in bow.. we arrive with tractor to find a 1/2 rack 1.5 Year old 8 pt..... so everyone has a different idea about a good buck looks like and now i know his......lol

[fasteddie]

Aimed like I rifle is the only big advantage I see.. my bow has 80% let off anI use a mechanical release with a trigger . For those that shoot traditionally that advantage I have is the same as a crossbow is to me.... still takes woodsmanship to get into range..something that's lacking in a lot of hunters today.

 

I have only shot a crossbow once . My son had his friend's x-bow that he had sighted in . Shot 3 bolts from a picnic table at a target 40 yards away . Put all 3 in a paper plate sized target . Practice would be minimal ........  It was a PSE with the hand grank to draw the string back .

 

[Trial153]

Crossbows belong in the regular season. And should only be allowed in the archery season for the disabled and elderly.

The difference is huge. A Hunter sitting in a stand with the weapon already cocked, with no time constraints and not having to draw in the presence of game is huge and fundamental difference . Let's couple it with the fact that using battery powered or cranks as cocking devices a able bodied hunter doesn't even have to be physically capable of drawing the device.