Is a Crossbow "easier" than a Compound?

[newhunter14]

Ok, I could use some advice from hunters who know or anyone who has hunted with both a Compound and Crossbow. I'm a new bowhunter and not having much luck since the start of the season. I missed two Does tonight because I just can't seem to keep it all straight under pressure. I'm out in my stand alone and have never bowhunted with anyone, so I'm learning everything as I go, watching videos of the pros and asking questions along the way. 

 

Things like shooting from the stand, drawing my bow, leveling my bow while keeping steady, lining up the kisser/ sight, and generally keeping calm while my heart is hammering out of my chest every time I see the deer through my sight:) I've addressed some recent performance issues with my bow. About two weeks ago I brought it my local archery shop to have them take a look, they fixed me up and it's been shooting perfect during target practice with my new arrows and release. I really think it's just me. Would a crossbow be any improvement for a new hunter who is obviously challenged? Are there advantages to using a Crossbow vs. a Compound that would help me? Please don't poke fun I'm really just in need of some advice as I would like to successfully bowhunt.

[Tinlodge]

Ok, I could use some advice from hunters who know or anyone who has hunted with both a Compound and Crossbow. I'm a new bowhunter and not having much luck since the start of the season. I missed two Does tonight because I just can't seem to keep it all straight under pressure. I'm out in my stand alone and have never bowhunted with anyone, so I'm learning everything as I go, watching videos of the pros and asking questions along the way. 

 

Things like shooting from the stand, drawing my bow, leveling my bow while keeping steady, lining up the kisser/ sight, and generally keeping calm while my heart is hammering out of my chest every time I see the deer through my sight:) I've addressed some recent performance issues with my bow. About two weeks ago I brought it my local archery shop to have them take a look, they fixed me up and it's been shooting perfect during target practice with my new arrows and release. I really think it's just me. Would a crossbow be any improvement for a new hunter who is obviously challenged? Are there advantages to using a Crossbow vs. a Compound that would help me? Please don't poke fun I'm really just in need of some advice as I would like to successfully bowhunt.

Here is a pretty good article to read...http://www.americanhunter.org/blogs/crossbows-vs-compound-bows

[Lawdwaz]

Dude, it's all about the excitement!

 

It just takes time to get it all in order.  It ain't as easy as they make it look on TV.  Those guys are hunting prime pieces of property usually that look to be loaded with game. 

 

Patience my little grasshopper.....................

 

I've never even held a xbow so can't comment on them.

 

Don't give up on the vertical bow!

[Lawdwaz]

wait, I just looked at your avatar, are you a dudette? 

[dbHunterNY]

the only benefit to a crossbow is you don't have to draw and have the added movement associated with it.  what I tell my wife when I'm with her is to go through what needs to happen.  focus on each step of the process to make the shot happen.  then you won't focus on the presence of a deer and get excited.  then after the shot the flood gates of emotion are free to flow.

[PREDATE]

You will most likely get mixed opinions/reviews because some bowhunters are still dead set against crossbows. I personally have lightened up on the crossbow topic and have no qualms with people using them. However, I choose not to use x-bows because they tend to instantly drain guys of their machismo! lol

I say use whatever gives you the most confidence in making a quick & clean kill. Some day you'll look for ways to test your skills. Just hang in there and enjoy the time you spend afield. Good luck

[fasteddie]

I havn't hunted with one but have shot 3 bolts from one at 40 yards . Pretty easy if shooting from a rest and it is sighted in . They are heavier than a bow  so you wouldn't want to be walking around shooting off-hand but would be fine shooting with the use of a bi-pod or some sort of rest . Some of the crossbows have a crank that draws the string back which is much easier to cock it . It's similar to shooting a rifle with a scope . You don't have to worry about a kisser button , bending at the waist , etc ..

They vary in price and some places like Field and Stream let you shoot one before buying it .

[ididnotvoteforobama]

I bought a crossbow this year and can't wait until Nov 1.  To answer your question, yes they are easier , for all the reasons just mentioned. I'm glad that  NY only legalized the crossbow  for the last 14 days before gun season , this way I still need to hunt with my bow . So regardless of  what your using , emotion, nerves, heartbeat , adrenalin , weather , comradery  all this plays into hunting . Without these elements , It wouldn't be much fun. The love of hunting comes from within yourself , I have hunted for over 40 yrs and still can't get enough.

 

 

[DirtTime]

I doubt the emotion will ever fade. Feeling like your heart will blow up and it sounding like a base drum in your ears is a big part of hunting. You will learn to control it a bit over time.

Never hunted with a x-bow, show a few over the years. They are easier to shoot, and adreneline may not cause to many issues, no more then gun hunting.

I would try hang in there with the vert bow. As others said, it will all come together.

[bfit]

Newhunter14,

You are not challenged! Sounds like buck fever has spread to does. It is important to breathe under control and talk yourself through the shot. Breathe, site picture, steady bow, pick a spot on the deer and steady squeeze of the release and follow through.

You also may want to check your draw weight. It only takes 45lbs to effectively and legally kill a deer. You have already seen deer and attempted to shoot. You already know the adrenaline rush you get. Just relax and walk yourself through the steps and you will have venison in the freezer very soon. Good luck to you!

[jjb4900]

of course it's easier, if I had been hunting with one from day one my archery take would probably be double what it is.....when I first started I hunted from the ground, drawing a bow while on the ground is a killer, you remove that aspect with a crossbow, all you gotta do is point it at the spot you expect it to step into your shooting lane and pull the trigger when it steps into your shooting lane...can't really argue with that aspect.

[nyslowhand]

I applaud you for getting into bowhunting on your own being self-taught! There's a steep learning curve to becoming proficient with a compound bow & much more so w/o a mentor. My best advice to you is to get a mentor and hang in there! When you can get comfortable with shooting in the back yard at a foam target consistently, you're 80% there. Applying this to a real life hunting scenario seems to be your problem. Google "target panic archery". Lot of breathing, mental exercises that  may help transfer all your practice form & skills into hunting situations. Until you can control this panic, a Xbow won't help. Only benefit of using a Xbow is not having to hold a bow at full draw, period!! Any experienced bow hunter that tells you their heart isn't pounding when a nice deer approaches is pretty much full of .... They just know how to control all that adrenaline! Sounds pretty basic & easy, right? Not so much. Unfortunately experience will be your best teacher. Also, if you lack confidence in your archery skills, you are pretty much doomed to fail. Chin up, keep practicing, continue hunting and after that 1st harvest, your confidence level will sky-rocket! Good luck!

[newhunter14]

Thank you for all of the replies they are much appreciated!

I'll hang in there with my compound and continue to improve my skills. My practice shots are spot on but when it come time to apply them to the real deal I'm having trouble keeping it all together. I'm hoping to build my confidence during the upcoming gun season.

I am looking at the Excalibur Vixen ll for next year when my budget will allow. Hopefully there will be a crossbow season next year:) Right now my shotgun is at the gunsmith getting a new scope fitted and I'm gearing up/ crossing my fingers for gun season!

[bfit]

Similar rules apply to rifle/ shot gun. Control your breathing and go through the fundamentals and you'll do great. Seeing deer is the hard part and you are seeing them

[Five Seasons]

Recurve is the easiest. Go that route.

[Five Seasons]

Thank you for all of the replies they are much appreciated!

I'll hang in there with my compound and continue to improve my skills. My practice shots are spot on but when it come time to apply them to the real deal I'm having trouble keeping it all together. I'm hoping to build my confidence during the upcoming gun season.

I am looking at the Excalibur Vixen ll for next year when my budget will allow. Hopefully there will be a crossbow season next year:) Right now my shotgun is at the gunsmith getting a new scope fitted and I'm gearing up/ crossing my fingers for gun season!

That excitement you feel is the feeling you want everytime. The second it goes away you know it's time to stop hunting.

[wolc123]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much more effective the x-bow is for deer hunting.   I would say about 4X.  The effective range just about doubles.   No worry about spooking deer while drawing.   Any gun hunter knows how much more accurate it is to shoot from a rest than offhand and most crossbow shots can be done from a rest.   Crossbows have coma a long way recently.  The one I shoot (Barnett Recruit) cost just $250, launches a bolt at 300 fps with just a 135 lb draw weight.  It is as quite as any compound I have shot and weighs in at just over 6 lbs.  With its small, narrow (18" undrawn) front end, and light weight. it handles and points as easy offhand as my Ruger 10/22 carbine.   I only shot it once this season, and it put the buck down in 40 yards from 60 yards away.   I wouldn't shoot at another that far, as penetration was marginal at just 8" but fortunately that took it all the way thru the heart.   I cant imagine a much more effective 40 yard weapon however. 

 

For me, with a full time job, family and farm to take care of, the greatest advantage of the crossbow is the time it saves me.  To maintain "pie-plate" accuracy at 30 yards was a year round job for me requiring many hours of practice.   I was getting "golf-ball" accuracy at 40 yards the day I put the crossbow together.  Compounds are fine for the folks who are young, single, with lots of spare time.   The crossbow gives the rest of us a far more efficient method of harvesting deer.  I always struggled to understand why anyone would want to challenge themselves at the expense of a deer using stuff like recurves and longbows.  Why not use the most lethal, effective, legal tool that you can afford?  I hope it is not too long before NY lets us use the crossbow throughout archery season.    

[Buckmaster7600]

Some may argue, although I don't know how but a crossbow is much easier. I have hunted a lot with both "was stationed in nc where crossbows have been legal for a long time." I can buy a crossbow in the morning tune it and sight it in and be 100% confident out to 50yds for a hunt that afternoon. That cannot be done with a compound.

[Doc]

I wasn't going to comment on this thread since I have no practical experience with a crossbow. But I will just mention that the whole reason that I don't participate in the late bow season is that there is no way that I can get around all the bulk of the required clothing of super-cold weather. I get all kinds of clothing interferences and clothing bulk just destroys my form and consistency. I really can't imagine that being an issue with a crossbow.

 

I am wondering if perhaps you are practicing in a nice heated indoor range and then piling on clothes for the hunt. For me it does make a significant difference.

[Uncle Nicky]

I wasn't going to comment on this thread since I have no practical experience with a crossbow. But I will just mention that the whole reason that I don't participate in the late bow season is that there is no way that I can get around all the bulk of the required clothing of super-cold weather. I get all kinds of clothing interferences and clothing bulk just destroys my form and consistency. I really can't imagine that being an issue with a crossbow.

 

I am wondering if perhaps you are practicing in a nice heated indoor range and then piling on clothes for the hunt. For me it does make a significant difference.

 

It really makes no difference with a crossbow, just as easy to shoot in January as it is in September.

[wolc123]

I cant wait to get out in the cold with mine this weekend to try and fill some of my antlerless tags. I tagged out on bucks, but the does never got into range for me during early archery or gun season. I will take a doe over a buck on the table any day. Inside 40 yards, I see it as more effective than a ML and it is a lot easier to clean. Best thing to hit NY since rifled slug barrels. I also prefer arrow killed deer over bullet killed deer because less meat is destroyed, and that is the # 1 reason I hunt. We gots to eat.

[BigVal]

Yes

[JFB]

My biased opinion would be to stick with the compound. Keep this in mind... many people shoot well on the range with field tips but then they put on a fixed broadhead and don't realize they can amplify any shooting form errors causing them to miss their mark. A fixed head can obviously also shoot differently if the bows not tuned perfectly. For those reasons, a good mechanical can be an advantage. Fixed are great, but only when form is good and bow is tuned very well. What heads you shooting? Also, beginners often take real poor shots and "miss" but it's often because the shot is hard or low percentage. Take only shots that are broadside and within your range. 

 

As for buck/doe fever, see if you can put yourself in a position to start letting more deer walk under you (and not try to kill them). May sound funny, but the more times you put game under you where you don't go into panic mode, the better you become when the moment of truth is there next time. If you hunt an area where sightings are rare, that advice may not be realistic. But if you let a couple pass under you, or draw on some but don't fire, you become much more relaxed and in control. Also no one says you can't go in the woods in the off season to let some deer walk under you and pretend (without bow). Chances are that makes the real hunt much more calm and in control. And a good mentor is priceless.  

[bowtech2]

To me if people want to use xbow why not. I think it might get older people back in the wood. Stay with it I've been bow hunting for awhile I still get the shacks. You should try practicing from tree stand. If ur having a problem.

[LI OUTDOORSMAN]

I used all legal weapons this year and can honestly say I welcomed the change from one type of season to the next...one day I'm toting a compound bow...a week later a crossbow etc...Kinda kept it fresh and interesting. As far as one being easier than an another that all goes out the window when Mr. big walks into range..then its ALL hard..My buck fever seems to be getting worse every year!!..Ha!