Entry Level Cross bow

[JBen]

Guess I look at this way.

Assuming one has shot rifles, X-bows really aren't different where it matters. If one is picking up xbox for the first time ever, it really doesn't take that long. My girls were hitting vitals at the range (20 yards) pretty quick as kids with their compounds.

There is no experience that equates to being in a stand. Learning to sit still, learning the hard way, that grabbing, readying your bow at the wrong time, getting winded perhaps and seeing how they react, walking into the stand and so much more. Nothing will teach a new hunter to grunt to get a buck to stop, nothing will teach a new hunter what it is, to watch a buck come in, get closer, closer….Even if it doesn't actually get within range, or present a good shot.


So much goes in to a successful hunt before the trigger is pulled, and you only experience that in the field. He has time this season to experience buck fever and decide not to pull the trigger vs next year when (if) it hits him and he misses a great buck as a result.

A beginner has time now to get in the stand. If a limit of 20 is set and some time at the range is put in to know you can hit a donut/pie plate out to 20 over and over and over and over and over. how long that takes really depends on have you ever held a rifle before, squeezed a trigger before..But even if not, it shouldn't take too long.

Go, sit in a stand when its cold, get used to keeping movement to a minimum, not get fidgety, bored, not drink too much coffee ( or do have 3 cups and experience that to) and so much more.
If a Buck comes in close

Sooner or later that moment comes for everyone and no amount of range time replaces that and there is absolutely no law that says you have to pull the trigger. But sooner or later every new hunter must.

[MikePal]

but I would disagree that late winter has everything working against you. Other than the cold I find this the most productive time of year to hunt:

Oh I agree with you, it's why I enjoy the ML and late bow season so much, best time of the year for hunting.....but in terms of personal hardship issues.. bulky clothing, frozen hands, stiff muscles from sitting in the cold, frozen feet etc etc...all factors working against you hunting late season.

It takes experience and training on how to dress to keep yourself functional and able to use your bow. Most guys who first start out can't stay much longer than 2-3 rs in sub -10 degrees. Tough time to be out learning new skills.

[yellow dog]

Also agree 100 percent.

I also agree 100%

[x_xeon_x]

I find common ground on both points.


Yes, you can pick up a sighted in crossbow and be good enough to hit TARGETS with in 1 shot. My wife who has never shot anything before was hitting a 6'' bullseye at 50 yards free hand with my Vortex. Compound bows you need way more practice with to hit a target consistently, and recurve or long bows you have to dedicate your life to practicing with to hit targets. Three drastically different skill levels of archery, crossbows being the one that by far takes the very least amount.

However, when using a crossbow for HUNTING it takes just about the same amount of "archery hunting skill" as a vertical bow. Estimating short distances accurately in the woods in low light and on an animal takes a lot of practice. Controlling your nerves takes practice. Most importantly, picking an effective, ethical archery shot takes a lot of practice.

I'm not big on anyone without any big game hunting experience just picking up a crossbow and trying to deer hunt with it unless they're willing to get serious about the do's and don'ts of archery. A dabble into the sport with a half interest is a disaster waiting to happen. Archery hunting is much more limited and difficult than gun hunting and your nerves and judgement usually won't be controlled well enough for an ethical shot the first few times it's presented. However, if you're not new to big game hunting and know the limits of your bow and stay within them, you've got to start somewhere.

[MikePal]

. I've watched many people who have no problem hitting a dot on a target bag at known distances become quite humbled the first time they shoot 3D. Throw in awkward shooting positions, unknown distances, different target angles, difficult lighting conditions and a few obsticles between you and the target and it's a whole new ball game.

This is very true...my buddy came over to do try his 1st ever 3D shooting a few years back, he showed with his block, it looked like a porcupine with at dozen arrows in a 4" circle around the bull...."from my deck at 20 yds" he proudly proclaimed. Impressive

We took the block out to a 16' stand and set it out 20 yds. He stood and aimed and totally missed...slight calculation the second arrow just barley hit the edge...he was so deflated. It took lots of arrows before he started to hit the centre area of the block. Lesson learned, shooting 3d from a stand is a totally different ballgame, it takes lots of practise.

[JBen]

Thats kind of what I'm driving at Xeon. Good post.

However, when using a crossbow for HUNTING it takes just about the same amount of "archery hunting skill" as a vertical bow. Estimating short distances accurately in the woods in low light and on an animal takes a lot of practice. Controlling your nerves takes practice. Most importantly, picking an effective, ethical archery shot takes a lot of practice.

<<<you don't learn this stuff at the range.

It's not unlike so many debates about "right to carry". You can spend all the time in the world at the range and hit centre mass. Its a whole lot different in the field. And there is only one way to find out and get that experience.

A person could buy their first bow, x-bow in April. Spend all summer at the range, get really good from 20 to 40 or 50.

October rolls around and all that excitement waiting and waiting for opening day is finally here.
Go into their stand very confident, supremely confident in their new found skills.

Still take ill an advised shot.
Still be impatient
Still lose control of their breathing.
Still have buck fever hit them hard
Still miss the vitals.

As for range, and estimating it. Honestly feel thats a red herring, a non issue.

Just as I can walk into my back yard and place a target block at 20 or 23. Go back to my shooting position and dial it in, over and over and over and over because I know the range.Anyone can spend 5 to 20 minutes and flag trees, bushes at 20 and 25 yards, and or move fallen logs, stumps.

Opps sorry wrong word, I meant to say target blocks

[pbonura]

Looking outside with all this snow on the ground I am itching to get out and crossbow for deer. For the initial op I would look for some great deals for a used Excalibur keep your shots under 20 yards and enjoy the great outdoors. This month and December is a great time to hunt for deer with a crossbow. Only experience hunting gained is actually hunting. Real experience not target shooting. Heck this is forum is called Bowhunting for a reason.