Bow hunters...

[MCgunner]

I've proven to myself that I cannot hit reliably in dim light with a bow. So, the bows are for targets and I plan to hunt with a crossbow this bow season. I can actually SEE with my dominant left eye. I can't shoot a bow left handed, but I can a crossbow. The thing is SO accurate, I don't think I'd shoot a bow if I COULD see with my right eye. That crossbow is just plain deadly.

Now, when I was wanting a compound, I didn't want to spend the money on a new one, so I ebayed a Hoyt Hunter, circa around early 90s I'm told. It was 70 bucks. I had it restrung at the local bow shop and found I could shoot it in good light. Moving up here in the deep, dark woods, I find it hard to see the pins in the late afternoon or early morning. But, that Hoyt is just as good as the day it was thought to be cutting edge. Bows have gotten more compact and lighter, but not better I reckon.

I'm not that impressed with the speed thing. Yeah, it helps tragectory, but a bow is still a 40 yards and in weapon for me. I might get 50 out of a crossbow with more speed, but ya know, my probable range won't exceed 30 yards where my tree stand is set up. I bought a recurve crossbow. I might get a more expensive Excalibur in the future, but will stick to the simpler recurves. Compounds are a definite advantage in bows, but not so much with crossbows.

Anyway, my answer is, is your bow broke? If it ain't broke, why fix it...or replace it?

Bows dont hold their value like firearms. No way would I buy one every year.

It's amazing the deals you can find on a several year old used one on ebay.

 

[jrdolall]

Be wary of that crossbow Mcgunner. I wen to a crossbow about 7 years ago because of shoulder issues and found I could be deadly accurate at 50 yards with a solid rest and very little practice. What I didn't realize was that the energy in that bolt is lower than an arrow at those distance. I never lost a deer but I never got pass through either. Even at 25 yards I rarely get a complete pass through so the blood trail tends to be lighter.

I like my crossbow and use it almost exclusively but it ain't no rifle. Kids love it because it can be so accurate.

 

[Hookeye]

After a day of listening to idiots declare sport hunting as wrong, not knowing anything about it, or the laws governing it (due to a recent lion hunt of questioned legality in the media)........I hopped on over to Youtube to watch Rann and Sullivan safari vids. Now I have no desire to shoot a lion, never had one either. But I really don't care if somebody goes and does it legally.
I have always wanted a kudu, and a buffalo.
Remember watching old Fred Bear movies on local TV channel when visiting my dad (was in elementary school). And the old American Sportsman on TV before they went all fishing and quail hunting (IIRC that was after some dude popped a polar bear with bow? Red on a white background might have shocked a few folks by looking more extreme than was).

Anyway............when I was a kid there was some dude that was on tour, with a polar bear full mount. Movie of his hunt. I can't remember if it was gun or bow...........but it was cool, that kind of novelty/tour......and on Youtube they had some Bill Negley bowhunting films.

Dated and hyped, but that's part of the charm IMHO.

Will have to ask my dad if that was Mr. Negley's polar bear movie we went to see.
If not, wonder who it was? (hopefully my crazy old dad will remember).

The Youtube slamming by all the rude and misinformed/liars.............it just shows how bad things are with our culture and lack of teaching folks how to think, or be honest. The value system, real, imagined............whatever it is, projected by some people.........

not supposed to put religion into this....................but what a bunch of miserable and lost souls there are.

Animals die because people live.
Even the hippies have blood on their hands, the truck that delivered the tofu to their health store ran over a rabbit on the way.

With a life based on dishonesty, it's no wonder why folks attack flags, sports or other people.

They IMHO need to grab a nice old recurve and shoot a while.
Maybe even pop a critter for the pot with it

Simple times, activities and an honest way of living.

 

[MCgunner]

Be wary of that crossbow Mcgunner. I wen to a crossbow about 7 years ago because of shoulder issues and found I could be deadly accurate at 50 yards with a solid rest and very little practice. What I didn't realize was that the energy in that bolt is lower than an arrow at those distance. I never lost a deer but I never got pass through either. Even at 25 yards I rarely get a complete pass through so the blood trail tends to be lighter.

I like my crossbow and use it almost exclusively but it ain't no rifle. Kids love it because it can be so accurate.

Yes, the question of penetration has entered my mind considering the bolts are about 300 grains, down a bit on a 28" arrow. I have noticed I get total penetration of a compact hay bale, little ones they sell at TSC, inside 25 yards, especially with the broad heads. I get less at ranges from 30 yards and out. SO, I plan to make shots of 20-30 yards. My feeder is 25 yards from my ladder stand, so I should be able to get a shot....I hope.