Crossbow Technology Today

[timeout]

Please don't turn this into a complete bashing of crossbow hunting. I'm an old guy that has bad shoulders and use a crossbow myself. I also tend to believe that it brings a few more people to the outdoors/hunting experience. I'm not one to push what methods used in the hunt should be ethical for others based on what I feel is right in my eyes. These things being said, I can't help but feel the crossbow technological advances are at some point going to be restricted by state wildlife departments. A buddy of mine just purchased a new Ravin crossbow to replace an old and obsolete model that he could no longer cock. His new one has a hand crank mechanism to cock and uncock. This will be a great improvement for him. So after he told me about his new crossbow I perused the internet checking out Ravin crossbows. I learned that they now have a model that shoots 500 fps and can be purchased with battery powered cock and uncock. The price tag is $3400. At the place where my friend purchased his new Ravin the owner told him that he had shot his buck at 130 yards with a Ravin crossbow. I am not criticizing this gentleman for taking that shot. I personally like to stay 40 yards and under, but would never try to push my self restrictions on someone else. I have betrayed my self imposed limit twice. Once with very satisfactory results, and the other one not so much. It's a cold day outside and the point of all this babble is where do you think this will end with regards to crossbow regulations?

 

[L1986]

I too am amazed at current crossbow tech. Although I’m not prepared to drop 3 grand on one of these it really amazes me how accurate and deadly these things are even in the low end price range. I had never bow hunted before and it really never interested me. However dad bought one two years ago and after playing around with it I was hooked so I agree that it is bringing more people into the field or atleast lengthening the hunting season for guys like me that have no interest in conventional bow hunting. Hunted my first season with the cross bow this year and killed 2 bucks and two does. I didn’t even hunt with a rifle this year. I too think anything over 40 yards is out of my range but just like rifles if someone practices plenty and knows what they are doing effective range could be increased. I have shot mine at 75 yards at the target and after getting the drops worked out it was plenty accurate to hit the vitals on a deer at that range in a controlled environment. As far as regulations go who knows. I’m sure it will be like anything else, some states will go over the top and some won’t. There are still plenty of states that require a disability to use a xbow for hunting. The de cock feature would definitely be nice and I see it as a safety thing. Climbing out of a tree with a cocked bow scares the crap out of me so I lower mine with a rope pointing down but I would prefer to be able to de cock it. I know the “bow purests” think they are cheating but I personally hunt solely for meat and I see the crossbow as a very effective tool to fill the freezer. With a correctly placed shot they are extremely ethical and zero meat loss which is what really interested me.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I am with you in the regards that if it gets more people out and hunting. The sport is dying, or at least it was before COVID. That is one of the golden things that I know is killing the libs that continue to politicize the virus, and that is the increase in hunting.
In regards to the improvements of the crossbow, I think the same can be said in rifle and scope technology. If you go back even 30 years, taking a 600 yard shot on game with a rifle was unheard of. Now we have $2500 "factory" rifles and $2000 optics that actually make a 600 yard shot pretty easy (as long as you know how to read the wind). I think there are a lot of parallels there.

 

[Tommie]

Compared to what’s been happening in the stick-n-string world, firearms are a maxed out technology.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Have yall seen the PSE crossbow that sits on an AR lower? Its very nice

 

[284winner]

Have yall seen the PSE crossbow that sits on an AR lower? Its very nice

PSE TAC 15. I really liked mine except it was really long and cumbersome. I had a dedicated lower for that crossbow rather than using any of my AR rifle lowers. The crossbow industry has gone crazy. I look at that as a good thing it gets more people into hunting, but even more important it keeps people in hunting that couldn't continue to bow hunt otherwise. My only complaint would be I wish they would make a different season for the crossbows. Kind of like they do the Muzzleloader season.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Have yall seen the PSE crossbow that sits on an AR lower? Its very nice

I believe that bow was deemed unlawful in a few states at first.
Don't know if that policy was reversed.

 

[284winner]

I believe that bow was deemed unlawful in a few states at first.
Don't know if that policy was reversed.

Correct. Like the air bows. Many states do not allow it. Eventually it will be accepted in all states

 

[sdean]

Please don't turn this into a complete bashing of crossbow hunting. I'm an old guy that has bad shoulders and use a crossbow myself. I also tend to believe that it brings a few more people to the outdoors/hunting experience. I'm not one to push what methods used in the hunt should be ethical for others based on what I feel is right in my eyes. These things being said, I can't help but feel the crossbow technological advances are at some point going to be restricted by state wildlife departments. A buddy of mine just purchased a new Ravin crossbow to replace an old and obsolete model that he could no longer cock. His new one has a hand crank mechanism to cock and uncock. This will be a great improvement for him. So after he told me about his new crossbow I perused the internet checking out Ravin crossbows. I learned that they now have a model that shoots 500 fps and can be purchased with battery powered cock and uncock. The price tag is $3400. At the place where my friend purchased his new Ravin the owner told him that he had shot his buck at 130 yards with a Ravin crossbow. I am not criticizing this gentleman for taking that shot. I personally like to stay 40 yards and under, but would never try to push my self restrictions on someone else. I have betrayed my self imposed limit twice. Once with very satisfactory results, and the other one not so much. It's a cold day outside and the point of all this babble is where do you think this will end with regards to crossbow regulations?

Some states you can’t use a crossbow. All the regulating you need. Way too much trouble to differentiate one crossbow from another. I use one and don’t apologize for doing something legal.

 

[284winner]

I bought a crossbow after I built my heated tower blind. I use it in the late December season while in that heated blind. Using a bow thru October and November in cold, wet snowy conditions in a treestand, I really look forward to sitting in a heated Shack with a crossbow. My crossbow shoots 383 fps with my bolt/broadhead combination. It's not a fancy or fast model crossbow. I suppose if I used my crossbow as my number 1 weapon for hunting rather than a compound bow and traditional bow, I'd have a much nicer model crossbow. Until I need a crossbow as my archery weapon for the entire season, I'll keep what I have. I enjoy using it when I do.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I too am amazed at current crossbow tech. Although I’m not prepared to drop 3 grand on one of these it really amazes me how accurate and deadly these things are even in the low end price range. I had never bow hunted before and it really never interested me. However dad bought one two years ago and after playing around with it I was hooked so I agree that it is bringing more people into the field or atleast lengthening the hunting season for guys like me that have no interest in conventional bow hunting. Hunted my first season with the cross bow this year and killed 2 bucks and two does. I didn’t even hunt with a rifle this year. I too think anything over 40 yards is out of my range but just like rifles if someone practices plenty and knows what they are doing effective range could be increased. I have shot mine at 75 yards at the target and after getting the drops worked out it was plenty accurate to hit the vitals on a deer at that range in a controlled environment. As far as regulations go who knows. I’m sure it will be like anything else, some states will go over the top and some won’t. There are still plenty of states that require a disability to use a xbow for hunting. The de cock feature would definitely be nice and I see it as a safety thing. Climbing out of a tree with a cocked bow scares the crap out of me so I lower mine with a rope pointing down but I would prefer to be able to de cock it. I know the “bow purests” think they are cheating but I personally hunt solely for meat and I see the crossbow as a very effective tool to fill the freezer. With a correctly placed shot they are extremely ethical and zero meat loss which is what really interested me.

The only " bow pureists" are those who build there own stick bow to hunt with. Not many of those around, I do have a brother in law who does it that way. As far has lowering a crossbow out of the tree cocked, which I do on ocassion, it is much safer to use a discharge arrow . I trying to discipline myself to use it although I have had to go back next morning after staying in the tree to long to find it,lol. I had given up archery due to a shoulder injury but finally gave into a xbow after my wife gave me a Mission for Christmas a few years ago. Amazing piece of equipment.I do cringe at the distances I here guys talk about shooting. To many obstacles in the woods for that.

 

[284winner]

Crossbows are flatout way too loud to shoot deer reliably at long distances. I've seen many hit poorly by guys slinging bolts at beyond 50 yards. Just poor decision making IMO. The best thing about a crossbow is, no drawing or movement before the shot. It's like a short distance rifle. Killing deer is 90% easier with a crossbow than a vertical bow.

 

[Fast14riot]

Here in CA crossbows are not considered archery equipment and have to hunt during non AO seasons. Ive got nothing against them, I just like new hunters getting out there.

 

[LonewolfMcquade]

I've killed many many deer with my Excalibur Equinox crossbow. Recurve design which allows me to change & adjust the $20 string my self in 2 seconds. With the Speed string, velocity is approximately 425fps with a 150gr fixed blade. As for the so called "purists"...... yeah, when they start jumping from a tree limb & make the kill using only their 2 bare hands, I'll take their hypocritical whining under advisement

 

[XTR]

I’ve used both compounds and X bows. Ive seen a lot of different treatments of x bows in the regs. lots of states, esp northern ones, don’t treat them as archery equipment.

 

[pirate ammo]

yeah, when they start jumping from a tree limb & make the kill using only their 2 bare hands, I'll take their hypocritical whining under advisement

At least give them a blade.

 

[Sniper338]

At least give them a blade.

I tried to do this when I was younger and more flexible. Got tired of waiting in the tree. Im wanting to hunt with a spear now... just don't have time to do it all.

 

[Sniper338]

crossbows have come a long long ways, and none of its cheap! I stick to my compound bow when I have the time and set up.. but I'd really like to go trad too. Especially bird hunting with flu flu.

I like guns, but when it comes to hunting rifles are just so dang easy. I find myself with no "predator mode" with a rifle. Just pick what hair I want the bullet to hit and it hits it, bang flop...

I plan on getting a nice fiberglass blind this year made for bow hunting, vertical windows... so I can bow hunt when it gets too dang cold for a tree stand or pop up.

 

[Gary in MD]

I got a crossbow about 6 years ago when my elbows/shoulders were bothering me and pulling back the compound bow was giving me trouble. They shoot good but some are loud, any deer inside 50 yards is in big trouble. But I think I’d rather hunt with the compound bow, much faster to get off a second shot if needed.
There is a guy, Tim Wells, that hunts with a spear, blow guns, bows, you name it. Shoots stuff out of the air with his bow, a tremendous shot. Has a tv show - Relentless Pursuit. May not be for everyone but the guy sure is a hell of a shot and has balls of steel.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Crossbows are flatout way too loud to shoot deer reliably at long distances. I've seen many hit poorly by guys slinging bolts at beyond 50 yards. Just poor decision making IMO. The best thing about a crossbow is, no drawing or movement before the shot. It's like a short distance rifle. Killing deer is 90% easier with a crossbow than a vertical bow.

You bought the wrong one.