My friend thinks I need to buy a crossbow.


Casey

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I am not handicaped, but I do have a heart condition, had a recent surgery, so I might be able to hunt with one. I am not trying to say that crossbows aren't fun to shoot, but I don't want to hear other hunters to say that I shouldn't be shooting one. I can shoot a compound bow still, but have to limit the weight.

I want some opinions on this?? Please be kind.

BTW, might have more surgeries down the road.

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I also have a pretty serious heart condition but I have never had any troubles shooting my bow. Do what you think will be best for your condition. Dont worry about what everybody else is going to think. Its not worth your health. I have shot a crossbow before, I think they are very awkward, but I could get use to one.

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I've had 2 chest surgeries. One thoracotomy, one sternotomy. Both were in the winter when bow season was pretty much done. I then had an abdominal surgery in September which was twice as difficult to recover from. I had a tough time pulling my bow back by October so my buddy Ohiobucks got me a crossbow to try. Thank God Ohio allows them without jumping through a bunch of hoops, but I'll tell ya', I hated that thing. Tried shooting it a few times, but I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with that thing. They're not as easy as they appear, at least the one I had wasn't.

I guess my point is, don't give up on your bow. Give it time. If it comes to the point of having to shoot a crossbow, get as much as you can afford and practice a lot.

Good luck.:cool:

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Brother, if you have purchased a license, have a tag, and need meat. I don't care if you use a howitzer to harvest your deer. If you have a coupon, you should use it. LOL

This is JMO, for those of you who disagree with me, you know me well enough to realize it doesn't bother me.

Good luck

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I have no issues with anyone hunting with whatever is legal, so long as it is ethical and they are happy with what they are doing. I also am pretty understanding when it comes to physical limitations.

Back before crossbows became legal archery gear here, I had to have a chest surgery in August that left me unable to draw my bow, was actually only supposed to be lifting I think no more than 10 lbs, but I ended up getting out and shooting some as I felt better and while I did miss the opener that year I did end up getting out. Crossbows could be used during archery seasons here at that time only with a physicians signing a permit. I had some offers to borrow a crossbow, will never forget Norm Sauceman and dartonman contacting me here and asking if they could help me out. Even though I did not take them up on the offer, I did end up getting out a bit later in the season with my bow. I probably added to the scarring by being hard headed and not letting myself recover like I should have, but I did get to get out and got to enjoy being out there.

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Didn't I chat with ya last night in the chat, you were Hoytassassin?

I will say, since you said you do get some chest pains when pulling your bow back, that is not cool....pulling your bow back puts strain on your heart so you may want to lower the poundage a bit, considering your health.

Like I said, you won't be any less of a hunter or man with a crossbow...as long as you can keep hunting! Plenty of people out there i'm sure who were able to hunt and physical limitation won't allow them to hunt anymore even with a crossbow. If it's legal and you enjoy yourself, do what make you happy...may mean sacrificing one thing for another.

If it was me, I'd do anything to keep hunting!

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If it keeps you in the woods enjoying what you love to do, then it's the right thing to do.

Gotta agree with others here...well said.

Before you shell out the $ for a Xbow though, see if you can borrow one to see if you'll even want one.

BTW, my best friend had a heart attack back in Dec. 2007 and he still shoots his compound. He's just pulling a little over 50# though. You might try lowering your draw weight to see if it helps with your chest pains. ;)

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