Guest Xen Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Just curious if anybody has used crossbows for hunting. My dad use to love bowhunting, but due to an arm injury, he has almost no movement in his elbow. He was given permission by the wildlife division in our area to use a crossbow for hunting. If anybody has ever used a crossbow for hunting, or if they can recommend any, or even give any feedback about some that they have shot or own, I would appreciate it very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Re: Crossbows? Xen--I have never crossbow hunted or even shot one but it is great that your dad wants to get back in the hunting mode. I hope he finds a good one and wish him best of luck. There will be some other guys that can give you some good advise on the best crossbows out there. BTW--where are you from? todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Re: Crossbows? Hey Xen, I used a Horton Hunter crossbow for one year a few years back, they are a solid crossbow. My buddy still shots one and has had luck with them. Good luck to you and your dad in your crossbow hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popgun Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Re: Crossbows? Xen, I shoot a Browning #150 lb. Compound Crossbow. I think Browning sold out to Horton, but I'm not sure. A crossbow can be very hard to "ready" without the use of both elbows bending but can be done. I have placed my foot in the stirrup, and with arms straight just raise up with most of the tension in my back and legs. It works. They do make a crank type device that may be better for him that also works well from what I have heard, but adds a lot more weight to the total package. Crossbows make a lot more noise when fired than a regular compound bow, and no limb savers or anything can be done to my knowledge, to quiet the sound. My son was hunting in a stand more than 150 yds. from me last year when I shot a doe, and he heard the sound. Targets don't move, but deer often duck the string sound, so tell him to always aim at the lower third area only about an inch or two above the bottom line of the deer's chest. (heart area) Use a reputable archery dealer and make sure you have the right bolts for the bow tension. If too light a bolt is fired, it will damage the bow and could cause the bolt to explode. If you decide on a Horton, like is sold at Wal-Mart, the Easton xx75 Aluminum bolts will work fine with 100 to 125 grn. points. A crossbow is a good alternative, but they are heavy. I have one friend that carries his to the stand in a wheelbarrow. I wish your Dad well, and hope you find a set-up that works perfect for him. .....popgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Re: Crossbows? I don't use one, but I have an uncle that uses one due to a shoulder injury. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Re: Crossbows? At bass pro where i work we sell many, horton are probably the most popular for the money, the ten point are nice but pricey, like any thing else you get what you pay for. the ten point have models with built in cocking cables or built in cocking cables with a crank, with horton you can buy a cocking device for $160, pricey, but it makes them easier to ****, they are bulky and cocking them is hard with out some kind of aid. After hunting they must be shot, you can NOT UNCOCK THEM. you must shoot them, with a bolt on the rail. Most guys buy a target block to shoot them into and some take a bold with a field point and just shoot it into the ground after they are done hunting. Cross bows, are not as easy to hunt with as one would think, they require attention when cocking and uncocking, for tree stand hunters, do you **** it on the ground and pull it up or **** it up in the tree, yes there is alot to them, Tell your dad to go to a pro shop or archery store that lets you shoot them, get all the info before he gets one, hope this has helped.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: Crossbows? All I can add is you get what you pay for in a crossbow.I was injured a couple years ago and borrowed a buddies.It was a cheap one. Even with a 150 lb draw it sucked bad.It was terribly noisy, the arrow dropped like a rock, almost a foot between 20 and 30 yrds, and things were constanlty rattling loose on it. Pick a good brand or two and if possible try them out first or it can be real frustrating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: Crossbows? Thanks for all the feedback guys, I have been looking at Horton and Excalibur crossbows. I was amazed to see some that have 200+ lb draws and shoot over 300 FPS. The Horton Hunter Max has a 200lb draw and shoots 320 FPS, and the Excalibur ExoMax has a 225lb draw and shoots 350 FPS. Both are pricey, but I like the idea of the faster shooting crossbows. Any reason a faster shooting crossbow would not be of advantage? maybe the sound it makes or the difficulty in cocking it? I'll have to go try a few out I guess and see how much weight my dad can handle on the drawstring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: Crossbows? I shoot a excaliber Exocet....not as big as the Max but I hear the Max is hard to **** and it is very wide anyway its what ever you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: Crossbows? no never have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robk Posted February 10, 2005 Report Share Posted February 10, 2005 Re: Crossbows? my dad is using one and has for three years and this year i was fortunate and got one from someone who understood my physical problems and i will try not to use it much this year but if my health forces me i will. i set my dads up and i have this one i got shooting well at 20 but will need to do some more shooting with it and also go form aluminums to carbons here also to get a better speed and more. i will need some kind of cocking device for sure with my problems trying to hadn **** 175lb limbs is not easy for a healthy person lol so i will be using either my dads or get one or my own rob k rob k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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