Crossbow vs Compound Bow

[Rod Bender II]

I figured I would go ahead and ask which is better since I know a lot of bow hunters are in this forum because of bow season. I am thinking about becoming a bow hunter next year, I shot both compound bows and crossbows before just target shooting but never really got into it. But I want to get into now because of the challenge....I just dont know whether to get a compound bow or a crossbow. I am leaning more close to the crossbow since the current ones seem to be the same as a compound bow (as far as specs). And the prices are about the same. My only setback with the crossbow is whether or not Maryland will continue to keep them legal to use in St. Mary's County. I just wanted to get the opinions of bow hunters and see what ya think. Either road I decide to go down I will not being buying a cheap piece of equipment. I won't go all out but most of the stuff I get is atleast "middle of the road" type of stuff when it comes to archery. Thx guys.

[crabby and son]

If you are looking for the "challenge", get a compound bow. The only difference between a compound bow and a cross bow is drawing the string in front of the animal and holding it. Both bows shoot about the same speed and distance judgment is just as critical. I have been shooting a compound for 35 years and thinking of going with a long bow for the challenge. As far as cross bows go, Ten Point and Excaliber are the top two. Mathews seems to be leading the pack on compounds and that will be argued but there are many fine bows out there. Good hunting no matter what you choose. Getting close is what it's all about...........Gary

[Here We Go]

I have used both and was an avid compound shooter until my shoulder gave out and won't let me pull or hold for any length of time now. I have been using a Parker Buckbuster now for 4 years and love it. I still shoot and hunt the same as the compound trying to get with in 20 years for a clean and ethical kill.

The plus to crossbow is no draw and you can really minimize movement. The disadvantage if you screw up the first shot...there wil not be another as they are loud and recocking is just to much movement and noise.

I have shot a compound and gotten off a second shot but that will never happen with the crossbow.

[Will S]

Here We Go got it right, they are really loud. You also need to know your yardages because they drop just like a bow. I just sold my cross bow to go to a conventional compound bow, the cross bow was just not what I thought it would be.

[barnold]

Both will kill deer but here's what I see with a crossbow. 1: They are loud 2: they are bulky 3: they are supposed to be fired every 4 hours or so 4: re-cocking / reloading a crossbow in a treestand is well, lets say, a challenge assuming it could be done without running off every critter within 100 yards 5: Crossbows often require assistance from straps or other device to cock them and 6: some are crazy heavy. That said, the newer crossbow's have lightened up considerable.

Compound bows take a lot more practice, but are fun to shoot, they're quite, light, nowhere near as bulky, can be reloaded and drawn silently, don't have to be shot every 4 hours or so (unless you want to of course).

All that said, if you have a physical condition preventing you from shooting a compound, by all means, get the crossbow. Otherwise, and this is just me talking, you'll enjoy the compound much more than the crossbow.

[night nurse]

I love both and shoot both. Crossbows as fun and very deadly! I can re-cock it in the stand very easy it just take a little practice.
TEN POINT all the way

TED

[Here We Go]

Bret I never read that in my Parker manual, I load it before I go in and unload on a target bag I keep in the truck once out. I did have a limb break last year and Parkers lifetime warranty covered it with no charge and being that they are located and made in Staunton, VA the turn around was like two days!

The other good side to a cross bow is it never has the tuning issues compounds have. Litterly I bought my Parker 4 years ago and within and hour, I had it dialed in and it has pegged the bulls eye ever since. I have shot compounds and I could never say that, they are very sensitive to bumps and bangs and a lot of parts... rest, sights, knock points, limb and cam adjustments to get out of whack.

[Here We Go]

One other thing....I think I said it already

A crossbow should not be use as a 50 yard tool, deer will sting jump it every time! It should be use exactly as a compound 30 and under preferrably 20 and under.

[martineta]

Love my crossbow. Shoots like a rifle and as said keep your shots close. I have no trouble cocking my Horton Legend 175 with my hands if I need to.

[Bug Guy]

My opinion - and I've never hunted a crossbow, but I hunt with people that use them. If you want the challenge, go with the compound. The "challenge", is also in tuning the bow and getting things the way you want it. Again, having not used a crossbow, I don't see my buddies doing a lot to set up their crossbows...of course, I maybe wrong (and anyone feel free to chime in differently). However, if you are just looking for more opportunity (i.e., hunt more seasons) or have physical ailments, I see nothing wrong with the crossbow. Whatever you do, make sure you get the bow set up correctly when you buy it, no matter how long it takes. I have no experience with set-ups at local shops in MD (I moved here from PA, it's set up and I just buy stuff from them), but I can say the guy I saw set up a bow at bass-pro did a decent job - it took about an hour (he was a bit slow as I waited to get a dozen arrows cut). I always try and support the local guy (accept recently obviously), but if you are looking for middle of the road prices, you may want to see what they have at BP. The few local shops I've been too tended to carry really expensive, high end stuff, and pushed it - they also bashed BP pretty good - and I'm sure they get a lot of guys coming in with stuff bought at BP that ain't set up right. I guess what I'm saying is be as particular as you can about where you purchase given your price range.

If you are just getting into it, remember that the bow costs so much, but then you have to factor in arrows, broadheads, rest, site, bow hunting clothes (lighter camo stuff), maybe a tree stand, maybe uninsulated boots, no-scent detergent...etc., etc. That all can be a lot of money. I liken it to the guy who buys the awesome boat for fishing but then has no money for fishing stuff. Good luck!

[barnold]

What Big Guy said. Especially the part about just looking for more opportunity or having physical ailments. If I was unable to draw my bow comfortably and hold it long enough for a shot, I too would likely buy a crossbow just to be in the woods before all the pressure of blackpowder and then gun season pushes the deer into the night.

For me, the fact that a compound bow is so sensitive, just adds to the challenge and the pleasure of using it. I've seen a handful of people pick up the crossbow because they get tired of hearing about all the deer bow hunters are seeing and killing. They choose the crossbow because they think of it as a gun and because it takes very little effort or practice to hit a target. I'm absolutely not, I repeat, Not lumping everyone or any one of you into this category. This is just an observation.

I guess what I'm saying is this. If you are serious about bow hunting and all that goes with it; scent control, scouting, wind direction, the pleasure of seeing lots of deer up close and personal, the joy and excitement of having to hold off shooting until your prey is within your comfortable range then having to wait until it turns just the right way for the best possible shot, the responsibility of shooting often to make sure you are shooting well and on target, then either weapon will do - and welcome to the season! I was going to say "Welcome to the brotherhood" but that sounds too much like Uncle Ted:))

[Rod Bender II]

Haha thx guys. I appreciate all the write-ups and opinions! Good luck to you all this season.

[jfish]

It's all about what you are looking for. If ease, and kill are most important then crossbow. If you want a little more challenge compound. If the "hunt" not the kill is the most important part of the experience try traditional. Been shooting compounds for decades and realized several years ago the excitement of taking game with a bow had faded. Except for a monster coming in and setting up for the shot there just was much to it... A friend talked me into going traditional and it was like being back in the early days. Heck, an ol doe can get the heart pumping when you have nothing but a stick and string in your hand.

[KB neptune]

Get a compound if you want to be a BOWHUNTER !! Respect the animals and take ethical shots. Not a fan of crossbows unless you have a disability.

[rhahn427]

I have a Matthews that I loved before I got the top of the line Ten Point Crossbow ........... once I got that I didn't use anything else ........ not a bow, not a slug gun and not a muzzeloader ............ the thing is extremely accurate and safe .......... was hitting silver dollar bulls eyes @ 30 yds .......... have to hold a button on the side of the stock before the trigger will work ............ and I have cocked it with a deer within 15 yds of the stand ....... just faced the tree, cocked it, turned and shot the deer .......

That was at my last hunt 3 years ago.