Thinking about getting into crossbow hunting.

[Macchina]

This winter hunting season has shown me that by the time gun season comes around all of the deer have gone nocturnal. I put a lot of effort into scouting, moving stands, creating steady food supply, etc. and the result was we HEARD a couple deer off in the distance a couple times.

It's frustrating to find such a solid area full of deer sign in the fall that becomes a deer desert in the gun season...


I never had the time to become an expert at bow hunting, but since crossbows were made legal in my state I feel like I could much more ethically take up the sport and make clean kills.

I'd like to buy a crossbow for next year's bow hunt but I am quite overwhelmed by the choices out there. Looking at the racks at Cabelas I see a lot of models in the $2000 range and that's a bit too high for me.

I'd love to keep the purchase around $500 if possible. What should I look for? I'd love to buy this year's model on clearance at the end of the season or maybe even a used crossbow (I don't know what I should check for though). Are there any features or brands that I should really look at? Thanks for all of your help!

 

[brainwake]

Personally, I wouldn't get caught up on stats.

If you can, I would try and stretch your price range a little, but not much.

In the end, I would just go handle them and see what feels good. Make sure you hold them in different ways. Try and think about what it will be like to carry it around. How does the grip feel to you? How light does it really need to be? How small?

Crossbows are big and heavy. I think all of them at Cabelas will kill a deer. But when you start holding them, you can see that the lighter smaller ones tend to cost a little more.

So don't buy the flagship model of any manufacture. Step down 1 or 2.

There is a lot of personal preference to choosing a brand.

I had your same idea and did a bunch of internet research. But when I got to Bass Pro, I ended up going with a Parker Tornado.

My issue was how the grip on the one I thought I wanted felt. It just didn't feel quite right.

The Parker was small and light and the grip felt good. I also liked how the forearm grip allowed me to wrap my fingers through it for a solid grip....mainly something for carrying...not relevant for shooting.

 

[Patocazador]

When both my shoulders went bad, I had to switch to a crossbow. Heavy, cumbersome, awkward and almost as loud as a gun going off. I hate it but I can kill close deer with it. After 30 yards, they hear it go off and jump the string.
I bought the cheapest compound crossbow I could find. If you buy a better one, it might be lighter and quieter but it will still be cumbersome.

 

[Carolina Kalash]

I've never been much about bow hunting, but considering where I hunt the first month is bows only, and that's a whole month of huntin I miss out on, it's made me consider taking up crossbows. I wish I could at least use muzzleloaders for that part of the season though. Some people enjoy the challange of using bows, which is fine, but I'm in it just for the fun of killing the deer (preferably with a rifle) and getting some good meat in the freezer.

 

[Dr. A]

I am a bow hunter, but have helped my father get started with a crossbow (88 years old!)

Why don't you check out this place. The fellow there will help you make a good choice. I choose a then fairly inexpensive Phoenix by Excalibur. Its a very basic simple model that can have its string replaced in the field. Very little to take care of, it is very accurate and powerful enough. No matter where he has shot the deer (large one at 37 yards), he has experienced a pass through. This is a 175# bow, and plenty powerful enough. There are two options for pulling back the string. One more automated than another. Give this fellow a call and ask him all your questions. He'll help a bunch!

http://www.wyverncreations.com

Crossbows like everything else are subject to a great deal of hype. I can't imagine pulling back a 250# bow, but some folks want this. With the power of this smaller bow, its completely unnecessary for our 300# deer.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

My only advice if you are getting a compound crossbow: Try to find one with narrow limbs. The wider the limbs the more cumbersome it is to drag around the woods. Cabelas has some great sales on crossbows year round. I bought a Barnett BCXtreme this year, it was on sale for around $700 IIRC. It claims 400 fps. It's super accurate and I think it's pretty quiet. The cocker that came built into it is a piece of crap though, just grab a rope cocker when you buy whatever crossbow you choose.

Remember that you would need a target to bring with you to your hunting spot. You have to shoot a crossbow to unload it and dry firing it would end up destroying the bow.

I've used my friends crossbows before but this is my first season actually hunting with my own crossbow. So I am no expert. I just wanted to let you know about my experience so far.

 

[dab102999]

I would consider used also as long as you know new price. If you are on Facebook look for bowhunting sites on there. Lots of good bows for sale for good prices.

I my self went with a parker, only after my picky wife got hers and I really liked it. Small, Light, and relatively quiet as far as crossbows go. Only been hunting with it for a few seasons and more confident now then when I started but in all honestly when I used to bow hunt I would take a 50 yard shot, will not consider then with a crossbow.

 

[Trent]

This is the crossbow I bought for deer hunting. Shoulder damage from motorcycle crash made it too difficult to pull a bow and hold it steady.

http://www.barnettcrossbows.com/products/crossbows/crossbows-carbon-lite/ghost-400

It's fast, flat, and really damn accurate.

 

[g.willikers]

How much?!!
Less expensive than a new motorcycle, though.