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Post by sw on Sept 20, 2013 21:04:54 GMT -5
Due to a resurfacing shoulder injury I had to stop shooting my compound and recurve bows in early 1980s . I reluctantly went to a Barnett Wildcat(horrible!!!) and then to a PSE Foxfire 1(125# 225'/sec) and enjoyed my new form of hunting even though I was a "bow hunter ". In time I was able to return to my vertical bows. However, as I helped others with their xbows I started appreciating the advances made in xbows . I eventually compromised and hunted with both recurve and xbow. I left out the compound due to money. I do not view xbow hunting as a "compromise" to "real" bowhunting ;rather, a different discipline with it's own challenges. Please don't consider that longer range will necessarily be available: just a different experience. Unfortunately, many of us will eventually not have a choice concerning not going to a xbow, if we continue hunting. After shooting many xbows, I have settled on the SZ380 and what I call the SZ 365(the lengthened string 2013 SZ380). This was a cost independent choice. Just some thoughts.
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Post by dougedwards on Sept 22, 2013 14:24:31 GMT -5
Good thoughts...... In 1998 I had neck surgery which affected the strength in my left tricep muscle and pulling my old Pearson Flame at 70 lbs became a chore. I decided to give a crossbow a try and purchased an old Horton Supermax at 150 lbs. I eventually sold that and bought an Excalibur at 225 lbs. Put a scope on it and really enjoyed hunting with it. But honestly I didn't see that much advantage of hunting with a crossbow since I was still accustomed to my old hunting tactics of hunting close.
Eventually I regained some strength in my arm and began shooting a compound again but about at the same time became enamored with my new Savage smokeless muzzleloader. I found this forum and began to experiment with loads within the limits of some of the information that Rick Bibby gave to us to make sure that we were operating safely. Even though I did hunt with a compound bow during the first two weeks of archery hunting season in Virginia, putting deer down with my muzzleloader became my real passion.
Then the day came that I had been hoping to eternally avoid. I lost my passion for the kill. I took a really nice buck at 200 yards with a rifle and immediately wished I had not killed it. Instead of spending an intended autumn afternoon overlooking a clearcut from an old oak tree, I was faced with gutting, dragging and skinning this deer. I considered hunting ducks or rabbits to try to kindle the flame of passion for hunting again.
Today, I have sold all of my compound bows and strictly shoot stickbows. I enjoy the challenge and also the beauty of the bows and fletchings as well as the simplicity of the sport. One of my friends told me that I am moving backwards because as most men get older they tend to choose a type of hunting that is a little easier physically but my heart does more of my decision making than my head does. Archery season begins in two weeks and I am like a kid again on pins and needles.
Doug
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Post by mshm99 on Sept 23, 2013 16:59:33 GMT -5
Being an old man is not easy. My wife says my estrogen is taking over. We hunt for different things and challenges. I recently got a long injured rotator cuff fixed and now I'm old enough for a crossbow in Illinois. I have a small farm in Pike County, Illinois ,but like you, bucks are not at the top of my list. I shoot for herd management rather than horns. I'm enjoying the habitat improvement, food plots and the manager aspects. I enjoy the preparation for the season as much as the season itself, if that makes any sense. Seeing my family get excited about the hunt is what does it for me.
Mike
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Post by ghost5 on Sept 23, 2013 18:27:55 GMT -5
I just got in from shooting my Ten Point to sight in the new scope. I think of all bow types as tools since they are and use them for where I need them. I can't draw my long bow in my blinds and don't want to carry the crossbow on those long hauls. My shoulder has been messed up last couple of months so I just started shooting my compound last week if need be I will be shooting my crossbow opening morning.
Enjoy the crossbows guys and just smile at the folks that refuse to use a tool that could expand their hunts. Good luck this season.
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Post by kevinbrian on Sept 25, 2013 9:36:33 GMT -5
Great post Steve!!!!!
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Post by herman on Oct 29, 2013 14:53:47 GMT -5
I just made my first kill with the crossbow this year. I have been hunting all my life which I will be 72 in a couple weeks and I get just as excited using any type of weapon on game animals and varmits. When I started hunting it was more of putting meat on the table than sport like it is today. I could care less what others think of me using a crossbow or smokless muzzleloader,and each of you should too. You are the one out there enjoying what ever you are using.
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Post by sw on Oct 29, 2013 19:16:50 GMT -5
I could care less what others think of me using a crossbow or smokless muzzleloader,and each of you should too. You are the one out there enjoying what ever you are using. The "other" controlled person is a miserable person. Congratulations on the deer.
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Post by ghost5 on Oct 30, 2013 18:41:51 GMT -5
Congrats on your deer herman I just killed a nice 7 pt this morning with my Ten Point. Could care less if someone else doesn't like it. Good luck guys.
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