Cheaters or Not

[C.C.]

I feel that crossbows are for the handicap or seniors. They should not be allowed for hunting. We don't allow them on 3D courses or any other competions. BE REAL NOT A CHEATER !!!!!!!!:mad:

[Q2XL]

i agree cc only if your not capable of pullin a compound of legal weight or handicapped. then you should be able to use a crossbow.

[Caribou Dreamer2]

I will have to disagree with you on this one but i'm not going to get into any arguements though.I feel the crossbow is a legal means of huntnig in Ohio so it is your choice to hunt with it or not if you choice to.As for cheating well a firearm is cheating if you ask me not much of a challenge when you can pick them off out to 100 yards,but it is legal and i honor those who choice to use that type of weapon.Lets not turn this site into a crossbow verse compound or compound verse revurve thats why i like this site and not the other one because we all here seem to be hunters here, we do not put down someone that uses a different type of weapon you do.Heck someday i might have to depend on a crossbow to enjoy deer hunting the way i do today.

[jeffmo]

why does this SAME OLD STUFF keep coming up???
does it honestly make a difference what weapon someone is using as long as it's legal and they are using it legally?
let's be honest about it.doesn't a crossbow give a turkey more of a sporting chance than a shotgun?

cc,just for the sake of curiosity could you explain to me how using a crossbow can be even remotely considered cheating?

[bucktail]

I feel they should only be allowed in hunting when it concerns kids, the handicapped or elderly. I can't see a seasoned hunter using one as long as their not handicapped or elderly, to me that would be like dropping down a few skill levels as an archer. But each person has their own opinion and I'm not going to condemn someone for using one, because it won't be long before I'll probley be using one myself.

[flathunter]

why was this brought up agin??????? It has been argued several times, nobody wins...Hunt with what is leagal and let it go!

[Thunderflight]

I don't think they are cheating. They have been used for hundreds of years. I don't think they are even half as challenging as bowhunting. I also think that hunting with a compound is less challenging than hunting with a recurve.

If crossbows are cheating then what about in-line muzzle loaders vs percussion? What about percussion vs flint locks?

Bottom line is if it's legal then it's fine by me.

Crossbows: Cheating no? Easy yes?

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

i strictly use trad. equip. and COULD easily say whatever you use other than a recurve or longbow is easier than what i use...therefore you should not be allowed to hunt with it if you are able bodied or un less you are a youth... i could but i will not because...they are all basically short range weapons requiring the same tactics to get close enough,all kill by broadhead and broadhead and the projectile is launched by a string,not powder,i could go on an on how the equipment is simular if you go by piece by piece...limb,wheels ,sights,trigger,etc...LEGAL ETICAL EQUIP. IS A PERSONAL CHOICE TO WHAT A HUNTER FEELS CONFIDENT TO HARVEST AN ANIMAL WITH...THEY SHOULD BE COMMENDED...IF YOU CAN USE A XBOW EFFIECIENT BUTT CANT MASTER A RECURVE THEN I WOULD RATHER SEE YOU USING A XBOW...and thier are those who like the x bow as well as we cherish our weapon of choice,whats wrong with that???

[george tinkham]

oh i meant to say broadhead and HEMMORAGE...NOT broadhead and broadhead

[Caribou Dreamer2]

Please close this one before it turns into another battle

[Q2XL]

yep looks like a can of worms was opened again:(

[ShoreBoundOne]

STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Turkeyfoot]

C.C........You can "feel" all you want but the bottom line is people are gonna use their weapon of choice as long as it is legal! Just remember that one day you are gonna be in that senior catagory. Believe me, time surely has a way of changing a man's thinkin!!

I know of a club in Monroe Co. that welcomes xbow shooters and was started by a past two-time National xbow champ. Larry is also a 300 indoor PAA shooter and is consistantly in the top 25 in the State on 3-d with compound outdoors on the IBO circuit. Quite a resume' would'nt you say? He'll tell you that the crossbow gives him the opportunity to master a different weapon and uses it primarily when rattlin deer on the ground and to cut down on movement. He recently told be that IBO has working on creating a X-bow division but does'nt know if it's been finalized yet and I've heard on other sites that it's in the works also.

If you think it's cheatin, I disagree! Yes, it may be easier, but most hunt with what they feel they are most proficient with and that's the type of individual I'll share my woods or campfire with any day of the week! Borrow a X-bow from a buddy this coming Spring gobbler season and see if you can call that gobbler into effective killing range, say 25yds, instead of blasting him at 45 with a 3-1/2", extended choched, 12ga. Maybe then you'll see things in a little different light!! Just a "seniors" 2 cents......TF

[M.Magis]

This horse has been beat to death. And what does this have to do with turkey hunting? If your just looking to stir the pot, go post this on the bowsite. By the way, some 3D shoots do allow crossbows.

[Thunderflight]

This pro-crossbow sediment is good to see. If your looking for a fight then post it on bowsite. I'm sure you'll get a good debate going before they yank the thread.

Thunderflight

[Caribou Dreamer2]

:D

[carpwarrior]

hey CC . this same old debate has been beat to death on this web site . we all have our prefrence , but this same question has been asked time and time again, and all it does is get a bunch of crap started, if you look back throu some of the old threads , you will c that some headed debates has gottin started, i choose to use a compound , i do not prefere to use a x bow , hell man i am a bow fisherman, i love archery , its a free country we can use what ever is leagal. xbows is like tattoos , the people with tattoos dont care if the people with out them have them or not.

[Ðe§perado™]

Let's all just agree to disagree about this. It will never be agreed upon for either side. I say just let it go.

[Lance]

I moved this to the bowhunting forum. Lets try to keep it civil although I doubt it will last this topic does nothing but divide. If it doesn't I'm sure it will be closed again.

[muskyman]

I agree, lets not start a war. I own both and use neither (so far).
What bothers me is the holier than thou attitude, which could
go on and on. I suppose spinning rods are also cheating, and
live bait is definitely cheating. None of it is cheating, its just
a matter of choice. Your choice doesnt affect me, and visa versa.

[george tinkham]

this site is civalized thunderflite...i don't see a reason to close the topic as long as it stays calm and nonviolent as happens on the other site...and if it starts to get a little wild things get shut down quickly so hunters don't look like a bunch of fools including me

[thebootlegger]

My friends and I jokingly call crossbows "poachers tools". But, they are legal, and I'm not going to rip anyone who uses one. I would like to see restrictions on deer season for crossbows vs longbows though. Two different ways of hunting deer in my opinon, but no disrespect to guys who shoot crossbows. I'm going to buy one for my wife.

[wabi]

I hunt with a longbow, a recurve, a crossbow, a compound, a shotgun, an inline muzzleloader, a caplock muzzleloader, and a smoothbore flintlock muzzleloader. They each have advantages and disadvantages. They each have a place in the woods, when they are the best choice for a swift humane harvest. Before I bash another person's choice of weapon, I feel I should actually hunt with it and see firsthand how good a weapon it really is. I will select the crossbow for treestand hunting during archery season 90% of the time. The crossbow has the advantage of good accuracy at a down angle with minimal movement. The range, speed, and accuracy are similar to a compound. For stillhunting, the recurve is my choice. I've been shooting "instinctively" for over 40 years, and I can get it into action quickly.
All I would ask, is for people to actually hunt with the weapon before condemning others for their choice. The crossbow gets a lot of bad press by people who think they are more like a gun than archery. Try one! An arrow at 275 or 300fps is an arrow at 257 or 300fps, regardless of how it's launched. There are slightly faster or slower models, but my compound and my crossbow are very similar in speed, trajectory, accuracy, and killing power. It's just that I find the crossbow more efficient - for ME - when shooting down from a tree stand, and if I can be more confidant when I'm launching an arrow at a deer, I can probably do a better job of making a good hit for a swift, clean kill. And that's the bottom line for ME.

[wabi]

Oops, made a typo on the speed - 275 or 300, not 257 or 300. See, even a crossbow hunter is human!:D

[Nut]

All I am going to say is I voted:D

and I can't wait until deer season opens up again;)

[Thunderflight]

I do think the draw lock is kinda cheesy.

TF

[redneck66]

Im not gonna say much on this topic but I will say this, By saying it is "cheating" you are implying that hunting is a competition. Who ever made hunting a competition? Why would any one care what the other person is using to bring the meat home as long as its a safe method of harvest? I shoot a compound and I have no problem with what the next guy wants to shoot a deer with providing its legal. Im not competing against anyone so whats the big deal. Never did get why people have problems with it.

[george tinkham]

good point redneck the only competetion should be between you and the deer...thunderf...i beleeve the drawloc will eventually be legalized...why not compounds are at 99% let off and whats the difference between it(drawloc) an a xbow???only thing that stopped it from being legalized last time was if a compound was safe from breakage or accidental firing from the risor and limbs being held under stress for extended time(all day)

[Ðe§perado™]

I wouldn't trust the draw lock system. There is to much that can happen. I will just shoot my compound the way it is.

[Thunderflight]

BV,

Your right, eventually they will be legalized. I still think they are cheezie, but to each his own.

It's a matter of choice. I prefer 65% let of over 80%. I can't imagin 99% let off, but it will eventually come.

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

like i sed in my last post whats the difference ,already legal when you have 99% letoffits and you use a trigger...when you can hold a bow by the string and it falls to full draw by its own physical weight and has enough power to kill any game on earth...even a 2 yr. old could hold that at full draw...a hunter could easily hold for an hour with a legal compound

[Thunderflight]

BV,

I'll give you $10 if you can hold a 99% let off bow back for an hour. If you can shoot it and hit a pie plate at 20 yards (after you'e held it for an hour) then I'll buy you a soda too. :)

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

you get the point,if its a hundred # bow you hold 1#

[Arrow 1]

A crossbow is not a bow and should not be allowed in bow season. If they want to use them in gun season and primitive season than that is fine. The crossbow hunters here in Ohio, owe everything thing they have to the organized bowhunting clubs of Ohio. Now, in Ohio, it is probably a 50-50 mix of bowhunters and crossbow hunters yet the crossbow hunters still refuse to organize as a state group. Why are these guys not helping support there own sport? The OBA (Ohio Bowhunters Association) started lobbying for bowhunter rights in 1967. How long is it going to take the crossbow hunters to organize and support themselves instead of letting the bowhunters bear the entire load? Check out www.ohiobowhunters.com.

[george tinkham]

arrow one again you need to be reminded everybuddy knows it is not a bow...it is called a crossbow...also the hunting manuel does not list it as bowseason but as archery season...the xbow has been part of archery history as the english longbow...if they are legal ethical hunters and enjoy hunting with thier choice of weapon including guns...let them hunt

[Arrow 1]

George, since you mentioned the history of the the longbow and crossbow, did you know that in medievel times a Catholic pope said that the crossbow was a tool of Satan?

[Thunderflight]

I just can't believe they don't allow hunting with spears.....

TF

[george tinkham]

SPEARS!!!there are many that question recurves and longbows and this can get only worse for my chosen style of hunting if we cont. this slamming xbows...there is valid points that can be made from all sides ...

[george tinkham]

YES A-1 butt...i don't buy it...that is because its so efficient...whats wrong with that...that is one big reason the compound was born,nothing wrong with that either and thats the reason they have improved recurves longbows and muzzleloaders to modern rifles...nothing wrong with that...its all done to improve performance of the weapon...i see archers at 3d shoots all the time discussing what new item they can put on there bow or buy another brand that will make them better...if this results in more ethical hunting(less wounding)...again i say nothing wrong with that

[Thunderflight]

What about poison pods? They use them in Mississippi.....

TF

[Arrow 1]

George, To expand on what the pope said, he said that there was little or no skill to using the crossbow. That is why he thougt it was a tool of Satan.

Back in that time people took great pride in their skill with the longbow. Every Sunday afternoon the Englishmen would have tornaments with their longbows.

You can see that sort of thing still going on today. People go to the bow shoots on sunday afternoons and participate in tournaments. I do not know if the current pope thinks that crossbows are a tool of Satan, but I know a lot of other folks don't like them.

George, If you think that going to the store and buying a piece of equipment makes you a more ethical hunter than you were before, you are sadly mistaken. Ethics is knowing what is right and wrong and only doing the right thing. You cannot buy ethics at any price.

[george tinkham]

i still don't buy that garbage...and if you reread my post i was saying you buy better equip.,better bows to IMPROVE shooting...club members at apache and members of the oba are buying buying all the time to achieve perfection...thier words not mine...but i know it works for many of the top notch shooters...many oba members jumped ship and bought compounds in 1970 and immediately got better results at taking whitetail deer...the archery kill jumped by leaps and bounds as they improved the compound...many of my old recurve buddys wounded all their deer was killin the with compounds...this made them happy...nothing wrong with that...like i say i don't buy the satan trash and i'm sure the pope today doesn't either...my last on this as this is harmful to all of hunting,i've said my 2 cents

[Arrow 1]

George, I did reread your post. You definatly were relating buying better equipment to ethics.

If ethics were related to accuracy. I would no longer hunt with a bow. I would only use the most accurate and easy to shoot weapon I could find and only use that weapon.

You can be ethical with any weapon you choose to use. You just have to know your limitations and proper shot placement. game laws etc.

[carpwarrior]

STILL BEATING THIS DEAD HORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!:o :o :o :o :o

[Q2XL]

sure looks like it. wish they would let the horse go in piece

[Beau Martin]

Can't we all just get along, and enjoy what we all love. HUNTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[george tinkham]

thats what i think too,we're all hunters,bottom line

[Thunderflight]

Just some of use are more elite than others....:) ;) ;)

Thunderflight

[Lance]

They're making GLUE out of it.. :o

[george tinkham]

lots of elitist don't understand why i am not as elite as them and common hunters think i got too much elitisitit...everybody takes shots at me...heh heh heh,i just wanna bowhunt

[thebootlegger]

Thunderflight - :D I like it!

[bucktail]

Just like them catholics to say a crossbow is a tool of satan, to try to divert all the focus off their molestation of alterboys..:D :D :D

[george tinkham]

good one bucktail

[Thunderflight]

If you hold a crossbow upside down it looks like an up side down cross.... Isn't that a sign of satan?

Then again if you hold it up right it looks like a cross. A sign of Christ.

Crossbows must be the anti Christ.....:)

If you hold a crossbow sideways you know what it looks like???

A crossbow...:)

Thunderflight....pro-crossbow, but just poking fun....:D :D :D

[george tinkham]

and if someone described a compound to me in 1967 and not mentioned what it was i woul think they were describing a dirtbike

[C.C.]

i did not mean to start any ****. i am SORRY i made this thread. Steve if you want to remove it its ok by me.
SORRY AGAIN

[george tinkham]

cc...maybe you should reread your original post that started this****.it sounds like you were looking for a battle that really never materialized...just an observation,not an attack

[C.C.]

george, just stating my opinion. i think i wanted to see if for the most part people (bow-hunters) felt the way i do. NO my view has not changed nor has the law. so do what you do best, and feel most effective with. :rolleyes:

[george tinkham]

i am not an xbow user,i hunt mainly with a recurve or longbow,but i believe all hunters should be allowed to hunt as the law specifies(the odnr is trying to be fair to all).i don't think that one group of hunters should be making or trying to be the judge and jury...i know slobs from every type of hunter no matter what weapon and very good hunters that use each type of weapon...one of the best hunters i know uses a xbow

[ShoreBoundOne]

CC, dont forget to sound off on my poll too....:D:D:D

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1436

[Longrifle30.06]

I agree with George. We should support ANY consientious, competent, and law abiding sportsman, regardless of his chosen method of hunting. There are far too many incompetent or law breaking "slob hunters" out there that put a negative spin on the public's perception of sportsmen.

[george tinkham]

i would hope all hunters to feel this way

[Thunderflight]

AMEN!!!!

TF

[Beau Martin]

I agree with that. enjoy it

[Ðe§perado™]

Amen brother!

[muskyman]

Uum, how many bows has the Pope ever used? I also want
you all to know I dont think the cross bow is "easier". It takes all I got just to cock the darn thing, much hadwer than my
compound. Yes. I am a senior, but I can pullany compound
or long bow. This post is getting some hillarious responses, keep it up!

[george tinkham]

yup i always get a chuckle from that argument about satin,pope an the xbow...to me its desperate people scraping the bottom of the bucket to get facts to bolster their argument.cant beleeve they are serious

[Ðe§perado™]

It is amazing how far people will go to prove a point.

[george tinkham]

yep an its even more amazing that i shoot trad. equip. and don't mind xbows in bow(archery )season...many other trad.bow shooters cant understand why i am for all hunters...being allowed to hunt in appropriate seasons.you got to be fair to the other hunters too,not just what you want for your way of huntin...

[Beau Martin]

Hey George that is one of the best points made in this hole thread yet. And do agree with you 100%.

[george tinkham]

it cant be sed i'm only thinkin of myself but with their agenda it can be sed they are thinkin of only theirself,"whats best for us" "or whats best for me"...not what is fair to ALL hunters.and wanting xbowers in with guns and a week season is not fair.the only fair alternative i beleeve and this would effect me toO would split bowseason 50 50...an i am not for that,i doubt anybody xbow or reg.bow is...the other fair way is to leave it as is and reg. the amount of tags a season to keep deer population at a level where everybody is somewhat happy with

[Thunderflight]

Hummmm, different comments on a different website?

What about compounds?

TF

[george tinkham]

well its the commies and the tradeez against the xbows ...i'm sayin all three should be in archery season,as is but the only FAIR way if xbows were expelled from the archery season would be to give them half the season to themselves,not stick em in a 7 day gunseason...trad. an compounders would be lumped together but i am for leaving it as is as i believe most archery hunters are.

[Thunderflight]

I agree that most Ohio archery hunters don't care if if they are around or not.

TF

[Thunderflight]

Proof that crossbows do bring women into archery....

Thunderflight

http://www.videovista.net/gwg/chingamy3.jpg

[Thunderflight]

http://ylla.aura.dhs.org/portfolio/fantasy/cupid.jpg

Proof that they are evil too.....:D

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

no thats realbow after the operation

[Ðe§perado™]

Thats funny. :D :D :D

[george tinkham]

or is that caribou dreamer

[jcdflint]

My favored way of hunting is with primitive bows and arrows. I make them all and get the most "THRILL" from using them. I go to a show and people just love to talk to me about them. They have that look like I'm some kind of great "BOW GOD or somthing?. I think that's silly. ( I really don't want that) Sometimes I'll take a crossbow out in the woods and take a deer. I like to hunt with anything legal. I JUST LIKE HUNTING! So if they would see me with the crossbow would i be branded a trader!!!!? I really don't give a "SH##@$$%%*&&/? Back to deer camp!!!!

[george tinkham]

flint you are blowing my mind but i'm glad to see i'm not the only one that makes self bows that don't give a hoot what other hunters use and when as long as its legal and they are ethical

[vvarmitr]

If x-bows are cheating then I need to get me another one. I need all the help I can get. If x-bows are cheating then compound bows are cheating too.
I would love to get game with a self-bow & flint, like jcdflint & george, but I have trouble putting the time into it to get good. I might be able to get a turkey w/ a bow if I sneak up on him while he's on the table at Thanksgiving. :D

[jcdflint]

I do not think so "VVARMITR" Your face would get to TURKEY before the arrow!!!!!!! "gooble gooble BURP!!!!!!OOOOOOO,Your sleepy Dream on!!! Jeff HA! HA! The only way you could get close to a wild one ,is if he roosted on your "ARROW"

[vvarmitr]

LOL :D You know me to well! LOL :o :D

[jcdflint]

WHAT"S WITH THE NAME "VICTOR"

[george tinkham]

is camo cheating,is stands cheating,is rubber boots cheating,is scentloc cheatng,is baking soda cheating,is night cameras cheating ...prolly not but it is something that makes hunting easier or plainly said in some cases a shortcut to success...especially the last one...

[jcdflint]

What about the right to choose? remember "FREEDOM". We must be respectful and safe with it though!

[Thunderflight]

If your not stalking an animal, wrestling it to the ground, and then killing it with your bare hands then you are cheating....

If not then you are just another slob hunter with no ethics just like every other hunting in the world.....

TF

[jcdflint]

You go TF!!!!! Ya, we can all pack around the fresh "KILL" and tear at the flesh and entrails with glee . Driving our fangs deeply with snarling and salvating lust!!! ""O" what a fine affair? Anyone need a "TOOTHPICK" BURP!!!!!!!

[Thunderflight]

It brings out the "True Warrior" spirit in us all.....:)

Thunderflight

[george tinkham]

is hiding behind a tree cheating and it probably makes it easier to fool the deer...

[jcdflint]

TF, the great grandfathers are with us. In all four directions. the stars and earth. We don't heed to nobody else!

[Thunderflight]

errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr................:D

TF

[hoot gibson]

i didnt read all this stuff . because it always sais the same thing . i just stick around for the fist fights.
my guestion is . if this computer deal would have been around when xbows were voted leagel, would they have been voted leagel? hoot

[george tinkham]

i think compounds would have been in trouble too heh heh hehbut really i don't think most HUNTERS really cared back then,they just wanted to hunt.my feelings were if you wanted something different ...ok,i didn't...i stuck with muh bear super kodiak.

[Neapolis]

Interesting thought Hoot. I think George may be right, compounds AND xbows would have been in trouble, but back then everybody just wanted to hunt.

[Thunderflight]

Yelp hoot I gotta agree with you on that one...

TF

[muskyman]

My personal opion on this highly over discussed subject is, xbows
have been around for centuries, but anyone who pulls a compound has NO basis for pointing even a little finger.

[george tinkham]

I DEFINATELY AGREE MUSKY,DEFINATELY

[10Gauge]

As hunters we ALL need to learn to appreaciate what others and other types of equipment bring to OUR sport.

Before I became a bow hunter (about 15 years ago) I thought these guys were crazy.......wandering around the woods with a bow and a few arrows! I had just sarted deer hunting a couple of years before that (started with a handgun not a shotgun) and got to thinkin maybe bowhunters weren't as crazy as I first thought...........they have a much longer hunting season.

I gave archery a try, but because I really enjoyed shooting firearms (sporting clays, skeet, trap, etc.), I didn't have the time (or interest) in perfecting my archery shooting skills. At the close of my first archery season I decided I'd have to give up one passion for another if I wanted to be successful.........then I saw her a beautiful Horton Crossbow........it looked like a gun with limbs! After a few minutes at the range I was putting bolt after bolt in the 10 ring at 40 yards......what a thrill........and the beauty was I didn't have to think about it the crossbow was natural for me (a gun guy who loved to shoot guns).

My point is this.........we should all be open to new equipment just like the traditional archers who turned to compound bows, flint lock shooters who went to caps or even in-line muzzleloaders. It adds another dimension to the hunting experience. Speaking of muzzleloaders I'm one of those guys who didn't take up this sport until the in-lines came on the scene so I guess I'm a two time cheater! I we condemn our fellow hunters for their weapons of choice we are no different than those anti-hunting, tree hugging, PETA people!

IMHO - Crossbows have done more for deer hunting than any other bow design from the standpoint it has brought more women and children into the sport since it has been legalized in Ohio. Okay maybe to some more women in our sport isn't a good thing but I tend to disagree with that too!

My 2 cents worth............:D

[vvarmitr]

Amen, 10gauge, preach it brother.
I 100% w/ you except I don't do muzzleloading (to much messing around to get a shot off) I want to shoot, SHOOT, & SHOOT! You see I'm a member in good standing w/ S.A.,Shootaholics Atrocious.
As for women hunting, I'd like to see someone tell Coyote Kate she can't go huntin'. :p

[george tinkham]

i personally no of no women hunters butt i did see one once

[Thunderflight]

Women hunt? I don't know if I'd want my wife hunting or not.

I kinda like getting away with out her around....:)

TF

[jeffmo]

women in camo!!!:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Thunderflight]

I have seen a few good look'n ones wearing camo too....:)

TF

[george tinkham]

i definately would not want to hunt with my wife.i know if she went huntin with me i would be checkin my life insurance policy to see if she increased it substanchilly

[Thunderflight]

Our wives must be related...........

TF

[george tinkham]

mine would rather shop.buy meat at stores an eat meat at resterrunts...did i mention she feels sorry for the animals i slay...

[Thunderflight]

WoW and I though I had it bad.....

My wife hates it when I skin out or butcher a deer or hog at the house.

She won't even go with'n ten feet of a dead turkey. It was like pulling teeth to get her to take a picture of this years Pope and Young Jake I shot....

Tf

[Tailfeathers]

Pretty stupid really.
I use a cross bow.
I also use a recurve.
I also use a compound.
I also a use shotgun, a rifle, a classic muzzle loader, a modern muzzle loader. (I’ll use a flintlock when I have an opportunity).
Except for the modern muzzleloader, I have taken game with every one of them.
(Wife got me a TC encore last Christmas I plan to break it in on bear this fall)

Each weapon has it’s own challenges, and advantages.
Some peoples jobs, and family life(lack of) allow them more opportunity to practice, scout, and hunt then others. Some have more, and better properties to hunt.

I would much rather see somebody get out and get a clean kill with a crossbow, then stay at home or injure or wound an animal because some jerk thinks he’s better then them.

Personally I’ve hung up the recurve for a couple of years. I have a pair of 9 year olds, and I’d rather spend time with them then keep that skill sharp.(for now)
Crossbows are a lot of folk’s entry point to bow hunting.

Lastly:
A lazy slob hunter will be a lazy slob hunter it doesn’t matter what the weapon is.

[10Gauge]

Okay, okay..........I'm a CHEATER......there I said it!

Is it also cheating if I shoot deer and turkey's with a 10 gauge? Did I mention it's an autoloader too....that's got to be cheating in someones eyes!

It does make me feel better to shoot doves and quail with a .410 or my 28 gauge...........but maybe this year I'll try the 10 on those little buggers (just kidding)!

That's all I'm goin to say about cheating.........I'm a CHEATER if using my crossbow offends somebody.......did I mention I only kill does with my crossbow that should make me a two time'n cheater!

10gauge........if your shoulder ain't sore your not shootin a big enough gun or your not shootin enuff, period!

[george tinkham]

10 ga. tailfeathers,you are right on the money.its up to the hunter what he chooses to use bottom line.if the huntin laws says its legal,then so be it.my preferrence is the longbow and recurve.to me it is the ultimate challenge when hunting and target shooting.i have stated many times i do not like compounds or xbows.personally i do not even view them as a real bow.thats how i feel.but i also have nothing against them being used as a hunting weapon in the archery season.regardless of what anybody sez they all are a close range weapon.for those that dont believe that,try em out.see what yuh can hit at 100yds.

[JoeSawmiller]

Fellows, I don't know about any of you but I would hunt them with butter knives if they brought in the season for that type of weapon. I love turkey and deer hunting and will abide by the law and not worry if I am pleasing anyone else. :o