Dakota Drifter
Member
I also have first hand experience with stalking an elk with a crossbow and with a compound and I would take the compound over a crossbow every time.
Twice I have typed a well thought out response and both times the forum timed out on me and I lost it all, so I will do a short reply. My dad is 83 years old and still rents a horse to go hunting in the backcountry with me. Without a crossbow he would've had to quit hunting 20 years ago and I probably would have not got into elk hunting. I have started to lower my poundage the last couple years so I will not be able to pull enough pounds in 5-10 years but I will not be handicapped. My young son is not able to pull enough poundage for elk and not being efficient enough with a traditional bow. He gets straight A's in school to be able to go elk hunting. To those that think no using crossbows for anybody? Well I can't say what I'm thinking without getting banned. Rifle hunting takes years to get a good tag and the over counter tags are a F'N circus, not for me.
I'll listen. Why would you prefer a compound over a crossbow?I also have first hand experience with stalking an elk with a crossbow and with a compound and I would take the compound over a crossbow every time.
You are making a great point. If they ban crossbows, they will be discriminating against youth, women and seniors! And some of us seniors have spent a lifetime supporting wildlife and the Game and Fish Department. To have the rug pulled out from under us in our golden years is betrayal!Twice I have typed a well thought out response and both times the forum timed out on me and I lost it all, so I will do a short reply. My dad is 83 years old and still rents a horse to go hunting in the backcountry with me. Without a crossbow he would've had to quit hunting 20 years ago and I probably would have not got into elk hunting. I have started to lower my poundage the last couple years so I will not be able to pull enough pounds in 5-10 years but I will not be handicapped. My young son is not able to pull enough poundage for elk and not being efficient enough with a traditional bow. He gets straight A's in school to be able to go elk hunting. To those that think no using crossbows for anybody? Well I can't say what I'm thinking without getting banned. Rifle hunting takes years to get a good tag and the over counter tags are a F'N circus, not for me.
The same thing about modern technology in crossbows could be said about modern compound bows as well. 100yd shots are commonplace with either. So what's your point? I still think getting kids involved with hunting with a crossbow is a good idea to get young folks out in the field instead of planted in front of a computer playing games, or out getting in trouble.I'll listen. Why would you prefer a compound over a crossbow?
Are you shooting a modern crossbow?
I think what primarily has people concerned about crossbows is that continuing technology is really extending ranges and lethality. Ravins add showing rifle like performance at 100 has people concerned. I guarantee 200 yards crossbows are made and being tested as we speak. Arrow technology is not far behind.
Bipod and a side mounted Aimpoint? No comparison to archery.
You crossbow fans keep saying 100 yard shots are common with verticle bows. I don't know where you are getting that from. The only people making 100 yard shots at big game with verticle bows are either fools, or people who dedicate YEARS to developing that skill. Years. Not days. And days is exactly what it would take for me to teach a new shooter how to hit a paper plate at 100 yards with a modern crossbow.The same thing about modern technology in crossbows could be said about modern compound bows as well. 100yd shots are commonplace with either. So what's your point? I still think getting kids involved with hunting with a crossbow is a good idea to get young folks out in the field instead of planted in front of a computer playing games, or out getting in trouble.
If your trying to crawl or on your hands and knees stalking with a loaded crossbow there is not many ways to carry it safely. The limbs, string and cables are horizontal with the ground cover so you have to make sure to get above all that. The crossbows are twice the weight of a compound and need to set up a bipod to shoot accurately. With a compound I can draw my bow from cover and raise up to shoot quicker than having to set a bipod up, get the crossbow on top of the bipod, make sure the bipod is not in the way of the string and take the safety off. I have a Ravin and it is still heavier and more bulky to carry than my compound. Yes at 20-30 yards the Ravin is a one hole group but at 100 yards I can group my hoyt just as good as the Ravin. Plus you have to carry shooting sticks because you can't really lean against a tree with a crossbow.I'll listen. Why would you prefer a compound over a crossbow?
Are you shooting a modern crossbow?
I think what primarily has people concerned about crossbows is that continuing technology is really extending ranges and lethality. Ravins add showing rifle like performance at 100 has people concerned. I guarantee 200 yards crossbows are made and being tested as we speak. Arrow technology is not far behind.
Bipod and a side mounted Aimpoint? No comparison to archery.
lol don't party anymore . should have seen me in the days I was unrestrained by booze.Kidoggy , you crack me up!
I want to party with you!
Because good rifle elk tags take years to draw and otc elk tags are a circus shit show. Young boys and girls can't pull enough poundage to ethically kill an elk and are typically not proficient enough with a compound.What would make a kid not want to hunt with a rifle or bow and then see a crossbow and suddenly want to hunt?
Good archery elk tags take many years to draw as well?Because good rifle elk tags take years to draw and otc elk tags are a circus shit show. Young boys and girls can't pull enough poundage to ethically kill an elk and are typically not proficient enough with a compound.
elk are not the only game for them to hunt. can't speak to south dakota but IDAHO has some pretty good youth opportunities for elk and deer ,in rifle .Because good rifle elk tags take years to draw and otc elk tags are a circus shit show. Young boys and girls can't pull enough poundage to ethically kill an elk and are typically not proficient enough with a compound.
These are my thoughts exactly Hilltop! It seems any more these days that people want everything handed to them immediately without working hard for it, it's the "everyone deserves a trophy" mentality. I remember the first little compound bow my dad bought me when I was a kid and I would practice with him until I was ready to hunt with a bigger bow. Some of my best memories as a kid! Until I was ready to hunt with a bow I hunted with a rifle. The whole youth thing does not fly because there are multiple opportunities for youths that I enjoy with my boys today!Good archery elk tags take many years to draw as well?
I can remember in my youth, any elk was a trophy. As a 14 year old I shot a cow elk and it was a big deal to just about everyone I knew. I think it is up to the parents to keep things in perspective. I was extremely proud of that cow elk, and my first little buck antelope, and my first 2x1 mule deer... IMO kids don't need premium tags to get hooked. Kids just need parents who will take them and teach them to appreciate the hunt.
I didn't say my son wanted to shoot a big bull!!!! I got him a WY rifle cow elk tag and also got the archery permit with it to expand his opportunity as he goes to school and can only hunt weekends. The unit I picked was close to home and pretty much all public hunting but a small unit and the elk all but leave that unit when rifle season starts. We were into elk several times during archery season but never got a shot. it was either getting too dark to see thru the scope or they were bunched up and didn't have a clear shot. We did have an opportunity but by the time we got the shooting sticks up and the crossbow set on them and flipped the safety off they had spotted us and took off. During rifle season we didn't hear an elk, see an elk or even see tracks or fresh sign. We didn't get him an elk and I asked him if he wanted to try for a tag this year and he said not if he had to stick with rifle only.Good archery elk tags take many years to draw as well?
I can remember in my youth, any elk was a trophy. As a 14 year old I shot a cow elk and it was a big deal to just about everyone I knew. I think it is up to the parents to keep things in perspective. I was extremely proud of that cow elk, and my first little buck antelope, and my first 2x1 mule deer... IMO kids don't need premium tags to get hooked. Kids just need parents who will take them and teach them to appreciate the hunt.