Handguns
Subscribe
Digital Now Included!
Current Subscribers Click Here.
Current Subscribers Click Here.
All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.
To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.
Replies
Don't know about Georgia but let me share what *I* have observed that turns me off X-bow during Archery.
1) I HAVE SEEN more people still/snap shooting at jumped deer because of the ease of point/shoot (more wounded deer)
2) Have HEARD at the range of people bragging about 100 yard shots because these things have SCOPES. These guys don't even consider noise of arrow flight, speed of arrow vs speed of sound, and error associated with jumping the strings. Probably because they've only gun hunted and associate the X-bow to a gun performance factor(More wounded deer)
3) Yea..and I know I'll be called selfish.. but the orange army invading archery only. I took up Archery to get away from that
I could go on but what's the use...the BIGGEST reason is *I* SEE NO REASON for it unless it's a youth or handicapped situation. It's all about selling x-bow licenses and product sales and has no bearing on herd health and capacity. Some places (like Georgia) have deer as thick as black flies...in that case...go for it..here in Florida on PUBLIC hand...not so much..
Anyway..I HOPE decisions are made on the quality of hunting and not the revenue stream for the STATE and Manufacturers
A lot of good points, Grizz. Here's a reinforcement of what you just said.
I have a good friend who hasn't bow hunted in 20 years, and when he did bow hunt, he rarely practiced.
Fast forward to last year. He went out and bought a crossbow. Said he could shoot deer that, "You can't reach." "80 yards, no problem."
"I Got a scope for long shots." "Thing's wicked fast!" The previous quotes are actual and not paraphrased.
I asked him about expected momentum at 80 yards. He had no idea. Now keep in mind he is a chemical engineer by trade. You'd think things like KE and momentum might interest him. Nope. All he wants is the ability to shoot deer at longer ranges than he previously could. "Don't have time for all that crap", he said. "Just want to hunt".
Fortunately, a shot didn't present itself for him last year, but this year there may be a deer or two walking around with a bolt hanging from their side.
Sadly, there are too many aggressive salespeople working in outdoor shops that oversell the strengths versus weaknesses of crossbows. Truthfully many of them have never shot one, much less hunted with one. And there even more people waiting to eat it up as the newest hunting fad.
Now, admittedly I am old and old school. I try not to put down progress even if it's not my style. To each his own. But..
I feel, like Grizz, that there are a lot of people who will overstep their, and more importantly, the crossbow's ability, to harvest an animal.
Rant over.
I agree, but there will still be people overstepping the ability of a compound bow. It's just the way it is, once people learn that its "the indian not the arrow", they will understand.
As for me and shooting, the drenalin is ready and the slicktricks are sharp.
There are also the folks that don't practice much, if at all, and make bad or too long shots with bows. Why would something that is considered easier to shoot accurately be bad for the deer? It could mean less wounded deer, not more. It would be a big plus for new hunter recruitment, young and old. I know the woods are crowded, and the land is limited, but hunting license sales are down every year. Anything that gets more people hunting is good in my book. I'm sure the same things were said when compounds came out, fortunately I'm not old enough to remember.
*YOU* see no reason to allow them. *I* see no good reason not to. We'll have to agree to disagree.
If someome is of good health, strong, and possess the ability to draw a bow, chooses to shoot a crossbow to extend their kill range, are missing out on what attracts me most to turkey hunting.
It's the challenge of getting close to your target species, and dealing with the rush of adrenaline when it happens.
That is all.
Amen, Brother!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Way to hang in there! Once I retire I'm going to recurve...takes allot of practice to be good at it (instinctive) and I don't have the time/room to learn to shoot well enough to take a shot at an animal with a long bow or recurve...but It's on my list of things to do!
Still plenty of time...most of my deer are withing 20 yards so that group will get the job done
yup...320 fps vs speed of sound 800 fps = a 6-8" animal drop at the sound. Lots of good video of deer dropping before bolting..I've had deer bolt at 100 yards from a tree stand squeak...but I'm taking high pressured deer on public land...private managed (where x-bows are legal in Florida) might be more forgiving..but it's their land..they make the rules..personal property rights = their business
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry for the cross bow.post. Was not trying to derail.
Aside from that, I can't argue with a single point from the above post. I shot my used Matthews bow a lot and killed a dozen deer with it losing only one in high water. Bought a cross bow before they were legal on private property during bow season. Bought it for alligator. The next year law changed. I much prefer.shooting my old outback. I also know that crossbow is just a bow on it's side with more noise. I do use it on occasion in super thick areas. I shoot it no differently then my V bow in terms of shot selection. Legal and handy. The next weekend.I might be out there with my bow
Again, I agree with post above. It's not a rifle! Idiots will screw up deer with them. I think allowing during ML is a good comprise on public land. Meat Hunters will then opt for ML and bow hunted will still have their public archery season with reduced hunter numbers in woods.
I just don't like the rush to judge all people who use a crossbow are cheating / wounding / etc. I, for one, just like taking different tools to the woods. If I.had an unlimited budget I'd have every weapon available. I'd master each one and then hunt with them.
This is at WICKHAM PARK in Melbourne. Brevard County Archers. Open to the public. They have 20 ranges that go to 60 yards and a Field range for the recurve shooters..Real nice Club. It's compressed foam sheets..they don't allow broad heads but you can bring your own BH target.
I have to drive 30 miles but it's worth it. Well managed range! And it's NEVER that crowded..well kept secret I guess!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/144145855599794/
I've used waxed cardboard boxes to build targets like that. They usually last a couple years. The last one I built was from the boxes the pine trees come in that the forestry plants. A concrete block on top was enough tension stop arrows and still pull them out. I've also used boxes that chicken comes in at the grocery store. Just get some that are exactly the same size and stack them up.
First time this summer shooting. Shot 4 @ 20 and then 30 yards. Figured I'd try 40 yards. Shot 2 lighted nocks off and split both arrows. Those were some expensive shots! Think I'm done for today!
No one puts a photo-bombing boy with a binky in a basket! Lol!
Nice indoor range you have there.
Not too shabby haven't picked up the bow in a year and fell right back into the groove
That boy is just pissed that he won't be able to go for opening day this year, I bet he'd change his attitude if he knew he was gonna sit on my lap in the airboat come gun season... Oh, and that range is pretty nice. It's at D&E in Mims, only twenty yards, but it helps with getting your form and shots tight without sweating to death and getting carried away by mosquitoes in the back yard.
I shot at the D&E range last summer after having Jeff tune my bow. It sure looks different now. Much nicer.