Is a crossbow truely archery hunting?

[Go Big Red!]

I'm not a bow hunter what-so-ever.  I was watching a moose hunt this morning and the lady, who took a small bull, shot it with a crossbow.  Her, the husband, and another guy kept referring to it as a unique archery hunting experience.

What are your thoughts?

[rod-man]

I use all of them (gun,bow, crossbow)
the crossbow is no easier than a bow
1. you still have to get close with both 40yds max
2. granted you dont have to draw and hold it back (80% letoff with a compound nills that)
but you have to hold it up (a compound weighs 3.5lbs a crossbow 8-10.5lbs)
3. a crossbow shoots a much shorter and lighter arrow (bolt) at the same speeds as a compound
that's why they shoot at such high poundage to transfer enough energy to the arrow.

I feel that a crossbow is just as much a archery tool as any bow out there
it's just a matter of opinion (longbow vs recurve...traditional vs compound...crossbow vs all other bows).

[deadeye]

I believe for them it was indeed a "unique archery experience".  Heck, I have one of those almost every time I go out. 

[glenn57]

in mn i dont believe a crossbow is legal unless you have a medical handicap. not sure though. i know when i had my carpal tunnel surgery they said they'd give me a permit to archery hunt with a crossbow. the law may have changed though. i have a compound so thats what i use.

[Randy Kaar]

Yes, You have to have a doctor sign a paper to get a permit to hunt with a crossbow. They were trying to get a bill pushed through this year to make them legal to hunt with. Havent heard anymore more about it though.

randy

[mncowboy]

anyone can use a crossbow to hunt deer in minnesota, DURNING FIRMARM DEER SEASON, AND USING YOUR FIRE ARM LIC.

[jkcmj]

I bought one last year to use during the rifle hunt, figure it would be better to not spook the deer nearby.  I ended up being to lazy to sight it in....and used the 12 guage as always...Always next season I guess

[glenn57]

anyone can use a crossbow to hunt deer in minnesota, DURNING FIRMARM DEER SEASON, AND USING YOUR FIRE ARM LIC.

:scratch:really??? thats quite odd?

[whiteoakbuck]

mncowboy is correct it can only be used during the firearm season i have seen alot of ppl switch from shotgun to crossbow last season guess it makes sense to not scare the deer on the land

[Go Big Red!]

mncowboy is correct it can only be used during the firearm season i have seen alot of ppl switch from shotgun to crossbow last season guess it makes sense to not scare the deer on the land

But a crossbow is limited to 45 yards max where most shotguns can send a slug to 125-150 yards.     Doesn't make sense to me.

[mncowboy]

they work well in areas where there is alot of homes around like in 601 where you want your shots close and you dont have to worry about noise issues as well

[Go Big Red!]

they work well in areas where there is alot of homes around like in 601 where you want your shots close and you dont have to worry about noise issues as well

I'm not familiar with the 601 zone. Can you share more on this?

[MnDeerStalker]

I don't think it is the same at all its more like hunting with a Sinhalese shot shotgun I think you don't have to try to draw it back right when you want to shoot (can have it locked in while in the stand) so less movement when that big Guy shows up.
And yea the range isn't as far as some guns but anything can be improved with the right equipment and practice I am not limited to 40-45 yards with my bow I will shoot 70-80 if needed and am working out to 100 but I practice at these distances and wont do it unless conditions are absolutely perfect! Do I prefer inside 30-40 ofcorse but if things always went right it wouldn't be any fun it's the challenges that keep me coming back. Just my opinion!

[Mayfly]

No.... Crossbow hunting is Crossbow hunting. I guess you could lump it into the "archery" category if you had to. It may have its similarities but it is different.

[Mayfly]

anyone can use a crossbow to hunt deer in minnesota, DURNING FIRMARM DEER SEASON, AND USING YOUR FIRE ARM LIC.

Crossbows
A person may hunt with a crossbow during the regular firearms deer
and bear seasons and with a firearms turkey license. At other times, a
person may not hunt with a crossbow or possess a crossbow in a motor
vehicle unless the crossbow is not armed with a bolt or arrow. Disabled
persons with a valid permit may also hunt with crossbows or use a bow
with a mechanical device that draws, releases, or holds the bow at full
draw (pages 54 and 56).

[whiteoakbuck]

No.... Crossbow hunting is Crossbow hunting. I guess you could lump it into the "archery" category if you had to. It may have its similarities but it is different.

I agree

[Go Big Red!]

No.... Crossbow hunting is Crossbow hunting. I guess you could lump it into the "archery" category if you had to. It may have its similarities but it is different.

How so?  I don't know enough about bows or crossbows.

[mncowboy]

big red zone 601 is metro area, take maple grove for example still alot of farm land there in areas and right next to the farms is  a big housing delovment    i think they should have a season for crossbow that you need a lic. for not under the archery lic. like muzzle loader has

[Go Big Red!]

big red zone 601 is metro area, take maple grove for example still alot of farm land there in areas and right next to the farms is  a big housing delovment    i think they should have a season for crossbow that you need a lic. for not under the archery lic. like muzzle loader has

Thanks for the clarification. What if a person used one of those "long barrels" like sharpshooters do when culling city deer herds?  Can a regular hunter like us us one during gun deer in 601 or any other zone?  Still have the reach of a slug and the quietness of a small side arm.

[Mayfly]

No.... Crossbow hunting is Crossbow hunting. I guess you could lump it into the "archery" category if you had to. It may have its similarities but it is different.

How so?  I don't know enough about bows or crossbows.

Just because its a completely different weapon. Its all hunting its just not the same weapon. Its a form of archery but I think its in between a bow and a gun.  I shot a crossbow once and I sat down for the first time and the range with a guy and shot it just like a gun. Its not like a bow or at least was not in my experience. It had a scope and I just loaded it and pulled a trigger. When shooting a bow you are relying more on your strength and skill to aim and get a shot off rather than a gun or crossbow where you just pull it up, get the scope on the deer and pull the trigger. Not taking anything away from it, full support here for crossbow hunters, just saying it is different.

[The General]

I'd agree with the strength part and a bow, but not the difference in skill to aim it.......at least not with today's bows.  The ability to aim a bow is not difficult and I don't see it taking any more skill.  Put the pin on the heart and from 0 to 30 yards you are golden and my bow is 7 or 8 years old.  I can't imagine the new bows....do you even need 2 pins to shoot to 40 yards?  With a crossbow you are looking through a scope sure but you're putting the dot in the scope on the spot you want to hit and each dot is kind of a yardage marker like the pins on a bow.  Take the sights off of each and then IMO you could start talking skills to aim.  Either that or start taking shots with sights over 50 yards where you don't know the exact yardage, can't use a range finder, that gets a lot harder. 

[nic53]

I think there is a big difference in aiming. A crossbow you just put to your shoulder like a gun witch every time you will have the same outcome. But a normal bow you have to make sure you draw back every time the same way and have the same anchor point to have the same shot. Unless I am wrong with the crossbow cuz i personally have never shoot one. Its a total different weapon like MNO said.

[The General]

I think you make some very good points nic.  I guess I've shot a bow for 18 years and just took it from my view point.  I don't even think about the anchor point or drawing back any more.  I was just taking the looking through a peep and lining up the pins.  For a brand new beginner to both sports I would for sure think a crossbow would be easier to hit in the ten ring.

[corny13]

North Dakota is currently thinking of legalizing using a crossbow during GUN season the law has passed the house and is in the senate now.

[Go Big Red!]

So what is easier to shoot?  Cross bow or archery bow?

[Mayfly]

I'd agree with the strength part and a bow, but not the difference in skill to aim it.......at least not with today's bows.  The ability to aim a bow is not difficult and I don't see it taking any more skill.  Put the pin on the heart and from 0 to 30 yards you are golden and my bow is 7 or 8 years old.  I can't imagine the new bows....do you even need 2 pins to shoot to 40 yards?  With a crossbow you are looking through a scope sure but you're putting the dot in the scope on the spot you want to hit and each dot is kind of a yardage marker like the pins on a bow.  Take the sights off of each and then IMO you could start talking skills to aim.  Either that or start taking shots with sights over 50 yards where you don't know the exact yardage, can't use a range finder, that gets a lot harder. 

I've been shooting a bow since 1999 and I still can't consistently kill X's on a target. I picked up a crossbow for the first time in my life and did it. Luck? Maybe...

[The General]

Tim I bet, just from how passionate you are with the sport, that 99 times out of a 100 from 30 yards and in you can put it in the kill zone of a deer on a paper target.

[Mayfly]

Tim I bet, just from how passionate you are with the sport, that 99 times out of a 100 from 30 yards and in you can put it in the kill zone of a deer on a paper target.

Hmmmm.... 

I don't know.

[The General]

Obviously for as long as I've bow hunted and love the sport this isn't my view point but with what you said Tim about how easy it is to hit the 10 ring I just thought I'd throw this out there.  Maybe Bow hunting should be outlawed and everyone should use a crossbow being it's so much easier and thus leading to less wounded deer getting away.

 

[MTCOMMER]

I think the way MN does it is the best way.  If you have health issues where you cant pull back a bow, then its ok for you to use a crossbow.
I am not saying that I dont think a crossbow is a 'sport' or not considered archery, but if you can pull back a bow - I think you should be compound hunting.

I dont think its that easy with a crossbow (I HAVE NEVER SHOT ONE), like stated before, you still need the target within 30 yards, or 40,50, depends how good you are.

I think its all about what YOU PERSONALLY think.  If you are happy taking a deer with a crossbow, than its archery to you, for others, its just like shooting a shotgun.