Why bows are better than xbows

Crossbows also have the advantage when it comes to ease of accuracy. While the shooter plays the major role in placing an arrow down range precisely, it is an easier task performed with a crossbow. I have seen many occasions where someone shooting a crossbow for the first time can repeatedly hit a quarter sized dots at twenty yards. That same shooter is very capable of repeatedly hitting that same quarter sized dot at twenty yards with a compound bow.

It just requires much more practice than a crossbow does. And, speaking of practice, it doesn't always matter which kind of archery target you use as long as it's not the neighbor's dog. Just try to put in as much time as you can, even if it's only minutes a day. An additional advantage of the crossbow is the lack of movement required to operate it when the time comes to harvest an animal. Anyone who has ever hunted anything knows the value of being still and quiet. Crossbows can be shot with very little movement by the hunter.

However, some would argue that the added challenge of getting to full draw on an animal with a compound bow makes the task of harvesting an animal with a compound bow more difficult and, therefore, more rewarding. And that brings me to the advantages of compound bows next. Compound bows tend to be much quieter shooting than crossbows, which helps a lot when a shot on an animal does not go as planned.

Yes, everybody misses at some point. And since a quieter shot is less likely to put the forest critters on high alert, that makes the possibility for a follow-up shot greater with a compound bow.

And not only are compound bows quieter than crossbows, they also have a faster reload time. Most crossbows require some form of cocking aid, usually in the form of a rope-style cocking device that is not integrated into the crossbow. Some crossbows do have a crank style cocking device that is integrated into the stock of the crossbow. It takes time and is usually a cumbersome process to cock a crossbow while in a tree stand.

Either way, a follow up shot is much quicker and more easily performed with a compound bow. While in the confines of a tree stand, a compound bow tends to be less awkward and consumes less space than a crossbow.

A fully cocked crossbow can take up a lot of room when sitting in a tree stand, leaving less room for the hunter. This can sometimes lead to excessive movement in an attempt to sit comfortably while waiting on the quarry. Compound bows also tend to weigh less.

The average compound hunting bow weighs about 6 pounds, while the average crossbow weighs about 8 pounds. So, the hunter who needs to travel long distances on foot to get to the hunting ground may find the lightweight design of a compound bow to be advantageous. But before saying much more, I believe that there really is no wrong choice.

As hunters, we owe it to our prey to make a quick, clean, humane harvest. And whichever option enables the hunter to do so should be a key factor in the choice to be made.

Hunters with physical disabilities or who suffer from injuries to the neck, back, or shoulders may find it difficult to practice shooting a compound bow enough to become proficient with it. Because such conditions make it harder for the hunter to ensure a clean harvest of an animal, a crossbow presents a clear, ethical option. With much less practice time, that same hunter could easily become very proficient with a crossbow and, thus, be able to make a quick, clean harvest.

Similarly, younger hunters or any hunter who struggles with drawing the weight on a compound bow, ought to consider whether they are ethically able to hunt with one. The same can be said for the hunter who simply does not have time to dedicate to practicing with a compound bow. These are good examples of hunters who would benefit from a crossbow over a compound bow. Shooting with a crossbow still requires hours of practice in order to become proficient with the weapon.

But far less time is required. Hunters who thoroughly enjoy the sport of recreational shooting and have the desire to shoot frequently may get more enjoyment out of shooting and hunting with a compound bow instead of a crossbow. Personally, I shoot my compound bows daily. Aside from practicing just to become good enough to cleanly harvest an animal, I just enjoy shooting a bow.

It can be very calming at the end of a long day. A compound bow can be shot with every bit of the same precision as a crossbow, but it takes a lot of practice to become proficient enough with a compound bow to ensure a clean and ethical harvest of an animal. And, for many compound bow hunters, regular practice is part of the enjoyment. As mentioned earlier, the added challenge of hunting with a compound bow over a crossbow holds great appeal for many hunters.

Additionally, if a hunter aspires to bowhunt in other states around the country, a compound bow may be the better option since some states only permit the use of a crossbow for hunting if the hunter is physically disabled and cannot physically use a compound bow. Again, the choice between hunting with a compound bow, a crossbow, or both is an entirely personal one.

In the end, no matter which weapon you choose, make sure to become skillful with it and enjoy it. It was that enthusiasm, and his affinity for serving customers that first brought Billy to Green Top.

Billy enjoys both freshwater and saltwater fishing. He is also an expert fly fisherman, and has had great success with tying his own flies. As an affiliate, I may earn a commission from purchases made through the links on this page.

Quick Navigation:. Beginner Friendly — Crossbows are arguably easier to learn and shoot accurately than other types of bows.

See some of the top entry-level crossbows here. More Kinetic Energy — You can obtain crossbows with much higher draw weights and kinetic energy than compound bows. Ready to Fire — Compound crossbows are ready to fire once you cock the crossbow and nock a crossbow bolt , i.

Compact Frame — While not as narrow as a firearm, crossbows are compact enough to hunt in the brush, overgrown thickets, as well as tight spaces in a tree stand. You have less strain on your muscles and joints once it is cocked. Disability Friendly — Crossbows are usually easier to work with when it comes to physical disadvantages.

Easy Transition from Rifles — Compound crossbows have a familiar feel and action for those who hunt with a shotgun and rifle. They can introduce rifle and shotgun hunters into the world of archery. Higher Draw Weight — Crossbows require twice the amount of draw weight to send a crossbow arrow at the same speed as a compound bow. That means a lb crossbow will send the crossbow bolt at the same speed like an arrow shot from a 75 lb compound bow.

Loaded Weapon — Once you cock the crossbow , you must treat it like the loaded weapon it is. And just like a rifle, it can be prone to misfire. Generally, you can expect to spend up to six weeks learning the right form. And true archers always keep learning and getting better, over many years. The crossbow is quick to assimilate the technique, while the standard bow requires you to build muscle memory and skill to learn the basics of shooting.

Conventional wisdom pronounces that crossbows are more disability-friendly than compound bows, but this is a myth. There is a national organization Physically Challenged Bow Hunters of America that provide adaptions and training for both the compound bow and the crossbow. In the Paralympics, all the disabled athletes compete using a recurve bow. That being said, crossbows that feature a built in crank automatic cocking device require less physical strength to draw, and you can use a heavier draw weight.

While a compound bow requires the archer to physically draw and notch the arrow and hold in place before firing. Some adaptions can assist with both holding and releasing the arrow. Using a compound bow requires a level of physical fitness like lifting weights, and places a strain on the muscles and joints. For people with physical limitations, either bow type can work, but many people will find crossbows have the advantage.

A crossbow has a compact frame, while a compound bow has a long axel to axel length. These differences may slightly favor one over the other when hiding in cramped conditions like bushes. On the other hand, the crossbow is heavier to handle compared with a light weight recurve or compound bow and is uncomfortable to hold across your lap while sitting and waiting for something to happen.

The crossbow is slower to reload than the compound bow, and the design is noisier when the arrow releases because of the way the kinetic energy is stored. The frame of the crossbow releases energy sharply and with more force than when a compound bow releases the arrow.

All states set limitations on when and how you can use a crossbow for hunting. These regulations are different from hunting with a compound bow. The hunting seasons for crossbow are generally much shorter than those for recurve or compound bows.

Both bow and crossbow are short to medium range weapons with up to a maximum accurate range of between yards. The limit of the power of a compound or recurve bow is your human strength. While the crossbow gives additional mechanical power that exceeds this limit. A crossbow is a loaded weapon with a trigger — it does have safety locks.

So, is a standard bow safer than a crossbow? Whether you agree or disagree, they make a legitimate point. Forty-eight states now allow crossbows in part or all of bow season. The real question is, how are crossbows affecting bowhunting? Yet, the data also shows that crossbows have helped retain older bowhunters who might otherwise have given it up: guys like my father-in-law, who, due to eye problems, has trouble making out the pins on a compound sight, but who can see the reticle in a crossbow scope just fine.

And crossbows help recruit new women and youth archers. No solution is perfect. Whether crossbows are deadlier or not, that is a no-brainer.

But if I need backstrap for a country-fried breakfast, my crossbow is a nice option.