8 replies to this topic

[darrens66]

I've been taking 9day trips to ohio to hunt the rut for about 10years..most of those years were spent hunting with a vert bow..i had a buddy that wouldn't let up on me trying a cross bow so I finally gave in and committed to the cross bow the second half of my week in 2008.. The first thing I noticed was how heavy it was and felt so bulky in the tree I must say my feeling of shooting fish in a barrel slowly started to disappear.. I began to feel pressure wondering how I was ever gonna be able to make a good shot on a deer with this bulky heavy cross bow .. I figured if one came in straight out in front of me it wouldn't be so bad but how often does that happen.. well just my luck I here something coming off the ridge behind me I turn my head to get a look and I see a giant buck a wall hanger for sure.. I have to stand to get turned around for the shot I managed to grunt and stop him at about 30 yards up the ridge.. he was high enough up the ridge we were just about eye level.. I waited for him to put his head down and raised my bow only to find the back of the tree in the way then I found my self leaning out as far as I dare to clear the tree.. I rested the cross hairs behind his shoulder and pulled the trigger as I watched the deer run off I noticed something very very wrong the bolt was hanging out of his back hip.. a feeling of guilt remorse and anger came over me what could of went wrong as I sat there going over my shot i noticed some bark stuck in the limb of the crossbow.. my limb hit the back of the tree and threw my shot off I wasn't paying attention in all the excitement.. well I got down and found blood and marked it and went back to the 5th wheel and told the guys what happened we decided to let it go till morning.. my buddy who had talked me into hunting with the cross bow was kind of quiet all night then right before bed he said hunting with a cross bow is not so easy is it. I thought for a second about all that happened and I had to agree my fish in a barrel theory was gone.. I layed in bed all night no sleep we got up the next morning and tracked the deer about 150 yards and there he was lucky for me I hit a artery and he bled out fast he was a 11 point and scores 135 and every time I look at him on the wall a feeling comes over me I can't explain my worst hunt ever turned into my best hunt ever and that old buck taught me a lesson that day.. the cross bow is every bit as challenging as a compound any day.. now years gone by I have practiced with my cross bow and that's all I hunt with on my trips to ohio.. I've had some real challenging times with that cross bow. this year ill be taking down a new parker tornado and I can't wait,

[huntingal]

Very good hunting story darren, it's a life lesson for sure, glad yours turned out good.

[Buck Buster]

Thanks for sharing this story. This crossbow myth is still there, but it is losing it's momentum,thanks to these kinds of stories.

[briarpatch]

thanks for the story...it took me a while to get used to the crossbow as well....thankfully, your story had a happy endng...by the way...you're goona love the Tornado

[Buzzard Bait]

darrens66, on 17 August 2010 - 04:34 PM, said:

I've been taking 9day trips to ohio to hunt the rut for about 10years..most of those years were spent hunting with a vert bow..i had a buddy that wouldn't let up on me trying a cross bow so I finally gave in and committed to the cross bow the second half of my week in 2008.. The first thing I noticed was how heavy it was and felt so bulky in the tree I must say my feeling of shooting fish in a barrel slowly started to disappear.. I began to feel pressure wondering how I was ever gonna be able to make a good shot on a deer with this bulky heavy cross bow .. I figured if one came in straight out in front of me it wouldn't be so bad but how often does that happen.. well just my luck I here something coming off the ridge behind me I turn my head to get a look and I see a giant buck a wall hanger for sure.. I have to stand to get turned around for the shot I managed to grunt and stop him at about 30 yards up the ridge.. he was high enough up the ridge we were just about eye level.. I waited for him to put his head down and raised my bow only to find the back of the tree in the way then I found my self leaning out as far as I dare to clear the tree.. I rested the cross hairs behind his shoulder and pulled the trigger as I watched the deer run off I noticed something very very wrong the bolt was hanging out of his back hip.. a feeling of guilt remorse and anger came over me what could of went wrong as I sat there going over my shot i noticed some bark stuck in the limb of the crossbow.. my limb hit the back of the tree and threw my shot off I wasn't paying attention in all the excitement.. well I got down and found blood and marked it and went back to the 5th wheel and told the guys what happened we decided to let it go till morning.. my buddy who had talked me into hunting with the cross bow was kind of quiet all night then right before bed he said hunting with a cross bow is not so easy is it. I thought for a second about all that happened and I had to agree my fish in a barrel theory was gone.. I layed in bed all night no sleep we got up the next morning and tracked the deer about 150 yards and there he was lucky for me I hit a artery and he bled out fast he was a 11 point and scores 135 and every time I look at him on the wall a feeling comes over me I can't explain my worst hunt ever turned into my best hunt ever and that old buck taught me a lesson that day.. the cross bow is every bit as challenging as a compound any day.. now years gone by I have practiced with my cross bow and that's all I hunt with on my trips to ohio.. I've had some real challenging times with that cross bow. this year ill be taking down a new parker tornado and I can't wait,

Hunting from a climbing or hang on stand on a tree with a crossbow is extremely difficult! I now use ladder stands, most have a shooting rail you can rest the crossbow on. When a deer comes from behind you (and they usually do) it is not easy to get a "good" shot.

[Cajun Executioner]

Do you have any photos of that big crossbow buck? I bet everyone would love to see the bigun'

[darrens66]

Yes I do have some ill see if if I can figure out how to post some

[potshot]

Great story I am in transition from compound to crossbow this year and I am learning a lot of what is said about crossbows is a myth. They are not the magical weapon I thought they were, they can't make the rifle like kills out to 100 yards like everyone told me. They are very accurate but right now if I don't have a good rest I won't be comfortable with any shoots passed 20 yards. And they definitely are not the silent death machines people think they are. But they are a lot of fun and when shoot off of a good rest they amazingly accurate but still a short range weapon.

[Spirithawk]

Thanks, I enjoyed your story. I just laugh at folks that have the idea that crossbows are some magic weapon that gives you a fantastic edge when hunting. They do have their good points but there are many a draw back, no pun intended, too. I simply tell them that if they want to truly know what a crossbow can and can't do, I'll loan them one to use firearms season. That's the best reality check ever.