How old were you when you made the switch to the dreaded cross-gun. I hate to admit it, but I may have to make the switch soon. My pride is getting in the way.

It really depends on your physical condition not so much age. I see videos of people shooting bows with their feet. I won a nice mathews bow probably 15 years ago. The way it breaks over is so different from my old Jennings that I struggled with it right of. Mathews replace the limbs with lighter limbs with I was able to work with. That said I really wasnt doing that much bow hunting. So I only ever had it woods few times. Few years back my son showed more interest in bow hunting. My shoulder wasnt letting me pull the mathews anymore without serious jerk.
I gave that bow to my son. So I'm 69 now and when and if I do go bow hunting, I carry crossbow. I still shoot few carp every summer with old bows set up for just that. Their draw weights maybe 30-35 lbs.
So like said it a physical thing with me. My shoulder no longer let's me pull heavier bow. Also my balance is getting so that I have trouble shooting standing.
LABATYD..

Mac

My shoulders were injured years back I’ll move back to my compound this year if it’s doable if not my X permit is good for a couple more years whatever keeps me in the game so screw the haters as haters gonna hate pay them no mind!

I went to a Crossbow the fall of 2024. I was 66 and my Shoulders couldn't take it anymore. I went to a Ciropractor and he filled out paperwork for me to use one. The State of North Dakota turned me down. Said I wasn't disabled enough. The State of South Dakota was no problem and gave me a four year permit. I don't know any other Bowhunter in North Dakota that is 60 yrs old and still bow hunting. North Dakota has be come a joke for hunting. I live in MN and always bow hunted the three States. Now I don't hunt North Dakota at all.

Unfortunately way younger than I wanted, I was forced to due to a back and shoulder injury. Haven’t shot a deer with a crossbow since I got one, but have shot a bunch of bears. Eric

Switched over to a xbow about 2018. I started feeling unsafe getting in and out of tree stands. No ground blinds just tucked up against a big tree or thick brush. I've taken 2 bucks with it so far. 1 pretty nice 9 pointer.

About age 65

I'm 64 and still shoot my compound. I turned it down to 62 pounds after my rotator cuff surgery. It was a little over 70. I did shoot a buck with a cross bow the year of my shoulder surgery because my doctor said absolutely not when I asked if I could start practicing. Hoping that I can continue to draw my bow for many years. But I have no problem switching if I have to.

Drawing is easy for me on July. A little different in the cold and sitting for a while.

I'm upper 60's and use a compound and not sure my pride would allow me to go xbow. I know a few guys that got doc to sign them off to use xbow and are and can pull a bow back way better then can. I know there are some abusers out there. If you absolutely can't then I truly believe getting a pass is great.

55 ten years ago .

Dad is 79 and still shooting a recurve

The newer bows are getting easier and easier to draw than the older ones at the same draw weight. I was having trouble with my old Z7 Extreme so my boy offered to trade me for his newer Monster and it made a big difference. I’m kind of afraid to try the brand new ones as I’m not sure I want to spend $2500 on a new setup.

61 and still shoot my Mathews Triax compound......68lbs. Killed 2 nice bucks and a doe with it this past Oct & Nov. I use a 4-finger handheld thumb release. Much better than a wrist strapped index finger release.

My shoulders are good......knees not so much.

Good man! My old man had to switch to the compound in his late 40s due to a shoulder injury, and now that he can't draw a compound, I can't talk him into a crossbow. He just rifles them.

For the love of all things archery and hunting. It’s a crossbow. Stop with the cross-gun nonsense.


It is still a limited range method of take. 40 yards or so.

And don’t come at me with the… it can shoot farther nonsense.

I can shoot farther than most with a dang longbow, recurve and compound bow.


A modern compound bow is the same thing as a crossbow. It’s just held vertically. A crossbow just has assistance with holding the string.


Have a good one, get one and keep hunting. Or let your stupid pride get in the way for absolutely no reason at all and stop hunting. Just be sure to send me the pin locations to your hunting spots.

I have bowhunted right about 50 years. I was shooting over 70lb draw weight but now I am at 60. Don't know how much longer that will be. Shooting 50 or even 40 wouldn't bother me. I have seen how 40 lbs is on deer in the hands of my wife when she bowhunted. Complete pass throughs on the deer that she harvested. Mainly having more struggles getting in and out of portable stands now.

61 and still shoot vertical but if needed I wouldn’t hesitate

A big difference between disability and just age for arm and shoulder strength in being able to pull back a bow. I for one won't stoop low enough to cheat on being a sportsmen just to kill a big game animal. I'm also one that doesn't believe in hunting over bait or food plots with a deer's head buried in pumpkin. I do know there are haters for my opinion on hunting as fair and on equal basis.

To many cheaters in this world when coming to hunting just to say they killed a big game critter.

68 years old and will never go to a crossbow. Have dropped bow weight substantially but will quit first. Have killed 77 deer with various stickbows.