Each area and habitat hunted has its own method just to be on level ground sometimes. So people adapt to the situation at hand often like dogs running in swamps that folks won’t/can’t hunt in or places that folks bait in there’s often some reason why it’s done. Just because I won’t do it doesn’t make it wrong if it’s lawful.

I doubt I’ll make the switch ever (knock on wood).

I did quit shooting 70 lbs. My shoulder just can’t handle it. I’m good for 12-15 arrows at 70 lbs than fall apart.

60 lb bows will do what 70 would 15 years ago.

60-65 lb compounds and 45 pound recurves anymore.

lol. Cool story. Glad it’s your opinion and not a fact or anything.

lol. Cheat? Stoop so low as a “sportsman”… lol.


Please tell me you don’t use any, blinds, new warmer clothing, scopes, binoculars, range finders, sights, carbon arrows, metal broadheads. Anything other than a flintlock and a self bow. Well…


That would be cheating .


lol. What a tool.


I’m out.

After you can’t pull a bow, you’re going to sit in the couch and remember what it’s like to hunt? If you’re stable enough to be in a deer stand, idgaf what you hunt with!

^^ I think people with handicaps it is meant for. I wouldn't think of trying to get a Doc to write me knowing my old age isn't capable to pull a bow back. To me that is sportsmanship. If when the day comes I can't I would be in the outdoors being part of it in different ways but still being out there.

You have a great day and there will always be different views. Nothing to get bent out of shape over not all think and act/see thing the same.

I would use a gun if I hunted big but not a crossbow unless disabled and was a legit pas to get one. Cheat means if old age can't pull a bow trying to get a Doc to sign you off just to kill one with a crossbow I personally would call that cheating.

If cheating is shooting a deer with a cross bow i wonder what shooting them with a rifle is called?
I don't use one but I have. I like my compound better.

But to the op. Use what u can to get out hunting. Both different bows have good and bad things about them. What bow and draw weight are u shooting now? Maybe go to an archery shop and tell them what issues u r having. Pull a couple new compounds back if u r having shoulder issues. My brother just bought a new bear adapt, tried a couple other bows and he couldn't pull them back because of his shoulder.

I thought they may drop in price
after season, I thought wrong.

My uncle Albert hunted exclusively with a bow from the mid 1950's until his death a few years ago. He shot all three (longbow, recurve and compound) and shot at targets in his backyard every day for exercise. My cousin said he was target shooting 2 days before his death at the age of 94. WW2 vet he fought in the Aleutian islands of Alaska.

I’m for any weapon that gets people to participate in the hunt . Xbows are know guaranteed kill you still must hunt good locations and put in the time . When one criticizes the tool it would be like saying if you hunt with a firearm it better be a matchlock or it’s cheating. Heck I’d throw rocks at them if they’d let me

I'll be buying one soon.

Its been I'm guessing 35 years since I've bow hunted but with over half our buck kill now being done in archery season, time to get with it.

I'll also be getting my first senior license

About 54-55.
My shoulder and back could no longer take my Pronghorn Long bow. So I purchased a crossbow for myself, but in the back of my mind I was also hoping to get my wife interested in it as well.

Found out that wasn't happening. She only wants to kill deer with the 700 Classic 257 Roberts I let her use the first time she deer hunted.

57 years old. Still shoot longbows and recurves. I don’t have a compound or xbow, but I can tell the day is approaching that’ll be going that direction. But for now….50 - 60# trad stuff

Some of you all sure put a lot of stock into what other people think of the way you choose to kill those "long legged rats" as the farmers here call them.

60 next month. Still shooting trad bows, mostly recurves. I don't like crossbows, I don't want a crossbow, I don't need a crossbow.
BUT, ask again in 5, 10, 15 years and that view may change. None of us know what age and ability will bring. If that's what it takes, I will definitely get one if it keeps me in the deer woods.

I’ll be 68 in a few months, still shoot a 65 lb longbow.

This year I shot:
2 with the recurve
1 with the compound
1 with the crossbow

Cross gun?

Guns are much much different than crossbows to me.

Sums it up as well as anyone could say it

You can still kill deer with a 30-45lb compound, limit your range to 20-25 yards, use a good heavy arrow with high FOC, and a good cut on contact head. As for the crossgun being cheating, we already have enough antis trying to ruin the sport, dont need other outdoorsman helping them. If its legal then do it! Guy says you got all bent out of shape, i think he is the one bent out of shape. Unless you are hunting with a handmade bow and string and fling arrowheads, or a spear then we are all "cheating".

I would like to say I'm sorry what I caused and it should not have bothered me what or how people hunt.

My love for wildlife and the outdoors and my conservationist gets me in trouble at times. The thread did hit a nerve of a couple guys that got Doc waiver and are in good shape to pull a bow. The reason for them wanting to get that crossbow waiver is to be able to hunt 3 months and the rut for big game instead of 1 month hunting.

OP sorry for my views on your question you asked. I wish you what your ability you to get the weapon that you feel works for. Thanks

I don't think anyone should need a doctor's note to use one. They are a legitimate hunting tool, so have at it!