Crossbow

I am considering getting a crossbow to hunt deer with. I have no experience with crossbows or any archery. So my question is, what is a good starter crossbow that will take a deer down?
what type of point do you use for deer? Do you unstring them to store them? With a good quality entry level bow what kind of shot ( in yards) could I comfortably shoot and still take a deer down? What other suggestions or advise do you have to offer for a first time crossbow hunter?
The reason I want a crossbow is every year I travel for my work and I miss Gun season. I do get to hunt most of muzzle loader season but I would just like to get to hunt earlier in the season to put meat on the table.
Thanks for your input!

I had to go to a crossbow several years ago because of the arthritis in my left hand/thumb joint. I use a Wicked Ridge by 10 point crossbows. It cost around $450. Very fast and easy to shoot. I have taken several deer with it using Rage Hypodermic broadheads. No need to take it down. I "unload" the bow at my target after hunting and no shooting.

I also use wicked ridge, I've taken them at up to 40yds but have no doubt it
can go 50 with a clean kill. I use an arrow with a blunt or practice tip and unload in ground a few yards away. Pulls right out unless you hit a root. I love it, girlfriend loves hers.

I like the scorpyd design

I'm looking into a Tenpoint Shadow NXT pending the results of my 2nd MRI in the morning. They're going to decide whether I need surgery on one shoulder or both. I have started to come to terms with the thought of not being able to use my compound next year. Hopefully if they fix both I'll be able to go back to the vertical bow after one season. I really like the idea of the narrow design. I think this one seems like a good value. Not cheap but a lot of features for half of the top of the line stuff.

i went with excaliber. recurve design you don't need a phd. to work on it.

I fell this spring and tore my rotator cuff. I had surgery on that side three times, this was the fourth. My bow hunting days are done. Went and bought a Raven cross bow. This thing is deadly accurate, there are you tube videos of people shooting them out to 100 yards. I still have strength issues, but as soon as that developers I’ll be out there. The pro’s you can crank to (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) it and let it down as well. Don’t have to shoot it. Con’s, weight and cost. Check them out.

My next one will be an Excaliber...might be a while until that $ happens , I sold my Horton before my Alaskan Bear trip.

Nope just alot of clearence to shoot them and ear plugs for the noise.


Wont got wrong with the shadow nxt. My son and I both killed bucks with one this year and it is an awesome crossbow that does not need alot of room to shoot and is extremely quiet for a crossbow.

I shoot a Excalibur Grizzly, easy to shoot, bullet proof. Biggest thing you can decock it without shooting a arrow. Look around for a used 1, older excals are wider, had a Exomag, amazing accurate, 60 yd kills where easy.

Parker enforcer here. Hunted with some guys that had ravins and they are top of the line deer machines

Killed my nice mule deer with a parker

Wicked ridge by ten points. Local Great Lakes USA and great product great service.

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like it is time to go shopping.

Wicked ridge by ten point here. Practice with it. The shot placement is more important than the crossbow imo.

Excalibur Axiom. Recurve design. Dependable and super easy to work on if a string is frayed or breaks. Noisy when shot? Yes! If the deer you are shooting at hears it you must have missed!

$500.00 out the door with a scope and quiver.

Chris

Axiom is a good bow for the $, bulletproof. I started with one and then uped it to an exomax. Shot a yote going away from me with the axiom at 30 yards....arrow went thru his backside and exited the front chest.

Lots of Excalibur fans in this forum. I'm not sure why, if it's driven on price or what. Excalibur was the brand I went with when I first started shooting crossbows, Equinox to be specific. I didn't care for the hand cocking and I didn't care for how wide they were up in the tree stand. Many talk about how quiet the Excalibur's are, but mine certainly wasn't . Many talk about the simplicity for working on them or changing strings, but in going on 10 years I have only changed my TenPoint string twice and I had no problem doing it. Other than wax and rail lube it's been very maintenance free.

Before you purchase I hope you find a place where you can shoot a few different makes. I am not bashing Excalibur and I am not promoting TenPoint, just sharing my experiences. Good luck looking, let the fun begin.

WS

Coon,
I am not knocking crossbows but if your are healthy and can draw a vertical bow don't be worried about not having any experience with them, they are pretty simple to get good with. A little time and practice can make you a very proficient shooter, no different that what you would need to do with a crossbow.

I bought a Barnett Whitetail Hunter this year.Comes set up,think it was $400.But I like it,and I can group out to 50 yards.Killed a deer with my friends bow just like it last year.I shoot Rage expandable broadheads,left a pretty nice hole.

Lets you get back out there

I was talking to a guy today and he told me that you always had to have a rest when shooting a crossbow even if it was a close shot. He said the reason was because when the crossbow fired the limbs created a lot of movement. Is this true

not true at all.

Not true. It is because to hold it steady better with a rest. I use my knee when I am sitting. The weight is another thing if you can not hold it up long.