How about a positive post on crossbow tips and pointers?

[AteUp]

I was reading on another site that Alabama had a jump in hand/finger injuries after crossbows were legalized. Mostly from people trying to uncock the Xbow while holding the string. I never really thought about it before, but how do you let one down? Do you have to shoot the bolt out? Any tips or pointers for those out there who may be shooting them for the first time? I hope the hunter ed course will include some instruction in their curriculum. For or against, no one wants anybody getting hurt for lack of proper instruction on how to use xbows. Thanks in advance!

[Kansas]

Ateup, the best safest way to unload any crossbow is to shoot it. Most of the thumb injuries occur when the shooter gets his finger or thumb above the top of the barrel. At best, it will sting for days, at worst it can take a thumb off. Most guys carry a bolt with a field tip in their quiver. When you are done hunting, unload the bow, let it down from the tree. At this point, inert the arrow with the field tip and shoot it. You can also go back to the truck and unload it there.

[Duster]

I have allways done like Kansas said. I carried a bolt with a field point so I could shoot it off without ruining a broadhead. I have lowered it from the stand cocked but without a bolt in place but have never pulled it up with the string cocked. Not that hard to cock it once your in the stand with a cocking device. I have from time to time shot that field point at a leaf for pratice before getting out of the stand if I knew there were no deer around to spook. I could see where someone would get a finger caught trying to let 150 + pound down. Thats quite a bit of weight for most fokes. There is a thread now moved to the crossbow forum started by Big Daddy that some questions have been ask and answered. If any of you want ask your questions there and the guys that have hunted with crossbows will try and answer to the best of thier ability.

[joekat46]

I don't own one - yet - but with my Ohio roots have shot several, borrowed a few and taken a deer with one. By far the best thing to look for is a decent trigger pull. I have shot some that had miserable trigger pulls (I thought the safety was on - it wasn't). They aren't worth having. Spend the extra bucks to go to a shop where you can test fire before purchase. That rules out Wallymart. FYI I looked at one at Bass Pro earlier this year that cost over $1,100 (a 10 Point). You can find good xbows a lot cheaper but don't go too cheap. You won't be happy.
Don't know anyone that doesn't carry an old bolt to decock. Also they have to have the string centered when you do cock. There is a lot more to them than just buying one and then running out and decimating the deer herd.

[Willie]

I shoot and hunt with 200 pound Excalibur Exomag.I have for 4 years now.

I dearly love the no hassles recurved limbs. No wheels and no tuning.

I always decock my crossbow by shooting an arrow into the ground or my wait until I get home and shoot one in my target in the back yard.

I tried uncocking by hand ONCE. I can now be a safe cracker and they can't lift my fingerprints as I don't have any left. ;)

LOTS of great crossbow information in video form at..

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/video.html

There is also a forum at http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com that the guys/gals there will be very helpful in any questions you might ask. This is the only forum that I am aware of that you can talk about crossbows and get straight answers without the bickering of whether they should be allowed or not.. Most do shoot Excaliburs, but they do know all there is to know about just about ay crossbow.

I'll do my best to answer any questions you might ask on here too.

[12 pointer]

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/exocet200.htm guys, now thats what i like to see. good ole fashion knowledge sharing. make me want one bad!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)


http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/exocet200.htm

[Willie]

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/exocet200.htm guys, now thats what i like to see. good ole fashion knowledge sharing. make me want one bad!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)


http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/exocet200.htm

The Excalibur Exocet 200 (that is 200 pound pull) is a very fine crossbow.

I've found that the best prices on Excalibur products is at..

http://www.archersnook.com/

This is a Canadian outfit but I have ordered through them many times and no problems at all. All Excaliburs comes with a video that will walk you right through the set up and have you on target in now time.

The video is basically the one I referenced online earlier..

[12 pointer]

The Excalibur Exocet 200 (that is 200 pound pull) is a very fine crossbow.

I've found that the best prices on Excalibur products is at..

http://www.archersnook.com/

This is a Canadian outfit but I have ordered through them many times and no problems at all. All Excaliburs comes with a video that will walk you right through the set up and have you on target in now time.

The video is basically the one I referenced online earlier..


thanks for the info willie!!!!!!!!!! good luck to you on your next hunt.