Don Higgins, his take on Crossbows

[Ryan549]

If there were no advantages to using a crossbow, then nobody would switch from a compound to a crossbow. The same would go for traditional equipment and switching to a compound.

[NorthStar]

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t care if somebody hunts with a crossbow or not. If it’s legal, then whatever. Outside of a conversation like this or someone bringing it up to me, I don’t give it 1 second of my thoughts.

But, for able body individuals, what is the draw for it? I don’t get it. So many people that I know were chomping at the bit for our state to legalize crossbows across the board. And a lot of people that didn’t want it, well they shoot crossbows now that it’s legal. I would estimate that at least 50% of people that I personally know (that hunt) shoot crossbows.

The most consistent response that I got from people about why they wanted to switch to a crossbow was this: “Now I can shoot further”. The second most common response was, “ Now I don’t have to practice anymore”. I’m just wondering, is that typical of most people that switch? Im not trying to be a smarta$$, I’m just genuinely curious why so many people shoot crossbows now.

I can only speak for myself here but I am drawn towards using a crossbow because I believe it increases my odds of tagging a deer. I work extremely hard trying to pattern deer and other hunters on public land but I also have limited time to hunt. I want to stack the odds on my favor as much as a legally can.

[Ryan549]

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t care if somebody hunts with a crossbow or not. If it’s legal, then whatever. Outside of a conversation like this or someone bringing it up to me, I don’t give it 1 second of my thoughts.

But, for able body individuals, what is the draw for it? I don’t get it. So many people that I know were chomping at the bit for our state to legalize crossbows across the board. And a lot of people that didn’t want it, well they shoot crossbows now that it’s legal. I would estimate that at least 50% of people that I personally know (that hunt) shoot crossbows.

The most consistent response that I got from people about why they wanted to switch to a crossbow was this: “Now I can shoot further”. The second most common response was, “ Now I don’t have to practice anymore”. I’m just wondering, is that typical of most people that switch? Im not trying to be a smarta$$, I’m just genuinely curious why so many people shoot crossbows now.

I can only speak for myself here but I am drawn towards using a crossbow because I believe it increases my odds of tagging a deer. I work extremely hard trying to pattern deer and other hunters on public land but I also have limited time to hunt. I want to stack the odds on my favor as much as a legally can.

I don’t have an issue with this at all.

[NorthStar]

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t care if somebody hunts with a crossbow or not. If it’s legal, then whatever. Outside of a conversation like this or someone bringing it up to me, I don’t give it 1 second of my thoughts.

But, for able body individuals, what is the draw for it? I don’t get it. So many people that I know were chomping at the bit for our state to legalize crossbows across the board. And a lot of people that didn’t want it, well they shoot crossbows now that it’s legal. I would estimate that at least 50% of people that I personally know (that hunt) shoot crossbows.

The most consistent response that I got from people about why they wanted to switch to a crossbow was this: “Now I can shoot further”. The second most common response was, “ Now I don’t have to practice anymore”. I’m just wondering, is that typical of most people that switch? Im not trying to be a smarta$$, I’m just genuinely curious why so many people shoot crossbows now.

I can only speak for myself here but I am drawn towards using a crossbow because I believe it increases my odds of tagging a deer. I work extremely hard trying to pattern deer and other hunters on public land but I also have limited time to hunt. I want to stack the odds on my favor as much as I legally can.

[Prairie Sasquatch]

I don’t care that much if people use a traditional compound or a crossbow and I certainly could give a crap less about what Don Higgins thinks about it. I’m not disparaging him but he’s just a dude that hunts like everybody else. Success has much more to do with the hunters ability and their available time than the type of weapon.

It’s like being jealous of people because they own a private farm in Iowa and shoot b&c deer every year. It’s just a deer. Their success has no bearing on my enjoyment of hunting. I have a great time hunting no matter what I’m hunting.

You’re on your own journey. Just enjoy it for what it is. I have buddies that have great deer to hunt and they complain about them not being big enough. That’s just stupid in my view. They could be out learning and having fun hunting those deer. Instead they sit inside and complain about them not being big enough. I also guarantee when they get that big buck in front of them they are gonna come unglued because they don’t have enough experience to handle the adrenaline.
Then they will really be disappointed.

“Comparison is the thief of joy”

[Hawthorne]

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t care if somebody hunts with a crossbow or not. If it’s legal, then whatever. Outside of a conversation like this or someone bringing it up to me, I don’t give it 1 second of my thoughts.

But, for able body individuals, what is the draw for it? I don’t get it. So many people that I know were chomping at the bit for our state to legalize crossbows across the board. And a lot of people that didn’t want it, well they shoot crossbows now that it’s legal. I would estimate that at least 50% of people that I personally know (that hunt) shoot crossbows.

The most consistent response that I got from people about why they wanted to switch to a crossbow was this: “Now I can shoot further”. The second most common response was, “ Now I don’t have to practice anymore”. I’m just wondering, is that typical of most people that switch? Im not trying to be a smarta$$, I’m just genuinely curious why so many people shoot crossbows now.

Yes, you don’t have to practice has much. Doesn’t mean you don’t practice at all with a crossbow just not has intimately with a reg bow. All those years I spent hours in the back yard, at leagues, and 3d shoots are no more for me now that i shoot a crossbow. Gave me time to pursue other interest which I have.Last I heard archery clubs 3d shoots are hurting these days because of the crossbow. I remember 20 years ago then being jamm packed in Michigan.I don’t think they are a further range weapon has a compound. At least the one I shoot. 40 yds still a long shot

[Ryan549]

Let me preface this by saying that I don’t care if somebody hunts with a crossbow or not. If it’s legal, then whatever. Outside of a conversation like this or someone bringing it up to me, I don’t give it 1 second of my thoughts.

But, for able body individuals, what is the draw for it? I don’t get it. So many people that I know were chomping at the bit for our state to legalize crossbows across the board. And a lot of people that didn’t want it, well they shoot crossbows now that it’s legal. I would estimate that at least 50% of people that I personally know (that hunt) shoot crossbows.

The most consistent response that I got from people about why they wanted to switch to a crossbow was this: “Now I can shoot further”. The second most common response was, “ Now I don’t have to practice anymore”. I’m just wondering, is that typical of most people that switch? Im not trying to be a smarta$$, I’m just genuinely curious why so many people shoot crossbows now.

Yes, you don’t have to practice has much. Doesn’t mean you don’t practice at all with a crossbow just not has intimately with a reg bow. All those years I spent hours in the back yard, at leagues, and 3d shoots are no more for me now that i shoot a crossbow. Gave me time to pursue other interest which I have.I don’t think they are a further range weapon has a compound. At least the one I shoot. 40 yds still a long shot

You don’t have to practice at all. If someone picked up a crossbow,
Who had never shot one before, they can put the crosshairs on the target and pull the trigger and hit bullseye’s. You cannot do that with a compound or traditional equipment- more than likely they wouldn’t be able to draw the bow, much less aim and shoot a perfect shot.

[NorthStar]

I both like and respect Don Higgins. I believe he would be successful hunting anywhere. I admire a man who doesn’t spew the pr crap and speaks his mind.

Of course Don is free to say crossbow hunters are comparable to men playing woman's sports and there is no way for me to know the motives of this statement. But if I had to guess motive, and I would probably be right, Don is trying to be provocative here. There are many ways to get your point across without making a disparaging remark like this.

And as for his ability to be successful hunting deer anywhere...I am not certain about this. I wish THP would start the Public Land Challenge back up and invite Don to participate.

[Bowhunting Brian]

If there were no advantages to using a crossbow, then nobody would switch from a compound to a crossbow. The same would go for traditional equipment and switching to a compound.

The difference in my opinion, a crossbow isn't archery equipment. The other two are.

[NorthStar]

If there were no advantages to using a crossbow, then nobody would switch from a compound to a crossbow. The same would go for traditional equipment and switching to a compound.

The difference in my opinion, a crossbow isn't archery equipment. The other two are.

Compound bows probably have more in common with crossbows than they do with trad bows. For the most part they both use strings, pulleys, and a trigger system to release arrows.

[Bowhunting Brian]

If there were no advantages to using a crossbow, then nobody would switch from a compound to a crossbow. The same would go for traditional equipment and switching to a compound.

The difference in my opinion, a crossbow isn't archery equipment. The other two are.

Compound bows probably have more in common with crossbows than they do with trad bows. For the most part they both use strings, pulleys, and a trigger system to release arrows.

Still have to draw and shoot.

[Groundhunter@1]

Bottom line xbow hunters don't care. what Don thinks.

[Boogieman1]

If there were no advantages to using a crossbow, then nobody would switch from a compound to a crossbow. The same would go for traditional equipment and switching to a compound.

The difference in my opinion, a crossbow isn't archery equipment. The other two are.

Compound bows probably have more in common with crossbows than they do with trad bows. For the most part they both use strings, pulleys, and a trigger system to release arrows.

Using this logic wouldn’t u say xbows have more in common with a firearm? You know…. Stock, scope, trigger, safety, available in double barrel, etc…..

[Boogieman1]

I both like and respect Don Higgins. I believe he would be successful hunting anywhere. I admire a man who doesn’t spew the pr crap and speaks his mind.

Of course Don is free to say crossbow hunters are comparable to men playing woman's sports and there is no way for me to know the motives of this statement. But if I had to guess motive, and I would probably be right, Don is trying to be provocative here. There are many ways to get your point across without making a disparaging remark like this.

And as for his ability to be successful hunting deer anywhere...I am not certain about this. I wish THP would start the Public Land Challenge back up and invite Don to participate.

I don’t have a clue if Don would do the public land challenge or not. But it’s not exactly apples to apples. I don’t believe Don is gonna shoot a lesser buck just so he can say he killed something and the chance of him stumbling across a buck that would get him excited is near impossible on such a challenge. I’ve read dozens of Dons articles and believe it’s locating a giant and hunting one specific buck that gets his jolly’s off.

[Ryan549]

I both like and respect Don Higgins. I believe he would be successful hunting anywhere. I admire a man who doesn’t spew the pr crap and speaks his mind.

Of course Don is free to say crossbow hunters are comparable to men playing woman's sports and there is no way for me to know the motives of this statement. But if I had to guess motive, and I would probably be right, Don is trying to be provocative here. There are many ways to get your point across without making a disparaging remark like this.

And as for his ability to be successful hunting deer anywhere...I am not certain about this. I wish THP would start the Public Land Challenge back up and invite Don to participate.

I don’t have a clue if Don would do the public land challenge or not. But it’s not exactly apples to apples. I don’t believe Don is gonna shoot a lesser buck just so he can say he killed something and the chance of him stumbling across a buck that would get him excited is near impossible on such a challenge. I’ve read dozens of Dons articles and believe it’s locating a giant and hunting one specific buck that gets his jolly’s off.

I think you are correct here, that’s just what he likes to do. Some guys like to go along lead and drop whatever walks, that’s fine for them as well.
I’m neutral when it comes to Don, but I think he gets a bad rap because he is successful at doing just what you said. He locates giant, mature deer and he kills them. I’d bet most of us on this forum will never encounter a single animal that size in our lives. So what…. He has the farm and some permission properties in a really nice area- we going to hate him for that?
He has different goals than I do, than most do.
His view on crossbows should be taken just as seriously as mine- it’s one person’s opinion- take it or leave it.

This is a debate that will stand the test of time