Crossbows VS Compound Bows

If you are thinking of hunting with a bow and you already did your research, you might be overwhelmed with the choice: Crossbows VS compound bows.

Which one to go for and what are some of the advantages you might be able to get? Also, how is your budget going to cope with either of the choices available?

If you’re new to hunting or if you’re new to bows – this is the article for you. We’ll explain the differences between these two bow types, but we’ll also list all advantages and disadvantages of both types.

Therefore, by the end of this article, you’ll be able to learn exactly what type of bow is the right choice for you and your hunting needs!

What is the Difference: Crossbows VS Compound Bows

Even though both bow types are ideal for hunting – they have a couple of differences that set them apart.

According to these differences, you’ll be able to determine which bow type you think is more suitable for your hunting game and needs.

Crossbow has the ability to produce higher arrow speeds and kinetic energy. Therefore, you’ll see that today’s modern crossbows can reach arrow speeds of up to 470 FPS.

With that comes the greater kinetic energy, but you still won’t have to worry about accuracy as compound bows provide ease of accuracy as it can be shot with the same amount of precision if you’re well-trained.

Crossbows also take less movement to harvest the quarry which also lowers the chance of being sensed by the animals in the wilderness.

On the other hand, compound bows provide quieter shots and they’re easier to handle in the tree stands than a crossbow, mostly because of its design.

The use of lightweight materials makes the compound bow a lot easier to move around with, maneuver, and change positions frequently.

But one of the most important benefits for hunters is that you have the ability to follow-up on your shot a lot quicker than if you used a crossbow.

Pros and Cons of a Crossbow

The main three pros of a crossbow are:

• Ease of use
• Power
• Accuracy

As a hunter, you’ll love having a bow that’s quick in function and you will never have to find yourself practicing accuracy for hours.

Crossbows are the most similar thing to rifles and they work in the same way, only with arrows. Once the trigger is released, the crossbow’s shaft does all the work and it moves the arrow in lighting speed.

When it comes down to accuracy, a scope is more than enough to aim efficiently so you won’t need a lot of time to pick up your crossbow and aim at the game.

One of the most beneficial things about the crossbow’s scope is that it assists when the light conditions are just poor.

When it comes down to the cons, here are a couple you can expect:

1. Bow is heavy
2. It releases the noise at the press of a trigger
3. Some states limit the use of a crossbow

If you ever tried carrying a crossbow long distance, you’d know the struggle you can expect as a hunter. And if you’ve ever shot a crossbow – you’d know exactly the noise we’re talking about when you press the trigger.

Unfortunately, this noise can be a determining factor when you get in a good position and you’re relatively close to the game.

Even though crossbow is not a rifle, some states still might require you to get a license and that’s why we recommend checking the rules within your state.

Luckily, we have covered all 50 states and wrote 50 individual pages containing all rules you would need to know in each state – so give it a read!

Pros and Cons of a Compound Bow

Compound bows are more known as modern bows and here are some of its pros:

• It’s ideal for beginners
• There’s no noise
• It’s very lightweight and easy to maneuver

If you’re just starting, picking up a compound bow will help you develop your focus as you learn to aim and shoot. Even though it might require a bit more practice, this will eventually help you in the long run.

And if you’ve ever tried shooting a compound bow, you’d notice that it doesn’t release any noise at all. This is one of its biggest pros for hunters and that’s just one of the reasons we think combining hunting eBikes with compound bows is a great strategy.

When you know that you’ll need to cover some distance with your bow, a compound bow is a great choice because it’s very lightweight and it’s easy to maneuver around so you won’t have any difficulties.

However, compound bows also have its cons so here’s what you can expect:

• It takes a lot of time to learn how to aim
• They’re not as powerful
• They’re not suitable for hunters with disabilities

With compound bows, the more strength you apply to the string will determine the distance your arrow will cover.

Combine this with a lot of practice that’s required to learn how to aim and increase your accuracy – this might not be one of the ideal choices for some hunters out there.

Even a slight arm injury might change the way you hunt because you won’t have the strength you would usually need to shoot a compound bow.

Conclusion

Deciding whether you’ll take a crossbow or a compound bow to a hunt can be a tough decision. After all, it’s all about the pros and cons of crossbows VS compound bows and we think that if you weigh the pros and cons of both options – you’ll be able to find the best option for your needs.

Some hunters might immediately get attracted to the pros of a compound bow only to discover that its cons might not be suitable for them.

And that’s okay – that’s exactly how you come to the conclusion and solve this overwhelming choice you have on your hands.

But the great thing is – once you solve it, you’ll enjoy every moment of your hunt so it’s definitely worth it in the end!

Do your research, consider your options, and take it slow! Also, when you know exactly what to expect from each bow type – we recommend checking the options out there!