I am going to deer hunt in HF for deer that will score around 230=250. I was going with my 270 Norrahhammer that I have hunted with for many years. The place is not MLD so the gun season does not start until regular deer season in Nov. I am worried some bow hunter might get him firet. I have never shot crossbow, when I was a kid I had a nice long bow and I could hit with it very good. After I went into service in 1965 and my parents moved I do not know what happened to my bow.
Now I am thinkng about crossbow that has self cocking or what ever you call it. I have severe RA and I can not pull it back. What is one of your suggestion. I can probably afford about $1200. or less to get good bow.

Parker Concord is one self cocking cross bows the rest have some form of winch to draw them back to lock in place.

Tenpoint and Horton have bows in that price range with the accu-draw which is easy to use and reliable plus built on the bow

So, why not hunt now? Crossbow is legal to use by all for past several years during archery only season.

A number of the local sporting goods shops (Dunhams, BassPro, and even Walmart) carry the Barnett Quad 400. Many have these as a package - often called a Quad 400 Extreme. Has a scope or red dot, ratcheting hand crank cocking device, quiver, and 3-4 Headhunter arrows with field tips. Generally late in the hunting season you can pick one of the up for $359 - $399.

The Quad is a quick (about 340 FPS), hard hitting, and accurate crossbow. I have had one for a few years that I use specifically for late season ground blinds off shooting sticks, that I chose due to the excellent fit to my frame. I have taken several deer and all have been pass through shots. In each case the deer has went down within my line of sight. I shoot the 22" Headhunter Arrows with Rage 1.750" Crossbow Broadheads in this bow.

I'm not necessarily a Barnett fan and personally perfer Mission Crossbows, but the Quad 400 package seems to be a good set up when you are on a budget. The biggest trade off with the Quad is weight and width (its a little fat and heavy) that is why is use mine specifically from the ground.

You can find a wealth crossbow experience on this site and friendly people that will share that experience and knowledge with you. Also you have direct access to many crossbow factory representatives. But by all means try them on (as many different bows that fall within your budget), shoot them if possible, but the best crossbow fits well and will perform well for you.

Good luck and good

what DFWPI said, crossbownation.com is the best source for anything crossbow. That said, Parker's have a great warranty, Excalibur are hard to beat in the recurve arena. Ten Point has a huge following. I myself like Carbon Express. Their Piledriver 390 comes with a hand crank if you prefer to use that over a cocking rope.

The Ravin 10 is incredible