I drew the Chaparral WMA Crossbow Deer hunt for Dec 5-9th of this year.

I have a compound bow but have never crossbow hunted before and I don't own a crossbow. If anyone can give me some basic crossbow shopping/hunting advice I would appreciate it.

Also, if anyone has done the crossbow or bow hunt at the Chaparral, I would like to hear about it. I've done some searches on it and picked up some good advice but any input would be appreciated.

Wax the string and lube the rail often...

First you need to pick a budget and then we can narrow down a crossbow from there. To me, one of the most important aspects is noise. These things can make quite a bit of noise when they shoot so you want to look for one that is quiet. Depending on your age and ability you may or may not want one with a crank to [censored] the strings. I use a pulley type and it works just fine. Some crossbows are longer than others and can make life difficult in a tree stand when you're trying to aim between branches or trying to turn without hitting the tree and making noise. Are you planning on future crossbow hunts or will this be a one and done?

At this point, unless I end up loving it, it will probably be a one and done thing since I already bow and rifle hunt.

It looks like Cabela's has options from under $500 to over $2000. So hopefully something in the $500 range would be serviceable enough to get the job done. I will most likely sell the thing after the hunt is over so I could potentially go up to $800.

I'm 25 and in good physical shape. I'd rather not have to buy a stand also, I've read mixed reviews of people using the stands that are already out there/bringing their own or possibly building a brush blind. I'm thinking the crossbow will be an advantage here over a compound bow because I won’t have to worry about getting busted trying to draw.

I'm guessing the stands that are already set up are geared more towards rifle hunters?

I would go with the Wicked Ridge Invader. I have it and it gets the job done. It has an integrated cocking mechanism and comes with a Ten Point scope. Wicked Ridge is Ten Point's "economical" line of crossbows
http://www.wickedridgecrossbows.com/invader-crossbow-wicked-ridge.php?id=105&cat=Invader+HP

Like the Barnetts, lots of speed for decent pricing. They are heavy and loud as are most of them..

One of our lease members has one of these and loves it.
It got it from Sportsman’s guide. I shot it and it didn't seem to be that noisy to me.
And at this price you’re not breaking the bank on a new crossbow.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/jaguar-175-lb-crossbow-kit.aspx?a=508885

I have had a PSE Sidewinder (185 lbs draw) for a few years and am very happy with it and it is sub $400, I just bought my Dad the PSE Copperhead (150 lbs draw) for his birthday last week since we got drawn for the Big Lake Bottom WMA crossbow hunt.
Its definitly easier to get the shot off with the cross bow verses compound, but I think it's harder to stalk through the woods with the crossbow.

You guys are going to confuse people calling it crossbow vs compound. It should be crossbow vs Vertical bow. Most crossbows are compounds. I like stalking with the cross because its in your hands and ready to go vs having a Vertical on your back . But it does get heavy pretty fast.

I have been to the Chaparral on a hunt before and there are some awesome deer there. Best advice I could give you is to stay away from the blinds they have in place. Every deer we saw would come out of the brush looking at the blinds and turn around and leave. If I had known then what I know now I would have taken a pop-up blind or tripod and not used the provided blinds. Get in an area away from the provided blinds, play the wind, and bait alot and your chances are good. I really liked the place. They have an awesome area to camp with showers too. Good luck on your hunt, I entered the same hunt and was not drawn.