My old attorney and former longtime lease partner who is a little younger than I am - His oldest and my youngest son's played soccer together for close to 10 years - abandoned CF rifles umm way years ago. He is not a large person umm 5'8"+ and 165lbs , but was tough enough to play mens league soccer up to about age 50-55 as a goal keeper in a Mens Open under 35 League . I know he tore up one knee bigtime bad - sez he was awake and watched the doc working on his knee the entire time it was opened up until it got boring doing the zipper scar closure , as he counseled me about which doc's to use on my meniscus roto router job leftover from a car wreck in 2001 he was doing the legal side of - and he was still having trouble with a shoulder leftover from another soccer injury surgery.

Ist shooter to go was his life long use of a 270, then into a 22-250 to loose some recoil before it was cool to have. Then into a crossbow the last 10 years or so. Last time we talked about the crossbow he said it was easy enough to make the change with "lots & lots" of backyard practice as long as you kept your game shots within the viable reach of your bow's reach energy wise, and takes as many deer every year as he wants these days as he did before with a rifle, but albeit at lots closer ranges. I've got mebbe a 50-75+ yard distance available across my backyard I could practice in....is that enough space to work with? Hmmm....Anybody using a crank style to reload with crossbow?

I could be missing the Opportunity to Finally get at least some of the Lottery Hunts I want to get drawn for before I get tooooo old to go anymore. Ya'll' s thoughts please.
Ron

I bought and hunted with a crossbow, starting last year. First in Colorado, on an elk and then here in Texas. However, I did not fire a shot at either (I'm pretty selective). But I am very comfortable with shots out to 80 yards. I can hold a 2"-3" group at 80 yards, consistently. I would take a shot up to 100 yards with perfect conditions; a good rest, etc.
I have been drawn this year at Richland Creek (archery) and I will be taking my crossbow.
BTW, in Colorado you must obtain the exemption (a bit of red tape involved).
I had multiple shoulder surgeries 18 - 20 years ago. After rehab I was able to go back to my compound bow for many years, however, I guess age and arthritis took over, I had a difficult time drawing and holding that draw, comfortably. It took 2 years to get the necessary doctors letters and papers through the Colorado DOW system.

A buddy and I won James Daughtrey WMA for Deer Management this year with only 1 point..... We were surprised to say the least