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Squeak2

Well, I'm interested in picking up Crossbow marksmanship for sporting purposes. Its not popular at all here in Florida. There's no ranges, and I have to buy overseas equipment since no one seems make any here.

How is crossbow and rifle shooting where you guys are? Is it popular?
Basically this is a discussion on any type of sport shooting and your feelings towards it.
I'm talking about the kind of sport shooting where there are targets and competitors line up and fire. Not hunting.

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Phil3070

Well you kinda through in rifle shooting randomly there and since I've never shot a crossbow, I'll just talk about that.

I don't mind shooting for sport. Range shooting. Skeet shooting. The thing that bothers me is hunting. But this is not a hunting thread. haha

As long as you practice it safely and in a good area, I see no problem with it. Just don't be a redneck and do it in your back yard. Too many Cletus' show up dead every year from these trailer park shooting accidents.

It is not very popular around here. I live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. So we're close to the city, but there are a few out of place "hicks" that enjoy hunting. But not the tame, humane target practice type of shooting.

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Groteske

Hmm what part of Florida do you live in?

I live in AZ and there are a lot of shooting ranges cause I live close to a Marines base. But I dunno if I have ever seen crossbow competitions before. I have seen some rifle competitions but never anything professional with arrows up close. You'd probably be better off with a rifle or just a regular bow. Those both should be easy to find perhaps at Walmart. Plus Walmart has great return policies just incase you change your mind and decide on another hobby. ^^

Oh and also there should be lots of fishing/camping stores in FL. Walk into one of those and ask around.

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Squeak2

Lakeland, in Polk County, Centralish Florida, why?
I enjoy crossbows more than rifles, but I suppose I can go for both, still, theres not many ranges I can find around here. And by not many, I mean none, haha.
There are a lot of fishing and camping stores around my place, but they don't carry exhibition style crossbows (The ones that tournaments use, as well as official ranges according to some of the stuff I'm reading).

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Groteske

Just curious. And I meant northern or southern Florida. The more north you go in Florida the more white-trash it gets.

Hmm yeah that special exhibition stuff is special made to meet competition specifications. But uh just order a crossbow and buy some hay and some target paper. Stack the hay up about 5 feet high, pin the target to the hay and fire. Oh and also make sure the target is up against a solid wall or in a direction free of people. You don't want to miss the target and end up getting someone in the eye.

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Squeak2

Right, I suppose I could just set up my own range, but I was hoping there was a place around here for a more community feel. Meet other archers and hangout and what have you.

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MarchoftheBlackLions

Never really got into archery or anything, but I have done a couple 3-Gun type events.

Even though it's fun...I don't see myself getting too competitive.

However, that is the beauty of it, I don't have to be. A lot of guys come in using dedicated multi-thousand dollar "game" setups who are after the fastest time possible. Yet, you can still have people such as me coming in and running whatever I want or I like (AK/sometimes AR, basic 870, and 1911) and do halfway decent. Heck, I've even seen a few guys run an SKS w/ stripper clips...needless to say their reload times were atrocious but everyone still had a good time.


tl;dr I enjoy practical shooting most.

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Wicked315

We live 20 minutes away.

Anyways, I don't hear anything about Crossbows. I mean, I know a few guys that use a bow to hunt..but nope.

You're better off with just a bow.

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Pok

I love archery, I've done the whole robin hood thing (arrow in an arrow), come first in events, put the flame out of candles etc. etc. etc. (not a hunter, my bow is really shiny). I haven't shot my bow for about 2 years now, but I'd still suggest an actual bow (or compound!) instead of a cross-bow.

Cross-bows seem too much like guns for me, it's missing the whole holding it part (just aim / shoot). Google search a range and try out whatever they have, I think you'll find archery more challenging than using a cross-bow (is that still archery?), and thusly more fun.

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Squeak2

Thats pretty cool. And kind of creepy. o.O

I'd prefer crossbow, but regular bows are pretty cool too.

Crossbows are considered under the marksman category (with all the rifles), but they usually use archery ranges. Depending on where you go, you'll find that they are in different division for different reasons.

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