Rookie Xbow Hunter
Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude
Rookie Xbow Hunter
Hello all,
This is my first first on the Excalibur forums as I only recently purchased my first Xbow ( Matrix 380 ). I'm super excited to get practicing and learning to use this new gem in my arsenal. I wanted to introduce myself in this post, and at the same time call out for any hints/tips/advise to assist me along my long journey ahead as a bow hunter. I've hunted for around 6 years as a rifle hunter and have been successful at spot-and-stalk and still-hunting in thick timber, but understand that my strategy will need some improvising.
I am under the impression that bow hunting is going to be mostly a combination of still-hunting in thick timbers along with using stands/blinds. I also understand that the ability to close distance quietly will be vital, and not to mention the critical aspect of proper shot placement.
Furthermore when I purchased my bow at Cabelas, there was a gentleman who was mentioning various different things that he did to "quiet" his 380 down. A few things he mentioned were LineX'ing the stirrup, and using electrical heat shrink wrap on the arrow retention spring. Has anyone here utilized these 'tweaks' and experienced a positive improvement?
Any insight and feedback is tremendously appreciated, nice to meet you all.
Cheers
Matt
This is my first first on the Excalibur forums as I only recently purchased my first Xbow ( Matrix 380 ). I'm super excited to get practicing and learning to use this new gem in my arsenal. I wanted to introduce myself in this post, and at the same time call out for any hints/tips/advise to assist me along my long journey ahead as a bow hunter. I've hunted for around 6 years as a rifle hunter and have been successful at spot-and-stalk and still-hunting in thick timber, but understand that my strategy will need some improvising.
I am under the impression that bow hunting is going to be mostly a combination of still-hunting in thick timbers along with using stands/blinds. I also understand that the ability to close distance quietly will be vital, and not to mention the critical aspect of proper shot placement.
Furthermore when I purchased my bow at Cabelas, there was a gentleman who was mentioning various different things that he did to "quiet" his 380 down. A few things he mentioned were LineX'ing the stirrup, and using electrical heat shrink wrap on the arrow retention spring. Has anyone here utilized these 'tweaks' and experienced a positive improvement?
Any insight and feedback is tremendously appreciated, nice to meet you all.
Cheers
Matt
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Matt, welcome & congrats. I recommend that you watch the videos here on this forum on the left side. The models may not match yours, but the lingo & principles are the same. Understand brace height, and maintain that consistently to keep the bow in tip top shape, and performance will be be excellent. I strongly advise you to get a good knowledge of all the aspects of the bow before heading out to shoot.
Good Luck,
Dan
Good Luck,
Dan
It’s not the way you rock, it’s the way that you roll!
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
I wrap my stirrups with tennis wrap and put limbsaver strips on the retainer spring. A lot of the guys do use shrink wrap on them.
Wildlife Population Control Specialist
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Very good advice !xcaliber wrote:Matt, welcome & congrats. I recommend that you watch the videos here on this forum on the left side. The models may not match yours, but the lingo & principles are the same. Understand brace height, and maintain that consistently to keep the bow in tip top shape, and performance will be be excellent. I strongly advise you to get a good knowledge of all the aspects of the bow before heading out to shoot.
Good Luck,
Dan
Dave
2010 equinox,
known as doe bow
vixenmaster custom string
swacker bhs, 2/1/4" cut 120 grn.
xx75 Easton 2219,s
firebolt arrows
S5 pads
if it ain't broke don't fix it
be safe in all you do
see ya in the woods
<-------<
known as doe bow
vixenmaster custom string
swacker bhs, 2/1/4" cut 120 grn.
xx75 Easton 2219,s
firebolt arrows
S5 pads
if it ain't broke don't fix it
be safe in all you do
see ya in the woods
<-------<
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome to the forum!
vixen 11
exocet 175 with Aging custom stock #27
Exocet 175
exocet 200
matrix 355
Micro Camo 335
Micro Nightmare 335
380 Lynx
BJ custom arrows
Boo string on vixen
exocet 175 with Aging custom stock #27
Exocet 175
exocet 200
matrix 355
Micro Camo 335
Micro Nightmare 335
380 Lynx
BJ custom arrows
Boo string on vixen
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome! Get yourself into a shooting routine and always double, double check to see if you loaded an arrow. That's what I do!
Team Matrix 355
Matrix 355 The Crusher
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Matrix 355 The Crusher
TT 2 stage trigger
Executioner arrows
Easton XX75 magnums 2219
Xcaliber custom string
Boo Custom String
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8ptbuk string
Rocket 3 blade 2" cut
Slick tricks
HSS Vest 30' lifeline
- IronNoggin
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Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Well... I see you took my advice and joined this great forum!
Good Choice!
A really good bunch of Fine Folks here, with many very experienced and willing to offer advice as needed.
Welcome to the Forum, and welcome to your new Hunting Obsession!!
Cheers,
T'other Matt
Good Choice!
A really good bunch of Fine Folks here, with many very experienced and willing to offer advice as needed.
Welcome to the Forum, and welcome to your new Hunting Obsession!!
Cheers,
T'other Matt
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Yes Sir!
Good to see you on here as well Nog!
Definitely some great intel on here, i'm reading as much as possible and trying to be a sponge and soak it all in. I can't wait to get out and shoot this thing, it's not ideal to live in the City and be an avid Hunter/Shooter wanting to practice everyday ( especially immediately following a big purchase like this xbow ) I'm hoping to get out on the weekend and hit the target a bunch.
Thanks for all who've responded thus far, much appreciate the tips!
Wolf
Good to see you on here as well Nog!
Definitely some great intel on here, i'm reading as much as possible and trying to be a sponge and soak it all in. I can't wait to get out and shoot this thing, it's not ideal to live in the City and be an avid Hunter/Shooter wanting to practice everyday ( especially immediately following a big purchase like this xbow ) I'm hoping to get out on the weekend and hit the target a bunch.
Thanks for all who've responded thus far, much appreciate the tips!
Wolf
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Make sure you don't let anything you value get up into the triangle of pain or you will be missing it quickly!!
Charles
Excalibur Grizzly
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Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome to the site. Yes there is a good group of guys & girls on here that will give great info.
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Excal Micro 335
NAP Spitfire Max 125 grain
Hawke XB Pro 30 SR
Excal Micro 335
NAP Spitfire Max 125 grain
Hawke XB Pro 30 SR
- maine hunter
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Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome!!! Congratulations on a great bow!!
355 matrix, big johns arrows- zombieslayers, g5 montecs, strikers. Vortex big johns arrows- zombieslayers g5 montecs 125. Lumenoks.
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Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome to the forum !
You chose a great model x-bow BTW
You mentioned spot and stalk as your primary means of hunting but did not mention what your primary game animal or animal's are ?
In my case I hunt Mule Deer & Blacktail Deer, with my favorite being Roosevelt Elk in the Coastal mountain range of WA state. Spot and stalk can be very effective on those 3 species. but so can tree stands and pop-up blids.
However, having never hunted Whitetail or Antelope for that matter. I have heard and read many times that due to their acute hearing, sense of smell, and eye site, it can be particulary hard using the "Still Hunting" procedure to close within good crossbow hunting range...
I have read where a pop-up blind and water hole work well for antelope and like wise is often mentioned for Whitetail as well as a good tree stand allowing you to shoot from above.
In the case of quieting my 380, I simply wrapped my stirrup completely with tennis racket handle wrap material available at Walmart, followed by a layer of camo duct tape. and re-applied it to the bow.... In addition I apply two layers of heat shrink to my arrow hold down spring with the outer layer being somewhat shorter than the one below.. I find these to Fix's plus the REDS, when kept in proper relation to your string ( Brace height, usually kept very close to a 1/4" gap ) to be about as effective as it gets to make it quiet.
On a new bow, strings commonly stretch, often times alot.. to maintain proper brace height you must have a string changing device ( usually rope with ends attached that fit over limb tips to secure limbs back while adjusting your string ) good adjusting devices can be bought from Excal. ( but personally, I prefer the ones made by Danny Miller of "Horizontal Archery" who also happens to be a Factory Service Center here in the US for Excalibur bows. )
Sorry my post got so long and I'll close at this point expecting others to chime in with their advise also.
Gene
You chose a great model x-bow BTW
You mentioned spot and stalk as your primary means of hunting but did not mention what your primary game animal or animal's are ?
In my case I hunt Mule Deer & Blacktail Deer, with my favorite being Roosevelt Elk in the Coastal mountain range of WA state. Spot and stalk can be very effective on those 3 species. but so can tree stands and pop-up blids.
However, having never hunted Whitetail or Antelope for that matter. I have heard and read many times that due to their acute hearing, sense of smell, and eye site, it can be particulary hard using the "Still Hunting" procedure to close within good crossbow hunting range...
I have read where a pop-up blind and water hole work well for antelope and like wise is often mentioned for Whitetail as well as a good tree stand allowing you to shoot from above.
In the case of quieting my 380, I simply wrapped my stirrup completely with tennis racket handle wrap material available at Walmart, followed by a layer of camo duct tape. and re-applied it to the bow.... In addition I apply two layers of heat shrink to my arrow hold down spring with the outer layer being somewhat shorter than the one below.. I find these to Fix's plus the REDS, when kept in proper relation to your string ( Brace height, usually kept very close to a 1/4" gap ) to be about as effective as it gets to make it quiet.
On a new bow, strings commonly stretch, often times alot.. to maintain proper brace height you must have a string changing device ( usually rope with ends attached that fit over limb tips to secure limbs back while adjusting your string ) good adjusting devices can be bought from Excal. ( but personally, I prefer the ones made by Danny Miller of "Horizontal Archery" who also happens to be a Factory Service Center here in the US for Excalibur bows. )
Sorry my post got so long and I'll close at this point expecting others to chime in with their advise also.
Gene
Camo Micro 355 w/ XB30 SR Pro & TT trigger
Camo Matrix 380 W/ XB 30SR Pro & a Boo trigger
Very Nice 98 Jeep Tj
Sweet old 73 Bronco ( 2nd Owner)
Scamp tralier
Camo Matrix 380 W/ XB 30SR Pro & a Boo trigger
Very Nice 98 Jeep Tj
Sweet old 73 Bronco ( 2nd Owner)
Scamp tralier
Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Thank you Gene for the informative reply, every word will be utilized!
I hunt most pacific northwest big game animals when the season allows. Mostly Mule Deer, Black-tailed, Black bear and am also trying to focus on learning Moose and Elk habitats/behaviours to be able to hunt them efficiently in the near future.
I am building up the shopping cart for accessories as we speak lol. Do you have any recommendations on good arrows for shooting the above mentioned game animals at a reasonable range?
I hunt most pacific northwest big game animals when the season allows. Mostly Mule Deer, Black-tailed, Black bear and am also trying to focus on learning Moose and Elk habitats/behaviours to be able to hunt them efficiently in the near future.
I am building up the shopping cart for accessories as we speak lol. Do you have any recommendations on good arrows for shooting the above mentioned game animals at a reasonable range?
- racking up points
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Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome to the brotherhood. Forum resident Paulaboutform is a very knowledgeable archer and lives a stone's throw from Surrey. He's helped out some new crossbowers in your neighbourhood. Pick his brain via PM, he'll help square you away.
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Boo Custom Strings
Black Eagle Arrows
Ti64.com Fastener Kits
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Re: Rookie Xbow Hunter
Welcome to the forum Matt. I've replied to your PM. I'm glad to help out any way I can.
Paul
Paul
You're only paranoid if everyone isn't out to get you.
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Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
My enemy's friend is also my enemy.