What to do?

[Atchman2]

Okay, right now I have an inexpensive Barnett Jackal crossbow. However, I have upgraded it with a much better scope and better arrows. To be honest, it is so accurate that I don't know why I would need to upgrade except maybe to get a little quieter crossbow. I can put almost every shot in a quarter-sized hole at 20 yards.

So here is my issue. I'm going to Kansas for the archery opener. The last time I went out there it cost me almost $200 to send my $300 crossbow out there round trip! So what I'm pondering is buying another inexpensive crossbow and just leaving it out there with my brother in law (so he can use it if he likes). So I'm looking at some more inexpensive crossbows on Ebay and on Sportsmansguide.com. I think I can get another reasonable crossbow for between $200 and $300 bucks. I'll just take my broadheads with me on the plane. However, most of those in that range are recurve crossbows. Do you think they would be okay for turkey hunting? The ranges that I saw last time were anything from 5 yards out to around 33 yards (the furthest I will normally shoot with any type of bow).

What do you think? Find a better quality used one, buy an inexpensive recurve, or just bite the bullet and ship my Jackal out there? (I might could just leave it and buy a new one for here)

 

[LanceS4803]

UPS it to your BIL. I can't imagine it would be more than $30 or $40, one way.
You can either box it up or ship it in a Plano style case, locked.

The airlines are getting greedy on the oversized "sports" equipment luggage items.

 

[Atchman2]

While I didn't want to do it, I did just order another crossbow for out there. I pulled my credit card bill from last year and I paid more to ship and check my equipment than it cost! The little Barnett re-curve Buck Commander bow, and six new arrows-shipped was only about $250. I'm hunting turkeys, not deer so I think its 65 FPE is MORE than enough. The only thing I don't like about it, is it has a red dot instead of a "real" scope. I may just take the scope off of mine and put it in my baggage.

Last year, I left my coyote/prairie dog rifle out there. Along with that I left some shooting sticks, a cushion, and my extra electronic caller. It was just costing me more to transport my equipment than I paid for them! Now I don't own a lot of "high end" stuff. I mean I wouldn't leave my custom AR or my Browning BAR out there, but my Handi Rifle isn't worth taking back and forth. Besides, I only use it out there anyway! It is safely in my brother in laws gun safe.

You were right though about breaking down the crossbow and sending it. I totally forgot I can take it back apart! Yesterday I took it outside and put my target out at 33 yards, the max I can shoot in my yard. The arrows I shot were all touching each other! In fact I'm going to have to re-fletch one of them. I can't believe the accuracy of such an inexpensive crossbow. Part of it though is I put a scope on it that cost half as much as the crossbow.

 

[Atchman2]

Sorry, I just wanted to follow up on my post. I did manage to get a turkey with my new crossbow. It worked great for birds. I really like how light in weight it is compared to my other crossbow. After buying it I'm thinking of getting my kids one to shoot.

Honestly I think it is powerful enough for deer out to 30 yards, especially with good broadheads. It is perfect for turkeys though.