DIY for Hickory Creek fans!

[TNSTAAFL]

I am pinching my pennies, saving holiday gift cards, and selling gear that I like in order to make it to the purchase price of the HC mini.

My state just went full crossbow legal and I will take any advantage I can get over the ungulates I wish to eat. Some of you may live in places where you worry about how "easy" archery could get. Not this guy. In 7 years of hunting I've seen 3 legal bucks (2 points on one side) and shot 2 of them. Since taking up archery 4 years ago I usually see about 20 deer and harvest 1 or 2. This year I saw 5 and harvested none. There was one I probably could have harvested with the HC and put her in my freezer/belly. Several in years past. Gonna be a long off season with no backstraps, chili, or stew.

I would hunt in the dark with night vision goggles if they would let me. There would have to be a substantial improvement in harvest opportunities for me to worry much about this being too easy or boring.

Those of you more talented than I or with better hunting grounds I applaud you. Use as primitive a method as your heart desires. Heck, jump on their back with a knife if it thrills you and gets you venison.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I am pinching my pennies, saving holiday gift cards, and selling gear that I like in order to make it to the purchase price of the HC mini.

My state just went full crossbow legal and I will take any advantage I can get over the ungulates I wish to eat. Some of you may live in places where you worry about how "easy" archery could get. Not this guy. In 7 years of hunting I've seen 3 legal bucks (2 points on one side) and shot 2 of them. Since taking up archery 4 years ago I usually see about 20 deer and harvest 1 or 2. This year I saw 5 and harvested none. There was one I probably could have harvested with the HC and put her in my freezer/belly. Several in years past. Gonna be a long off season with no backstraps, chili, or stew.

I would hunt in the dark with night vision goggles if they would let me. There would have to be a substantial improvement in harvest opportunities for me to worry much about this being too easy or boring.

Those of you more talented than I or with better hunting grounds I applaud you. Use as primitive a method as your heart desires. Heck, jump on their back with a knife if it thrills you and gets you venison.

So true. Everybody’s situation is different. My daughter used to hunt with me until this year. She had only a few days and hours to hunt each year. I usually set her up in the best place possible and baited with corn. Gasp shock. I just wanted her to get one.
I shot one out of that fixed stand this year... she was not hunting here because she moved to Alberta. No bait for me however even in that stand
Deer in Ontario are not super plentiful. Some guys have more deer more time to scout and more time to hunt. Suit yourself how you hunt. Just obey the law. And
Whatever you do have fun.
That hickory creek. Gasp crossbow looks like fun for a guy with a bad shoulder. My excuse I bought a vertical crossbow because I cannot use a compound bow.

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[Bigterp]

So true. Everybody’s situation is different. My daughter used to hunt with me until this year. She had only a few days and hours to hunt each year. I usually set her up in the best place possible and baited with corn. Gasp shock. I just wanted her to get one.
I shot one out of that fixed stand this year... she was not hunting here because she moved to Alberta. No bait for me however even in that stand
Deer in Ontario are not super plentiful. Some guys have more deer more time to scout and more time to hunt. Suit yourself how you hunt. Just obey the law. And
Whatever you do have fun.
That hickory creek. Gasp crossbow looks like fun for a guy with a bad shoulder. My excuse. Or even for a guy who does not have the desire to use a compound

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If it’s legal/ethical & gets you up out in the woods or excited about a new setup go for it! Nothing about this made me wanna make the leap, but I’m also cheering for anybody who does. Still all hunters here!

 

[Jtaylor]

If it’s legal/ethical & gets you up out in the woods or excited about a new setup go for it! Nothing about this made me wanna make the leap, but I’m also cheering for anybody who does. Still all hunters here!

I bet there was a lot of discussion years ago with the transition to the compound bow. I'm with ya, the more people we can get out in the woods the better! If the Hickory Creek bows are as good as everyone says (which I bet they are) I can't disagree with someone wanting the best gear available to make an ethical shot on an animal.

 

[bj139]

I bet there was a lot of discussion years ago with the transition to the compound bow. I'm with ya, the more people we can get out in the woods the better! If the Hickory Creek bows are as good as everyone says (which I bet they are) I can't disagree with someone wanting the best gear available to make an ethical shot on an animal.

The only real advantage I see over other crossbows is the limbs should not smack a tree since they move vertically. Hanging with a tree right in front of you a horizontal crossbow could do so if you don't take extreme care. I only shot my Hickory Creek mini from a tree. I took my Scorpyd Deathstalker up a tree this year but did not shoot it. I was very aware to keep the limbs away from the tree when testing my angles of fire.

 

[Jtaylor]

The only real advantage I see over other crossbows is the limbs should not smack a tree since they move vertically. Hanging with a tree right in front of you a horizontal crossbow could do so if you don't take extreme care. I only shot my Hickory Creek mini from a tree. I took my Scorpyd Deathstalker up a tree this year but did not shoot it. I was very aware to keep the limbs away from the tree when testing my angles of fire.

I like the idea of using arrows too rather than bolts. I also like the "free floating" string rather than against a rail. Maybe there's other crossbows that have that too, I'm just not very well versed in crossbows.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

The only real advantage I see over other crossbows is the limbs should not smack a tree since they move vertically. Hanging with a tree right in front of you a horizontal crossbow could do so if you don't take extreme care. I only shot my Hickory Creek mini from a tree. I took my Scorpyd Deathstalker up a tree this year but did not shoot it. I was very aware to keep the limbs away from the tree when testing my angles of fire.

With a horizontal crossbow you have to lean back from the tree or to the side of the tree to shoot. I was busted twice this year and once last year doing that. Two of them were nice bucks. Maybe using more of the tree for cover I may have killed one or more of those bucks by staying tight to the tree


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[Nutterbuster]

The only real advantage I see over other crossbows is the limbs should not smack a tree since they move vertically. Hanging with a tree right in front of you a horizontal crossbow could do so if you don't take extreme care. I only shot my Hickory Creek mini from a tree. I took my Scorpyd Deathstalker up a tree this year but did not shoot it. I was very aware to keep the limbs away from the tree when testing my angles of fire.

Vertical limbs (more maneuverable in the tree and easier to carry by far) , more quiet, can shoot any arrow, easier to cock and uncock, free floating string for less wear and the ability to actually tune the bow, and you can tear down the bow without a press.

I'm telling ya, it makes everything else look silly. Guy I use to work with had over 40 years of experience as a tech, prostaffer, and hunting guide. He is a bigger mini fan than I am.

 

[TNSTAAFL]

All of the above seem like advantages to me plus I am also attracted to the relative light weight and the fact that it breaks down into easier to pack components for the before/after dark hikes.

The final advantage to me is the price. I'm no aficionado but it seems like a comparable lightweight/low bulk horizontal crossbow is 4 figures...probably multiple. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Jtaylor]

Have you guys seen the Hickory Creek recurve mini? Might be an easier transition for me if I ever decide to go for it. Not near as impressive numbers as the compound but maybe a way for a recurve guy to get into vertical crossbows and super simple.

 

[Nutterbuster]

All of the above seem like advantages to me plus I am also attracted to the relative light weight and the fact that it breaks down into easier to pack components for the before/after dark hikes.

The final advantage to me is the price. I'm no aficionado but it seems like a comparable lightweight/low bulk horizontal crossbow is 4 figures...probably multiple. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yep, it's very reasonably priced for what it is. Heck with the Ravin and Tenpoint stuff.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

The saddle hunter effect. Soon sold out. Sounds like I am glad I bought it. Tracking says it is in Miami


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[TNSTAAFL]

I was worried about that as I added to "the case" being made. Still haven't sold enough gear yet. There's a nice ROS still on the classifieds that someone needs to snap up!

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Excalibur has copied part of the vertical crossbow. It comes apart for packing up.
It still is not a vertical crossbow. Almost seems like it could be a patent infringement

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[philsanchez76]

Anyone know why he discontinued the original? I like that it has open sights.

 

[slydog]

Well' sense you asked I think the challenge that bow hunting was started it's slide downhill when the compound bow took over archery. It continues with allowing crossbow use during the archery season. Now we have trail cams that report to your cell phone, feeders, food plots all that to "kill a dumb animal" no holds bared. They say you can't stop progress but we differ on what is called progress.
And Kyle the guys you listed were hunting to survive not win some contest, hell I bet they didn't even measure the horns.
Where to draw the line is for each of us to decide. Hunt the way you want and good luck. Now if they would just allow that auto loading bow.......

 

[Jtaylor]

Anyone know why he discontinued the original? I like that it has open sights.

You might want to email him if you're interested in open sights. I shot him an email about the recurve and he got right back to me within a few hours.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

You might want to email him if you're interested in open sights. I shot him an email about the recurve and he got right back to me within a few hours.

So he is going to make a recurve?



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[Ontariofarmer]

Well' sense you asked I think the challenge that bow hunting was started it's slide downhill when the compound bow took over archery. It continues with allowing crossbow use during the archery season. Now we have trail cams that report to your cell phone, feeders, food plots all that to "kill a dumb animal" no holds bared. They say you can't stop progress but we differ on what is called progress.
And Kyle the guys you listed were hunting to survive not win some contest, hell I bet they didn't even measure the horns.
Where to draw the line is for each of us to decide. Hunt the way you want and good luck. Now if they would just allow that auto loading bow.......

Oh well. I hope you never have any physical limitations. You may change your mind


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[philsanchez76]

You might want to email him if you're interested in open sights. I shot him an email about the recurve and he got right back to me within a few hours.

Email just shot!