I've got a buddy that's been into crossbows for years, using them successfully for bear and boar in Canada. I enjoy plinking with them - they're fun and accurate. For deer, I personally prefer my compound. The crossbow doesn't reach out any farther, is loud when fired, heavy and unwieldy. It has two real benefits I see: a scope and you don't get stuck at full draw playing peek-a-boo with a deer behind a tree. I wouldn't mind them in the woods during bow but I'll stick with my Mathews.