Gear Review: Parker Concorde Crossbow

 

My husband, Russ, and I moved to his hometown of Cody, Wyoming, in 2007. Two years later, I was asked to participate in my first hunt using a borrowed crossbow. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I didn’t like that Russ had to cock the bow for me in order to harvest my mule deer. I longed for an independent adventure, despite my poor balance as a result of my paralysis.

I took a few years off to start our family and when I returned to hunting in 2012, Russ surprised me with an early birthday present- the Parker Concorde Crossbow. I immediately familiarized myself with the bow by watching the included training DVD and was soon outside shooting at my block target with encouraging results. I harvested another mule buck that fall, and although Russ went as my companion hunter, I was able to cock, load, and fire the crossbow in complete independence.

The beauty of this crossbow is in its patented Quick Draw System, which allows the shooter to cock the bow with the push of a button on the butt of the stock. To fire the Concord, you push the carrier handle forward until it clicks. Once the string is engaged, you place the Concorde nose down on a flat surface in a vertical position and press and hold the cocking button. The included CO₂ canister draws back the string in one quick, smooth motion, engaging the safety. As you release the button, the canister makes a quiet hiss and the bow is ready to be loaded. I was concerned at first about the noise of the canister, but in my experience, animals have never even flinched as I prepared to take my shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjRS_G8oN7I

This crossbow is easy to sight in and is very accurate. The scope is standard and efficient, with illumination. The CO₂ canister is a standard nine ounce bottle, and it can swapped out with similar canisters. It is also refillable; I take my canisters to my local welding business, where they are refilled at a minimal cost. Parker states that a full canister can cock the crossbow approximately fifty times, but I have noticed that this number is definitely affected by cold weather.

If the CO₂ canister were to ever malfunction in the field, the bow can also be cocked manually, just like any other crossbow. A roller rope cocker is available as an additional accessory if desired. The Concorde can be un-cocked as well by using the same Quick Draw System button, to avoid a dry fire. The set-up seems complicated at first, but the training DVDs are informative and make operating the bow very easy.

In my opinion, this crossbow has two negative issues to consider- its weight and its cost. With a full CO₂ canister, the bow is quite heavy. Depending on the abilities of the user, shooting sticks may be needed. The bow does rest easily on a tripod or wheelchair mounted shooting device, but the heaviness should be acclimated to before going out into the field, as it also affects the ease in which it is maneuvered. The crossbow is also in the upper price point for crossbows, ranging from $999.95-$1099.95, depending on the package that is purchased. You can definitely find less expensive bow options, but none with the automatic cocking feature. For me, an independent bow hunt was worth every penny.

I have loaned out this bow to more people than any other hunting gear that I own. Whether it is women from church or other hunters with disabilities, it opens up archery for some people who might not get to otherwise enjoy it.

For more information please go: Parker Crossbows, and on the Parker Concorde Crossbow, 

For the Disabled Hunter