Advice and Potentially Crossbow Needed for Son's Hunt

[rossislider]

Good Morning CWT Community,

Many of you know my 14 year old son Draysen. He is a good, smart, and hard working kid that got some news yesterday that has him understandably pretty concerned about his archery bull elk hunt this fall, and we could use some advice. This past spring he injured his wrist while tripping over a hurdle during track practice (dad brag, he broke the middle school state record for hurdles at the state finals this past May). At the time, the urgent care doctor said it was a sprain so we stuck it in a wrist brace for several weeks. This was a few months ago and he no longer wears the brace. Last week at football practice he was going to block a pass (he plays inside linebacker), tripped, and landed on the same wrist, re-aggravating the injury. This time we decided he had better see a specialist. Turns out he broke the wrist back in the spring and it never fully healed. He now needs a CT to determine the extent of the damage. Unfortunately, there is the possibility of the injury requiring surgery. If he needs surgery (we should find out on Monday 6/24), the doctor is saying it is a 3-4 month recovery from the time of the surgery. His hunt starts exactly 3 months from tomorrow. He has been working hard every day on his shooting, so this is a pretty devastating blow to him. 

I've been doing my research and talking to several people who have been in similar situations, as well as AZGFD. If it comes down to it, getting him a temporary crossbow permit shouldn't be a problem. He desperately wants to use his compound bow, so the crossbow would be a last option. Also, he drew a 12+ point hunt with 4 points, so we are not looking to pointguard it back. A buddy on here had a crossbow, but sold it a couple of months back. I have talked to Junior down at Timber Mesa who suggested a setup that would work for him for relatively inexpensive. But most other guys I have talked to have said that we need to look into the Raven crossbows. The Ravens look pretty cool, but I have a hard time wrapping me head around spending $1500 plus (starting price for a Raven) for a crossbow that we never hope to have to use again after this one hunt.

So here are my questions:

• If it comes down to it and we have to go the crossbow route, what would you guys use?
• Would anyone with a "good" crossbow consider loaning or renting it out, or is that something people don't do (like with a regular bow).

Thanks for you suggestions.

[AzDiamondHeat]

You can borrow mine. It is set up for my wife so should be just the right size. It's a Mission MXB Dagger and all set to go. Has an adjustable stock if needed too.

Draysen is a good kid so I have no worries with you borrowing it if you go that route.

[CouesPursuit]

Good luck with everything, but particularly getting that wrist healed properly.