Crossbow Boot Camp: 12 Tips To Hit The Ground Running With Your New Crossbow
A few years ago, as with most hunters today, I had no idea what to expect when I began shooting modern crossbows. I had seen them on TV but I admit- this new product confused me. As with anyone handling one for the first time, I wasn't sure about a LOT of things...
How would I load it? How do I lock the string back? Did it have a kick to it like my rifle does? What's the trigger sensitivity like? Did it have a safety? Were they loud or startling? Were they accurate... and if so- what's the distance that it would be accurate to? But most importantly, WOULD IT BE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO TAKE DOWN A DEER?
All these questions and more vanished after the first time I used my new modern crossbow! It was a pleasure to shoot, and not only was it fast, but it was crazy accurate as well... and to my surprise, it was powerfully dominant in taking down the largest animals in Northern America! Here are some answers- a guide to help properly use a crossbow for beginners and experts alike!
I quickly came to the conclusion that if I wanted to get the most out of my crossbow hunting experience, I would need to understand the basics of how to set one up properly- from the start.
With one of our goals here at @ReaperGear being to provide you with the best info out there, we've put together 12 easy tips specifically designed for the big game, crossbow-wielding hunter in mind! We're going to set you up to become a crossbow hunting BEAST in no time- Listen and learn!
1- PURCHASING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN AFFORD: As with any hunting tool, there is a very big difference between 'low-cost', and 'state-of-the-art,' crossbows. Yes- you will save money buy purchasing a cheaper model, but when you're in the heat of the hunt, you want your crossbow to be accurate and reliable because it was made with high quality hardware that won't fail in the moment of truth.
For this, there are packages available for purchase from $600 to $4500 that give you everything you need (a few arrows, arrow points, cocking device, quiver, and a scoped sight) to get out on your crossbow shooting and hunting experience.
2- USE ENOUGH DRAW WEIGHT- Draw weight is what specifically determines a hunting crossbow from a target model. Luckily, most states (laws differ from state to state) have taken the guess work out and made an established regulatory minimum, so that the overall range is set between 75 lbs to 125 lbs of draw weight. Any crossbow in this range should be more than enough to kill a whitetail deer at moderate distances.
Most of the higher quality hunting crossbows are within the 150 lb to 175 lb ranges, with some topping off up to 200 lbs of draw weight. Remember, bigger equals faster! (Deer can often times move so fast that when they hear the 'thump' of your arrow release, a faster arrow behind a heavier draw weight can make the difference between the deer jumping out of the way and the deer filling your freezer with a lightning-fast shot!)
Don't forget that you CAN go too heavy with your draw weight, as in one state (Ohio). This state has a 200 lbs maximum allowed draw weight, which will still leave you shooting a deadly-fast arrow. How fast is fast enough? You make a crossbow faster by increasing the draw weight, which both crossbow AND compound bow-makers continually strive to push the limits of speed vs. bow weight. When all is said and done, the crossbow should be shooting a hunting weight arrow at a minimum of an initial velocity of 300 feet per second (FPS).
Accurately shooting your hunting weight arrow with enough kinetic energy will cleanly take down any big game animal, and also reduces arrow trajectory at greater distances. Look for improvements in coming years as some crossbows are now reaching the 400 feet per second mark!
3- USING A CROSSBOW WITH SCOPE SIGHT: Multi-Reticule Crossbow Scopes are definitely the most popular scopes on the market right now, especially those with three to four dots, or horizontal cross-hairs (with the top one sighted in for 20 yards with the next two, fixed at intervals). These crossbow scopes can be deadly accurate at 30, 40, and 50 yards on most crossbows, though some still come with open sights. Remember- Optical Sighting Devices are just easier and much more accurate, magnifying between zero and five times power. The choices begin with the simple solo one-red-dot, or often times a cross-hair sight in some configuration, and some with objects projected or suspended across the field of view to visualize the shot better in your mind. A crossbow with scope sight is a crazy accurate weapon that will make crossbow hunting a productive endeavor for sure!
4- USE QUALITY CROSSBOW BOLTS: Inexpensive crossbow bolts that are manufactured to sloppy tolerances will fly like a curve ball. Use the best arrows you can afford, designed specifically for crossbow shooting. Many crossbow companies sell arrows, but often they are made for them by arrow manufactures such as 'Gold Tip', 'Carbon Express', or 'Easton'. Make sure that these arrows are nocked for crossbows and not compound bows, and check to see that they are cut to the proper length with the proper fetches. Carbon and aluminum crossbow arrows both work very well, but the most rugged and durable are made from carbon.
5- USE A QUALITY BROADHEAD: The business-end of a hunting and shooting arrow is the broadhead. There are more makes, models, and styles of broadheads than you can possibly remember by name, which means that the most expensive- those generally built to the highest of tolerances-are usually the ones with the sharpest blades. It is the nicer, more expensive broadheads that will unapologetically fly straight and true, and have a long track record for massive success.
Both the replaceable blades and mechanical broadhead designs will work well for crossbow shooters, with the mechanical design becoming more and more popular with crossbow users every year. The most common weight for a broadhead is 100 grains, with 125 grains coming in at a distant second.
6- TAKING A REST: A crossbow can be somewhat heavy and clunky, making it almost impossible to accurately shoot without using some sort of a rest. That could include almost anything- from using a standard rifle shooting position like kneeling or sitting, to using a set of shooting sticks or mono-pod, to using a shooting rail in a tree stand, or even a tree or tree limb. I almost NEVER turn an arrow loose from my crossbow without using a rest of some kind!
7- LEARNING ARROW TRAJECTORY: All arrows fired from a crossbow are travelling downward in a parabolic arc. Your cross-hairs are set to hit dead-on at specific ranges, yet often you will be shooting at a deer or other animals at longer or shorter distances than what your scope is set up for. As you practice, you will learn where you have to place your cross-hairs relative to the animal to hit those 'tweener' ranges. Try to learn how to chart your arrow trajectory and practice with a crossbow target.
8- USING A RANGEFINDER: Today, (with the click of a button!), a modern laser range finder can instantly give you the exact distances from your location to the very center of your target- (a critical bit of information in accurate shooting when you end up lobbing an arrow at your target!) The best laser range finders are as reliable as snow in Minnesota!
My Bushnell Scout DX 1000 Rangefinder even tells me exactly where I am supposed to aim when shooting at steep uphill grades and downward angles. Costing anywhere from $250 - $400, these are a lifetime investment, and worth every cent!
9- GETTING A "FEEL" FOR THE TRIGGER: All crossbows have a unique trigger unto themselves, and you need to be shooting your crossbow enough so that you know exactly when the trigger will send the arrow on it's way. Shoot both with and without gloves, so that you know how both feel (each will be different).
10- PRACTICING IN THE FIELD: The old phrase "practice makes perfect" certainly applies to shooting your crossbow! Once you have it all set up and sighted in, spend some time shooting off of a bench rest. Use these sessions to precisely and accurately set your sights and get a feel for the trigger, while also moving away from the bench and practicing taking shots that simulate actual 'hunting' conditions. Shoot from both the kneeling and sitting positions. Climb into your tree stand or ground blind and take shots at the same angles and distances that you will be taking during the hunting season.
11- LEARN TO USE YOUR OTHER GEAR: Learn to use your shooting sticks and mono-pod quickly, quietly, and efficiently. Know ALL of your other equipment well too... make sure you can use your tree stand, ground blind, and any other gear you need BEFORE getting into the woods on opening morning!
12- MAINTAIN YOUR STRING, RAIL, AND TRIGGER: A crossbow is a machine like any other, which means it will need regular maintenance if it is to keep ticking like a fine German grandfather clock! This means you should always be checking your string and cables for wear. This is quite important in a crossbow, because you have direct string-to-rail contact, which creates both friction and abrasion with every shot. A broken string can be very, very bad- JUST like with a compound bow.
At the very first sign of fraying or abnormal wear, replace those strings! You can reduce the need for a replacement string with regular maintenance and a little TLC... (and who wouldn't want to take good care of such a spectacle of hunting awesomeness!). Always keep the string, cables, and center serving clean and well maintained- especially after each practice session, and especially after each trip to the field. Make sure you lubricate the center serving and rails per the manufactures instructions.
There you have it- beginner crossbow users, those crossbow hunters who have had some experience, and even the crossbow archery experts can benefit from these 'hunting with a crossbow' strategies! Choosing the right crossbow and arrows can be easy when you have all of the info... Here's to saying- "I had a great crossbow hunting experience!"
Ever wonder about crossbow for youth? Ever consider a crossbow for fishing? Have you considered using a crossbow for home defense? Check out our www.reapergear.com for the latest and greatest crossbow and arrow selection.
**www.reapergear.com is a full service Archery and Hunting Store that offers hand-selected bows, crossbows, arrows, and any other product needed for a successful hunt. Many of our products are priced at 'below Amazon' pricing, and all of our products are chosen for quality and reliability. We are very partial to a Ravin brand crossbow for it's superior design, materials, and reliability. (crossbow Ravin).
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