I picked up a crossbow a few months ago in order to take advantage of the archery deer season here in Tennessee. Buying the weapon has effectively doubled the length my hunting season, and opened up opportunities for me in some archery only hunting units. I’m real interested in learning to shoot a vertical bow, but I decided to go the crossbow route since I don’t have a great place to practice regularly. The shooting mechanics of a modern crossbow are similar to a rifle, which I’m much more proficient with. That said, it’s not a walk in the park like I expected. Here are few considerations you might think about before buying a crossbow.
Cost
I started looking into archery equipment with the misperception that an entry level/intermediate rig would be cheaper than setting up a new rifle of equivalent quality. It’s actually not, and crossbows are no exception. Besides the weapon itself, you also have to consider arrows, field tips, broadheads, archery targets, scopes, cocking ropes, rail lube, and string wax. On top of that, you may want a case for your bow, string silencers and vibration reducers, a scope cover, and, of course, a rangefinder. Don’t forget that your crossbow will need maintenance: it operates under tremendous strain and pressure, so strings and cams can wear out quickly and may need to be replaced. Depending on the type of person you are, this extensive gear list may get you excited. For myself, it mostly reminds me that I’m forking over a lot of cash. Thankfully, I scored a complete crossbow setup on Craigslist for a fraction of the new cost. If you do this, make sure to inspect the bow for signs of cracking and wear.
Handling
Depending on the model, crossbows can be somewhat unwieldy. Mine, for example, is very front heavy and about 20″ wide. It also can’t be uncocked without firing. Though it does have a safety, whenever the bow is cocked you need to be cognizant of the path of the string. You could easily lose a finger if it’s in the way when the bow is fired. None of these traits lend themselves to spot-and-stalk or still hunting, or really any kind of moving around. My crossbow doesn’t even have way to attach a sling, meaning I have to carry it with my hands 100% of the time. You often can’t fire a crossbow in tight quarters due to the width of the limbs, and you definitely can’t stabilize it on the side of a tree like you might a rifle. These limitations can make the crossbow really hard to deal with. That said, if you’re proficient with a rifle, hunt from a stand or blind, and don’t move around a lot, a crossbow is simple way to unlock a whole additional hunting season.
It’s Still Archery Equipment
When I first considered a crossbow, I felt like it would be cheating. Thoughts of unpressured deer galavanting through the forest, unsuspecting of my superior range and lethal accuracy danced through my mind. Vignettes of me stacking does in the back of my Corolla rolled constantly in my daydreams at work. But in reality, crossbows are still archery equipment. Yes, they may provide increased effective range, speed, and accuracy to the average shooter, but the advantages are marginal. You’ll still have to get within spitting distance of an animal. You’ll still need to practice with the weapon in different positions and at different yardages. And you’ll also need to understand a fair bit about archery equipment that does not carry over from rifle shooting. For example, there’s a lot to learn about arrows and their components. Do you understand grain weight, broadhead design, fletching, flight paths, and spine? In addition, you’ll need to find something durable you can shoot at, and make sure that your field point accuracy translates to your broadheads. This is a decent amount of information to absorb and requires some research or an experienced friend, but it’s important to understand to be a safe, effective, and ethical hunter.
Final Thoughts
I’m really happy with my crossbow because, once again, it opens up many opportunities for me to hunt, and that’s really what I’m after. Since I bought my equipment second hand and got a steal of a deal, I haven’t dealt with any buyer’s remorse. At the same time, getting started with the crossbow has not been the walk in the park I imagined. If you’re in the market for a crossbow, or trying to make the choice between a vertical vs. horizontal bow, I hope this information helps you make an informed decision. Most of all, have fun and do what it takes to get out hunting.
Persistence Outdoors 