{"id":1729,"date":"2023-12-16T16:51:15","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T16:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1729"},"modified":"2023-12-16T16:51:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T16:51:15","slug":"why-i-use-a-crossbow-to-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1729","title":{"rendered":"Why I Use a Crossbow to Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By David Kelley<\/a><\/p>\n

2023 brought a substantial amount of change to my life; some significant and some, although minuscule in the big scheme of life, was largely unexpected.<\/p>\n

On March 1st, 2023, I retired from the military, which was the sole full-time employment of my entire adult life. I found new job opportunities as a freshly minted civilian to fill gaps in a refreshing schedule based around catching up on two decades of procrastinated projects and mundane tasks that were continually delayed.<\/p>\n

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Crossbow hunting helped the author fill deer tags in several states this season. A long-time bow hunter, the author appreciated the ease of shooting and simple crank for cocking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Typical of a recently retired veteran, I grew a beard \u2014 another first after two decades of a cleanly shaven face and biweekly haircuts. My past motorcycling passion was rekindled this year,<\/a> along with trading in a manual transmission Jeep for a full-size truck (all I\u2019ve owned and driven since early 2004 after returning stateside from OIF-1 were stick-shift Wranglers a Gladiator).<\/p>\n

My wife and I purchased our \u201cforever home\u201d this year, complete with a private shooting range and enough additional acreage to hunt our own small parcel just a short walk from the back deck. The 2023 hunting season to this point has treated me fairly with deer tags filled in two additional states that I hadn\u2019t previously visited.<\/p>\n

\"hunting\n<\/picture>
Crossbows can be used, where legal, to take most any game animals including these mule deer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

None of these events were too shocking to many in my close circle, but when pictures of deer harvests from the first two states I hunted this year circulated, I received many text replies questioning a new tool in the photo. Yes, I switched from a compound bow to a crossbow for 2023.<\/p>\n

Past Experience<\/h2>\n

I had regularly shot a compound bow in both local 3-D archery and informal indoor leagues as a teenager in the 1990s, with a lengthy pause between archery endeavors. Pennsylvania began allowing crossbows with a magnified optic in the standard archery season around 2009. That was what ignited my interest in getting back in the fall deer woods after a pause spanning 15 years.<\/p>\n

\"tenpoint\n<\/picture>
Crossbows allow for the mounting of a magnified optic and a stable shooting platform. Check your state\u2019s regs on what is allowed before heading into the field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The crossbow was the way to quickly gain equipment familiarization and head into a stand. Enjoying that fall season and harvesting a few Pennsylvania whitetails are what led me right back to a vertical bow a few winters later, giving plenty of time to build shooting form before another archery hunting season began.<\/p>\n

Being a recreational traditional shooter with an aluminum riser recurve bow and a devout modern compound bowhunter since then, several in my circle of hunting pals were more than surprised that I made a big change for the 2023 deer seasons.<\/p>\n

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Without going into the details, the use of a crossbow was a personal necessity this season due to the simple crank design for cocking and overall ease of shooting. Simply put, the change was primarily caused by a bum shoulder, and secondarily from reduced practice time with a vertical compound this past year.<\/p>\n

History and the Current Trends<\/h2>\n

The modern crossbow is useful as a hunting tool today for the same reasons they were developed for battlefield use many centuries prior. The crossbow became a common weapon on battlefields close to 1,000 years ago as it allowed a new user to develop quick proficiency compared to a vertical longbow.<\/p>\n

\"whitetail\n<\/picture>
These white tail deer move through the early morning fog during a recent crossbow hunt.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Without question, the design and its simple operation are the reasons that crossbows have been increasing in popularity and hunting across the United States. A total of 29 states currently allow use of crossbows during all archery seasons, and more allow restricted use depending on season and disability status.<\/p>\n

As an example of growth, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported 277,602 resident archery permits and 11,812 nonresident archery permits sold in 2010. The latest published data (2022) showed sales of 335,960 and 19,353. Additionally, approximately one third of the deer killed in Penn\u2019s Woods now fall to an arrow, with an overwhelming majority reporting the harvest was taken with a crossbow.<\/p>\n

Advantages in Drawing and Trajectory<\/h2>\n

I stated above that crossbows are easier to use than a vertical bow. However, the reader and potential hunter should know that the crossbow is not a tool that can be used without appropriate familiarization and practice to learn safe methods of operation, along with its capabilities and restrictions.<\/p>\n

\"author\n<\/picture>
Many states allow for the use of a crossbow for hunting. More than half allow their use during all archery seasons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I\u2019d especially like to mention this for any hunters that have not previously used archery equipment in a hunting capacity. From the release of string to recovery of the game, placing a broadhead behind the shoulder of an animal is quite different than using a bullet. These tools are spectacular for chasing game, but one must know and understand the limitations.<\/p>\n

The greatest advantage of a crossbow is evident when taking the first step to shoot. This is the ability to cock the bow upon entering the hunting stand, rather than having to draw on an animal that is likely already within archery distance. The bow that I used this year, a TenPoint Viper 430, does have a cocking mechanism integrated into the bow.<\/p>\n

Modern crossbows provide considerable speed. TenPoint\u2019s lineup for 2023 doesn\u2019t list a bow under 370fps. However, the added velocity of a crossbow does not negate the need for a reliable rangefinder. The trajectory is flat compared to an average vertical bow allowing tighter pin gaps, but knowing the distance is still paramount.<\/p>\n

\"deer\n<\/picture>
A crossbow helped put this deer into the freezer. The crossbow is a tool that can be used to feed your family and neighbors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Again, it\u2019s important for a new user to fire the bow at various yardages after zero is complete to verify drop at odd distances and to also understand how high or low the shot will be if there is an error in rangefinding. I found that the 30 yard dot of the optic would allow me to comfortably shoot from low-20s to the high 30-yard distances without rise or fall outside of the critical vital area of a mid-sized whitetail. Your mileage will vary depending on bow velocity, weight of arrow and size of game. This crossbow did group well under 3\u201d at 50 yards, yet I still wait for shot opportunities that I\u2019d take with a vertical bow. Know your limits!<\/p>\n

One more for the uninitiated to hunting with an arrow \u2014 allow time for the game to expire based on location of the shot. I\u2019ve communicated with too many newcomers that immediately tracked an arrow- hit deer and bumped into it before it expired.<\/p>\n

The Future<\/h2>\n

The TenPoint Viper 430 and 100-gr. Rage Hypodermic Crossbow NC broadheads served me well this season. The combination resulted in two filled tags; a 10-point whitetail buck in South Dakota and a healthy Illinois doe.<\/p>\n

\"buck\n<\/picture>
This buck was taken by the author with a crossbow during a South Dakota hunt earlier this year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The South Dakota buck did not have the absolute ideal shot placement, but the deer bedded quickly and was found a relatively short distance away, thanks to some assistance from two hunting buddies that shared camp. It was a 40-yard shot and quartered to me a touch more than expected when the broadhead was sent on its way.<\/p>\n

The doe this year was so close it filled up the field of view of the optic, giving me an easy shot and quick recovery. Regardless of crossbow capabilities, I still desire a close shot that leaves minimal room for unexpected error or deflection of the arrow.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

I will be using a crossbow in Pennsylvania\u2019s late season beginning after Christmas through January. It will be a great fit for the cold season where heavier clothing can obstruct the string of a vertical bow on draw and release. I\u2019m also looking forward to some spring turkey hunts with the crossbow in lieu of shotgun.<\/p>\n

I believe many hunters would enjoy the challenge that still exists \u2014 getting close to game for a responsible shot. Speaking of challenges, a buddy suggested that I get a low poundage recurve out for a few hunts next year, so don\u2019t assume that I\u2019m continually progressing with the equipment.<\/p>\n

Best wishes the remainder of this hunting season, and those to come.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n

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By David Kelley 2023 brought a substantial amount of change to my life; some significant and some, although minuscule in the big scheme of life, was largely unexpected. On March 1st, 2023, I retired from the military, which was the sole full-time employment of my entire adult life. I found new job opportunities as a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}