Are you ready to take your hunting to the next level with widehunt? Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or new in the game of hunting, it’s important to follow some key tips to ensure a successful and safe hunt. From choosing the right crossbow and accessories to practising your shoot and understanding major strategies, these crossbow tips will help you make the most of your crossbow hunting experience. With these best crossbow-hunting tips in your arsenal, you’ll be well on becoming a top-notch crossbow hunter.
Here are seven essential tips for perfecting the use of a modern bow and arrow to successfully hunt and bring home meat
7 Best Crossbow Hunting Tips For Safe And Perfect Hunting
Choose the right crossbow for your need.
One of the most important tips for crossbow hunting is to choose the right crossbow for your needs. There are many different models and brands on the market, and it’s important to do your research and choose a crossbow that is appropriate for your hunting style and the type of game you will be pursuing. Some factors to consider when choosing a crossbow include the following:
- The draw weight determines the force needed to draw back the string.
- The power stroke determines the speed at which the arrow is released.
- Using the right crossbow
Expert crossbow hunters suggest, 75-125 pounds of draw weight is ideal for crossbow hunting. Drawing requirements may vary depending on where you are, so check before getting your bow. After releasing the arrow, how far it goes and at what speed depends on the pressure applied during the draw.
Many crossbows come with different features, but some allow you to customize the original crossbow with parts. Various materials are also used to make them, but price of crossbow depends on it’s weight, as the weight of a crossbow decreases, its price tends to increase.
Once you choose the perfect crossbow, the next part is the selection of arrows you will use. Hunting arrows are available in various materials, but the most common are aluminium, carbon, and alloy or composite (combining aluminium and carbon). Aluminium is good for crossbow hunting but is less durable than those carbon or aluminium alloy (carbon and aluminium) material.
Stay Safe and focused.
Proper maintenance and safety are also essential for successful crossbow hunting. This includes keeping your crossbow clean and lubricated, checking the strings and cables regularly, and ensuring that all components are in good working order. It’s also important to use caution when handling your crossbow and to always follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
Scouting and planning are critical for success in any hunting situation, especially when it comes to crossbow hunting. Before heading out into the field, it’s important to research and learn as much as you can about the habits and behaviors of the animals. This includes studying maps and aerial photos of the area, identifying potential hunting spots, and setting up trail cameras or other scouting tools to understand the animals on the site better.
It is important to follow safety procedures when using a crossbow, such as never pointing the weapon at a target that you do not intend to shoot. Remember to keep the crossbow pointed in a safe direction until you are ready to shoot. As you take your shot, be mindful of what is beyond the target to ensure that you do not accidentally hit anything or anyone else.
Ensure that you always have a fully stocked first aid kit with you when you are outside, including supplies for treating wounds and insect bites.
Having a fully charged phone with you is vital in case you need to call for assistance.
Always Be Out Of Sight
This tip pertains more to deer hunting in general, it can also be applied when using a crossbow. It is well-known that deer have strong senses of sound and smell. To increase your chances of success while hunting with a crossbow, make sure to blend in with your surroundings by wearing camouflage clothing. Walk with rubber boots and wash your clothes with a scent-free soap. If you want to wear them later, put them in a plastic box and seal them completely. Before you go, remember to include a smell eliminator in your package. Use it on your clothes, gear, and blind spots.
Noise is another important factor that the amateurs and experienced cannot ignore. If the sound produced worsens the silence as you hunt, you might have to change your tool if the dampening kit does not improve much.
Also, shooting will be difficult if your crossbow has a heavier recoil. It also means your shooting range and accuracy will be affected. Make a point of choosing a crossbow with light recoil.
Another factor to consider is the direction of the wind. Make sure you are walking into the wind on your way to the stand. Keep your voice down and any other noise-related movements. As you do all of this, your crossbow should be ready to shoot so you can take a shot when the moment arrives.
To shoot an accurate crossbow, use a cocking device.
Attaching a cocking device to your crossbow will be extremely beneficial to you. When you use a cocking device, you can fire an accurate shot every time. Using a cocking device consistently improved my shooting accuracy. My bowstrings never come out dead in the middle when I pull them back the same way every time.
The centre of the string will move to the side where you apply too much pressure. Furthermore, the cocking device will help you draw the 150 lbs. You will be able to draw weight much easier. Even the muscle-bound bowman will find it challenging to pull that weight without a cocking device.
Use Adequate Draw Weight On The Crossbow
Using adequate draw weights on the crossbow is one of the crossbow hunting tips. In a target crossbow, the draw weight differs from a hunting crossbow. This article is concerned with the draw weight of a hunting crossbow.
The broad range from state to state is between 75lbs.-125lbs. You can hunt with crossbows in the range of 150 lbs.-175 lbs. What is the best draw weight range for you? Heavy draw weights result in faster string releases. The faster you release that drawstring, the faster your arrow will fly. I have shot arrows in the neighbourhood of 300 fps(Feet per second). Manufacturer companies are now making their crossbows to shoot arrows upwards of 400fps.
Ensure the replacement of the crossbow strings
When crossbow strings show extreme wear or damage, replacing them is crucial. One of the critical parts of your hunting crossbow is the bowstring.
You’ll notice obvious signs of wear and fraying on older bow strings. There is no obvious wear on modern strings. On the surface, your new bowstring is fine. But it could break at any time if it hasn’t been replaced in several years. So replace those bowstrings regularly to get the most out of your hunting experience.
Avoid looking at your fingers and thumb while shooting.
I Repeat, Don’t Ever look at Your fingers And Thumb While Shooting A Crossbow?
It seems so obvious to watch out for this. It may surprise you how many rifle hunters transfer these habits to crossbow hunting. Holding the forearm of the rifle, rifle shooters will keep their fingers and thumb straight up in the air. The finger and thumb are at risk when you do this while holding a crossbow.
I made the mistake of holding my fingers and thumb straight in the path of a rocketing bowstring. The string flew down the rail and sliced my thumb and fingers to the core. Blood splattering everywhere! It ended my hunting trip fast. SO DON’T EVER DO THIS!
Final Thoughts
In addition to these important tips, a few specific strategies can be useful when hunting different types of games with a crossbow. For example, while crossbow deer hunting, it’s important to pay attention to the wind and use cover to your advantage to help mask your scent. When hunting turkeys, it’s helpful to use a decoy and to call the birds in close before taking your shot.
Overall, crossbow hunting is a challenging and rewarding activity that hunters of all skill levels can enjoy. Following the tips in this article can improve your chances of success and have a great time out in the field.
Did you enjoy reading this article? I hope you found crossbow tips to help you in your future hunting endeavours. Leave a comment and pass this article on to all your friends and family!