Newbie Crossbow Tips List Needed
tips
While hunting periodically check to make sure your bolt is all the way back. A friend of mine missed a doe a few years back. Pulled the trigger heard funny sound and saw bolt fly way to the right. Also always have at least a soft case for your bow. If you go in to the bush in the dark or come out in the dark. It's the law in Ontario.
From the ACF Membership Card
TOP TEN CROSSBOW RULES
*Read and understand your owner’s manual thoroughly before ever shooting your crossbow.
*Never carry a cocked crossbow with an arrow in it while walking.
*If hunting from a treestand, always cock the crossbow on the ground before climbing into stand.
*Never raise or lower a cocked crossbow from a treestand with an arrow in it.
*Always keep ALL fingers below the rail when shooting an arrow.
*Never dry-fire a crossbow.
*Always identify your target and area beyond it before shooting.
*Never use a cocking device to uncock a crossbow.
*To uncock a crossbow, shoot an arrow tipped with a field point into soft ground or a target.
*Make sure that the limb tips are free of obstructions before shooting.
*Read and understand your owner’s manual thoroughly before ever shooting your crossbow.
*Never carry a cocked crossbow with an arrow in it while walking.
*If hunting from a treestand, always cock the crossbow on the ground before climbing into stand.
*Never raise or lower a cocked crossbow from a treestand with an arrow in it.
*Always keep ALL fingers below the rail when shooting an arrow.
*Never dry-fire a crossbow.
*Always identify your target and area beyond it before shooting.
*Never use a cocking device to uncock a crossbow.
*To uncock a crossbow, shoot an arrow tipped with a field point into soft ground or a target.
*Make sure that the limb tips are free of obstructions before shooting.
It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you are not!
Daniel James Hendricks
POB 251
Glenwood, MN 56334
320-634-3660
Email: bowtwang@charter.net
Website: www.horizontalbowhunter.com
Daniel James Hendricks
POB 251
Glenwood, MN 56334
320-634-3660
Email: bowtwang@charter.net
Website: www.horizontalbowhunter.com
Be patient! If the animal doesn't present you with a high percentage shot or if you have doubts don't shoot. There is going to be other opportunities. Better to live with the one that you let walk than the one that was only wounded.
Crossbows are archery equipment(don't let anyone tell you different!!!) and their effective range is no greater than a vert bow.
Crossbows are archery equipment(don't let anyone tell you different!!!) and their effective range is no greater than a vert bow.
- ninepointer
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 10:52 pm
- Location: When you reach Barrie, keep going...
Don't just sight in your crossbow and then set it aside until fall. Practice, practice, practice all through the summer!
Go 3D shooting where you are forced to estimate distances. You will be surprised at how many times you will miss because you get the distance wrong! Optical illusions resulting from conditions such as uneven ground, animal size and position cause even the pros to misjudge distance.
Use surveyor's tape to mark distances around your tree stand.
Ninepointer
Go 3D shooting where you are forced to estimate distances. You will be surprised at how many times you will miss because you get the distance wrong! Optical illusions resulting from conditions such as uneven ground, animal size and position cause even the pros to misjudge distance.
Use surveyor's tape to mark distances around your tree stand.
Ninepointer
____________________________________
Exocet 165 retrofitted with Magtip Limbs
Boo Custom String
Big John's Custom Arrows
Slick Trick 100 gr. Standard broadheads
Groundpounder Quiver Mount
Exocet 165 retrofitted with Magtip Limbs
Boo Custom String
Big John's Custom Arrows
Slick Trick 100 gr. Standard broadheads
Groundpounder Quiver Mount
Or get yourself a rangefinder and do it the easy way.ninepointer wrote:Don't just sight in your crossbow and then set it aside until fall. Practice, practice, practice all through the summer!
Go 3D shooting where you are forced to estimate distances. You will be surprised at how many times you will miss because you get the distance wrong! Optical illusions resulting from conditions such as uneven ground, animal size and position cause even the pros to misjudge distance.
Use surveyor's tape to mark distances around your tree stand.
Ninepointer
Digger

Digger
2008 Y25 Relayer #593 Boo string, lumizone
2-1984 Relayer,
2-1992 Wolverine
Excal Phoenix, acudraw, VARizone
T.P. Titan TL4, acudraw 50, Varizone
Vixen, Steddy Eddy, Varizone
Martin Rage
Martin Jaguar
PSE Infinity
2008 Y25 Relayer #593 Boo string, lumizone
2-1984 Relayer,
2-1992 Wolverine
Excal Phoenix, acudraw, VARizone
T.P. Titan TL4, acudraw 50, Varizone
Vixen, Steddy Eddy, Varizone
Martin Rage
Martin Jaguar
PSE Infinity
Watch
Watch how far you put your foot in the stirrup before cocking the crossbow, if it is not in deep enough ( or a bit muddy ) and it slips off your foot
WHAM sore mouth or missing teeth.
This one has probably already been said. Watch the limb tips for obstructions, I have seen 1 person get a good wack in the face when the crossbow limb just clipped the side of a tree.

This one has probably already been said. Watch the limb tips for obstructions, I have seen 1 person get a good wack in the face when the crossbow limb just clipped the side of a tree.
A cocking device isn't just for those who are physically unable to cock a crossbow... They help ensure accurate string alignment everytime the bow is cocked back-which makes for more accurate shooting. An Acudraw type cocking aide will allow you to cock your crossbow in a treestand safely as well.
"Those who desire to give up Freedom in order to gain Security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one."
-Thomas Jefferson
-Thomas Jefferson
Wrap a bit of duct tape (camo) around your stirrup. It makes an aweful loud racket when moving through brush if you don't do this.
Never pull your cocked crossbow up to your stand by the stirrup. Pulling it up by the stock will prevent any small twigs from tripping the trigger if your safety fails. Another loud racket and a dry fire.
Be very careful when storing and carrying your bolts with broadheads. They are mighty sharp. Don't just toss the quiver on your front seat one of them sharp sticks could come loose while you are driving.
Lastly, let your buddies shoot it. They might just get hooked also!
Never pull your cocked crossbow up to your stand by the stirrup. Pulling it up by the stock will prevent any small twigs from tripping the trigger if your safety fails. Another loud racket and a dry fire.
Be very careful when storing and carrying your bolts with broadheads. They are mighty sharp. Don't just toss the quiver on your front seat one of them sharp sticks could come loose while you are driving.
Lastly, let your buddies shoot it. They might just get hooked also!
I hunt for memories, the meat's a bonus!
advice
Second post on this thread but thought i'd add to it. Whenever possable take someone with you who has never bow hunted before. I've put camo on some hardcore rifle hunters who found it amazing how much they've missed by not archery hunting.As always respect the game you are hunting by finding out your limits on range and never be tempted to pass them. Most of all enjoy all the moments in the outdoors.
Couple of things that have helped me since I first took up the sport:
1) If you are hunting from a tree stand without a back rest and it is damp or wet out I carry an old dark coloured sweatshirt with me. I tie the shirt around the tree at back leavel and that way your jacket wont get wet which can possibly keep the cold off of ya for a few hours as well as adding a little padding.
2) I hunt from tree stands alot and I like to let a few bolts fly from my tree stand before the season opens. I found shooting from 20 feet up is alot different than from a rest on the ground. If you are going to load your bow in the stand make sure your safety harness is on!
Regards,
Robin
1) If you are hunting from a tree stand without a back rest and it is damp or wet out I carry an old dark coloured sweatshirt with me. I tie the shirt around the tree at back leavel and that way your jacket wont get wet which can possibly keep the cold off of ya for a few hours as well as adding a little padding.
2) I hunt from tree stands alot and I like to let a few bolts fly from my tree stand before the season opens. I found shooting from 20 feet up is alot different than from a rest on the ground. If you are going to load your bow in the stand make sure your safety harness is on!
Regards,
Robin
Wildlife Management & Reduction Specialist