Beginner’s Guide to Crossbow Hunting

Offering the appeal of close game encounters, improved accuracy, an extended hunting season (in some states), and more, crossbow hunting provides a unique blend of precision, tradition, and challenge. Whether new to the sport entirely or transitioning from rifle or bowhunting, this guide will help you navigate your first crossbow experiences.

While crossbow hunting has seen an upswing in popularity, not every state has legalized the use of crossbows for deer hunting. Be sure to review the crossbow laws for the state in which you will be hunting before you get started. And remember that a local archery pro shop—like these authorized Killer Instinct dealers—is an excellent place for hands-on learning about equipment and answered questions.

When choosing a crossbow, many affordable options are incredibly dependable and more than capable of getting you started with accuracy, power, and safety. As with any sport, it is important to learn the basics before tackling more challenging aspects of “the game.”

Additionally, you will want to consider your crossbow hunting goals and needs, such as frequency, potential for shared use, and physical limitations. State and local game laws will dictate the minimum and maximum required draw weight, giving you a range to use when shopping. Although most crossbows offer enough speed to be effective, consider overall length; how compact the front-end portion is; and how much noise and vibration the crossbow makes when you shoot. Compact, quiet, and less vibration are generally more enjoyable when hunting or target shooting in the backyard.

Many crossbow packages come with scopes that work great for hunting. However, it is important to sight in and practice your distances before jumping in the tree stand. Make sure you become familiar with the crossbow’s cocking device and safety and lube the rail to improve string life when shooting.

In many cases, beginning hunters keep their shots under 40 yards, as factors like bolt drop, wind drift, and animal movement become more unpredictable at longer distances. A quality rangefinder can assist in learning how to judge ranges and shoot accurately at those ranges. And practicing real-world shots is paramount. Use a stable rest when firing and try both elevated and seated positions in varying light conditions.

Above all, safety is your priority when crossbow hunting. If you are new to hunting, taking a hunter safety course is a smart, and often necessary, first step, as many states require class completion before issuing a license. You will learn to never point your crossbow at anything you do not intend to shoot, and always treat your crossbow as if it is loaded and ready to fire. Also, your crossbow should only be loaded when you are in your hunting position.

For most crossbows, the only safe way to de-cock your bow is to shoot it into a target or use a de-cocking arrow. It is important to read the crossbow manual for safe discharging of your crossbow. However, Killer Instinct provides an alternative option in the LogiX 435 crossbow, which features a patent-pending LetDown triggerbox, allowing the user to de-cock without shooting.

With the right knowledge, gear, and practice, crossbow hunting can quickly become a rewarding and accessible pursuit. Bring Killer Instinct’s best-in-class gear on your adventures—find an authorized dealer or shop online today.