Author: Crossbow Magazine Staff

The Recruit XP – $269.99 – $299.99 at Amazon (Occasionally marked 10% off) Introduction In the world of archery, the crossbow is an age-old weapon that has undergone significant innovations over time. Today’s market is saturated with various options that promise features ranging from advanced aiming technology to lightweight builds. But when it comes to finding a crossbow that balances performance, affordability, and ease of use, look no further than the Barnett Recruit XP. In this review, we’ll delve into why this particular model should be at the top of your list if you’re a first-time buyer in the market…

Unleashing Precision and Power We took to the range to look at 4 of Killer Instincts most popular crossbows.  The full-sized Diesel X, Fatal X, and Vital X which shipped from the factory ready to use, and the compact bullpup sized Swat X1, that came needing to have the scope mounted.  I would suggest as you take them out of the shipping package and inspect them while new, you check the scope mounts for proper torque and adjust the eye relief.  Lube the rails with the supplied rail lube as this is the protection from the string abrasion against the…

For aspiring hunters and enthusiasts looking to venture into crossbow hunting, choosing the right entry-level crossbow is paramount. With a multitude of options available on the market, navigating the selection process can be overwhelming. This review delves into the key considerations for entry-level crossbows and compares different models. We will explore factors such as build quality, accuracy, power, ease of use and affordability. By the end of this review, you will have the knowledge and insights to make an informed decision and get you going on your crossbow-hunting journey. I also compare three entry-level crossbows that meet necessary factors. I…

By Crossbow Magazine Staff and Bill Hilts Jr. If you have never used a crossbow for target shooting or for hunting big game, you owe it to yourself to at least give it a try. Crossbows are fun to shoot, can be extremely accurate, and provide another way to get back out in the field (especially if you can’t pull your vertical bow back any longer). Crossbows also offer a great way to get our youth involved in archery. It was 1990 when I shot my first crossbow. That was in a hunting camp in Ohio. One shot and I…

As I lowered my 10 x 42 binoculars, the reality began to set in. I had done it! I had just fulfilled a lifelong dream that had begun when I was a kid. Not two hundred yards away lay a central barren ground caribou that would surely make the record books. Well, my goal was to see and shoot a good representation of the species, but what had just happened far exceeded my expectations, hopes and yes dreams. This adventure began over a year ago when Ken Gangler of Canadian Sub Arctic Lodge generously donated a hunt for Central Barren…

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of treating my two sons to a bear hunt in New Brunswick, Canada. The area we were hunting is located off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, 15 miles inland from the fishing village of Alma. It has a large population of black bears, and I wanted to take them to a place where I knew they’d have a great chance of taking not just any bear, but a good-sized bear. This area also held the high potential of getting a bear with a “blaze” (white “V” on its chest.) I…

Western big game hunters often hunt remote areas far from access points, and the only way to get their harvest back to the vehicle is to skin and quarter it in the field and pack it out. The idea is slowly catching on with Eastern deer hunters, especially with those who hunt remote areas of public land. Success in these areas often means going where other hunters aren’t willing to go, and that can mean hiking several miles beyond access areas. Trying to drag a big-bodied mature buck out that far is simply unreasonable. The idea of skinning and quartering…

Most archaeological experts agree that the first cutting tools were likely made over three million years ago as bones from that period began to show evidence of cuts, scrapes, and gouges that were different from the normal damage seen from predatory animals. These cutting tools began as pieces of stone that were crudely shaped and slowly evolved to knapped flints that were finely crafted and capable of serious work. It wasn’t until the copper, bronze, and iron age that cutting tools took their next serious leaps when our ancestors developed the means to sepa- rate metals from ore and eventually…

With the growing popularity of crossbow use, Omega Sights created the new 2023 Hawkeye. Like its siblings, the new 2023 Hawkeye is a digital reticle sight, a continuous rangefinder, and an HD video camera, all in one. But what sets the new Hawkeye apart is that is has both Day vision as well as a Night Vision feature.  Additionally, its new 50mm super Sony hi-resolution camera and processor aids in seeing what the naked eye cannot in low light conditions such as pre-dawn or dusk, even without the use of its night vision feature. The new Hawkeye boasts a…

From now on, this is to inform all the crossbow bashers, haters, and critics that it’s time to stop! Crossbows are here to stay and are growing in popularity every day. The terms like “cross gun” or “that’s not a real bow” need to cease being used when refer- ring to crossbows. Crossbows are legitimate weapons that are legal to use in most states, so it is time to be accepted as such. Some people say, “it is not bowhunting” but most all states say “it is bowhunting” in some form or fashion. They also say it’s “cheating” and not…