The biting cold crept through my layers, numbing my toes when a sudden movement caught my eye. Adrenaline surged, igniting a warmth as I glimpsed the dark, wide antlers of a massive buck weaving through the trees. With my crossbow poised, I slid the safety off and steadied my aim on the narrow game trail ahead. The buck, oblivious to my presence, moved closer, its nose to the ground. As it stepped into my sights, I slowly squeezed the trigger. Crossbow hunting is a thrilling pursuit, but true success hinges on preparation, accuracy, and a deep respect for the game. Here’s how you can elevate your skills and make every hunt count.
The arrow flew so fast I could not see the point of impact, but the resounding whack of the broadhead cutting through skin, flesh, and bone was unmistakable. The deer jumped and bolted through the trees, disappearing in seconds. My heart, which was under control for the shot, now ran rampant, and although I hadn’t moved a muscle, I felt like I had run uphill for 20 minutes.
The crossbow was cocked, and a new arrow pulled from the quiver. I sat and played the scenario over in my mind a dozen times and felt that the shot was true. I did not see or hear the deer fall and waited 20 minutes to help ensure success. When walking to where the deer was standing, I found my arrow buried halfway into the ground. Close inspection showed it was covered in crimson with some hair. I took up the trail and was surprised at how little sign there was to follow. I slowed and looked as far ahead as possible with every step. After traveling about 80 yards, I saw the dark brown body lying in the snow and knew my hunt was over.
Archery hunting has many elements, including stealth, accuracy, the confidence to try and predict, and the ability to shoot straight under pressure. The deer described above was at 24 yards when I shot. Most would consider it a chip shot, but things don’t always go as planned when your heart rate is elevated and your palms sweaty. However, the arrow placement on my buck couldn’t have been better and was the exact spot where I aimed. A big part of the success can be attributed to practice. It is not that I practiced at 20 or 30 yards, but that I see and know what my arrow does at 60 yards and farther. It is a theory of mine, to practice long to master the short shots.
Send it Downrange!
Shooting long distances is the best way to train as a crossbow shooter. The distance will exaggerate any issues or problems and allow you to work on them to stay on target. Shooting short distances can be deceiving, as problems have less of an impact on where the arrow lands on the target.
A good example of long-distance problem-solving is shooter form. Bad form will cause an arrow to be off the mark, and it really shows up at long range. Canting your bow left or right is one of the biggest mistakes, and can send your arrow left or right, high or low, from your aiming point. Scope levels can easily be added to a crossbow rig to confirm if you are holding a bow level in all directions and on any terrain. Many factors can fool your brain into thinking you are holding your crossbow level, and the geography around you plays the biggest role. A hill, valley, or any change in what you perceive as horizontal can throw you off. Even a tree leaning in one direction can turn your internal level off-kilter.
Check your level if you are on target at close range and continually have arrows flying to one side at long range. Long-distance training can also be a way to fine-tune your optics. Range magnifies all problems; if your zero is imperfect, arrows will continually be grouped off the “X” downrange. If you are several inches left or right, it is a clue to adjust your windage. Adjust your elevation if you are continually up or down of the aiming point. Chances are, when you try shooting at the 20- and 30-yard ranges, you will still be bang on target.
It is important to have maximized accuracy at long range, as it ties back to shorter distance consistency. Most crossbow optics have ¼ inch MOA windage and elevation. At 20 yards, a turret must be moved 20 clicks to move one inch. At 50 yards, it requires eight clicks to move the same inch. When fine-tuning your scope and point of impact, the multiplier factor means a lot. The long distances are small and precise movements that cannot be seen at shorter distances.
Practice shooting targets at 80 yards to quickly see if you are steady enough to pull the trigger. A front-heavy crossbow can be challenging to hold steady if not using shooting sticks or a rest. The exercise could prove how valuable an aid is for steadying the bow. The crosshair must be held steady on the point of impact. If it is moving back and forth and you are trying to time the trigger pull, you aren’t likely to see consistent accuracy.
Shoot with a bipod and with sticks and then off the bench. Each activity tells a story, and the bench shooting with bags or a vise helps prove accuracy. Using sticks or a bipod tells you about your ability to hold steady and pull the trigger.
Trigger pull is critical at long range and teaches you to have the perfect form for a short-range shot like I had on my deer. Engage the trigger with the tip of your finger and slowly squeeze. You should never jerk or pull the trigger when ready to fire, as shot consistency will be inconsistent. A slow and steady squeeze will maximize accuracy whenever you engage the trigger. TenPoint uses TriggerTech Triggers in its premium bows; anyone who shoots them can feel and see the difference. The trigger is a custom design that improves the crossbow’s safety and breaks crisp and clean at three pounds. The TriggerTech Trigger breaks so cleanly and smoothly that the crossbow does not move when the trigger breaks. If you have a heavyweight trigger, practice the steady pull until it breaks, and always use a rest to minimize movement.
Build a Target Wall
Nobody likes to lose arrows, and building a target wall is important to capture all arrows until you become proficient. There are some great targets on the market, and the SEVR 21-inch HD Archery Target with Easy-Pull Foam is a great option, as you can use it with broadheads and still maintain easy removal. The Morrel Big Dice, Yellow Jacket, or one of the outdoor range bags can help build a target wall fast. A block of four targets provides room for error up and down and left and right.
More on Best Crossbow Targets
Aim small, Hit BIG
Pick the smallest aiming point possible when shooting. Some targets come with golf tees to push into the target and use as aiming points. If you want single-hair accuracy on a deer, use a small aiming point when practicing. Take a one-inch dot on a target and cut it down to ¼ of an inch. You will see how aiming small tightens your arrow groups.
Focus the Optic
Shooting at different distances can show you if your crosshair is in focus. The first exercise with sighting in a crossbow for the first time is focusing the scope. Aim it at the blue sky and look for a split second. Is the crosshair and reticle in focus? Make adjustments until it is perfectly clear. The crosshair will always be crisp and clear when you engage a target. If not, you may want to consider upgrading optics. There are many choices for upgrading to Best Crossbow Optics
The Effect of Wind on a Crossbow Arrow
Wind can play a role in arrow flight and point of impact. Practicing long on windy days teaches you how much arrow drift will occur with any wind speed. Watch the forecast and plan for range days when the wind is blowing. We don’t get to pick and choose the days we hunt, and practicing for conditions you will face in the field is time well invested.
There will be marginal drift at short range, but longer ranges will show the effects of the wind, especially from the side. A straight-on or tailwind has little impact, whereas a side wind causes challenges. Some crossbows use small-diameter arrows and can prove valuable when dealing with the wind. The bigger the arrow, the more wind grabs and influences its flight.
Record it
Slow-motion videos are cool and show the trajectory. Taking videos of each other in slow-motion can show mistakes like a trigger slam, with the bow moving left or right. The video is a great tool for understanding trajectory. Some rangefinders will identify obstacles in the path of an arrow before the shot, but anticipating and understanding arrow flight makes seeing a shot in the field intuitive.
Understanding Arrow flight
Do you know and understand arrow trajectory? How much does an arrow drop at 30 yards, 50 yards, or 100 yards? A 448-grain hunting arrow launched at 450 feet per second drops 69.5 inches at 100 yards. It is hard to comprehend a drop close to 70 inches, but it stresses how unnoticed overhanging obstacles could cause a problem.
The biggest takeaway from understanding long-range trajectory is knowing your maximum hunting distance. Practice distance and hunting distance are not the same. If your arrow drops 69.5 inches, how much energy is it still carrying? How long does it take the arrow to arrive at the target? Could an animal take a step or two when the arrow is in flight?
The hunting distance in my books is maximized at 50 or 60 yards. After that, the arrow drops drastically and loses energy. There is a chance you could kill an animal, but it is a gamble that tests ethics and morals in hunting. Remember, you took up archery for the challenge and rewards. The last thing you want is a wounded animal that can’t be recovered. Shoot when you know you can make a clean kill.
3D Target Tips
Practice on 3D targets to understand angles, kill zones, and aiming points. It is as close as you can get to the real thing. A 3D target is perfect for understanding entry and exit wounds when shooting from an elevated stand. Hold an arrow in line with the one in the target to see the exit and angle. Be competitive with yourself and place your arrow exactly where you want it.
Being in control of your crossbow and knowing where your arrow will fly and impact a target comes from practice. Try the long game and see how it can improve your shooting for distances you plan to hunt. Remember, never hunt and shoot at a distance you have not practiced at the range. You owe it to the animal and yourself.
The Author’s Favorite Setup
SEVR Broadheads
TenPoint TX 440 (click to shop on Amazon)
