| Crossbow hunting is a wonderful sport practiced by | | | | properly lubricated with graphite powder to avoid |
| many hunters all around the world. It combines the | | | | excessive wear on the string. The string of a |
| accuracy of shooting a rifle with the need to get in | | | | crossbow runs right on top of the rail and slides along |
| close to the quarry in order to make a clean kill. This | | | | it. If the rail is kept lubricated, one string can last for |
| forces sportsmen to hone their skills in tracking and | | | | several years. If it not, the string can be broken with |
| stalking to a peak that is difficult to match in any | | | | any shot. |
| other activity. The following are a few useful tips on | | | | Check the string periodically for wear and replace as |
| crossbow hunting that may come in handy. | | | | needed. Having a string break in the woods can |
| Set the draw weight of the bow to the maximum | | | | cause serious injury to the hunter. It will almost |
| amount that you can pull back using both hands. This | | | | definitely damage the limbs of the bow, rendering it |
| will provide enough force on the arrows fired from | | | | useless until repaired or replaced. In addition, there is |
| the crossbow to get a through and through shot in | | | | a certain embarrassment factor to consider when |
| most cases. If the arrow is properly placed, the | | | | aiming at a large deer and having the string break, |
| animal will never even know what hit it until it dies. | | | | leaving you looking at the animal with it looking at |
| This is far more humane than leaving an arrow | | | | you as if to say, "Ha, now what are you gonna do?" |
| sticking in a wounded animal to wiggle around as the | | | | Store your arrows properly when not in use. A quiver |
| animal moves until it succumbs to its wound. | | | | that lets you snap the arrows into place with the tips |
| Crossbows are normally sighted in much the same | | | | buried in foam can protect them from getting bent |
| manner as a rifle. There is one very important | | | | by the force of gravity as they sit when not in use. |
| exception. The effective range of a crossbow is | | | | A bent arrow fired from a crossbow is a very |
| generally limited to less than 60 yards. Because | | | | dangerous thing because its flight is unpredictable. It |
| arrows do not move at as many feet per second as | | | | is possible to have dead aim on an animal and miss |
| bullets, they tend to drop off during their flight. This | | | | completely, with the chance of hitting another hunter |
| means that it is necessary to set a minimum of two, | | | | that is just out of the line of sight as the arrow |
| preferably three, different sights. | | | | curves in its flight. |
| Most hunters prefer to use three different colored | | | | It is to be hoped that these few crossbow hunting |
| pins or fiber optics as front sights. These are normally | | | | tips will help to make your experience in the fields |
| set at 20, 40, and 60 yards. Then, when a game | | | | and woods more enjoyable. The main thing is to take |
| animal is in range, the hunter must estimate the | | | | proper care of your equipment to avoid injury and to |
| distance and position the kill zone of the animal on or | | | | improve your chances of bagging a deer, bear, |
| between pins as necessary to assure a clean kill. | | | | turkey, or whatever you hunt. In addition, it is very |
| Deer, bear, and other large game can become very | | | | important to practice the entire year round in order |
| dangerous if only wounded. | | | | to remain proficient with the weapon when the time |
| It is important to keep the rail of the crossbow | | | | comes to hunt with it. |