Every year more and more states are legalizing crossbow hunting during archery season for deer. This means that we have a better opportunity to put meat in the freezer every year.

Hunting with a crossbow may seem intimidating, but it is far from it. Once you get used to the process, hunting deer with a crossbow is a nice middle ground between vertical bow hunting and hunting with a rifle.

In this article we will cover the best way to get started with a crossbow and how it will benefit you when hunting deer.

Chapter 1: Why Deer Hunt with a Crossbow?

I am guessing that you are either used to using a vertical bow or a rifle for deer hunting if you are reading this article. However, most states limit your use of these weapons for deer hunting.

This limit affects your ability to put meat in the freezer. Here are the reasons you need to be deer hunting with a crossbow:

1.1 – Weight Distribution

The most important reason I have for using a crossbow for deer hunting is weight distribution.

A rifle puts most of the weight at the point of the rifle making it hard to get a solid bead on a target. A vertical bow does the same thing, but also requires you to strain your dominant shoulder pulling and holding the bow string.

A crossbow eliminates both of these issues. The primary advantage is that you can secure a crossbow at your shoulder and then support the weight with both hands.

The weight is more evenly balanced so you will have less trouble holding crosshairs on a target.

In addition, a crossbow weighs less than a rifle making it a more stable weapon. This means you will typically be more accurate with a crossbow versus a rifle or vertical bow.

1.2 – Scopes

One of the biggest advantages of using a crossbow for deer hunting is a scope. Vertical bows must use either pin sights or crosshair sights. Both are non-magnification sights that require you to use your own eyesight for targeting an animal.

A scope offers magnification that allows you to target the kill zone of a deer more effectively.

While I used open sights for most of my hunting experience, I am now sold on the benefits of a scope.

1.3 – Limited Movement

A deer’s eyesight is primarily based on movement. They have issues seeing colors, but even the slightest movement can spook a deer. The placement of eyes on a deer allow them to see almost 360 degrees.

The action of standing up and drawing the string of a vertical bow is enough to spook a deer. However, a drawn crossbow can be pulled up and aimed with minimal movement

I actually have made every crossbow kill I have made with a seated shot. This makes the crossbow a much more effective killing weapon.

1.4 – Accuracy

Crossbows give you an added arrow speed in most cases. This means that you have a longer range and more accuracy.

The crossbow will more accurately kill any deer. The added arrow speed also means more killing power. The arrow will penetrate deeper to create a more lethal wound.

1.5 – Maneuverability

A crossbow is smaller and lighter than a vertical bow. This means it will be easier to move in and out of brush.

It also means that you can traverse brush with less resistance. It makes the hunting process easier in every way.

Chapter 2: Which Crossbow Should You Use?

There are three different types of crossbows that you could potentially use. The choice you make will affect your deer kill and your bank account.

We will cover the three different types of crossbows so you can make the best choice possible.

2.1 – Recurve Crossbows

This is the crossbow I started on and actually the one I use to this day. Recurve crossbows are light and efficient, but they do make some noise when fired.

I have added some noise dampeners to reduce the noise. However, they are lighter than compound crossbows.

2.2 – Compound Crossbows

This is the most popular type of crossbow. They have flywheels in place to reduce resistance and increase arrow speed.

Typically, compound crossbows are going to shoot bolts at a higher arrow speed with more killing power.

They have a smoother release, so string noise is not a huge issue. They also allow you to draw back the string easier to lock it in place.

2.3 – Reverse Crossbows

This is a design of which most people are completely unaware. It has crossbow arms facing out away from the shooter attached around the trigger location.

Reverse crossbows are more expensive, but they provide more power and more overall balance. This means a more accurate shot and a more powerful kill shot.

Chapter 3: Bolts and Tips for a Good Kill

You have several options when it comes to bolt and tips for crossbow hunting deer.

You always want to start with field points for practice. These have a smaller profile and are easier to remove from a target. When it comes to bolts you have a few options:

3.1 –  Wooden Bolts

These bolts are flexible and strong but are more likely to break when faced with impact. They will do the job, but my preference is to go with a different material type.

3.2 – Aluminum Bolts

These bolts are strong and lightweight, but they have the tendency to permanently bend when they hit a hard target. This could happen when a bolt hits bone in a deer. Once bent, these bolts are completely useless. However, they offer a weight that equates to severe killing power.

3.3 – Fiberglass Bolts

These bolts are lighter offering more accuracy due to higher arrow speed. They can also take a beating and keep going. Fiberglass arrows will flex with impact making them much more durable than other types of bolts.

3.4 – Fixed Tips

Fixed tip points are the most common type for vertical bow hunters. I tried these tips with my crossbow bolts and found that I was missing my target by as much as two feet.

The torque and wind resistance made my bolts fly erratically. I could not use fixed tips on my crossbow bolts.

3.5 – Mechanical Tips

I switched to mechanical tips and was on point. These are broadheads that only deploy once a target is hit. This allows the points to fly straight just like a field head.

The ones I use are drawn in to the shaft with flares sticking out to catch the hide of the deer. This will then create a gash about three inches across so the animal dies quickly.

Chapter 4: Get Ready for the Hunt – Practice Before That

Practicing with a crossbow for deer hunting is very different from normal target practice or target practice with a vertical bow.

There are several changes that need to be made if you are used to target practice in any other way.

If you spend just a little time practicing with your crossbow, you can be sure you will be ready when a deer comes along.

When I purchased my first crossbow, I knew very little about the differences. Between the broadheads, the targets, and the maintenance of the crossbow, I was not prepared. Here are the most important points for crossbow practice for deer hunting.

4.1 – Do Not Over Practice

When practicing with a vertical bow, it is vital that you practice on a regular basis. This is intended to strengthen your draw arm for a longer draw, and to strengthen your other arm for more stability.

When I hunted with my vertical bow, I was practicing three times a week for months. Then I practiced five times a week the month before bow season. However, this is completely different with a crossbow.

It requires no draw strength, and stability is much easier because of your stock, balanced weight, and using both arms for stability.

In addition, bowstrings on crossbows will not last nearly as long as a vertical bow. You should practice just enough to sight in your scope and make some consistent shots.

4.2 – Care for Your Bowstring

As stated above, crossbow bowstrings are not going to last nearly as long as vertical bowstrings. This is especially true for recurve crossbow strings.

It is estimated that a recurve crossbow string will last around 100 shots before it starts to fray.

• One way to care for your bowstring is to never fire your crossbow without a bolt present. This means you will need an unloading bolt to release the string when you are done deer hunting at the end of the day.
• Also, you should wax your entire bowstring and anywhere it comes in contact with the frame after every five shots. You can get bowstring wax online or at any archery shop.
• Finally, you may want to bring a backup bowstring just in case it starts to fray while you are hunting or practicing.
  

4.3 – Use a Crossbow Target

Before you purchase a target for practice, check the rating on it. Crossbows put out more power than most vertical bows.

You will notice that most targets will be rated for either a vertical bow or a crossbow.

This is because crossbow target practice on a vertical bow target could result in your bolts getting buried up to the fletching, or they could pass completely through the target.

It can ruin your bolts, they could get lost, and it is not a safe way to practice. In addition, for crossbow deer hunting you want a target that is designed for both field tips and broadheads.

The wrong target will cause your broadheads to get stuck or possibly break.

Broadheads are not cheap, so take the time to purchase a target rated for both types of tips.

4.4 – Practice with Broadheads

While you should initially sight in your crossbow scope and get some practice rounds with field tips.

Field tips are ideal for most practice as they are easy to remove and there is no chance of cutting yourself. However, many broadheads will fly differently than field tips.

This is because of both weight and wind resistance. If you can, practice with field tips with the same weight as the broadheads you will use.

Then a few weeks before deer season you should switch to broadheads and practice again.

You may need to adjust your scope, or you may find that the broadheads you choose are not accurate at all.

As I stated above, I had this experience myself. My first season with my crossbow I switched to practice with my fixed blade broadheads.

I was missing the bullseye by quite a bit at 30 yards. I ended up purchasing mechanical broadheads and was much more accurate.

4.5 – Practice from Your Stand

Most people skip this step. However, practicing from your stand is important for several reasons.

One is that you will be shooting down on your target from a tree stand. This changes the distance and angle of your shot, so you will need to make adjustments for this type of shot.

You also may be shooting through a small window from either a treestand or a ground blind.

In a tree stand you may have other trees or branches obstructing part of your view.

In a ground blind you literally have windows through which you are shooting. This is much different than target practice at an open range.

In addition, you want to shoot from different body positions. For example, practice from a seated position, from your knees, or at an extreme angle.

The last crossbow shot that I used to kill a deer was from a seated position in a tree stand, and the angle of my shot was about 160 degrees off from my normal shooting angle.

Chapter 5: Setting Up a Stand for Crossbow Hunting

Shooting from a treestand is not as straight as on the ground. It’s actually create an “angle” shot.

These are some advice helping you to have more comfortable and precise aiming with your crossbow.​

5.1 – Types of Crossbow Stands

There are three primary types of stands for crossbow deer hunting. The most popular is a tree stand.

You can buy a manufactured permanent stand or a manufactured climbing stand. The primary advantage is that deer rarely look up. Most of their food sources and predators are at eye level, so they have no reason to look up unless you give them one.

Therefore, you are less likely to spook a deer with any movement that you make. In addition, deer are less likely to smell you when you are sitting in a tree instead of on the ground. You can also build your own tree stand if you like.

Many people use a manufactured ground blind instead. These are basically camouflaged tents with several windows for shooting.

The primary benefit is that you are protected from wind and rain.

In addition, you do not have to expend time and energy climbing up and down a tree. You can also build your own ground blind with natural materials, but they do not work nearly as well.

5.2 – Stand Placement

The tree you use for a tree stand or the spot you choose for a ground blind should be carefully selected. Primarily, you want to be looking for deer sign.

A game trail is a great sign that deer have been coming through the area.

If you are specifically looking for that big buck, look for rubs on trees and scrapes on the ground.

If you will take a doe, tracks and scat are good signs to consider.

These days many hunters also use game cameras for months prior to hunting. These can show you exactly where the big bucks will be hanging out.

5.3 – Shooting Lanes

It is vital that you set up your stand in a way that gives you plenty of shooting lanes. While you can make predictions about where a deer will walk, you really never know until it happens.

The last thing you want is a bush or tree to be blocking your shot. I like to pick a location for a tree stand or ground blind that gives me at least three primary shooting lanes.

Basically, I only want my view to the rear to be blocked if anything. You may have to cut out some branches in advance to ensure you have these shooting lanes.

Keep in mind that you only need to see about 50 yards in each direction to consider it a shooting lane. It is nice to see further, but you will not usually be taking shots over 50 yards.

5.4 – Allowing for Movement

While a crossbow isn’t as large and bulky as a vertical bow, it is still wider than a rifle. This means that you need to account for rotating your crossbow to get the best shot possible.

If you set up your tree stand with a branch to your right, the arms of your crossbow will not allow you to move very far in that direction.

If you sit in your ground blind too close to the walls, you will hit the sides of the window when trying to take your shot.

5.5 – Comfort

It may not seem like it, but comfort in your stand is very important. If you are not comfortable, you will not stay in your stand as long.

In addition, you may be distracted when the deer comes along. Be sure you either have a good pad on your tree stand or a quality seat in your ground blind.

Besides that, having a place to put all of your gear can be very important in a tree stand. Many tree stands have small platforms with limited space for gear.

If you have a pack or individual items between your feet, it will be tough to adjust for a shot. Installing a hook on your tree or tree stand is a good idea to be sure you have a place that is out of the way for your gear.

Finally, tree stands with safety bars are not only safer, but they often allow you to take a rest for difficult shots. In a ground blind, you can take a bipod or stick rest to help with stability.

Chapter 6: Must-have Gears for Crossbow Deer Hunting

As stated above, there are a few accessories that you can take with you when crossbow hunting to ensure you are accurate and successful. Here they are:

6.1 – Rangefinders

Distance to your target is still very important with crossbow deer hunting if you want to be accurate. You will have cross hashes on your scope to represent different distances.

In addition, a rangefinder can give you an accurate estimate of how far out a deer is located.

Be aware that using a rangefinder takes up time that you could be using to aim. I prefer to step off distances in advance and mark them with something hunter orange.

6.2 – Tree Hooks

This is absolutely vital for crossbow deer hunting from a tree stand. You can hang your crossbow or a pack to keep them out of the way.

6.3 – Pull Up Cord

It is typically a bad idea to climb a ladder to your tree stand with your loaded crossbow on your back.

A better idea is to attach a pull up cord, climb the stand, get situated, and then pull up your crossbow.

It is safer, and there is less chance of dropping the crossbow and damaging it or scaring off the deer.

6.4 – Bipods and Stick Rests

These tools are designed to plant in the ground and give you a rest for a more stable shot from a ground blind.

Be sure to test your crossbow with these tools as you will need to find an ideal spot on the frame to rest your crossbow.

6.5 – Silencers

One issue with crossbows is that they can be louder than a vertical bow when firing. This is especially true for recurve crossbows.

As the bowstring snaps forward, the deer can hear the noise and duck under your arrow. This is called jumping the string.

There are several types of silencers you can buy to attach to your bowstring to reduce the noise.

Chapter 7: Bonus Tips for Crossbow Hunting

These are some bonus tips for crossbow deer hunting for you. Let’s check it out:

7.1 – Take Several Bolts

This may seem obvious, but if you do not have a quiver it may be a difficult choice. However, it is not uncommon for a deer to stay put even after you fire and miss.

This gives you another shot, if you have another bolt.

7.2 – Take a Draw Device

Via bowhunting.com

Most crossbows are very difficult to draw with your bare hands, especially in a tree stand. Take something with you that makes this easier…

7.3 – Don’t Move

While hunting with a crossbow requires less movement than hunting with a vertical bow, do not get overconfident.

Keep your movement as limited as possible to reduce the chances of spooking the deer.

7.4 – Keep your Crossbow Loaded

It is not uncommon to stumble upon a deer while walking to or from your stand. I always load mine on the way to the stand and do not unload until we get to the truck.

7.5 – Keep your Scope Zoomed

If your scope has several settings for the zoom, keep it on the highest setting. I have never had a deer so close to me that this became an issue. You can always adjust if you absolutely need to.

The Bottom Line:

I appreciate your reading our definitive guidebook to deer hunting with a crossbow. What do you think about this guide? Did I miss something?

Please leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

Article by Robert Gate

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My buck of a lifetime managed to win week eight to become eligible to enter King Of The Woods Contest in early December 2015

Having hunted this property for six seasons I knew it held a lot of deer that kept returning from neighbouring properties. Especially when hunting season rolled around.

My Spypoint trail cams captured a lot of images but not a head shot of this particular buck I was after, I had seen him at a distance one afternoon from my tree stand. He seemed to be particularly camera shy or so it seemed.

That said he seemed to hate my Buck Fever Synthetic scrapes and licking branches that I had set up. He must have wondered who this other buck was. I would build a buck trap and then he would make a new scrape within yards of mine.

It continued all season long through the archery season and first shotgun season in November. Four other shotgun hunters had permission to hunt the farm and all tagged out in two days. I had applied for the second season in December to avoid the crowds.

Plus I was hoping to fill my bow tag before them. It seemed the weather wasn’t hunting friendly with most deer resting during the overly warm days and feeding at night.

How many deer did you see in daylight?

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Ontario Waterfowl Programs Manager

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Of course, this connection needs to be worked on over the years, so it’s best to start from a young age. According to specialists, one of the best ways to connect with your son is to find activities you both enjoy. And since our kids spend a bit too much time indoors, today we’ll give you several examples of cool outdoor activities to do with your son.

Fishing

This activity is iconic for the bond between father and son and the ones of us who were lucky enough to share it with our own fathers can vouch for it. There is something in learning how to rig a line or how to hold the rod that seems magical over time!

A child will definitely remember the moment he catches his first fish and looks into his father’s eye only to find pride and love! This is a moment for a lifetime and it will settle the ground for your future relationship.

Airsoft

If you’re into playing war games there’s nothing more fulfilling than passing on the passion! Teach your kid about airsoft guns, strategies, military tactics, and buy him some cool weapons that will spike his interest.

Start with plinking in the backyard and slowly introduce him to the beauty of the game. There are tons of accessories that make this game cooler than it already is and he can make lots of new friends when playing with kids his age.

Camping

While this activity is not just for boys and their fathers (actually none of them are), camping with just your son(s) can be quite fulfilling. You can teach him about raising a tent, picking up mushrooms, building a fire, and cooking a meal from over the hot coals.

Just like with fishing, the time you spend in nature teaching your kid how to use and protect the natural life will make a huge impact on his later development.

Hiking

This works best when the kids are a bit bigger and they can walk long distances on their own. Hiking is a way to get the kids out of the house and into the beauty of Mother Nature. Not to mention that you give them the chance to refresh their Instagram posts!

Hiking teaches about resilience and creates strong connections between participants because the mind is no longer distracted by modern devices. It’s just you and the forest so you have to find ways to communicate effectively.

Building Stuff

Men like to tinker on stuff so it’s only natural that a project that requires manual labor and mind power will be fantastic for a father and his son. Start with stuff your kid likes and move on to bigger and more complex things. For instance, you could start by building a rocket from Legos and move on to building a function rocket model that you’ll launch together.

Teach your kid about fuses, solder, wiring, gluing, and so on and he may grow up to be an engineer. Or, if you’re just as clueless as he is, learn together; this will show him that it’s never too late to learn new things.

Go See a Game

If you have the opportunity, take your son and go enjoy a game of your favorite team. This way you’ll enjoy supporting your team from the stands while your son will learn about sports and the power they have in a man’s life.

Later on, you can play a one-on-one round in the backyard and initiate the kid in your favorite game. This way you both get to exercise and you’ll have a fun activity to do together for the rest of your lives. The child will always remember the first day you took him to see a game and bought him a jersey and a hotdog!

As you can see, it doesn’t take too much to create a connection with your son; you just have to be willing to include him in your favorite activities.

Article by Liam Brown:

Liam likes to shoot pretend guns and gear up like a commando. In other words – he is a huge airsoft fan. He runs a blog called AirSoftPal, reviews different gear & guns and  writes about general airsoft topics.

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Were searching for quality outdoor products that anglers and hunters demand.

Our weekly podcast show has in depth interviews and reviews on the gear and tactics for the outdoors.

If you have a great product or service that anglers and hunters use already or should be using let us know.

Ripple Outdoors is new and improved with more outdoor content, tips, tactics and video. Plus our long running podcast show now in its 11th year!

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Bow hunting deer in Ontario can be both challenging and  a positive experience.

Getting close enough for bow hunting shot placement can also be daunting unless you’re using the right tools.

One of the best tools to get deer close and keep them close is to plant a food plot.

Hunters who plant food plots ask, “What’s the best seed for planting deer food plots?”

Successful deer food plots planted by Canadian hunters have discovered how effective planting has improved their chances during the hunting season.

Trophy bucks require deer feed & whitetail deer supplements that enable them to grow trophy racks.
Deer will remain on your property by providing them with the nutrients they require promoting growth during spring and well into the summer months.

Sweet Success is the perfect annual blend (60%) for Canadian winters using Milo & Millet seed that towers over seven feet high. Great for cover even in deep snow. Deer and Wild Turkeys need food and cover during Canada’s cold and  snowy season to survive.

Superb-uck will last up to five years with a perennial blend of clover, chicory, alfalfa and brassicas. First frost will turn those brassicas into sweet irresistible deer attracting magnets. Once a year it is recommended you re-seed with Field Edge.

Field Edge is great for broadcasting seed along a field edge of corn or soybean. When those crops are harvested you have an additional crop of brassicas and millet that really attracts deer and turkeys.

Walk N Toss is perfect for those small areas that are hard to reach with implements. A rake is all that is required to plant along trails and open areas deep in a woodlot. Great for those secret spots where deer trails join.

Upland/Turkey Blend will keep those gobblers and upland game birds on your property during those tough Canadian winters. Specially formulated to grow high with tons of seed heads and provide the cover essential for turkeys, grouse and pheasants in deep snow.

Amplified super blend of seven types of clover will provide tons of food for deer and turkeys year round keeping them on your food plot. This mixture works great as an over seed on Superb-uck food plots the following spring.

Every good food plot planned has a tree close by for your treestand.

Check some of the big players in treestands such as Cabelas Tree Stands

You can find more Rack Stacker products on their official website

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I have a few questions just for deer hunters….

As a bonus please download my TREE STAND Tactics for November Hunts when your done below the survey!

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