Crossbow question
#8462652
09/02/25 04:28 PM
09/02/25 04:28 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2018
New York
nyhuntfish
OP
trapper
|
OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2018
New York
|
All, Do I absolutely need a range-finder to hunt deer with a crossbow? Or can I wing it somehow? Or does it matter? I might buy a crossbow but didn't know if I also needed to buy that. Thank you. ********And tip of the day from NY State: "New for fall 2025, hunters in New York State may use a crossbow in the same seasons, places, and manner as a vertical bow for hunting deer and bear. Crossbows have been used throughout most of New York for over a decade, but New York State law previously limited the locations, times, and types of crossbows that could be used." https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/regulations/crossbow
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: nyhuntfish]
#8462654
09/02/25 04:32 PM
09/02/25 04:32 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
barton county kansas
Sasquatch91
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2007
barton county kansas
|
Do you use one for bowhunting? I would still keep shots under 40 yards. Sure the new ones shoot great out to 100. But an animal can do alot of moving in a short time.
"You skin that one pilgrim."
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: nyhuntfish]
#8462655
09/02/25 04:34 PM
09/02/25 04:34 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Wisconsin
8117 Steve R
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2014
Wisconsin
|
Its not as critical as with a bow. Pretty flat shooting if you don't shoot crazy far. I plan to keep it under 40 yds.
Last edited by 8117 Steve R; 09/02/25 04:35 PM.
Steve WTA NRA
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: Sasquatch91]
#8462673
09/02/25 05:03 PM
09/02/25 05:03 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2018
New York
nyhuntfish
OP
trapper
|
OP
trapper
Joined: Jan 2018
New York
|
Do you use one for bowhunting? I would still keep shots under 40 yards. Sure the new ones shoot great out to 100. But an animal can do alot of moving in a short time. Thanks everyone. No, I don't have one yet. I just wondered how flat they would shoot at close distances. As Steve R suggested... yes that would be a better way to ask. But yes, for deer if I get one.
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: EdP]
#8462702
09/02/25 05:42 PM
09/02/25 05:42 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2025
The Maritimes
NorthLake330
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Jul 2025
The Maritimes
|
Yes, you need a rangefinder IMO to make ethical shots. It doesn't need to be one of the super long range ones I agree 110%. I have an Excalibur MiniMax which shoots around 330fps The arrow (sorry bolt) drop between 20 and 40 yards is more than a foot.
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: NorthLake330]
#8462713
09/02/25 06:00 PM
09/02/25 06:00 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
DelawareRob
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
|
Yes, you need a rangefinder IMO to make ethical shots. It doesn't need to be one of the super long range ones I agree 110%. I have an Excalibur MiniMax which shoots around 330fps The arrow (sorry bolt) drop between 20 and 40 yards is more than a foot. Yup
Stop over cooking your meat! It isn’t gamey, it’s over cooked!
Gordon Ramsey, maybe…
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: nyhuntfish]
#8462715
09/02/25 06:03 PM
09/02/25 06:03 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2020
W NY
Turtledale
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Mar 2020
W NY
|
Hunted 30 years with a recurve and compound before I got a range finder.
No you DON'T need one to make ethical shots
What you do need to do is practice, practice, practice!!!! Shooting and estimating range
When I first started hunting bow I would go to the woods where I was going to sit and hunt. I would measure off 20 and 30 yards in all directions (with a tape measure) and mark distances with two different colored tape on trees and bushes.
Last edited by Turtledale; 09/02/25 06:04 PM.
NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: Turtledale]
#8462725
09/02/25 06:15 PM
09/02/25 06:15 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
DelawareRob
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
|
Hunted 30 years with a recurve and compound before I got a range finder.
No you DON'T need one to make ethical shots
What you do need to do is practice, practice, practice!!!! Shooting and estimating range
When I first started hunting bow I would go to the woods where I was going to sit and hunt. I would measure off 20 and 30 yards in all directions (with a tape measure) and mark distances with two different colored tape on trees and bushes. Also, most definitely a yup…
Stop over cooking your meat! It isn’t gamey, it’s over cooked!
Gordon Ramsey, maybe…
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: nyhuntfish]
#8462759
09/02/25 07:24 PM
09/02/25 07:24 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Pa
Wright Brothers
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Pa
|
I in person went shopping for my first today. The headache is not AS BAD as shopping online lol. We need a few more choices. I'm thinking the practice will be a blast.
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: nyhuntfish]
#8462862
09/02/25 08:59 PM
09/02/25 08:59 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
DelawareRob
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
|
Heck, there are folks who say they are guns. Just use open sights and you’ll be able to hit anything within 100 yards easy after you practice a few shots.
Lol
Stop over cooking your meat! It isn’t gamey, it’s over cooked!
Gordon Ramsey, maybe…
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: DelawareRob]
#8463101
Yesterday at 10:52 AM
Yesterday at 10:52 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Central, SD
|
Heck, there are folks who say they are guns. Just use open sights and you’ll be able to hit anything within 100 yards easy after you practice a few shots.
Lol Up to 50 yards some of that sarcasm is true, if your a shooter hitting a 4 inch circle out to 50 yds with practice and bolt selection is obtainable. Dealing with the limbs can be a problem for beginners on angle shots in blinds or next to trees if you’re not careful.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: nyhuntfish]
#8463116
Yesterday at 11:30 AM
Yesterday at 11:30 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Wisconsin
The Beav
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Wisconsin
|
Here, we go. I see a deer I reach for my range finder I range the deer I drop my range finder I pick up my X Bow I sight in on my target. and I shoot. Seems like a lot fooling around if your just taking shots up to 40 yards.
The forum Know It All according to Muskrat
|
|
|
Re: Crossbow question
[Re: The Beav]
#8463121
Yesterday at 11:36 AM
Yesterday at 11:36 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
DelawareRob
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Oct 2013
East of the Mason-Dixon Line
|
Here, we go. I see a deer I reach for my range finder I range the deer I drop my range finder I pick up my X Bow I sight in on my target. and I shoot. Seems like a lot fooling around if your just taking shots up to 40 yards. I like to range a few trees in my shooting lanes so I already know the ranges. Deer by three big oak, 20 yards deer at water hole. 15 yards. Deer at big holly tree 30 yards.
Stop over cooking your meat! It isn’t gamey, it’s over cooked!
Gordon Ramsey, maybe…
|
|
|
|
|