by Deb Vadnais

Crossbow hunting has the excitement of traditional bow hunting, without the strain associated with repeatedly firing a traditional upright bow. With a cocking device (a device to load the bow), even children or older hunters can enjoy a full day of bow hunting. There are a wide variety of crossbows available these days, and choosing the right hunting crossbow may initially seem like a daunting task. This article will lay out some of the most common features of modern crossbows, their pros and cons, and what the right hunting crossbow is for a given situation.

The main consideration when choosing a crossbow is going to be the draw weight. The draw weight determines the speed and power released when the bow is fired. When it comes to crossbows, the rule of thumb is that you’ll want the draw weight to be about double the draw weight of a traditional upright bow. So, for example, if the game you are hunting traditionally requires a 75 pound upright bow, you should look towards a 150 pound hunting crossbow, which is ideal for deer hunting. Hunting crossbows have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds, so small game hunters should be able to find a crossbow that meets their needs as well.

Like upright bows, hunting crossbows come in both recurve and compound style. Compound limbs for crossbows can either be solid or split, and provide for greater accuracy and efficiency. Quality can be an issue, however, as cheaper split compound crossbows may not always be satisfactory.

The sights on the crossbow should be the next consideration. Modern crossbows offer traditional scopes like those you would find on a rifle, as well as peep sights or red dot sights. Red dot sights are excellent for low-light environments, so if you are doing some early morning or dusk hunting, then red dot sights are the way to go.

Finally, in selecting your hunting crossbow, cost is also going to be a big consideration. The highest quality bows can cost a thousand dollars or more, but you need not spend that much in order to find a good hunting crossbow. Many shops, as well as stores on the Internet, have quality crossbows available for four hundred dollars or less. While purchasing on-line is a great option, it’s recommended that you try out a few crossbows at a local store. So get out there, try a few hunting crossbows, and find the one (or two!) that are right for you.