With hunting being a worldwide cherished pastime, it’s easy to see why there are many different opinions, weapons, and tools used and recommended. With crossbows continuing to rise in popularity, let’s take a moment to learn a bit more about the basics and the benefits of crossbow hunting with this ancient and now modern weapon.
Crossbows have been used for centuries; they were used heavily in ancient Chinese warfare, and were preferred over the traditional hunting bow because of their ability to store a large amount of energy within the bow when drawn, and because of the very small amount of recoil when the trigger was pulled. The ancient Greeks and Romans both used the crossbow as well, as early as the 5th century BC.
Today, the crossbow is used most commonly in shooting sports and hunting. One of the reasons many modern hunters are adding it to their hunting arsenals is because of its performance. Though a gun is still superior, a crossbow is easier to use than a vertical hunting bow. Depending on the cocking mechanism, crossbows take significantly less time and effort to prepare and use during a hunt or practice. They can be fired using a rest, like a gun. Your arms will thank you as well, since you won’t have to use any strength to hold the string once it is locked into the firing apparatus.
Another great benefit that the crossbow has over the hunting bow is its precision. A scope is can be used, which allows for a lot of leeway in shooter error. They are capable of bolstering the confidence of any shooter, but especially beginners, since you can hit anything you aim at within fifty yards.
Of course, there some disadvantages you should keep in mind if you’re considering making the switch from a hunting bow to the crossbow. As many hunters today use tree stands, it’s worth noting that crossbows tend to be on the bulkier side and require a fairly large amount of room to handle and reload them. This also comes into play when carrying them from site to site. Because of the extra nooks and crannies, the crossbow seems to have an uncanny ability to get caught on any branch within reach; if you plan on doing much hunting in heavy brush or cover, this could be a deterrent.
That being said, it’s easy to see why crossbow popularity continues to rise. If anything we’ve shared intrigues you, you may want to do some more research and seriously consider giving this ancient and modern way of hunting a try!
Crossbows have been used for centuries; they were used heavily in ancient Chinese warfare, and were preferred over the traditional hunting bow because of their ability to store a large amount of energy within the bow when drawn, and because of the very small amount of recoil when the trigger was pulled. The ancient Greeks and Romans both used the crossbow as well, as early as the 5th century BC.
Today, the crossbow is used most commonly in shooting sports and hunting. One of the reasons many modern hunters are adding it to their hunting arsenals is because of its performance. Though a gun is still superior, a crossbow is easier to use than a vertical hunting bow. Depending on the cocking mechanism, crossbows take significantly less time and effort to prepare and use during a hunt or practice. They can be fired using a rest, like a gun. Your arms will thank you as well, since you won’t have to use any strength to hold the string once it is locked into the firing apparatus.
Another great benefit that the crossbow has over the hunting bow is its precision. A scope is can be used, which allows for a lot of leeway in shooter error. They are capable of bolstering the confidence of any shooter, but especially beginners, since you can hit anything you aim at within fifty yards.
Of course, there some disadvantages you should keep in mind if you’re considering making the switch from a hunting bow to the crossbow. As many hunters today use tree stands, it’s worth noting that crossbows tend to be on the bulkier side and require a fairly large amount of room to handle and reload them. This also comes into play when carrying them from site to site. Because of the extra nooks and crannies, the crossbow seems to have an uncanny ability to get caught on any branch within reach; if you plan on doing much hunting in heavy brush or cover, this could be a deterrent.
That being said, it’s easy to see why crossbow popularity continues to rise. If anything we’ve shared intrigues you, you may want to do some more research and seriously consider giving this ancient and modern way of hunting a try!