STOP asking "How far can you shoot a crossbow?" and start asking "How far SHOULD you shoot?"

[@CTHuntnFish]

Great advice, I’m tired of hearing people saying a crossbow is basically a rifle and archery season has been ruined. They’re only slightly faster than a compound. Yes, you can cock it at the truck, but I can also draw my compound well before the shot materializes with 90% let-off. Archery hunting is about getting close, it’s not about how much effort or skill it takes to launch an arrow.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Wow you made me remember my first compound bow, which had a 50% let-off, then I moved to a 65% let-off bow after that and thought that was great, then on to a 75% then my last one was 80%. You can definitely hold a compound bow for quite some time at 80-90% let-off. But you are right, hunting with any blade is about getting close. The only similarity between rifle hunting and crossbow hunting is the form factor, other than that, big difference. The truth is in some states, like mine (SC), if you have archery season without allowing crossbows, I don't think enough deer will be thinned from the herd each year. Also, it is a lot easier to get young folks into hunting with a crossbow, than it is with a compound bow. I always loved shooting my compound bows, but they do take more practice and a lot of youth these days don't understand the work for reward concept anymore.

[@robertstockton2036]

Don't forget about the noise a crossbow makes. I have been bow hunting for 55 years/crossbow for 13, and the deer will jump/move when it hears the shot. Never take a shot past 30 yards! I missed a big buck once at 50 yards when he jumped the string noise. Learned my lesson! Great video and wise advise.

[@BooneDownSouth]

You are absolutely right. I only had one jump the string on me years ago, and that was with a compound bow which makes even less noise than a compound. That was really my fault though. In that case the deer were already on edge and I should have waited, things you learn with experience. So that is definitely a factor. Thanks for the comments!

[@Lugnutz89]

Very good point. A lot can happen in half a second or less.

[@robertstives8742]

Agreed! I just started using a crossbow last year, but have been bowhunting since the 60"s. I have used recurves and compounds. I killed one doe with a recurve and one buck with a compound, 18 and 20 yards respectively. My uncle is in his late 70"s and hunts with a crossbow, also a bowhunter since he was in high school. He will not shoot past 35 yards with his crossbow. I took a doe with my corssbow last year during the final week of the season. It was a "nothing to lose" shot, almost dark in the field and a long distance (55 yards). When I found her, the entry and exit wounds indicated the bolt hit her on the opposite side that I had shot at! She had flipped 180 degrees! I have heard of that before. Beyond 35-40 yards, the deer may not be there when the bolt gets there. It might be a little better with newer, faster crossbows, but then other factors mentioned in the video can come into play.

[@TRIPLESTACK-R9]

Last year my first year ever using a crossbow 360 wicked ridge I won in a gun bash killed a large doe from 78yds I practiced 3 times a wk for couple months before season I really understand how special that shot was hope I get chance at trophy soon im hunting 30yrd set up right now...

[@BooneDownSouth]

Wow! 78 yds is crazy far so yea that was special. glad you got it. Good luck this season!

[@henrybright8531]

Crossbow is same range as compound bow on deer in the Midwest and south, that deer is likely to react to the sound and move. The advantage of the crossbow is not having to move to draw, you can be more stealth. Once the bolt is in the air it’s the same as any bow. The longer the distance the more the deer will have a chance to move.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Yep. Right on. Really there are two advantages that I can see. The main one is what you mentioned, you don't have to move as much to get the shot versus actually coming to full draw on a bow. Definitely an advantage there. The other advantage I see, is that for someone who doesn't have a lot of time to practice shooting a bow but still likes to hunt, or for those that might be too weak to pull back a compound bow at a sufficient weight - think some women and kids - it gives them the opportunity to hunt with a crossbow. Thanks for the comments!

[@jamesnix4805]

Great points and I don't disagree at all. I shoot crossbow all year long and do always push the yardage out further. One thing I would like to add would be the difference between hunting arrows and practice. If you plan on shooting at game at 40 yards you need to practice with hunting arrows at longer distance. Hunting arrow and practice arrows fly much different. Great video!

[@BooneDownSouth]

Yes you are absolutely correct and very good point. The type of broadhead and how well it is tuned can have a huge impact on your short. You have to be sighted in and practice with your hunting setup for sure! Thanks!

[@kennymclean3222]

You got my attention when you stated that only 3 percent of the people using a x-bow can make that long shot which I agree with you 100 percent. The only problem is just because they made that shot "one" time they believe they are now a member of the "Three Percent Club". Loved your content and hope a lot of bow hunters of all types of bows watch your video.

[@BooneDownSouth]

I appreciate your comments Kenny. Yea you are right. People get over confident too quick. Good luck this season!

[@Dgb12651]

Spot on, Brother. My absolute drop dead yardage limit is 30 yards. Like you, I have let some big ones walk because I didn't feel good about the shot for a variety of reasons. "Drop" and unseen objects that may deflect a bolt top the list of reasons not to take long shot for sure. Add to that list the exponentially increasing odds that that deer is probably going to react to the shot and a LOT can go wrong even at 40 yards. For me it's not stretching the distance that I "can" shoot but "how close can I get." As hunters we should respect the animals that we hunt enough that we go the extra mile to make clean humane kills even if that means passing a marginal shot on a "big one." I love cross bow hunting and it's heartbreaking to hear so many members of the hunting community bashing each other for their legal choices of weapons and hunting methods. We are doing irreparable damage to the way of life that we all enjoy when we do that. Keep the videos coming!

[@BooneDownSouth]

Well said my friend. Completely agree. I would rather get closer than stretch the distance as well for sure!

[@donaldsingleton5446]

After bow hunting for 40 years, had to switch to a crossbow because my eyesight. Hunting with a Barnett XP 380 and Rage blades. Have dropped 2 deer on the spot at under 50 yards. I still love my bows and will miss the thrill of the adrenaline rush at full draw!

[@BooneDownSouth]

So I kind of felt that same way for the first 2 years hunting with the crossbow, but now I have just as much thrill of adrenaline now. I understand where you are coming from though, been there. Just have to change the mind set. For myself because of my shoulder, those compound bow days are gone as well. Just stay focused on the here and now and hunting close range and that adrenaline will return. Best of luck to you this year.

[@edrankin7001]

This is refreshing to see it seems people have forgotten they are still just bows. Way to much can happen. I hunted crossbow a few years and my longest shot those few years was 22 yards. I practice routinely with all my bows at pretty good distances 40 yards trad 80 yards compound 100 yards crossbow. Practicing at those distances amplifies your mistakes helps you become a better archer and really dial in your actual hunting ranges. Best of luck this season to everyone shoot straight and keep those freezers full

[@BooneDownSouth]

Well said Ed! Practicing at much farther distances really hones in your shooting abilities at hunting ranges like you said. Good luck this season!

[@edrankin7001]

@BooneDownSouth you as well! Trying to fill my tags with my trad bows this year. I'm gonna need all the luck I can get.😅 ohio public is tough enough on its own

[@ADuncan2004]

Excellent advice. Really like the practice shot at the end of hunt.

[@BooneDownSouth]

I appreciate it. That practice shot has helped me a lot over the years.

[@peterdragonz4219]

Agree… I’m lucky enough to have hunting land, every year I clean shooting lanes out to 50yrds around stands, never shoot more then 35yrds.. Technology has been great, but turning everyone into a “sniper”. If you can’t get a deer within 20-30yrds of your stand maybe people need to focus on how to get them in closer then relying on a fancy high tech crossbow..

[@BooneDownSouth]

Yep it all about taking a high percentage shot and I would say the majority of those long shots are not high percentage shots. Too many things can go wrong. It still comes down to hitting the target. Not about speed or technology although both of those can be benefits.

[@theamputeehunter2074]

Awesome video my effective range or my comfortable range is 30 yards that’s what I have my scope set for and when I practice I practice real hunting as in I get into my tree stand or saddle and I practice shooting sitting in my chair and I also practice shooting different angles also and odd yardage also that make me a better hunter

[@BooneDownSouth]

Absolutely. Shooting from a tree stand is a lot different than sitting at a bench shooting the target straight on. I agree, it makes you a better hunter practicing different shots, with different angles for sure.

[@apexpredatoroutdoors8308]

Nice video. I've been deer hunting 45 years and don't even have a shot past 30 yards in most places I hunt. I'll take 25 yards and closer for a high percentage recovery over a long range gamble and likely poor hit.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Thank you! I agree 100%. That is pretty much how I setup too. In most places, even if I am rifle hunting I don't have much past a 30 yard shot range either.

[@johnbankston3967]

Spot on with your guidance. Should rather than can

[@BooneDownSouth]

Thanks John! Good luck this season!

[@justinsidervag8008]

Im old enough to remember when compounds were " going to be the end of bowhunting " . They were an " unfair advantage " . Bowhunters have become the fly fisherman of hunting .

[@BooneDownSouth]

Yea there is always something right.

[@kevinsloan3019]

Good info for sure i generally get my crossbow out n shoot months befor the season and practice out to 50 yds and longer ive hunted with bows for almost 40 yrs and due to a sholder onjury had to go to a crossbow about 10 yrs ago ive shot a lot of deer most between 20 n 35 yds i have taken deer out to 47 yfs in a perfect situation but i knew exacly what the yardage was at the time but ive also had deer jump the string at 35 yds that completely missed the deer its all about the situation and there are a lot of factors involved respect the animal your hunting and know your effective range happy hunting everyone and be safe!!

[@BooneDownSouth]

Well said Kevin. You are correct in that distance is only one factor. The animals behaviors is another which determines how they will react to a shot. A deer on edge is different than one that is relaxed. You have to read the situation for sure. Best of luck to you this year!

[@kevinsloan3019]

@@BooneDownSouth thanks went and cut some shooting lanes and did some prep work on one of the places I hunt yesterday and I must say I am pumped this yr have a good 10 pt and a couple solid 8pts using one of the areas I hunt can't wait for that first morning In the woods best of luck to you as well!

[@BooneDownSouth]

@@kevinsloan3019 Sounds like you are set!

[@back_roadsairgunning2200]

Wind is another reason to keep ranges close as possible, have called a buck in on a ground stand close enough to have a knife fight with :)

[@BooneDownSouth]

Yea 100%. Wind may not have much an effect on a bullet at 100 yards, but an arrow is a whole different story. Wind can have a major impact on longer with a blade for sure. It is exciting when they are that close!

[@EarlScyoc-km2qs]

Good video and i agree 40 yds in the woods is plenty far with any bow.

[@BooneDownSouth]

When you start pushing out that far in the woods it becomes harder to call it a high percentage shot! Best of luck to you this season!

[@jimaureli6475]

50 years of bow hunting experience. The ultimate bowhunter skill, stickbow, compound or crossbow, is getting close, inside 30 yards. That's where you concentrate your effort for a high percentage shot.

[@BooneDownSouth]

You are dead on. It is that close range. That is where it's at!

[@baileymichael4326]

Good video good information are the beginner crossbow Hunter I started out at 50 yards so I could shoot at 30 Goode took my first home last week no problem except for dragon out of the woods😅😅 Mikey Daytona Beach Florida

[@baileymichael4326]

Hog

[@BooneDownSouth]

That’s awesome man. My first archery kill was a hog in Florida too! Congrats 🎉

[@baileymichael4326]

Thank you I appreciate it when I first got it I was like how far can I see how far I can shoot but being a beginner I want to be ethical so yeah they can shoot for but 30 to 40 yards is a good distance I wouldn't really push more farther than that looking forward to more videos and being a beginner and other beginners your videos are very helpful be blessed to you and your family

[@BooneDownSouth]

I appreciate the comments. Best of luck to you man!

[@scottbailey8158]

Where hunt 12 or 15 yards max is all I get its thick . I like em up close anyway.

[@M1keG23]

I feel the Same way I only shoot 30 yards with my wicked ridge Blackhawk 360 it’s really only shooting 327 fps on a chronograph bc I use the xx75 aluminum bolts, maybe the faster bows I would shoot a little farther, probably never over 40 yards even with the 500+ fps bows

[@BooneDownSouth]

Well I always say it's not about the speed, it is all about shot placement. Every crossbow on the market put an arrow at 70 yards with twice the kinetic energy as a basic recurve bow, but folks kill deer with recurve bows every year. All about shot placement. And with those range limits it also forces you to be more aware in understanding the terrain, deer movement, etc.. to help you get that close shot.

[@davidstonkus3288]

Well said sir. I would rather take a deer a t 10 yards than70 yards. To me the whole idea of bow hunting is getting in close. I agree with you about the long range practive as well. What are you going to do when that buck you shot is wounded at 50 yards?

[@BooneDownSouth]

Thanks David I appreciate the comments. It's all about that close range. Definitely want to only take high percentage shots and the farther out it is the less chance of a high percentage quick kill pass through shot.

[@yourmomma2995]

my limit is 40 yards, with crossbow OR vertical bow, i practice with both at 100 yards, but deer can and do move fast.

[@BooneDownSouth]

I think that is a good solid limit to have. It's hard to see the little things beyond that range that might impede arrow flight, and like you said the deer can do move fast. We are shooting a projectile that "might" be leaving a crossbow as fast as 425fps but as it goes down range that bleeds off very quickly along with the kinetic energy needed for a pass through shot. It is nothing like a bullet at 2000+ fps going down range. Good luck to you this year!

[@gregmccloughan2429]

I have the ravin r10 and I will never shoot over 60 yards in a open field and 50 in the woods but yes I can shoot over way over that but it's not necessary

[@BooneDownSouth]

Yea today's crossbows are amazing. But it does take more practice and skill to shoot out further with a crossbow than it does a rifle for sure.

[@ionzOG]

I pull 70lbs, can shoot my compound consistently at 60yards. But the target buck is always 80-150 yards away. Should I just try to relocate my spot or can a cross bow kill in the 80-100 yard range

[@BooneDownSouth]

I would definitely relocate. I always set up my shots at 30 yards or less. The crossbow can definitely shoot that far, BUT, there are several factors that would make me say to never shoot that far. When hunting with a blade you always want a pass through shot - entry and exit hole. You may kill a deer with only an entrance hole, but you may not be able to track that deer due to lack of a good blood trail and basically the deer just runs off and dies and you don't find until the buzzards do. In order to get a pass through shot you need 2 things. 1) good shot placement 2) enough kinetic energy in the arrow to push through the animal. The arrow loses kinetic energy as it flies and at those distance there is just too much loss. When deer hear the shot, their first reaction is to take off, but what happens in slow motion is that the entire deer's body drops, so it can take that first leap out of their. Anything beyond 30 yards and the chance of that deer dropping low enough for your well aimed shot to go over the back of that deer increases. Yes they do drop that much for that leap. Also at those long distances, you just can't see branches, vines, twigs that might be in the flight path. The flight path of a bullet travelling at 2000fps is pretty darn straight compared to an arrow which starts out at 350fps. The arrow has a huge arc. Even with the fastest crossbows on the market, that arc is huge at just 60 yards. It takes a little more effort but learning how to hunt up close will make you a better hunter as well as add more excitement to your hunt. Good luck on getting your target buck this year!

[@MelvinHuff-m4f]

My crossbow is zero in at 60 yards centerpoint patriot 425

[@BooneDownSouth]

It is great to get to have it dialed in that far for sure and practicing at those ranges makes you a much better shot for the shorter range kill shots too.

[@P.Trim69]

Well said Sir

[@BooneDownSouth]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@anthonyforfare7223]

Great advice ‼️🎯👍😁 Hopefully new and old hunters will take your very sound and factual advice!😊 Trump 2024 💪💥🇺🇸 God Bless you and your family 🙏😇❤️🇺🇸

[@BooneDownSouth]

I love your comments! And I mean every statement you made! Have a great week man.

[@anthonyforfare7223]

@@BooneDownSouth 👍😁❤️🇺🇸🤩‼️

[@FDRGREG]

Speed of sound vs. bolt speed. Still not even close. String jump is a real deal with archery equipment.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Oh no question about it. I have had it happen first hand with my compound bow. It seemed like it was in slow motion like if you were watching a hunting video where they show string jump.

[@williamgaines9784]

Can you imagine how strong the pull on limbs, string, and bolt would have to be to get to the speed of sound? Such a "bow" would need to be vehicle mounted and the bolts would be outrageously thick and heavy. Keeping the equipment reasonable and the distances as well are what make bow hunting special.

[@BooneDownSouth]

@@williamgaines9784 Yea no doubt. It would be a serious weapon of war at that point ;)

[@williamgaines9784]

@@BooneDownSouth just no way to push those light shafts much faster than they do now.

[@redred2772]

Burris range finding scope? elevation solved. Still wont solve the time to target of an arrow, from the crack of the bow till impact. The deer's reaction time and the speed of sound will limit your ethical distance until we get bows shooting 1100fps or breed deaf deer.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Knowing the distance is always easy to figure out. It's the stuff you can't see that far out that an arrow will clip and change trajectory, or worse, trigger a mechanical broadhead to open too early, and all those other things you mentioned that limits the shot. Breed deaf deer - that's funny! ;)

[@ammoiscurrency5706]

You can shoot a crossbow 200 yards and hit the kill zone on an elk fairly consistently. YOU SHOULD NEVER DO THIS THOUGH! Crossbow have an effective maximum range roughly the same as a compound bow

[@BooneDownSouth]

Absolutely correct! But in reality, I doubt most people could shoot a compound accurately in a hunting situation at even 80 yards. Bench rest shooting for sighting is so much different than from the tree stand or blind, and any mistakes in shooting form are not near as forgiving as a rifle.

[@ammoiscurrency5706]

@BooneDownSouth I live out west and know a handful who can and do take game with compound bows at 70 and 80 yards regularly but the stars have to align for that kind of shot to be realistic to take. I know a lot of guys who do archery and very very few have any business shooting past 30 yard and certainly not 40 or 50. A crossbow CAN open up shots from 30 to 60 but as you said in the video. Most people should stick to a 30 limit unless they really learn their bow and shoot enough to know the hold for a 47 yard shot vs a 40 or 50.

[@dellray1988]

10yards per 100 fps

[@BooneDownSouth]

That is not a bad rule of thumb. It all boils down to kinetic energy at impact.

[@antcri730]

I considered crossbow hunting till I saw the ridiculously high prices for everything I would need. No wonder hunting is becoming a dead sport.

[@BooneDownSouth]

Just like everything else there is high end stuff that costs a ton and lower end stuff that still fits the bill. Now a days you can get a starter crossbow setup for less than $400. It is not how much it costs but rather shot placement. The sub $400 will kill a deer just as well as the $2000 setup.

[@williamdawes8553]

I spent 650 and I’m hunting tomorrow