Field Guide / Archery Gear & Setup
Crossbow
Also called: xbow
A horizontal bow on a stock with a trigger, held cocked until you shoot, and one of the easiest bows to shoot accurately.
- Type
- Bows
- Draw weight
- Often about 125 to 200 pounds, cocked with a rope or crank
- Bolt speed
- Roughly 300 to 400 feet per second, depending on the model
- Legal status
- Rules vary a great deal by state and season
- Used for
- Deer & big game, Turkey, Target practice
Safety: Keep your fingers and thumbs below the rail and away from the string and limbs, and keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot. Never dry-fire a bow or crossbow (release the string without an arrow). It can break the limbs, string, or cams and injure you. Follow the manual to unload.
What it is good for
- Hunters who find a compound bow hard to draw or hold.
- Hunting from a blind or stand with a steady rest.
- Accurate shots at moderate range.
Where it falls short
- Heavy and bulky to carry.
- Slow to reload, so you usually get one shot.
- Not legal in every archery season, so check your state.
Tips
- Use the cocking aid the maker provides, and always cock evenly.
- Practice at the distances you plan to shoot, and check the legal rules for your season.
Works well with
- Arrow Rest: crossbows have their own bolt rail and retention.
- Fixed-Blade Broadhead: a common choice on bolts, if the maker allows it.
Field notes
Crossbows are treated differently from bows in many states. Some allow them in all archery seasons, some limit them to certain hunters or seasons, and some have different draw rules, so check the current regulations.
Related guides
Numbers here are typical, not guarantees. Have a pro shop set up and tune your bow or crossbow, follow the maker's manual, and never dry-fire a bow. Legal equipment, draw weights, crossbow seasons, and broadhead rules differ by state and area; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Not sure what to buy? Try our bow and crossbow wizard.