Know-How: Crossbow Hacks

by
posted on July 26, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
crossbow_hacks_johnston_f.jpg

Attach a Possibles Bag
Like muzzleloaders, crossbows require several items that can spell fiasco if you forget them. So add them to a possibles pouch, and attach the pouch directly to your crossbow so you’ll always have them. On crossbows without a raised comb, purchase a removable cheekpiece, like one from Blackhawk, that has a zippered pocket. The added comfort and accuracy it provides by aligning your eye with the scope consistently is more than a bonus. If your crossbow already has a raised comb, simply tape a small pouch to the side of the buttstock.

While most men can cock a crossbow with their bare hands while standing near the truck, it’s a different ballgame while perched in a tiny treestand and shivering. Therefore a rope cocker is a necessity, so into the possibles pouch it goes. Next, toss a field point in there. It’s handy for unloading your crossbow after the hunt so you don’t have to ruin a broadhead or waste a spot on your quiver for a field-tipped arrow. Just swap a broadhead for the field point, shoot the arrow into a target, and then return the field point to the pouch. ChapStik is handy because it doubles as string lube. Add a knife, flashlight and TP if you want to get crazy.

Make a Dope Chart
Because arrows drop much faster than bullets, it’s important to know your arrow drops out to your maximum range, and how they correspond to your scope’s reticle. So, slap a piece of duct tape on your crossbow’s stock then, with a Sharpie, draw your scope’s reticle on it and list the crosshairs’ corresponding ranges off to the side. In the heat of the moment when you’ve got 160-inch antlers on your brain, you’ll be glad you did.  

 

Latest

2025 NRA World Shooting Championship
2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

KelTec Named Official Stage Sponsor for 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is proud to announce KelTec as an official sponsor of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, returning to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Thompson/Center Arms Celebrating 60th Anniversary

Thompson/Center Arms is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. Since 1965, T/C Arms has built a legacy rooted in the pioneering spirit of American hunters.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors: Lucy Evans from Georgia and John Bruner from Pennsylvania.

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.