Crossbow Deer Hunting: The Kill Shot (Best Place to Shoot a Deer for Instant Kill)

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Hunting deer using crossbows is a lot different than using rifles. Rifles are meant to kill instantly from shock while bows kill animals from haemorrhage. Since arrows curve differently than bullets, the distance difference between hunting with crossbows and rifles is also different. Where the hunter should aim varies depending on the distance of the target. If it’s just 20 yards or closer, the aim should be lower because the arrow will go on an upward trajectory. When it’s 30 yards, the arrow should be pointed at the middle or the lower body. At 40 yards, the aim should be higher to make up for the arrow’s downward trajectory. It takes a bit of practice to know at which distance the shots can ensure a complete kill.

When using crossbows, being familiar with the deer’s anatomy is an important tip and a huge advantage. Aiming for the heart and the lungs is the traditional shot that yields the highest kill percentage. An example of this is the quartering away shot, wherein the deer is angled away from the hunter. This gives the crossbow hunter a good view to target the heart and the lungs. Quartering towards is another traditional kill shot, although it’s more challenging. Even with the slightest change in angle, the arrow might just penetrate one lung and not kill the deer, or worse, the arrow would just deflect off the shoulder blade. Broadside shots are the most ideal kill shot since the hunters have an unobstructed view of the deer’s body. This is also the best way to get a double lung penetration. Some hunters go for the neck and head, but some would argue that head shots should be avoided. Although it can sometimes result to an instant kill, some arrows would just hit the skull. Head shots are more suitable to rifle hunters, wherein bullets can break off bone.

A string can be attached to the arrow for better deer tracking after the shot, but keep in mind that this can affect the arrow’s flight especially in long distance shots. Deer can haemorrhage a lot before finally dying down. How long it takes for them to fall down depends on how deep the arrow penetration is or the angle of the shot. Usually, a mortally wounded deer cannot go farther than 250 yards. Even when using crossbows, it’s still important to stay quiet even after the shot’s been made to make sure the deer doesn’t stray farther.


You can find crossbow scope here.

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