shooting a crossbow from a tree stand

If you sell crossbows in your archery shop, then it makes sense to add the Swagger Stalker QD42 rest to your inventory. If you put all your chips on deer coming in from the north, you risk losing opportunities deer, especially rutting bucks, will also come in from the south, west or east. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Weve had plenty of trouble with this due to folding stools and chairs being too short to provide a clear sitting shot through a blind window when hunting sloping terrain. Sure, I can put an arrow into the lungs of a big whitetail from very close range without the aid of a rest, but at distances of 15 to 30 yards (30 is my self-imposed maximum range) I always use a rest. This way, no matter where a deer stops in your shooting lane, youll know exactly how to aim for a quick, ethical kill. Due to the bulk and innate awkwardness of a crossbow, you can't have deer staring at you when you are ready to shoot. The deer might come around to where you can shoot it, or it might wander around and disappear. Lets be honest, weve all been there. Qad hdx. In other words, I dont have to limit my choices to ground ambushes only. Any ideas that work for you? A crossbow arrow, as with any arrow, has significant drop even at close distances. Even though a crossbow can shoot hundreds of yards, the ethical range for shooting a deer is only around 40 yards. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Loading a crossbow bolt is actually pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind. I have had some luck in the East with the Texas-style rotating tripod stands by placing them in thick brush where several hot trails converge. If i'm in a stand or sitting on the ground I use a knee, I found most of my shots are walking in or standing, I practice those. If one of them happens to hit a tree limb or other obstruction in the process, youll miss the shot, make a horrific racket and possibly damage your crossbow. To keep things quiet, wrap your treestand rails with thin foam and secure with electrical tape. by Patriot* Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:30 am, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. Do yourself and the deer a favor and just practice- no need for bipod. Im mainly talking about loc ons. The Swagger Stalker QD42 comes with an adapter so it can be mounted on a crossbow or firearms sling swivel. And of course, if you decide to leave a treestand and hunt from ground, the rest works just as well. Its no different than many first-time muzzleloader hunters who havent yet developed an efficient reload process. If your target is farther away, you'll need to aim slightly higher, and if it's closer, slightly lower. Whatever you do, shoulder your crossbow while in your blind to check that your arrow will clear the windows. The only problem with the SteadyEddy is its designed exclusively for TenPoint crossbows. Crossbow shooters in treestands move the base of the QD42 from thigh to thigh in order to aim and shoot effectively throughout a wide range. No matter the position you're shooting from, your shoulders should be squared and straight, and you should stabilize your body so that you don't jerk when you fire the bolt. Well, the same concept applies if you hunt from an environmental ground blind (thats what I call making a blind from available brush) or an enclosed pop-up-style blind. A friend of mine has such a stand on his property that sees almost daily use from October through January, and the deer come in very early (or late) in the day. Gravity has a much greater effect on an arrow than some might think. That's exactly what you'll find below. It works perfect. Just because you can visually line up on a deer through your blinds window doesnt mean your arrow is high enough to clear the opening. Join other Outdoor Retailers who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. I stuff the top end of the knee pod down in my backpack with the half ring sticking out. I have the same crossbow as you and I have sighted my bow in on the ground at measured distances of 10 20 30 40 50 yds and then I got on the roof of my house and shot at those distances again but measured from the side of the house which would be the same as from the base of your tree and I have no difference in point of impact, but you need to know the distances you would take shots at in your stand from the base of the tree I allways put out some yardage markers when I put up a stand or am out checking out stands and clearing shooting lanes. - Elite Impulse 31. The key to the SteadyEddy monopod is you can place the base of it near your waist; it doesnt touch a treestands platform. Good suggestions above and if the tree stand has a solid base, a bi-pod is even more stable. How high should you be? The standard way to get this is with a foot stirrup. The best thing to do is to set up and see what works. You dont want to be fishing it out of your daypack or untangling draw cords. For more help hunting deer, visit Deer Hunting Tip For Beginners. I pretty much prefer to stand and shoot free hand. For this reason, if your scope is sighted in for, say, 40 yards, you need to have a good grasp of that distance when aiming. For those of you that hunt out of treestands. MSRP for the Swagger Stalker QD42 is $129.99, so its a solid add-on sale. At other distances, the scope won't be accurate because the bolt will drop more or less than the scope accounts for. If your shot lands to the right, you have to turn the scope a little to the right. As you can see from this article's lead photo, I scored recently on a Wisconsin bow buck and the QD42 allowed me to quickly get on target. Now, grip the handles firmly and pull up until the latch catches the bowstring. And every one of them stares right at that stand, even though it is 20 feet high! For example, as a right-handed shooter in the sitting position, if I set up a monopod between my feet for shooting straight ahead (12 oclock), theres no way I can adjust it for shooting to my left (9 oclock). Both with my Matrix 380, I was lucky and recovered all three bolts as they were clean pass through heart/lung shots. But, when the 9-pointer followed a dozen does out of the creek bottom, I had my chance. This is the one that you'll slide into the groove of the crossbow rail. Thats understandable since they are still getting used to the crossbows operation. Heres how to place stands to your best advantage, to minimize problems. If your crossbow uses a cranking-style cocking device, then you can safely recock while remaining seated in your stand. But I was in a tree that was 20 yards up a steep ridge (hand-over-hand to get to) and then 16 more feet up a rickety, forward-leaning ladder stand. I use ladder stands with a built in shooting rail, but I do have one hang on stand with no built in rest. Instead, keep your shoulders squared but extend your head and neck forward till your eye meets the scope. Why Is It So Expensive? At times Ive used a monopod with a large base that wont slip through a stand's platform, and that works okay, but Im limited to shooting in only one direction. Ladder up, climb up or jack up, the idea is to get off the ground to avoid being seen, smelled or heard by approaching game. Here is how to uncock a crossbow. That is not always possible, depending on the situation and environment, which is why we like to keep a bipod or monopod handyespecially when hunting from a ground blind or a conventional treestand. I quickly raised my bow and placed the rests legs on my left thigh, flipped off the safety, bleated to stop the buck in my only shooting lane (9 oclock), aimed and fired. There are three main ways to cock a crossbow. When the scouting process is complete and you've decided where your stand should be, think long and hard about it. The most basic method for cocking a crossbow is to just do it with your hands. Crossbow Forum - General Crossbow Discussion, The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Sights, scopes, stabilizers and dampeners, Rests, Releases, Grips, Wrist Straps and Slings, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. I fired at a nice Ohio buck, but a twig became wrapped up inside a pulley, yanking the crossbow out of my hands and leaving it hanging 10 feet out of reach. to stabilize your body. Ethical Deer Hunting Range. Does an upper-story limb need to be cut so you can cover deer coming in from behind either shoulder? Since the pic Ive added some straps via snap fasteners. Even when cocking a crossbow with your hands, you can't simply pull the bowstring back without leverage. Location, range and visibility were perfect, but comfort was nil. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In addition to the mechanical challenges of tree stand hunting with a crossbow, there are issues to consider regarding stand placement. Once you've cocked your crossbow, loaded the bolt and taken aim, it's time to shoot. Then, place the center of the cocking rope over the back of the crossbow behind the latch. Keeping your quiver on your crossbow while in the stand is not necessary, and it can only get in the way. by jacktar Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:20 pm, Post At the same time, hold the crossbow grip with your dominant hand, wrapping your thumb around one side and your fingers around the other. As I teased in this articles subtitle, Ive been searching for a solution to this problem for years. This produces a nice, even arch down range to the target. To increase your shooting zone, get into the stand and look around. I sit on the rail to shoot behind me. More importantly, it may shatter and injure you or someone nearby. This means shooting it without a bolt loaded. To cock a crossbow by hand, push the stirrup firmly into the ground and stick your foot into it so that your body weight holds down the crossbow. This, along with the right amount of pressure to shoot, will take some getting used to. This is because crossbows are not only long, but also wide, and that limb width will create problems when you try to shoot too far to the right or left that tree trunk and associated branches you forgot about are going to stymie you every time! Mine are easy to adjust by sliding the stakes up and wiring to the stand rails where they need to be. You push the button to slide the rest on and off a Picatinny rail or the included adapter, which attaches to a sling swivel. Get 10% off your next accessory purchase when you sign up to receive product updates, hunting tips, and more from TenPoint. One final tip on tree stand hunting with a crossbow use colored tape or some other method to keep track of the distances to your shooting lanes. The learning curve is shallow and the opportunity to hunt earlier in the season is priceless. By following these stand set-up tips, youll be sure to maximize your chances of success this season. It weighs only 15 ounces so its significantly lighter than many bipods and tripods. Something to really be careful about. Best of luck to ya. A forum community dedicated to Pennsylvanias hunters and enthusiasts Come join the discussion about trails, licenses, fishing, game laws, styles, reviews, optics, accessories, classifieds, and more! I used the open front lock-ons for years and an API bowhunter. This is a loop at the front of the crossbow where you can put your foot to hold down the crossbow while you pull the bowstring up towards your body. For example, it's often nearly impossible to turn 360 degrees while in a tree stand and holding a crossbow, and even more difficult to turn 360 degrees in a tree stand while aiming a crossbow. Deciding which direction to face a tree stand is not always as simple or obvious as "where the deer will come from." Grip the bowstring on either side of the rail and pull up until it's secured by the latch. I can sit in the middle of the stand and shoot any deer that comes in range, it is a 360 tower stand. I might put a rug inside the door. Crossbow hunting is an exciting sport for both archery veterans and for those used to hunting only with a rifle. While sitting, you can shoot straight ahead or to the side simply by adjusting the SteadyEddy base slightly on your waistline or thigh. However, this phenomenon is much less pronounced with crossbows. This is why we prefer integrated cocking devices, something along the lines of TenPoints AccuDraw series cocking devices that are built into the stock. Go higher, move the stand to a new location or leave the stand in place as a decoy even consider a ground blind downwind of approaching deer. :grin2: I have a ladder stand with a shooting rest that flips up/down. Its actually a fairly easy mistake to make from a tree stand if youre not used to shooting from elevated positions. I use the Summit rail to shoot in front. This means removing any limbs, twigs and branches that could interfere with your crossbows vertical or horizontal range of motion, or potentially impact your limbs when making the shot. . For compound bows and recurves, this means you should aim slightly lower when shooting from a tree stand. This means it drops less than the scope is calibrated for. Although crossbow supports such as bipods and monopods are a huge help in making a steady aim, nothing beats a solid, horizontal rest like you find on many ladder and platform stands. All the energy that goes into the bolt is stored in the crossbow string by this action. If you do this, the energy that would normally be transferred into the bolt is transferred into the crossbow itself, which can cause permanent damage to the device. Crossbows can have draw weights up to 200 pounds, meaning cocking them can take the same amount of effort as lifting 200 pounds off the ground. The one system that caught my eye a couple years ago is the TenPoint SteadyEddy. Of course, if you rely on a sling for your shooting or hunting style, then keep it on your crossbow. The Swagger Stalker QD42 works equally well on firearms or crossbows. JavaScript is disabled. |, Video: Black Bear Attacks Bald Eagles Nest, Video: Tips for Cleaning Walleyes Using an Electric Fillet Knife. Because of the rest requirement, I hunt from the ground with a crossbow 90 percent of the time. Most hunters are well versed in the nuances of tree stand hunting. Pop-up blinds have probably interfered with more crossbow shots than any other hunting stand setup. Is Sitka Gear Worth It? 2022 Grand View Outdoors All Rights Reserved Makes a simple gate that you can close once seated and rest your bow on. Important note: The QD42 comes with a sling swivel adapter, so if your crossbow doesnt have a Pictanny rail under its stock but has a sling swivel, then this rest will work for you, too. If you find that your bolts are hitting the target on one side when you move farther away, you should try walk back tuning the crossbow to determine the reason for this. How To Clean Binoculars (Inside/Outside/Lenses), 12 Best Rangefinders For Bow Hunting in 2022 Reviews And Buying Guide, How Far Can A Crossbow Shoot? Bending over and trying to perform this operation from up high can be dangerous. Weve had several friends muff their shots because their limbs whacked against the blind upon release or, worse yet, they sent an arrow through the wall of their blind. As lethal as arrows are, nothing looks more pathetic than an errant arrow bouncing off vegetation on its way to nowhere. I shot for 35, how could I have shot high? Once your scope is sighted in, you can shoot accurately at a similar distance as long as you use proper form. Most modern crossbows have a specific notch here for cocking ropes. The QD42 works well from the ground, too. We always recommend resting a crossbow to achieve a sure and stable shot. I find it difficult to support and hold a crossbow steady in a tree stand without a shooting rail. Stokerized Stasis. Since most of my sets are in the timber, I don't like to be sitting with a rest, which limits maneuverability in a dynamic situation. I'm shooting an exocet 200 2216 alum and 150gr. As you can imagine, this isn't exactly easy. If you're shooting from a standing position, place your feet shoulder width apart with your trigger-side foot planted firmly behind you for balance. My crossbow was resting on my lap, with the QD42 hanging vertically from the foregrip. What options will you have if your buck comes in from an unanticipated direction? A bipod or rest is more potential noise and hassle IMO. Then simply attach the hooks and turn the crank until the bowstring reaches the latch. Clutter is the bane of any hunting stand. After it was attached to the bottom of my crossbows stock, the QD42 flexed easily and allowed me to place its base on my waistline or thigh while sitting. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments. As an arrow is released, those limbs will jump forward and extend horizontally. . Aside from this difficulty, its even more challenging to hold them steady enough for a good freehand shot. Using a rangefinder, mark the distance from your stand out through your shooting lanes. When you are up to your butt in alligators, it is hard to remember your intent was to drain the swamp. To my surprise (I'm no mathematician), the arrow struck exactly as calculated by my host, who'd hunted from that stand for decades. Enter the crossbow, a relatively new tool (not even legal in all states at the moment, though we are gaining ground) that requires special handling on the ground, on the way up to and in the stand, and even while exiting the stand. EXPLORE OTHER MEDIA 360 PROPERTIES FOR OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS, How to Get the Most Power Out of Your Crossbow, How to Shoot-Tune Your Crossbow Arrows for Tighter Groups, Assemble a Stellar Crossbow Shooting Toolbox, Space Technology in the Whitetail Woods | DeerTech TV, Ozonics HR500 is the New-and-Improved Ozone Generator, The Other Red Meat | Deer & Deer Hunting TV. I neglected to do this once. Went back to the vertical bow for stand hunting and am saving the crossbow for blind hunting. For example, I use white reflective tape at the 10-yard range, red for 20 yards and orange for 30 yards. The Stalker QD42 features what the company calls Flex Ready Technology, but would it flex/bend enough for me to shoot my crossbow comfortably from a treestand with the base of the rest on my waistline or thigh? I bowhunt with a crossbow in Wisconsin and a compound in Minnesota and South Dakota, At times Ill choose my recurve, too. Speaking of shooting lanes, its essential for the crossbow hunter to know distances. Horton Crossbow Innovations has a great blog article about turning your target practice to trophy taking. In both cases, you shouldn't bend over or roll your shoulders to look through the scope. and recurves, this means you should aim slightly lower when shooting from a tree stand. |, Pure Archery Group Sold to JDH Capital and Other Industry News, Mathews 2022 Flagship Bows: V3X 29 and V3X 33, Inventory Tip: A Game-Changing Crossbow Rest for Treestand Use. Axcel Accutouch. There are several lightweight crossbows on the market today, but even the lightest among them tend to be a bit heavier than most of us can comfortably hold in a freehand position for more than a few seconds. The target is merely the deer's vital organs, heart and lungs. Its a clear shot. An adjustable rest like the SteddyEddy crossbow monopod system is an ideal solution since it can be shortened to use while sitting or lengthened for standing shots. I know some hunters think you don't need to practice with a crossbow- well, they are wrong. Dont laugh. Reverse the stand, trim the limbs, get set up so you can shoot from far left to far right and see what happens. I enjoy the variety of using all three bow designs. No matter what type of crossbow you choose, just remember to have fun and stay safe. I killed a nice buck in Ohio last season from a stand that was no more than 20 yards from a creek-bottom trail. Theres probably a crossbow hack on YouTube for mounting a SteadyEddy to other crossbow brands, but I was hoping to find something simpler. Do you need to cut shooting lanes to the left or right? Essentially, you simply need to practice like you will be hunting. A nice 8 point out at 35 yards. The trade-off, of course, is that it takes a lot longer to cock the crossbow in this case. Unlike traditional bows, you load a crossbow bolt after you've already cocked it. Make note of the trees, rocks, logs or any suitable objects that correspond with your scopes drop reticles at 20, 30 and 40 yards. In other words, even though you have a lightning-fast crossbow that can shoot quarters at 60 yards from a stable rest, dont be tempted to play gun hunter with your crossbow. If a right-handed shooter is set up for a shot to the north, he will be in trouble if the deer comes in from the south or east. "Cocking" is the term for drawing your crossbow, pulling back the string until it catches the trigger latch and remains in place. No more than 7 seconds passed from the time I spotted the buck until my broadhead penetrated his lungs at 15 yards. Firmly press the stock of the crossbow into your shoulder. Thankfully I was wearing a safety harness and was able to strap myself into the stand, because in mid-afternoon "doze mode," I nearly fell out of the thing! You should be stable enough that your body can absorb the energy from the crossbow shot without jerkingor falling over. New to crossbow this year and I appreciate the above info. In field situations I use chartreuse tape for 40-yard shots. Todd heres some more pics - I can switch it from a knee pod to a stand pod. First, hold the bolt near the tip but make sure that your hand or fingers are not actually covering the tip itself. The clip that is fixed to one leg of the QD42 snaps around the second leg, meaning you can use the rest as a monopod or bipod. Quartering toward shots, straight on shots, where the deer is facing you, and rump shots aren't good ideas. Video: Bowhunter Shoots Turkey and Then . Unlike a rifle, which has only a small muzzle stuck way out there that must have a clear line to the target, a crossbow has a much larger operational footprint. Had I been any higher I'd have been looking down the backs of the deer as if I were shooting northern pike in Vermont, and those types of spine-only shots are iffy at best with any bow. The best way to aim a crossbow is with a scope, and the vast majority of modern crossbows come with one. Don't allow the smallest twig to become tangled in your limbs, strings, cables or pulleys. Do this for different angles and ranges so you can be sure that wherever a deer presents a shot, youll be able to take it unhindered. When hunting with a crossbow, Ill shoot only with the aid of a solid rest.

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