Crossbow Report
As you’ve probably heard, crossbows are permitted
for hunting deer this season in Nova Scotia. I’ve been doing some target practice with a demo crossbow that’s
on display at the River Magic fly-fishing shop in Stillwater, NS. It’s a rare treat to find a product that actually
exceeds expectations, but this is one. It seems that everyone who tries it makes the same comment: “I couldn’t
shoot better with my rifle”. Please understand though, that its effective range is similar to a bow, not a rifle.
The model I’ve got my sights on is a simple
recurve type (not compound) made by Excalibur of Kitchener Ontario. Quality crossbows, like quality fly rods, have benefited
by technological developments such as carbon fibre and specialized metallic alloys to become lightweight, durable, high-performance
shooting equipment. Arrow speed is as high as 350 FPS, depending on model. Draw weight can be as high as 225 lbs., but use
of a rope cocking aid reduces this by 50%, and an optional pocket winch enables young, old or disabled folks to cock and use
a crossbow. Also, a crossbow produces very little recoil, practically nothing compared to a rifle’s recoil.
Like most rifles, the crossbow I like has
a manual safety mechanism. Safety issues are similar to those encountered with rifles and bows, but there are a few special
considerations unique to crossbows. A crossbow is held horizontally instead of vertically like a bow. This makes it necessary
for the shooter to ensure that the crossbow limbs won’t hit any vertical obstacles, like trees, when the crossbow is
fired. Shooters are also warned to keep fingers and thumbs away from the bowstring path when firing the crossbow.
A “stirrup” on the front of the crossbow enables the shooter to place a foot in the stirrup (on the ground)
when cocking the crossbow. It’s very important, to avoid serious injury, that the foot is firmly placed in the stirrup
so the stirrup can’t slip off during cocking. If it does, a crossbow stock travelling at speeds approaching 350 FPS
may hit you under the chin. Ouch!
Like any bow used for hunting, accuracy is extremely important to ensure clean kills. Arrows don’t have
the impact power of a rifle and will not break shoulder bones. They are designed to damage vital organs and blood vessels,
so the hunter should expect a deer to travel 100 yds. or so before falling, and not rush to find the animal. Since an arrow
doesn’t damage an animal like a high-calibre bullet, nearly all of the bow shot deer’s meat should be useable.
I hope this dispels the myth that
crossbows will be great for deer jacking. If we consider the crossbow’s limited range, slow cocking procedure, difficulty
finding a downed animal in the dark, and impracticality of use from a vehicle, I think you must agree that the crossbow is
a very poor poacher’s weapon. In fact, I can’t think of a worse jacker’s weapon, unless, maybe a slingshot,
rock, blowgun, taser, pepper spray or a spear. Cars are certainly very effective deer weapons. Specking of which, I sure wish
drivers would slow down and use more caution in deer habitat, especially during dusk, dawn, and at night (deer time).
If you’re even a little bit curious about
crossbows, see or test drive one at River Magic in Stillwater.
