The question of how far you can shoot a deer with a crossbow is a common one.
You will probably hear some hunters bragging about how they can take down a deer at 100 yards, but what is really achievable for you? And more importantly, how can you guarantee an ethical shot?
The answer is quite a bit more complicated than you might think, but this article should make it easier to understand.
How to Ensure an Ethical Harvest?
Every shot that you take should be ethical and responsible. It is a part of what we do and it’s in respect to other hunters and the animals we hunt.
To guarantee an ethical shot, here are some considerations:
- Arrow penetration
- Accuracy at further distances
- Shooting conditions (wind, rain)
When your arrow makes contact with a deer, it needs to carry sufficient kinetic energy and a high-quality crossbow broadhead to penetrate the animal. This will mean that the kill is faster and as a plus, you will not need to track the animal as far.
Second is your ability. Shooting arrows on a range is great practice for when you’re out on a hunt, but nothing can quite compare to the unpredictability of shooting at a live animal.
The shooting condition is out of your control but something you need to be aware of. You need to know how your equipment will respond in different weather conditions.
Your best bet at an ethical harvest is to only take the shot if your deer is calm and totally unaware of your presence.
How Does Arrow Energy Impact Harvest Distance?
Whatever distance you are shooting at, you need to remember that your arrow needs to maintain enough kinetic energy to penetrate the deer.
(All of these distances assume that you are using a 400-460 grain crossbow arrow – the most suitable for hunting deer.)
- High-end crossbow (e.g. Ravin R500) of 450 – 500 FPS: 100 yards
- Mid-range crossbow (e.g. TenPoint Siege RS410) of 410 – 450 FPS: 80 yards
- Entry-level crossbow (e.g. Wicked Ridge Blackhawk 360) of 350 – 410 FPS: 60 yards
The FPS measure is taken at the crossbow release and doesn’t account for the speed lost as the arrow travels down range. So generally speaking, if you have a crossbow with a higher FPS, you can shoot from a greater distance.
These distances will also depend on the clarity of your target. Especially if you are hunting in the woods, it is unlikely you will get long-range shots in the woods without twigs or leaves obstructing your view or deflecting your arrow.
Wind Drift
As already mentioned, one variable factor in every arrow that you shoot is what happens while the arrow is in flight. The arrow weight and broadhead will influence the arrow drop (most high end scopes account for this) and how much energy it will lose, but the wind is just as important.
Depending on the intensity and consistency of the wind, your arrow can stray a few inches from the target, and this only increases the further you are from your target.
Using the Hawke ballistics chart, we can make some assumptions about how much your arrow can drift when shot at 335 FPS.
- A steady crosswind of 20 MPH can drift an arrow 2.5 inches at 25 yards.
- A steady crosswind of 20 MPH can drift an arrow 10.2 inches at 50 yards.
It is important to remember that these calculations are not necessarily representative of real-world conditions. Crosswinds are rarely “steady” and usually blow in gusts. If this is the case, you can expect to increase the drift by an inch and a half at 25 yards and about 4” at 50 yards.
Cautions
There are three main reasons why you should be wary of shooting a deer at long distance:
- (The #1 reason) You may only injure the game and not kill it.
- You may miss and scare away the game ruining your chances of getting closer for a more reliable shot.
- You may lose your arrow.
If you are new to shooting deer, our advice is to start close (around 20-30 yards) and move out from there. And whatever the distance you shoot at, you need to be very accurate at that distance.
Most importantly, you don’t want to be shooting at a deer that has already “made you”. This state of alertness means the deer is more likely to “jump the string”.
As always, our goal at Borkholder Archery is to help you experience great hunts so you have exciting stories to share with your family and friends. Talk to our hunting experts when you get geared up for your next crossbow hunt.
