crossbow

Hi I live in Scotland in the UK and am looking for advice regarding what this crossbow could be used against with regards to deer. Where I live the deer varieties are mainly roe, but also an occasional red and fallow. I am most interested in learning ranges that I could hopefully make a clean kill with this weapon. Also any advice regarding home protection with this Crossbow would be appreciated, thanks.

www.amazon.co.uk...=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1232576414&sr=8-9

hunting deer with a crossbow, I really dont know how effective it would be honestly, but prolly better than using a spear

reply to post by big gee



Some states here in the US allow crossbows for deer hunting so it is viable.

From what I understand about range many consider 40yards the max range for deer size game with a crossbow and 150lbs a good recommended draw weight.

Also from what I am told... avoid online shops and hunt around the gun forums for people selling. A friend has a huge collection and has come across some bargains. I'll try and find out what forums he buys from and edit a link here in a few days.
Edit: Unless ofcourse you already own it.

[edit on 22-1-2009 by and14263]

Thanks for the replies so far guys

I hunt Deere with a crossbow here in Canada. I use an Excalibur Exocet 200 (200lbs draw weight) that shoots a bolt @ 325ft/second. I can tell you first hand that a crossbow has more than enough speed and power to kill a Deere @40 yards. I wouldn’t go for anything less than 150lb draw weight.

If you want to see something cool you can search you tube for a video of Excalibur Crossbow shooting an elephant and kills it!!!

Good Hunting and be safe!!

Hunting animals in Britain with a bow and arrow is ILLEGAL! I would suggest against doing it unless you plan to do it on the sly...I'm not sure on hunting deer mate, unless you have experience in the law in this area...

Don't hunt with any sort of arrow, but am curious if this a SHTF type hunting you seek or put meat on the table type of hunt?

Originally posted by devilwasp
Hunting animals in Britain with a bow and arrow is ILLEGAL! I would suggest against doing it unless you plan to do it on the sly...I'm not sure on hunting deer mate, unless you have experience in the law in this area...

Are you serious? No bowhinting? And no guns? How do Briton's hunt? I'd really like to know!

I've just bought a 150lb crossbow. It packs a real punch and is accurate up to 65 yards (195ft). If you're thinking of hunting deer you may wish to get hold of broadheads, triangular razor sharp bolt heads which would cause anything unfortunate enough to be hit by it a hell of a lot of damage.
Try here. It's where I go for bolts etc.

www.merlinarcherycentre.co.uk...

Best of luck.

Here's a video of a recently unveiled crossbow design that's pretty innovative and unique in that it uses a lower receiver from an AR15.




I would think only downside to using a crossbow instead of a traditional bow (long or compound) is the reloading seems slow and cumbersome. The slow reload time eliminates any chance of a second shot should you miss, just graze etc.. vs a bow which you could relatively quickly load and fire another arrow.




[edit on 23-1-2009 by warpboost]

I don't own a crossbow or have ever shot one but i have done lots of archery, now on my understanding, we are not allowed to have anything but target points in this country.
Hunting points are illigal as far as i know.
Pathetic, but thats the good old uk for you.

[edit on 23-1-2009 by jon1]

Originally posted by jon1
I don't own a crossbow or have ever shot one but i have done lots of archery, now on my understanding, we are not allowed to have anything but target points in this country.
Hunting points are illigal as far as i know.
Pathetic, but thats the good old uk for you.

[edit on 23-1-2009 by jon1]

That's right. Broadheads are illegal in this country but I got them from abroad. I've yet to use them but it's good to know that if the balloon goes up they're there just in case.

Originally posted by LAUGHING-CAT
Don't hunt with any sort of arrow, but am curious if this a SHTF type hunting you seek or put meat on the table type of hunt?

Mainly putting meat on the table in a SHTF situation was what I was thinking of. I think the UK laws are strange to say the least. At present you need licences for rifles and shotguns, and even air rifles above a certain power, and these at not very easy to obtain. However, crossbows have no such restrictions, only requiring buyer to be over 16/18 (?) I am concerned that the law referring to crossbows could be severely tightened up and therefore would like to get one soon.

If you've never hunted deer with a crossbow before, then I wouldn't rate your chances. You have to get very close indeed and stalking is quite a challenge.

And given how small the deer population in the UK is, and how many people there are, the supply would run out in five minutes if people started eating them.

Trapping rabbits is a lot more practical.

Originally posted by slicobacon
Are you serious? No bowhinting? And no guns? How do Briton's hunt? I'd really like to know!

We hunt with legally owned firearms held under shotgun or section 1 firearms certificates, which are surprisingly easy to obtain if you can prove your intentions.

A good crossbow or even a decent bow, at under 50 yards will throw a bolt with a broadhead, right through a deer.

My cross-bow is self-cocking with a 175 lb. pull. I've only taken two deer with it, as I'm now using snares. A good snare, made from light cable, is quiet, saves all the meat, and is very effective.

And you don't have to worry about what's downrange, or if someone is nearby who may not approve of your pursuit.