Crossbow Aiming Points
Crossbow Hunting Scenerario: When you are 20 feet in the air in a tree stand and a deer comes along and is around 20 to 25 yards away, where should you aim with a 150 pound crossbow, to not miss the vitals, consider the deer ducking when it hears the crossbow go off.
When you're 20 feet up in a tree stand, aiming at a deer that's 20-25 yards away with a 150-pound crossbow, it's essential to account for both the angle and the possibility of the deer "ducking" when it hears the shot. Here's how to approach it:
Aim Lower Than Usual: Because you're elevated, your angle to the deer’s vitals is steeper. If you aim directly at the vital zone (heart-lung area), the bolt may exit higher than expected. To compensate for this angle, aim slightly lower on the deer's chest, closer to the lower third of the body, right behind the front leg.
Anticipate the Deer Ducking: Deer often "jump the string" when they hear the crossbow fire. This means they crouch down slightly as they prepare to flee. To account for this, aim even a little lower than you would for a perfect shot — perhaps around the heart or just above the front leg’s elbow joint. This way, if the deer drops, your shot will still hit the lung area.
Take Into Account Bolt Speed: A 150-pound crossbow is typically fast, but deer can react quickly, so aim a few inches lower to account for the possibility of it ducking.
The combination of a lower aim point to compensate for both the angle and the deer's potential reaction should increase your chances of hitting the vitals. Aiming for the heart area or the lower chest is the safest bet to ensure a clean, ethical shot.
If a deer is alert before the shot, how should you compensate?
If the deer is alert before the shot, it's more likely to react quickly to the sound of the crossbow, increasing the chances of it "jumping the string" (ducking). To compensate for this, you need to adjust your aim and approach:
When you're 20 feet up in a tree stand, aiming at a deer that's 20-25 yards away with a 150-pound crossbow, it's essential to account for both the angle and the possibility of the deer "ducking" when it hears the shot. Here's how to approach it:
Aim Lower Than Usual: Because you're elevated, your angle to the deer’s vitals is steeper. If you aim directly at the vital zone (heart-lung area), the bolt may exit higher than expected. To compensate for this angle, aim slightly lower on the deer's chest, closer to the lower third of the body, right behind the front leg.
Anticipate the Deer Ducking: Deer often "jump the string" when they hear the crossbow fire. This means they crouch down slightly as they prepare to flee. To account for this, aim even a little lower than you would for a perfect shot — perhaps around the heart or just above the front leg’s elbow joint. This way, if the deer drops, your shot will still hit the lung area.
Take Into Account Bolt Speed: A 150-pound crossbow is typically fast, but deer can react quickly, so aim a few inches lower to account for the possibility of it ducking.
The combination of a lower aim point to compensate for both the angle and the deer's potential reaction should increase your chances of hitting the vitals. Aiming for the heart area or the lower chest is the safest bet to ensure a clean, ethical shot.
If a deer is alert before the shot, how should you compensate?
If the deer is alert before the shot, it's more likely to react quickly to the sound of the crossbow, increasing the chances of it "jumping the string" (ducking). To compensate for this, you need to adjust your aim and approach:
Aim Lower: If the deer is alert, it's more likely to drop significantly when it hears the shot. In this case, aim even lower than you normally would—closer to the heart or even slightly below the chest. If the deer drops as expected, your shot will still hit the lungs or heart. If it doesn’t drop as much, the shot might be low but still in a lethal zone, which is preferable to wounding the deer in a bad spot.
Wait for a Broadside or Quartering-Away Shot: If the deer is looking in your direction or appears on high alert, it might be best to wait for a better angle or when the deer calms down. A broadside or quartering-away shot provides a larger target area, and the vitals are easier to hit, even if the deer ducks.
Quiet Draw and Trigger Pull: Minimize any movement and noise before the shot to avoid further alerting the deer. A smooth, silent draw and trigger pull can reduce the chances of spooking the deer.
Range Estimation: Ensure that you know the exact distance. Crossbows, especially with lower poundage, have a noticeable drop over distance, and aiming lower only works when you have an accurate range estimation. If you think the deer may duck, it's better to err on the side of aiming a bit lower to ensure the bolt still strikes the vitals.
In summary, when dealing with an alert deer, aim low and be patient with your shot selection, ensuring you're in a position where the shot is still ethical and lethal if the deer reacts.
Wait for a Broadside or Quartering-Away Shot: If the deer is looking in your direction or appears on high alert, it might be best to wait for a better angle or when the deer calms down. A broadside or quartering-away shot provides a larger target area, and the vitals are easier to hit, even if the deer ducks.
Quiet Draw and Trigger Pull: Minimize any movement and noise before the shot to avoid further alerting the deer. A smooth, silent draw and trigger pull can reduce the chances of spooking the deer.
Range Estimation: Ensure that you know the exact distance. Crossbows, especially with lower poundage, have a noticeable drop over distance, and aiming lower only works when you have an accurate range estimation. If you think the deer may duck, it's better to err on the side of aiming a bit lower to ensure the bolt still strikes the vitals.
In summary, when dealing with an alert deer, aim low and be patient with your shot selection, ensuring you're in a position where the shot is still ethical and lethal if the deer reacts.
