Ive been bowhunting non-stop for 50 years. (I still use a bow and arrows) You need to practice with the broadheads you plan to hunt with to verify accuracy and every yardage you plan to shoot. I do not recommend taking shots over 25 yards and make sure to use lighted nocks on the bolts. The bolt moves so fast, its through the animal and you may not see or know where you hit it. Finding the bolt after the shot from a crossbow is pretty difficult without lighted nocks.

Ive taken my (now) late father on many crossbow hunts. Lighted nocks made a huge difference. But above all practice practice practice until you know the weapon and its accuracy very well.

 

I tried a compound bow in the mid ‘90’s. Stuck a buck each fall for 3 years. Wasn’t satisfied with the results so I quit bow hunting.

I am a stickler for a clean kill.

I’m just trying to ascertain the reasonably effective range. I’ll practice and be comfortable first or won’t try it and wait for black powder.

Locally I’ve been told 30 to 80. That seems to be a wide range. I’m not sure who is full of it so thought I’d ask here.

 

no, not 80 yards. That not good info you got. 25 and less if you want a clean kill wit a short tracing job with the lowest margin of error. Ive bowhunted from Hawaii to Africa and all places in between. Its what I do for a living. Ive killed hundreds of deer and lots of other species. Ive set up crossbows for a lot of people. 25 yards and under for beginners. Its about getting as close as you can, not about seeing how far away you can hit them. Trying to take up a blood trail of a deer that you cant find the starting point because it was so far away leads to deer not recovered. Not finding the bolt also leads to lost deer since you cant read the sign on the bolt. I have a thermal drone, animal recovery business. The guys that take far shots are the guys calling because they can even pick up first blood to start tracking.

 

I know people who should not take an 80 yard shot with a rifle.
I'm looking at getting a crossbow for next year, and the general plan is to figure my range by practicing, and how accurate I am, be it 25, 37, or 42.79 yards,
There is also some debate (on another forum I am on) that the faster a bow (or crossbow) is, the less beneficial, as it has the possibility of passing through too quickly. Some of the hew ones are well over 400fps.
Remember that if you are planning to shoot from a stand, practice from the same height. It stinks to shoot over or under because of your elevation angle.

 

I'm not a crossbow fan but have used one. 50+ Years of bow hunting experience here too. When hunting with arrows, closer is better. Getting close to the animal is what the sport is all about. Have killed a whole lot of deer in my time and don't think anything has been beyond 30 yards, average shot is probably 15-20 yards.

An arrow isn't like a bullet. You have to get perfect arrow placement for a clean kill and you certainly won't have time for a quick follow up shot with a crossbow. Your best shot is perfectly broadside so you shoot right through the lungs / heart giving both and entry and exit wound for lots of blood loss and a quick track job. Take your time and wait for the right angle. Don't take a shot at an animal facing or quartering towards you as you'll likely hit bone, not get a pass through and good chance of losing the animal.

Get a good target, shoot a bunch and develop some proficiency before you ever go hunting. Also, for up close and personal archery hunting you'd probably be better served to hunt out of a strategically placed tree stand or ground blind rather than that big tower blind.

 

Maybe I’ll just wait until black powder season.

 

bows are different , arrows are different

you need to shoot the practice target and see what yours does , see where you can reasonably get hits at your distances and where you have to hold to get them.

no different than a rifle or muzzle loader , you have to learn your load but all your distances are much shorter.

the right crossbow , arrow , broadhead combo with confirmed ranges and hold overs , 50 yards can be easy or the limit depending on the bow and combination.

 

Each crossbow is different and the distance it will shoot depends on the make and model. What crossbow make and model is it that your friend loaned you? You can search on the crossbow manufacturers website to find out the speed of the bow and it may also state the distance limitations for that bow. Some of the newer (and more expensive) crossbows are capable of some great distances; some can achieve decent accuracy out to 80+ yards. Also, check in your State's hunting regulations to make sure it complies with their specs for crossbows.

Good luck hunting and be safe!

 

I’m gonna shift my strategy to a quality muzzleloader. Thanks for the input!