The Crossbow: Is it Underutilized?

The crossbow is a weapon that has been around for hundreds of years and has seen its fair share of use. From open warfare to hunting, it has served as one of the most accurate and versatile weapons in the world. With the rise of technology, we have seen firearms and modern compound bows largely take over as the most popular option for hunting. So is the crossbow being underutilized? 

Although traditionally the crossbow has been reserved for disabled hunters in modern times, many states have been changing their regulations to allow the use of crossbows during regular, general season hunts. Crossbows never seem to be in the spotlight, but with all of their advantages they offer, maybe they should be! 

Benefits of a Crossbow

When comparing a crossbow to that of a typical recurve or compound bow, it has many advantages. One of the biggest is the ability to keep a crossbow at full draw without any additional effort, keeping it ready to shoot at any time. Unlike a regular bow, a hunter must physically draw and hold it until the shot. A crossbow does not require any further energy or effort from a hunter once it is cocked. 

This also gives the hunter the ability of concentrating on aiming and squeezing the trigger instead of the physical work of drawing. This simple ability makes crossbows excellent choices for older hunters, disabled hunters, and youth hunters alike. While they may have difficulty drawing a regular bow, they can shoot a crossbow without extra effort. 

Using a Crossbow for Hunting

With more and more states allowing the use of crossbows in regular hunting seasons, using one can help take your hunting to a whole new level. Many states allow the use of crossbows in certain hunting areas or during a specific crossbow season. This has kept them underutilized as seasons and areas are limited, but this is quickly changing. 

While some hunters do not agree with the emerging use of crossbows, most are happy that there are more opportunities available for their use. It is important to remember that crossbows are still relatively short ranged, and are still not the same as a rifle. Even the most powerful crossbow cannot match the same power, energy, speed and trajectory of a hunting rifle. 

As long as you keep your shots to under 60 yards, a crossbow is one of the most effective hunting tools out there. It is easy to see why more and more hunters are choosing to pick up a crossbow during the hunting season. 

Final Thoughts

So is the modern crossbow being underutilized? While they certainly have been in the past, recent years have seen a resurgence in the utilization of crossbows. With more and more people enjoying the advantages of crossbows, it is only a matter of time before someone you may know is using one too.