Last year was the first year where crossbows could be used for the entirety of archery season in New York without needing a special permit. Making crossbows legal in archery season did mean that hunters wishing to use them would be required to take the Bowhunter Education course that is required to purchase archery tags.

The technology has changed drastically in the crossbow world, so hunters who bought early model crossbows will likely be upgrading while many might be buying their first crossbow following this news. When I left the sporting goods retail world, I was offered a position on the Ten Point Crossbow Pro Staff by the sales rep I worked with. I accepted it and as a staff shooter, I went to stores to promote Ten Point Products and answer customer questions. So, between my retail experience and my staff shooter experience, the following information is what I feel is important to know if you are thinking of getting into using a crossbow.

Ask important questions. It is easy to find out a crossbow’s draw weight or how fast it shoots as every manufacturer puts it on their website and usually on a tag on the crossbow itself. The questions you should ask include the warranty, how long is it, how does it work if something goes wrong, can the store you are buying from do warranty work? It may seem silly, but problems don’t ever arise until it’s under a week from the first day you can hunt with it. The most common problem with crossbows is the strings and cable wear out faster than on compound bows. So, ask if the shop keeps extras on hand in. If you need to, ask to order a set so you have a back-up set just in case.

Test them out. You shouldn’t buy a car without taking a test drive and you shouldn’t buy a crossbow without test firing it (or a few). Due to the variety of setups available, each crossbow will feel differently when you hold it. Find the crossbow that fits you and is comfortable. Hold the bow with and without the quiver on it, as the weight does make a difference. Make sure you know how to cock the crossbow whether it’s using a cocking rope or a crank device before you leave the store.

Be ready to invest. In addition to the crossbow, you are going to need to purchase a few other things to be ready to hunt. As already mentioned, strings and cables wear quicker on crossbows so it is important to use string wax and rail lubricant to help them last longer. Due to the speeds that many crossbows shoot at, you might need to upgrade your target at home to be able to stop the bolts. To make it easier to see where the bolts hit, lighted nocks are the way to go. The key is to match the nock type to that recommended by the manufacturer or you may void the warranty. Broadheads designed specifically for crossbows are made to handle the impact with tough bones and hides at high speeds. Understand that you will need these in addition to the crossbow when deciding your price limit. Plan to spend about $75-150 depending on exactly what you need.

Practice. Crossbows are easy to shoot sight in when you have a good rest. Not all hunting situations allow you to use a rest so be prepared. Practice off-hand shots from both sitting and standing positions. If your scope has a drop-compensating reticle, make sure you test it to know exactly what each aiming point is. A rough guide is the main crosshair will be 20 yards with 10-yard increments after that. Practice using the same setup as you hunt with. Most broadhead companies send a practice head now so you can use that without worrying about ripping up your target or ruining a $15 broadhead.

So if you are thinking of getting into the market for a crossbow, consider what you have read and you will have a great foundation to build upon once you go to a retail store.