Tips for Summer Crossbow Prep

Mid-to-late summer is when most crossbow hunters prepare for the upcoming fall archery hunting season.  Whether you are new to crossbows or you are a seasoned veteran, proper maintenance and tuning of your hunting crossbow, proper arrow selection, and practicing your shooting routine are all activities that will help you to be ready for the arrival of hunting season.  

Proper maintenance of your hunting crossbow is essential for accuracy, safety, and reliability.   Always refer to your crossbow owner’s manual for proper maintenance procedures.  If you need a copy of your owner’s manual, you can download an electronic version HERE.  Perform a visual inspection of the condition of the string and cables.  Check the timing of the cams to be sure they are working in unison.  TenPoint recommends changing the string and cables at least every two years, due to the stretching of the material that occurs over that period of time.  A crossbow is a complex machine with many parts that must work together for the entire bow to function properly and consistently.  Check all the screws and bolts and tighten any that are loose.  Apply the appropriate amount of light gun oil to any parts that have the potential to rust or that work together and require lubricant.  If your crossbow is due for a string and cable change or requires any other maintenance or repairs, schedule an appointment now with your local archery shop or contact TenPoint’s Customer Service Department to obtain a return authorization and schedule service before the Fall rush begins.

TenPoint’s Premium Lubricant with Foam Applicator is an excellent all-around flight rail lubricant and conditioner for your string and cables.  

Selecting the proper crossbow arrow and broadhead combination is an important activity that many people take for granted.  Refer to your crossbow owner’s manual for arrow weight, fletching, and nock requirements, and research your state’s hunting regulations to determine if there are local guidelines that you must follow.  When selecting an arrow and broadhead, take into account the maximum distance that you will be shooting in the field and the game that you will be pursuing, as this will help you determine the best combination for your crossbow hunting purposes.  The EVO-X CenterPunch Premium Carbon Arrow and the EVO-X CenterPunch Broadhead have been proven through range and field testing to be one of the most accurate and lethal combinations available for TenPoint, Horton, and Wicked Ridge crossbow hunters.

After performing maintenance on your hunting crossbow and selecting a good arrow and crossbow broadhead combination, you should now be ready to field test your arrows and practice your shooting technique.  Since there are many steps involved with the cocking, loading, and firing of a crossbow, you should develop a routine that you practice and maintain every time you cock and shoot it.  Familiarize yourself with the correct method for using your cocking device and follow this method every time.  Not only will this help you avoid cocking problems in the field, but it will also help to ensure that the string latch engages the string in a consistent fashion every time.  If you currently cock your crossbow by hand, you may want to consider investing in a rope cocker or a mountable cocking device for consistency.

Next, practice loading your arrow the same way each time so that it makes contact with the flight rail and string, being careful not to put your fingers or hands in the path of the bowstring.   The final steps of your routine should entail the process of taking the shot.  It is important to shoot from a bench to establish the accuracy of your arrows; however, you should also shoot from positions or locations that mimic actual hunting situations that you will likely face during your time in the field. 

Establishing a consistent shooting practice routine will help you be confident when the moment of truth arrives.  These recommendations do not necessarily guarantee a successful hunt, but they will help you achieve better results this hunting season.