Can You Kill A Deer With A Crossbow At 100 Yards? The Answer Might Surprise You

Do you ever find yourself wondering if it’s possible to kill a deer with a crossbow from 100 yards away? If so, you’re not alone. Many people have an interest in hunting deer with crossbows, but few know the answer to the question of how far crossbow arrows can travel and is it feasible to kill a deer from that long distance. The short answer is yes, it’s possible to kill a deer with a crossbow from 100 yards away only if you’re equipped with the proper gear and right technique and hit the animal in the right spot. But it’s not easy, and you’ll likely have to put a lot of practice into perfecting your shooting skills to achieve this success. However, shooting from distances longer than 50 yards is not recommended.

In this article, we will look at how far crossbow arrows can travel and the factors that affect shot accuracy, and how far the accuracy lasts. We’ll also explain why it’s important to hit deer targets in the right spot if you’re hoping to kill one with a crossbow from 100 yards away. So read on, and learn all you need to know about crossbow hunting deer from a distance.

How far can you shoot with a crossbow?

Modern advances in crossbow technology enable the manufacturer to produce faster crossbows than before. With an advertised speed of 505 FPS (feet per second), the Nitro 505 from TenPoint is today’s one of the fastest crossbows on the market.

To determine how far you can shoot with a crossbow, we did an open field test with the nitro 505 Tenpoint crossbow. It was a cloudy and overcast day with light winds. We used 400-grain bolts, set the bow on a tripod, and shot the arrow at 30, 35, and 40-degree angles from 800 yards away. The graph below shows the results of our crossbow test.

At 40 degree angle, the crossbow was able to shoot the arrow 650 yards away. At 30 degree angle, the crossbow was able to shoot the arrow 670 yards away. However, at 35 degrees Angle, the crossbow shot the arrow 630 yards away.

We also tried to see how accurately it hit the deer from 600 yards away using a 3D deer archery target. Unfortunately, the arrow from the crossbow couldn’t hit the deer from any angle.

So from the test, we can say the modern crossbow can shoot more than 650 yards with the right bolt and bow.

How far can you shoot a crossbow accurately?

Crossbows are designed for close-range shooting and can be used for hunting big game such as deer, elk, and wild boar. Even though modern crossbows are much faster and have more kinetic energy than traditional crossbows, the speed and power of an arrow drastically decrease once you’re shooting out to distances beyond 50 yards. So arrow in flight loses a great deal of speed and accuracy and can easily outshoot your intended target. Also, before you take the shot, be aware of the wind direction and adjust your shot accordingly.

So, from my experience, I would say If you are a skilled shooter, it is possible to shoot accurately up to 80 yards. But, for a beginner, I would advise you not to go above 50 yards. Within 50 yards, you will be good at shooting a crossbow accurately.

So we can say in the real scenario that the crossbow’s effective range is usually around 80 yards. So to ensure a successful humane kill, practice regularly and ensure that your shot is consistently accurate. Also, if you’re about to hunt deer, you must know where to shoot a deer with a crossbow; however, aim for their head or front shoulder to kill them quickly and humanely.

Can you kill a deer With A Crossbow at 100 yards?

Yes, it is doable, and you can kill a deer at 100 yards only if all the below conditions are met. We tested ourselves by finding a deer at 100 yards and successfully hitting its lung area. However, this does not mean that any other hunters will be able to do the same thing. Some variables such as the animal’s size, movement, equipment, surrounding, and weather conditions can affect your accurate hitting probability. We followed all the below tips strictly in order to have a better chance of success.

Factors That We Followed To Hunt a Deer From Approx 100 Yards Away

Below are the factors that we tried to follow to get the best shot at a deer at 100 yards. If you want to be able to kill a deer at 100 yards, these are the things you will need to take into account.

1. You need to be confident and skilled enough to get a clear shot and know what you are doing.
2. You must have a powerful crossbow with higher draw weight and know how it acts in terms of power and accuracy.
3. You must be in the open field or have an open shooting lane, and the deer is standing still.
4. Arrow can dramatically divert its intended flight path by a slight touch of brush, branches, and other obstructions, so aim carefully.
5. Wind plays a vital role in terms of arrow accuracy and power. High wind can easily blow an arrow out of your hand and cause a miss, while a calm breeze will let the arrow fly straighter. Also, from the test, we found that up to 50 yards, an arrow can be pushed a couple of inches to the side. But when it flight above 50 yards, the wind can easily divert it, so make sure you are skilled enough and confident in your shot before taking one.
6. You need to consider the broadside shot or quartering away shot since deer expose most of their vital organs in these positions. So, easy penetration into a deer’s lungs and heart can provide you with a quick and humane kill.
7. You need to have a solid rest to shoot from because a slight change in elevation while shooting or movement of the deer can make the difference between a humane kill and a miss.
8. Your crossbow must have a noise dampener to reduce the noise of arrow flight and to prevent the deer from hearing the shot and running away.
9. You should mount a great crossbow scope to make the shot even easier.
10. Choose the broadhead bolt grain that will work best for your crossbow. A narrower arrow shaft with a harder tip will penetrate the deer further and help ensure an accurate kill.
11. There must have ample time for strategic decision making and preparing your shot.
12. Finally, your luck and skill are key. There is no guarantee that you will be able to bring down a deer at 100 yards and the best way to improve your chances is by practicing regularly.

My Thoughts on trying to Kill A Deer From 100 Yards?

Unless you are absolutely sure that your arrow will render the deer senseless and helpless, I will avoid attempting to take down a deer from 100 yards.

A crossbow is an excellent hunting weapon when used correctly. But it’s not infallible – even seasoned hunters have missed game animals at this distance on occasion. 

Even if you’re successfully getting your arrow to strike the deer, there’s a good chance that it will bounce off their body and pass fatally close to their vital organs. 

Unless you have experience hunting at 100 yards or beyond, I would recommend sticking to closer ranges when attempting this feat. Deer are elusive and quick animals, so an accidental shot at such a distance could result in the animal escaping – which would be unfortunate, to say the least. Deer deserve to be taken down with an ethical, clean kill – not a long shot attempt.

What are The Caveats to consider before taking this 100-yard away Dangerous shot?

1. If the wind is blowing hard in your direction – from either side or behind you – it will make aiming much more difficult and most likely increase the chances of missing your target.
2. If the buck is very big or has antlers that extend over 30 inches from his head, then it is much harder to take him down with a crossbow because of the increased odds of hitting him in the shoulder or neck area.
3. Even if it’s just a twitch or startle reaction, a slight movement in the deer’s body can cause your arrow to veer off-course and possibly miss its intended target.
4. Having the wrong equipment can make aiming difficult or even impossible. For example, using a crossbow with an improperly-fitted sight could lead to inaccuracies when shooting at long distances.
5. By any chance, if you can not kill the deer humanely and escape from the area, it would be disastrous to track down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Finally, taking a shot with a crossbow at 100 yards is definitely not for the faint of heart! As you might have guessed from the title, accuracy is key here, and even if you manage to hit your target, there’s a chance you’ll end up injuring or even killing your target instead. Despite this, some people find joy in hunting deer with a crossbow, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before taking the shot. What are your thoughts on trying this out? Let us know in the comments below!