Rifle to Crossbow: 6 Tips for Transitioning
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Safety
Crossbows quickly release a significant amount of energy. Take your time to perfect your grip and stance before firing, and always ensure your fingers, thumbs, and all body parts remain below and away from the path of the strings and cables. Use a rope cocker or winch to cock the bow to ensure perfectly straight cocking, a key ingredient of accuracy. For more safety information, be sure to visit www.safearrow.com for tips and instructions.
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Avoid Dry Fire
Dry firing a fully-cocked crossbow can cause serious damage. Look for crossbows that incorporate anti dry fire technology to help prevent accidents on the range and in the field. To further protect against dry fire incidents, prior to every shot, check to ensure the nock is properly indexed with the cock vane (the odd colored vane) oriented downward in the groove of the flight rail, and check to ensure the nock is tight against the bowstring.
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Power for Your Game
The kinetic energy output of your crossbow determines the penetration power, if you’re targeting big game, ensure you’re delivering over 65 ft-lbs to the animal. Shooting a crossbow with a minimum speed of 300 FPS will ensure you have enough power to take down larger game.
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Site for Distance
Bolts travel along an arc, so the farther the distance to the target, the more they will drop. Practice using the reticles in your scope from a variety of distances to get a feel for the amount of drop to expect. This will help you hit the target when it counts. When practicing, be sure to use safe shooting techniques and be aware of the area surrounding (and in back of) your target.
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Target for Anatomy
Hitting vital organs is essential to taking medium and big game with a crossbow. Hone your anatomy targeting skills during the off-season to increase the number of a heart and lung shots in the field.
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Know the Law
Crossbow regulations vary by jurisdiction, check your country, State and local laws to ensure you are in compliance with regard to purchase, ownership, possession and use of a crossbow in your specific area. You’ll also want to ensure the speed, kinetic energy and season are right for your specific area and intended game.
Crossbow Manuals & Instructions
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Intercept Varmint Hunter
View Manual -
X-Force Pile Driver Crossbow
View Manual -
X-Force Blade Crossbow
View Manual -
Quiet Crank
View Manual
Register your crossbow
LIMITED 1-YEAR MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY
The stock, trigger assembly, and limbs of your Carbon Express crossbow (a subsidiary of FeraDyne Outdoors) are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship not caused by normal wear, misuse, or improper maintenance as determined by Carbon Express.
This limited warranty lasts for 5 years from the purchase date; proof of purchase is required prior to sending your crossbow back to Carbon Express. If you do not have a sales receipt, the manufacturing date from the bow will be used to determine whether your bow is still under warranty. If the sticker with the manufacturing date has been removed for any reason other than the limbs having been replaced, the warranty is void.
Warranty on limbs that have already been replaced is 1 year from the RMA creation date or Sales Order ship date.
This warranty only covers Carbon Express crossbows for the original owner. Carbon Express reserves the right to substitute any discontinued product with the most similar model available.
If you believe you have purchased or received a defective product, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained by submitting a warranty claim.
All Carbon Express warranty claims require a photo; claims submitted without photos will be rejected and you will be asked to resubmit a claim and include a photo. All accessories must be removed from the crossbow prior to sending it back to Carbon Express for repair. Items sent back without an RMA number will be refused and returned to the sender.
Carbon Express reserves the right to determine whether an item is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty upon receiving the product back for inspection. If a product is determined to be defective, it will be repaired with available parts at the sole discretion of the Carbon Express repair department. If repair is not possible, the product will be exchanged or replaced with the same product; if the same product is no longer available, it will be replaced with the most similar model available at the discretion of Carbon Express.
Please allow up to 15 business days from the date the crossbow has been checked in by the Carbon Express repair department for all repairs to be completed. If repair parts are not available due to being out of stock, Carbon Express reserves the right to allow for a reasonable amount of time to procure parts.
Parts not covered by this warranty include, but are not limited to, cable slides, bolt retention springs, arrows/bolts and their accessories, cosmetic blemishes to parts or finishes, and normal wear and tear. Strings and cables are subject to warranty approval and replacement at the discretion of the Carbon Express repair department.
Carbon Express offers the exclusive remedy of repair or replacement of defective parts or workmanship. Carbon Express, its retailers, and distributors will not be liable for damages to any person, property, or equipment that is caused by improper use, modifications or alterations, and/or lack of proper maintenance of this crossbow. In the event of breakage due to parts covered by this warranty (as determined by the Carbon Express repair department), Carbon Express will not be liable for any cost beyond the original retail price of the crossbow.
Carbon Express will not be liable for any loss or damage to a crossbow once it has been repaired and shipped out of our facility
THIS WARRANTY IS VOID IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING APPLY:
- damage is caused due to misuse or abuse of the product
- any part(s) of the product have been altered or modified
- instructions and warnings found in the owner’s manual are not followed exactly
- damage is caused by failure to perform the recommended maintenance or repairs as outlined in the owner’s manual
- damage is caused by dryfiring the bow as determined by the Carbon Express repair department or an authorized Carbon Express crossbow dealer
- damage is caused by using non-recommend crossbolts, including bolts lighter than those recommended in the owner’s manual
- the crossbow is rented or loaned for use by anyone other than the original owner whether or not a fee is charged
- any user has altered, disassembled or changed the standard specifications of the crossbow outside of recommendations made in the owner’s manual
PRIOR TO USE, PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR PRODUCT. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY VOID THIS WARRANTY.
Crossbow Manuals & Instructions
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ALASKA
Read MoreCrossbows are illegal in bow-only areas, but can be used where guns and bows are legal weapons. Legal in archery season for handicapped hunters with an approved Methods and Means Exemption Form.
Phone: 907-465-4190 -
ALABAMA
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all persons during the entire deer hunting season. Magnified scopes are now allowed on crossbows only.
Phone: 334-242-3469 -
ARKANSAS
Read MoreCrossbows legal during archery seasons; must have minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and mechanical safety.
Phone: 501-223-6300 -
ARIZONA
Read MoreCrossbows legal for handicapped hunters on a very restrictive permit basis, or for anyone during general firearms seasons.
Phone: 602-942-3000 -
CALIFORNIA
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons. Also, the California Game Commission voted on April 22, 2004 to adopt the following language to their regulations:
“Any person with a physical disability which prevents him/her from being able to draw and hold a bow in a firing position, may use a crossbow or device which holds a string and arrow in the firing position to assist in the taking of birds and mammals under the conditions of an archery tag, archery season, or general session. Under these conditions, archers must provide to the Department and retain in his/her immediate possession while taking or attempting to take big game written verification of the disability, including: the person’s name and signature, address, date of birth, driver’s license or DMV number, physician’s name and signature, physician’s license number and address and a description of the disability.”
Phone: 916-445-0411 -
COLORADO
Read MoreCrossbows legal during archery seasons; must have minimum draw weight of 125 pounds and mechanical safety.
Crossbows legal for all hunters during gun seasons and for handicapped hunters during archery season.
Phone: 303-297-1192 -
CONNECTICUT
Read MoreEffective 2013 Fall seasons, crossbows will be legalized for all archery hunters.
Phone: 860-424-3011 -
DELAWARE
Read MoreCrossbows legal during all deer seasons. Crossbows may be equipped with a scope. It is unlawful to transport a crossbow on or within any vehicle while the crossbow is in the cocked position. Deer may be hunted with crossbows provided hunter orange is displayed when it is also lawful to hunt deer with a gun.
Phone: 302-739-9911 -
FLORIDA
Read MoreAugust 30, 2010. Effective July 2011, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed a new rule which will extend zonal crossbow seasons by a month. The new rule adds 30 days to each crossbow season in zones A, B, and C, and adds 33 days in zone D, thereby coinciding with the archery season on private land only.
Phone: 850-488-3831 -
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IDAHO
Read MoreDuring an any-weapon hunting season you can hunt with a crossbow without any other permit besides your hunting license and proper tag. Crossbows also legal for handicapped persons by permit-to hunt with a crossbow during an archery season, you must also have a valid archery permit as well as a hunting license and a proper tag.
Phone: 208-334-3700 -
ILLINOIS
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all hunters in LATE archery deer season. Crossbow legal for handicapped hunters in EARLY deer archery season.
Phone: 217-782-6384 -
INDIANA
Read MoreCrossbows legal in entire archery season beginning December 31, 2011. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds and a mechanical safety.
Phone: 317-232-4200 -
IOWA
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all hunters during the primitive weapons season. Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters with permit. Resident hunters 70 years old and older may purchase one statewide antlerless-deer only license to hunt deer with a crossbow.
Phone: 515-281-5918 -
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KENTUCKY
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all hunters during rifle and muzzleloader seasons, and portions of archery season (dates change annually). Legal in archery season for handicapped hunters.
Phone: 800-858-1549 -
LOUISIANA
Read MoreThe Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission now has the ability to establish a bow and arrow only season, and a bow and arrow and crossbow season in special deer hunting seasons.
Phone: 225-765-2350 -
MASSACHUSETTS
Read MoreCrossbows may be used by certain permanently handicapped persons by permit only.
Phone: 508-389-6300 -
MARYLAND
Read MoreThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service now allows crossbows to be used to hunt any game species during any open season where a vertical bow may be used (excluding waterfowl and certain furbearers). This would permit the use of a crossbow during the entire deer bow season in all counties. Minimum draw weight is 75-pounds, telescopic sights are permitted and the crossbow must have a working safety.
Phone: 1-877-620-8367 (in state) or 410-260-8367 (out of state) -
MAINE
Read MoreEffective June 11, 2013, crossbows will be legal during any wild bird, or wild animal, open season (including archery) EXCEPT deer archery or deer muzzle-loading only seasons. Hunters may only hunt deer with a crossbow during the open firearm season.
Also legal for disabled hunters.
L.D. 1015 An Act To Expand Crossbow Hunting
Phone: 207-287-8000 -
MICHIGAN
Read MoreAugust 17, 2010, Effective immediately, crossbow regulations have expanded for hunters statewide.
The crossbow regulation changes include the following:
Lowered the minimum age for crossbow use from 12 to 10 years of age statewide.
Expanded the use of crossbows to all legal hunters during all archery and firearms seasons statewide, except in the Upper Peninsula, where crossbow use will remain prohibited during the late archery and muzzleloader seasons, unless the hunter is disabled (Crossbows may only be used in the Upper Peninsula by anyone 50 years of age or older during the Oct. 1-Nov. 14 bow hunting deer season statewide).
Hunters using crossbows will still be required to obtain a free crossbow stamp. The stamp, which is free, will help the DNR monitor and survey crossbow hunters.
Phone: 517-373-1263 -
MINNESOTA
Read MoreA person age 60 or over may take deer, bear, turkey, or rough fish by crossbow during the respective regular archery seasons. Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Also legal for anyone during firearms season and Turkey and Bear seasons.
Phone: 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157 -
MISSOURI
Read MoreCrossbows for handicapped archers by permit and during firearms season.
Phone: 573-751-4115 -
MISSISSIPPI
Read MoreEffective July 1, 2013, crossbows are legal in all of Archery Season. Archer’s are reminded that they are required to wear hunter orange during all gun seasons. The separate crossbow permit is no longer required.
Phone: 601-432-2400 -
MONTANA
Read MoreCrossbows legal only during gun seasons. No provision for handicapped hunters.
Phone: 406-444-2535 -
NEBRASKA
Read MoreCrossbows are legal archery equipment for big game (deer, antelope, elk, turkey & bighorn sheep).
Phone: 402-471-0641 -
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Read MoreCrossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit. Legal for all hunters to take a deer in firearms season. Legal for all hunters on Long Island in Moultonborough with Long Island Deer Permit. Crossbow hunters must purchase a crossbow hunting permit.
Phone: 603-271-2461 or 603-271-2462 -
NORTH CAROLINA
Read MoreEffective August 1, 2010, allows the use of crossbows anytime bow and arrows are legal weapons. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 150-pounds.
Phone: 919-707-0050 -
NORTH DAKOTA
Read MoreCrossbows legal for handicapped hunters by permit.
Deer Gun & Youth Deer Seasons–Crossbows are legal during the deer gun season. Crossbows must: a) have a peak draw weight of 75 pounds and not more than 200 pounds, b) be equipped with a working safety to prevent accidental firing, c) have a stock at least 14 inches long, d) use bolts at least 14 inches in length.
Muzzleloader Season–Crossbows must: a) have a peak draw weight of 75 pounds and not more than 200 pounds, b) be equipped with a working safety to prevent accidental firing, c) have a stock at least 14 inches long, d) use bolts at least 14 inches in length. No magnification (1X) scopes are legal to use on crossbows during the muzzleloader season.
Phone: 701-328-6300 -
NEW JERSEY
Read MoreCrossbows are legal in any bow and arrow hunting season and other hunting seasons for all species where the use of bow and arrow is allowed. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 75 pounds and a minimum stock length of 25 inches.
Phone: 609-292-2965 -
NEW MEXICO
Read MoreCrossbow use is allowed by Certified Mobility Impaired Hunters during all hunts. Crossbows may now be used in “Any Legal Sporting Arm” or Muzzleloader” hunts unless otherwise restricted.
Phone: 505-476-8000 -
NEVADA
Read MoreCrossbows may only be used for hunting big game during an “Any Legal Weapon” hunt. Crossbows are not allowed for archery hunts. Crossbows must have a minimum 125-pound draw weight, minimum draw length of 14-inches from front of bow to nocking point, minimum 18-inch stock and a positive mechanical safety. Arrows must be minimum 16-inches and have a broadhead.
Phone: 775-688-1500 -
NEW YORK
Read MoreLegal during a portion of archery season. More details to come.
Phone: 518-402-8924 or 518-402-8985 -
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OKLAHOMA
Read MoreCrossbows and conventional bows with draw lock devices are a legal means of hunting whenever conventional bows are allowed.
Phone: 405-521-3851 -
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PENNSYLVANIA
Read MoreThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has approved the expanded lawful use of crossbows to include both the archery deer and bear seasons. The Board included a sunset date for the expanded crossbow use requiring a future vote on the measure again before June 30, 2012.
*The use of magnified scopes was approved on April 21, 2009.
Phone: 717-787-4250 -
RHODE ISLAND
Read MoreThe crossbow is no longer classified as a firearm – it is now in the same classification as recurves, compounds and longbows. Crossbows are now Approved for use by all archery hunters during the Archery deer season provided the hunter has successfully completed the Bow Hunter education course or otherwise qualifies for an Archery deer permit.
The use of crossbow for hunting wild turkey or any wild bird is prohibited by law (RIGL 20-14-7).
Special permits are no longer required to hunt with the crossbow including those previously required for disabled hunters; however, use of Adaptive Aids for archery hunting still requires the special permit.
Phone: 401-222-6800 -
SOUTH CAROLINA
Read MoreArchery equipment is now defined as ” a bow and arrow, a long bow, a recurve bow, a compound bow, or a cross bow.”
Phone: 803-734-3886 -
SOUTH DAKOTA
Read MoreArchery equipment is now defined as ” a bow and arrow, a long bow, a recurve bow, a compound bow, or a cross bow.”
Crossbows legal for handicapped hunters during archery season. Must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds and a functional mechanical safety device. Telescopic sights and lighted sight pins are prohibited.
Phone: 605-223-7665 -
TENNESSEE
Read MoreThe use of crossbows is now permitted during all seasons including the regular archery season.
Phone: 615-781-6500 -
TEXAS
Read MoreFull-inclusion of crossbows in archery seasons except Grayson County.
Phone: 512-389-4800 or 1-800-792-1112 -
UTAH
Read MoreA person who has obtained an any weapon permit for a big game hunt may use archery equipment authorized in this section to take the species authorized in the permit, including a crossbow or draw-lok.
Crossbows are legal for handicap hunters during the archery season by permit.
Phone: 801-538-4700 -
VIRGINIA
Read MoreA person who has obtained an any weapon permit for a big game hunt may use archery equipment authorized in this section to take the species authorized in the peCrossbows are legal during archery season and firearms season. A crossbow permit will be required if the season is “archery only”.rmit, including a crossbow or draw-lok.
Phone: 804-367-1000 -
VERMONT
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all hunters for all species EXCEPT deer. Crossbow deer hunting legal for handicapped hunters with permit.
Phone: 802-241-3700 -
WASHINGTON
Read MoreCrossbows are legal for qualifying archers with a permanent non-operable upper extremity impairment. An application must be completed by a licensed Physician and submitted by the hunter to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for consideration. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125-pounds and a working safety. Retractable broadheads are not legal. Crossbows with a scope are legal during modern firearm season within “restricted areas”.
Phone: 360-902-2200 -
WISCONSIN
Read MoreLegal in all of Archery Season – effective 2014 Seasons (will be reviewed in three years).
Phone: 608-266-2621 -
WEST VIRGINIA
Read MoreCrossbows are legal for all hunters in the full archery season for deer, bear and turkey. Crossbows are also legal in all firearms seasons. Crossbows are NOT legal in the counties of Logan, Mingo, Wyoming & McDowell.
Phone: 304-558-2758 -
WYOMING
Read MoreCrossbows legal during archery seasons; Must have 90-pound minimum draw weight, minimum draw length of 14-inches and shoot a minimum 16-inch bolt.
Phone: 307-777-4600
CANADA REGULATIONS
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ALBERTA
Read MoreCrossbows legal for all seasons except archery-only. Legal in archery season for eligible handicapped hunters with a crossbow license. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 100-pounds.
Phone: 780-944-0313 -
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MANITOBA
Read MoreCrossbows may be used during muzzleloader deer seasons and big game rifle seasons. A hunter may not be in possession of a crossbow while hunting during archery or shotgun/muzzloader seasons. A person hunting big game shall not be in possession of a crossbow requiring less than 150-pounds draw weight or an arrow using a broadhead less than 7/8 of an inch in width. Under the authority of a Disabled Crossbow permit, a permanently disabled archer may use a crossbow during an archery season.
Phone: 204-945-6784 -
NEW BRUNSWICK
Read MoreIn New Brunswick crossbows may be used by certified hunters during all hunting seasons
except for the deer archery season and for hunting migratory game birds.
Phone: 506-453-3826 -
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NOVA SCOTIA
Read MoreAllows the use of crossbows in all hunting situations where conventional bows may be used, except the special open season for bowhunting deer. The crossbow must have a draw weight of 150lbs (68kg) or greater and bolts with heads more than 2.2 cm in diameter. Crossbow hunters must also wear hunter orange or camouflage orange garments.
Phone: 902-424-6723 -
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ONTARIO
Read MoreCrossbows legal; Minimum 119-pound draw weight and 12-inch draw length for moose and bear, 100-pound draw weight and 12-inch draw length for deer.
Phone: 800-667-1940 or 705-755-2000 -
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Read MoreLegal for hunting all game species, except migratory birds. A Firearm Safety Certificate is required.
Phone: 867-975-7700 -
QUEBEC
Read MoreCrossbows legal for handicapped hunters by special authorizations during bow season.
In 2008, most bow hunting seasons were replaced with crossbow and bow hunting seasons. Please consult the table of hunting seasons to find out these new terms and conditions. This new development does not apply to moose hunting in zones 13, 15, 16, 17 and 22 which have retained exclusive bow hunting seasons, except for certain wildlife sanctuaries, zecs and outfitter establishments with exclusive rights of these zones which had already replaced their bow hunting seasons with crossbow and bow hunting seasons.
Except in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24, hunting with a crossbow is always permitted during a firearm, a shotgun or a muzzle-loading firearm hunting period. In order to hunt with a crossbow, a resident must be the holder of a hunter’s certificate bearing code A or B. Despite the information appearing on the back of the hunter’s certificate, since 2007 code F no longer allows the holder to hunt with a crossbow.
Phone: 418-627-8600 -
SASKATCHEWAN
Read MoreCrossbows legal only during muzzleloader and rifle seasons, except in the Regina, Moosejaw, Saskatoon, Buckland and Prince Albert wildlife management zones where crossbows are permitted during all open seasons. Crossbows must have a minimum drwa weight of 150-pounds and broadheads must have a cutting diameter of 7/8 of an inch.
Phone: 306-975-4087 -
Register your crossbow
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