Crossbow marketing is shooting itself in the foot. i killed the biggest whitetail buck of my life last year with a Ravin crossbow, yet I hate their marketing program. “Meet Your Next Rifle,” sends exactly the wrong message to the public about crossbows and crossbow hunting. Ravin marketing makes it seem acceptable to take 100-yard shots at game and this year’s scopes and marketing speak to accuracy at 200 yards.
Crossbow Accomodate All Ages
The beauty of a crossbow is it’s versatility. With regular practice a young, old, or very muscular person can shoot a crossbow. Shooting skills such as aiming, trigger control, and shooting stances can be learned in a person’s back yard or garage. Crossbows range from toys to powerful models capable of bringing down dangerous game, yet the function of the devices remain similar.
Muzzleloading Mistakes
The crossbow community should learn from the progression of the muzzleloading movement. At first, muzzleloaders were touted as primitive weapons and deserving of a hunting season of their own. Once that movement gained traction, manufacturers increased the effectiveness of their front-loaders until one took the step of using smokeless powder. Suddenly, DNR’s across the country said, “Wait a minute!” What’s primitive about smokeless powder?” Likewise, the State of Wyoming is saying, “Wait a minute. What’s primitive about 100-yard archery shots!”
Scopes to 1,000 Yards
A .30-06 springfield with premium ammunition can be shot accurately at 1,000 yards by an experienced long-range marksman. However, just because a modern center-fire rifle will shoot accurately at extreme distances doesn’t mean it should be marketed that way. If the general public believed that rifles are so accurate that a hunter can kill any animal he can see, public perceptions of fair chase will change dramatically.
Crossbows, Trail Cameras, and Smart Rifles
This post from the Star Tribune should be a wake-up call.
