Diary of a Crossbow Hunter

To really appreciate this hunter’s successful morning, take a look back at how he got there, in his own words.

by the HuntDaily Staff; promoted by TenPoint Crossbow Technologies

September 15

Crossbow opener today, and I carved notch #1 into the stock of my TenPoint Stealth NXT. A big doe. She was quartered away at 37 yards, and had this sort of cowlick in her chest hair right where I wanted my broadhead to go. I put the crosshairs on it and squeezed. The crisp trigger, combined with how rock-solid the crossbow is through the shot, let me stay focused through the scope as I watched the arrow hit my mark. The Omni-Bright lighted nock melted right through her. It’s so fast and quiet, so no more string-jumping deer for this guy. She mule-kicked, went about 15 yards and tipped over. Backstraps tonight! Good QDM. And total confidence in my crossbow. Was hunting from my smallest ground blind, and having just a 6-inch width and that nice bullpup balance was a perfect combo. The buck tag’s up next!

To really appreciate that hunter’s successful morning, take a look back at how he got there, in his own words:

May 13

Today was my birthday, and I got a gift I never saw coming. All the people who are special to me pitched in on it together. Man, I love them! They gave me a simple card, without any schmaltzy artwork or gimmicks. Just two handwritten words: NEW CROSSBOW – along with a Visa Gift Card to cover the purchase. They knew I have been daydreaming about getting one. And now it’s happening 🙂

June 2

Hit a couple shops with indoor ranges and test-fired a half dozen different models. Holy-moly have they come a long way since I got my first crossbow, and the one I’ve been shooting ever since. It’s a recurve-style, and these modern compounds make it feel like a 1972 Ford Pinto compared to a 2018 Ferrari. I’ve got a tough choice to make.

July 10

Got the latest issue of Outdoor Life the other day, which included a piece on the best new crossbows for 2018. The Editor’s Choice went to the TenPoint Stealth NXT, saying it “Finished at or near the top in our three double-weighted categories: handling and balance, speed and power, and accuracy. The Stealth is just 6 inches wide when cocked and weighs 7.3 pounds. It shoulders and handles nicely. Moreover, we averaged 1.06-inch groups at 30 yards. Gonna go shoot one tomorrow. Can’t wait!

July 11

Shot it. Sold.

Lightweight bullpup design for ideal shoulder balance and scope eye relief, even on steep-angled shots.

July 12

Had a blast shooting today. The pro shop had me out the door dead-on at 20 yards, so I did some fine tuning for shots out to 60. Throwing darts. 1” groups – so I’m shooting at different dots with each shot to prevent Robin Hoods and broken arrows. Love how quiet it is. Three times quieter than the comp they say, and I believe it. Not a hint of recoil. Hard to believe it’s cranking out 380+ FPS when the shot is that smooth.

Measuring just 6” from axle-to-axle, the Stealth NXT is TenPoint’s narrowest, most accurate crossbow ever.

August 1

Think I need a different target. The 143 FP kinetic energy is pushing my EVO-X CenterPunch arrows in so deep they’re hard to pull out. Never thought I’d have to go test drive a new target.

Vector Quad Cable System eliminates cam lean to produce 1” groups, blistering speed and devastating kinetic energy.

September 8

Scored some new broadheads along with practice points that have the same weight and shape. They fly perfect. No need for any scope adjustments. I am so ready.

Top optics, bore-sighted at the factory to ensure out-of-box accuracy.

September 12

Set up my ground blind on a wooded finger that juts out into an alfalfa field. Brushed it in nice and cut a few shooting lanes. They’ll never know I’m there.

September 14

Tomorrow’s wind is gonna be perfect. Truck all loaded.

It’s almost midnight.

Can’t sleep.