Crossbow question- white tails

[FL-NC]

Archery season starts here in about a month, and I'm new to it. Killed plenty of deer with firearms in the past though. Here's the question: Assuming I put a good shot with a broadhead into the lung(s) of a deer (classic broadside shot, just behind the shoulder crease), and everything from my end went right- how far could I expect that deer to run before it expires? With my rifles, I never had one go more than 100 yards, usually a lot less, and I wait 20 minutes before I look for them unless its a DRT situation. I have a PSE fang that I have got pretty good with (on targets) that goes about 350 FPS, and I'm using Muzzy trocar 100 grain 3 blade broadheads, if that makes any difference. Max range about 25 yards, due to both skill and the jungle like conditions here where I'll be hunting.

 

[stringnut]

With a proper hit as described they act about like a lung shot with a rifle. Some just jump, stagger a bit, and then fall down. Never punched both lungs with a bow or crossbow and had it go more than 100 yards. Most 20 to 50 yards. Never had a drt with the bow unless I hit the off side shoulder. Probably 30 deer and 10 or 12 hogs all about the same reaction. Hogs were 200 lbs or less. A truly big pig would probably be a different proposition.

 

[FL-NC]

Thanks for the info, string!

 

[22-rimfire]

It all depends how well a hit on the heart-lung area you make. I have seen deer run 100's of yards. But that is not the norm with a good hit.

 

[buck460XVR]

When shot in the lungs/heart, deer will die just as quickly as with a gun, due to the loss of blood. A 1 1/4" broadhead make's a bigger hole than a .30 cal bullet. I've double lunged deer with a bow, where I didn't hit shoulder and they hardly flinched and went back to feeding, only to stumble and fall down seconds later. Even when they take off running, they never make it a hundred yards and many times you see/hear them fall.

 

[lastofthebreed]

The last deer I killed with my crossbow went about 45 yards and piled up. Double lung shot and easy blood trail. FWIW, whitetails seem to die quicker for me from a well placed arrow than from a well placed bullet.

 

[Captcurt]

With a proper hit as described they act about like a lung shot with a rifle. Some just jump, stagger a bit, and then fall down. Never punched both lungs with a bow or crossbow and had it go more than 100 yards. Most 20 to 50 yards. Never had a drt with the bow unless I hit the off side shoulder. Probably 30 deer and 10 or 12 hogs all about the same reaction. Hogs were 200 lbs or less. A truly big pig would probably be a different proposition.

This is my experience too. I haven't used a crossbow, but have used a recurve and compound and 20 to 100 yards is about it. Once in a great while one will drop like a rock.

 

[Patocazador]

I have made a few shots on deer with an arrow and they seemed to feel it but not much. One gave a start and then just went back to feeding until she buckled and fell down dead. On another I made a bad shot on a 4 pt. and he ran about 30 yards and looked back until he fell over dead. I had shot him in the liver and hit no bones but he just stood there for about 4 minutes until he died.

With most double lung shots with an arrow, they seem to run about 40-60 yards, make a half circle and drop.