HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Crossbows are the bow-rifle hybrid. You hold them horizontally on a rifle-like stock and you shoot it by pulling a trigger. They’re available in either compound bow or recurve bow styles.

Although they have rifle-like characteristics, a crossbow stores energy the same way as other bows. When the string is pulled back, the mechanism will cock and hold the draw weight, so you will feel the weight disappear. When the trigger is squeezed, the stored energy is delivered through the string to the arrow (aka: ‘bolt’).

Crossbow Components:

• Stock
• Stirrup
• Rail
• Trigger
• Bolt
• Safety
• Bow sight
• Limbs
• Quiver