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July 19, 2024

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Modern crossbows have become all the rage in recent years, as aging archers, bowhunting newbies and time-strapped weekend warriors embrace the ease and efficiency of these horizontal platform, arrow-launching hunting machines. And to provide additional hunting opportunities for archery hunters coupled with the need to control increasing deer populations, many state wildlife agencies have expanded seasons for archery hunters wishing to use crossbows, especially in suburban and urban areas where human-wildlife conflicts and property damage are an issue.

The crossbow craze that began a decade or so ago is showing no signs of retreating, as manufacturers dig deep into their bag of tricks to produce new models that outperform those of the past — even the past year. Today’s crossbows are faster than ever, more accurate than ever, more user friendly than ever, and safter than ever — and most come equipped with everything needed to get hunters in the field immediately. But for those not satisfied with the status quo, there is available a plethora of aftermarket goodies that will take any crossbow to the next level of efficiency — and for savvy retailers the opportunity to cross sell the multitude of crossbow-specific aftermarket accessories available.

Be sure you and your staff are up to speed on all the new innovations when horizontal bow buffs pay a visit this year looking for a new horizontal bow. Here are 11 of the top models that are sure to grab their interest.

Axe Crossbows AX440

The AX440 from Axe Crossbows is maneuverable, stable and easily shouldered — 30.5 inches long and less than 12 inches axle-to-axle (cocked). The weight of the bow is centered over the shooter’s hand via a balanced shoot-through stock and riser design and reverse limb system that empowers the most efficient part of the split limb system from just 15 inches of power stroke to launch bolts at 440 fps. It is equipped with a silent integrated crank system and fail-safe trigger assembly with Dry-Fire Inhibiting technology, and its AXE two-stage sliding trigger assembly is crisp, clean and factory set to 3.5 pounds. It comes with the Axe scope system, side-mount quiver and three Axe micro-diameter bolts.

MSRP: $2,099.99

CONTACT: www.feradyne.com/axe-crossbows

Barnett Hyper Raptor

The 2024 Barnett Hyper Raptor shoots 20-inch, .204-inch-diameter HyperFlite arrows at 410 fps, delivering 142 ft-pounds of kinetic energy. Contributing to the crossbow’s top performance is its new Halo System, which eliminates cable crossing and cam lean to create tremendously balanced string travel. The Hyper Raptor features the company’s proven TriggerTech trigger; it has a reliable and crisp, 3-pound pull. In a word — outstanding. The package includes three bolts, 4×36 illuminated scope, premium quiver, lube wax, a sled-style rope cocking device, and is CCD (crank cocking device) compatible. It has a 14-inch power stroke, 205-pound draw weight, weighs 7.1 pounds, and measures just over 7 inches axle-to-axle when cocked.

Bear Archery Constrictor LT

The BearX Constrictor LT crossbow features a shorter stock than the original Constrictor for a more compact design. Living up to its name, the Constrictor LT measures a mere 10 inches wide cocked and 14 inches wide uncocked, making it a great choice for hunting in tight quarters. Its ambidextrous top mount five-arrow quiver sits on a 360-degree pivot, allowing the hunter to position it on the right- or left-hand side and parallel to the bow. The Constrictor LT comes ready to hunt with upgraded crossbow accessories, which include three TrueX Max 425-grain arrows, top mount five-arrow quiver, 1-5x24mm illuminated speed comp scope, sling, aluminum cocking sled and rail lube/string wax.

MSRP: $679.99

CONTACT: www.beararchery.com

CenterPoint Wrath 430X

The CenterPoint Wrath 430X crossbow features a sleek 9-inch axle-to-axle width when cocked and launches arrows at speeds up to 430 fps, providing modern crossbow hunters with a blend of mobility and performance at a value-packed price point. At 32 inches in length and weighing just 9 pounds, this compact crossbow is a great fit for hunting from treestands and ground blinds. The Wrath 430X has an inverted cam design that delivers up to 164 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, and its full bearing cam system produces smoother operation and increased velocity. It comes with an integrated folding stirrup that doubles as a bipod, a 4x32mm illuminated crossbow scope, silent cranking system, quiver and three 20-inch CenterPoint arrows.

MSRP: $699.99

CONTACT: www.centerpointarchery.com

Killer Instinct Swat X1

The Killer Instinct Swat X1 crossbow is easy to cock, handle and shoot, while producing speeds up to 405 fps. Measuring only 24.75 inches long and 6.25 inches wide when cocked, the crossbow’s micro frame generates its speed and power from the highly efficient Synchronized X cam. With 50 percent let-off, the narrow X1 can be cocked effortlessly by hand, but also includes a compact silent crank. The Accutac barrel provides additional guidance and support to the crossbow bolt for broadhead accuracy at high speeds. The enclosed design also protects the bolt and broadhead, and a crisp 3-pound trigger produces a clean break with zero creep.

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MSRP: $999.99.

Contact: www.killercrossbows.com

Mission Crossbows Sub-1 XR

Mission is known for ultra-accurate crossbows, and the Sub-1 XR is no exception. Benchmark Fire Control technology features a fully contained rolling sear dual-stage trigger set at a crisp 3 pounds, easy-load arrow retention arm and a de-cocking button. Its fully synced cam system eradicates lateral nock travel, and the CNC-machined rail eliminates vertical nock travel. The result is unparalleled accuracy. Shooters can easily adjust the length of pull with six different butt positions and enjoy the control and stability of the AR-style grip. The compact Sub-1 XR is designed for hard-hitting accuracy and superior stealth — delivering an exceptional shooting experience. From concept to completion, Mission crossbows are 100 percent Wisconsin made.

MSRP: $2,199.99

CONTACT: www.missioncrossbows.com

Ravin R5X

Built for shooting from close quarters, the compact R5X from Ravin Crossbows combines the popular R26 crossbow’s front end with a newly designed stock that includes an adjustable cheek pad and buttstock. It features the Versa-Draw Cocking System that works in conjunction with the Trac-Trigger Firing System — an ultra-compact fully integrated cocking mechanism built into the sleek stock design. The trigger mechanism slides forward on the rail and clasps directly to the precise center of the string, allowing for straight-line nock travel. The Frictionless Flight System allows the arrow and string to free float above the rail, eliminating friction for consistent accuracy and increased string and cable life. Ravin’s HeliCoil technology advantage delivers astounding accuracy with every shot.

MSRP: $1,624.99

CONTACT: www.ravincrossbows.com

Rocky Mountain RM400 Black

The Rocky Mountain RM400 Black crossbow is built upon a precision-molded one-piece black stock and a rock-solid limb system. With the total uncocked assembly measuring 18.5 inches wide by 35 inches long, the 195-pound limb system cocks to 14.5 inches wide and sends arrows downrange at 400 fps, producing 135 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. The RM400 features a DFS (Dry Fire Safety) system that auto engages when the bow is cocked, dual string suppressors and limb dampeners to reduce bow noise. Each RM400 crossbow package includes a standard reticle 4x32mm scope, rope cocking device, RM Quiet Crank, quick-detach three arrow side quiver three PileDriver Carbon Express arrows with practice points and rail lubricant.

See also 3 things you must know to chase carp on the fly. Carp have been rising up on the list of desired freshwater fish to experience on the fly.Some will even go so far as to compare this freshwater monster to the notorious bonefish, earning the carp the nickname of the golden bone.Many factors will greatly determine your success rate when fly fishing for carp. To name a few: location, mood, posture of the fish, and time of year.For example, if it’s winter you’re not going to throw a 3” crawfish pattern at huddled carp. Why you ask? Crawfish are dormant in the winter due to being cold blooded. If you throw that rusty orange pattern at a carp in the winter he’s going to know something's up because it’s not normal for him to see that in the winter months. He will be gone just as fast as he appeared.If you've been wanting to try your hand at chasing these golden ghosts of the shallows, here are 3 tips you must know to get in the action with these easily spooked creatures. 1. Being able to read the carp and know how to act accordingly.Dane Schmucker caught the big fish of the weekend at the Midwest Golden Bones Fly Tournament near Chicago, IL. The 2018 event is coming up July 27-28 and is sponsored in part by Flymen Fishing Co.The number one mistake that beginning carp anglers make is casting to non-receptive carp.Here's how to read carp in some common fishing situations. Carp splashing on topwater.If you happen to spot this, you might as well put down your fly rod and head on your way.These carp won’t pay attention to even the tastiest-looking pattern in the world; they have one thing on their mind, and that’s reproduction.However, the upside to this process is the awesome post-spawn bite! Fast-moving pods.Once again, don’t waste your time – these carp are either spooked or heading on a mission, not even a bag of pellet carp food will stop these beasts. Keep searching for more fish to cast to. Slow-cruising pods/singles.Get a fly right in front of their faces and below them.Why? Carp like to cruise while searching the bottom for a quick and easy snack. This means their eyes will be focused below them right where your fly should be! Heads down and tails to the sky with a mud cloud around them.This is the most important one of all!Slow down, take your time, and cast to this feeding mud monkey, then hang on because you’re about to have a gnarly fight on your hands! Sunning carp.These carp are the ones kicked back enjoying the warmth of the sun. Toss a small unweighted fly to them and hope for the best. 2. Choosing the right fly weight and pattern (I can’t stress this one enough!).Fly patterns and weight are often overlooked when carp fishing. Most people think anyold pattern that looks appetizing will work.Wrong!Carp have feeding patterns and certain food sources they like better than others. Carp are very boring when it comes to fly patterns. They like rusty, orange, olive, brown, and black. These color patterns are usually the go-to for carp fishing, but it depends on what location you’re fishing in. I’ve heard a great tale of western carp actually chasing streamers, but I haven’t seen this firsthand.The Fish-Skull CrawBody paired with a Shrimp & Cray Tail can be a deadly combination.I fish and guide in the waters of North Carolina where we have the more calm and gentle carp that have very subtle takes.Do your research on the body of water you’re fishing and stop and watch the carp. If you stop and watch you can usually figure out what they’re feeding on.People overlook weight because they think it isn’t important in carp fishing, but weight is crucial in carp fishing.Fly selection and speed of current. Unweighted flies.These unweighted flies are those you throw at the sunning carp. You don’t want it sinking too fast because these carp are closer to the surface, but you also don’t want it to float.You want a slow gentle descent to get the carp's attention. Medium-weight flies / Heavyweight bombs.These are used for slow-cruising carp and those mud-sifting bulldozers who are bottom feeding.You want to send your fly straight to them and get it down on the bottom right in front of their faces. 3. Presenting your fly .Fly presentation is important when carp fishing – if you throw the fly too hard and smack the water, the fish is going to spook.Pursuing carp on the fly takes a skilled and accurate cast, so before heading out on the water, take a few practice casts to get ready.You may only get three chances on a carp in a whole day of fishing, so you don’t want to blow these chances by not being ready. It pays off to take the extra time to prepare for the main event.The most known and productive action method for carp fly fishing is called the drag and drop. To do this, drag your fly away from the carp and let it sink, mimicking a fleeing crawfish or nymph. This is usually used for slow-cruising carp and sometimes for the feeding carp.Follow these tips to increase your number of hookups and catches when fishing for this elusive fish.As always, best fishing to you all! Want more articles like this? Subscribe to the Flymen mailing list at the bottom of the page!About Jakob Barlow:Jakob Barlow is the head guide/owner of High Grass Guides in Western North Carolina. He has been fly fishing since he was 6 years old. From the pumpkin seed sunfish to the big bull trout to the tarpon of the salt flats, he has experience in it all. He's been guiding locally for 10 years and then decided to take it to the next level so he opened High Grass Guides with two of his buddies, hoping to make it into a living. “I've experienced nothing that consumes my mind like fly fishing, it’s all I think of all day every day.” Jakob is well seasoned with most freshwater species around his area with some saltwater species as well. Jakob has a passion for getting new anglers involved with his obsession of fly fishing. "I live to see that big smile on my client's face when hooking the fish of a lifetime.” You can follow him on Instagram @the_jakob_barlow or check out his website at www.highgrassguides.com. Written by Jakob Barlow Filed under carp, fly fishing, fly fishing tips, freshwater Tweet Comments on this post (12) Jun 29, 2022 Thank you for your insight!— Greg Bright Jun 09, 2022 I live in Lake Havasu AZ, a great fishery and one of the most under rated carp fisheries in the states. Huge carp here, up to 50 lbs. NOBODY fly fishes carp here so I’m giving it a try. Found a nice shallow beach where early morning carp feed, from 3 to 15 lbs. Great article and tips, all makes sense.— james Dec 03, 2020 Have chased carp for several years. berleyed with white bread and fished with bread flies, great fun good results. 70 – 120 per day. A pest species that is fun to fish for. All removed from the waterway. a win for the angler and the waterways— Ben Hicks Dec 03, 2020 I got 13carp and 3 cat fish on a 6wt fly rod and reel 6lbs test with a 6wt floating line and 6lbs line 8lbs all up to 25 lbs cats were 3 lbs to 8lbs on carp best have 200 yards of backing @ least 3 bigger ones almost spun 100 yards out I used a really slow sinking method for my carp fly’s I am so hooked on fly fishing carp— Alvin vaughn Dec 03, 2020 Hooked on carp on the fly— Harold Fenhaus Dec 03, 2020 About fly fishing for carp.— Don Smith Dec 03, 2020 Nice Blog ! Try fly fish Colorado here : www.shoprma.com/fly_fishing_classes.htm— Shoprma Dec 03, 2020 Here in the desert of Central Washington, carp offer opportunities to chase big, hard fighting fish during the heat of summer. Very good information!— Patrick Burdick Dec 03, 2020 Hit the 17 year cicada hatch. Carp on the top. Best fish was 29+ lbs. Talk about fun!— Andy Braznell Dec 03, 2020 @Wayne Walts, no they’re not as fast as a bone but: if you hook a big one they just go, slow but they go and it’s like you hooked a garden tractor!— Keith Antell Dec 03, 2020 They are not bonefish nor will they ever swim like a bonefish. Bonefish can swim over 30mph. That being said they are fun to catch, when I can’t go bonefishing— Wayne Walts Dec 03, 2020 Great information on Carp fishing and have been having a blast tying up and creating pattern targeted for crap.— Rick Takahashi Leave a comment Name Email Message

MSRP: $379.99

CONTACT: www.feradyne.com/rocky-mountain

SA Sports Empire Punisher 420

The SA Sports new Empire Punisher 420 is on the cutting edge of today’s modern crossbow technologies. It features an ultra-narrow profile at only 12 inches wide un-cocked at rest and a mere 7.75 inches axle to axle when cocked and ready to rock. Featuring a reverse cam design, the Punisher clocks in at 420 fps and produces a punishing 156.5 foot-pounds of force. It also features a precision anti dry fire trigger system with a 3.5-pound pull, full-length aluminum barrel, full Picatinny rail and adjustable foregrip. Extremely quiet and compact, the Punisher comes completely equipped to shoot directly out of the box with an illuminated multi-reticle scope, quiver, three carbon arrows, special U-sled rope cocker and sling.

MSRP: $699

CONTACT: www.sa-sports.com

TenPoint Flatline 460

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies’ Flatline 460 features the ACUslide cocking and de-cocking system for safe and efficient operation — an ultra-narrow, 12/7.5-inch-wide uncocked/cocked reverse-draw bow that shoots arrows at speeds up to 460 fps. The Flatline’s S-1 two-stage trigger is a zero-creep design that delivers a consistent, crisp 3.5-pound pull. It is equipped with a 100-yard Evo-X Marksman Elite camo precision scope with new scope struts and a longer dovetail that increase strength by 80 percent. The Flatline comes ready to hunt with a six-pack of Evo-X CenterPunch 16 premium carbon crossbow arrows, integrated string stop system, quiver, Sentry bowhanger and bubble level.

MSRP: $2,649.99

CONTACT: www.tenpointcrossbows.com

Wicked Ridge Raider 400 De-Cock

Wicked Ridge recently launched its Raider 400 De-Cock crossbow featuring the revolutionary ACUdraw De-Cock system and D1 trigger. This ultra-lightweight bow combines the convenience of de-cocking and speeds up to 400 fps. The ACUdraw De-Cock silent cocking and safe de-cocking system features the company’s Auto-Brake Gear System that eliminates the potential of losing control during the de-cocking process. The D-1 two-stage trigger is designed for zero creep and includes a new DFP (Dry Fire Prohibitor). The Raider 400 De-Cock features a powerful 185-pound bow assembly consisting of a lightweight cast aluminum riser and machined aluminum limb pockets fitted with 11-inch WRX double-laminated limbs. Powered by 5S Cams and DynaFLIGHT 97 string and cables, the bow assembly measures a narrow 15 inches wide.

MSRP: $899.99/With ACUdraw