As hunting season rolls around, you have a lot of hard decisions to make. Having the right equipment will help you bag bigger bucks and get the most out of the too-short hunting season. Naturally, you need the right equipment to do so.
But where to start?
I’ve compiled a list of the best treestand hunting crossbows to get you started:
- Centrepoint Sniper 370
- Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR
- BearX Intense
- Barnett Whitetail Hunter II
- Wildgame Innovations XR250
Keep on reading and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about them!
My 5 Pick For The Best Crossbows For Treestand Hunting
1. Centrepoint Sniper 370
If you are looking for a high-performance crossbow for your tree stand hunting, the Centrepoint Sniper 370 is a great option. The crossbow is made from lightweight composite so carrying it through the woods to your tree stand is a breeze.
The lightweight construction makes it easy to climb your stand so you can take a position with ease. You can hold aim for longer without getting tired or sore.
The Centrepoint Sniper 370 features a 185-pound draw weight thanks to its quad limbs system. This ensures that your shot will reach maximum velocity at a far distance. If you are looking to have some range from your tree stand, this crossbow will serve you well.
The fully adjustable stock and foregrip of this crossbow will increase how comfortable it fits in your hands and on your shoulder. The machined rail will also help you take an accurate shot every time.
Some users report that string of this crossbow can easily break.
A very small number of people who used this crossbow experienced slight breaking in the string after a handful of uses. This is easily fixable and replacement strings are fairly inexpensive.
2. Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR
The Whitetail Hunter STR by Barnett is another high-performance crossbow that is perfect for tree stand hunting. This compound crossbow fires at a speedy 375 ft per second so you can be sure that your shots will have power behind them.
With a draw weight of 118 lbs, this crossbow really packs a punch.
The Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR features a fiberglass step-through riser that makes it easy to draw. The step-through riser makes this crossbow much more compact and easier to carry. The smaller profile of this crossbow makes it easy to handle and carry up your tree stand. The step-through riser can add to the overall stability of your crossbow giving you more control when it matters most.
The trigger tech trigger makes this crossbow extremely accurate. This trigger allows you to fire your crossbow without a great deal of force which will help you shoot straighter and hit your target more frequently.
This crossbow also features a safety system that won’t allow you to dry fire. This keeps you safer and prevents your crossbow string from snapping. The Whitetail Hunter STR also features a single bolt assembly system so your crossbow is quick and easy to assemble.
If you are in a tree stand and are unable to find a stable and balanced position, this crossbow may be hard to draw. The mechanism that holds the string is fairly tight from the factory and it may be difficult to pull back in your first few tries.
This can be solved by attaching a compatible crank that draws the string back. Using the built-in step-through riser is your best option, but if that does not help an additional crank cocking device is available.
3. BearX Intense
Much like the name implies, the BearX Intense crossbow really pulls out all the stops. This top of the line crossbow is incredibly powerful a draw weight of 210lbs means that your range just got a whole lot better.
This crossbow fires at a lighting fast 405 fps so you can be sure even your quickest target can’t get away. The 18-inch limbs pack a punch and allow you to aim for a bigger game.
This crossbow is very affordable at right around $300. It comes in a few pounds heavier than the other options on this list, but at 7.5 pounds it is still very manageable when moving around the terrain you love to hunt in.
This crossbow is easily carried up to your tree stand and offers a good range of mobility once elevated. The ambidextrous grip and safety features allow you to use this crossbow from any position. The fore and end grips are also adjustable so you can find the most comfortable fit for you.
Much like the Centrepoint Sniper 370, this crossbow’s string can be hit or miss out of the box. In a few cases, the drawstring has snapped within the first ten uses. This is easily and affordably replaced at your local sporting goods store or archery center.
Despite the rare cases where the string breaks, the BearX Intense is a powerhouse right out of the box. If you are looking for an affordable crossbow that packs a punch, the BearX Intense is for you.
4. Barnett Whitetail Hunter II
If you are looking for a more compact version of the Barnett Whitetail Hunter STR, this crossbow is perfect. The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II features a draw weight of 150 lbs so you will have a decent range from your tree stand. With a release speed of 350 fps, your shots will be accurate and powerful to a medium distance.
The Whitetail Hunter II is a bit lighter than the STR model coming in at 6.4 pounds. This makes it incredibly comfortable to carry in all terrains. The compact design of this model makes it easier to maneuver and control so you can make sure your shot is on target. The lightweight design makes it easy to focus your aim without losing accuracy.
The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II features Triggertech Technolgy that has a 3-pound zero-creep release. This means that you can fire your shots with ease. Pulling the trigger on this crossbow will not cause you to pull the entire weapon off target. This will improve your accuracy every time.
This crossbow can seem a bit pricey for the power it outputs. However, the amount of high-quality features that this crossbow comes with makes it well worth the price. What it lacks in brute power, it makes up for in mobility and accuracy. You won’t be able to shoot as far as the other crossbows on this list, but once your buck is in range, it’s lights out with the Whitetail Hunter II.
5. Wildgame Innovations XR250
The Wildgame Innovations XR250 is the only recurve crossbow on this list. This crossbow fires at 250 fps giving you a manageable amount of range in tighter hunting areas. The biggest feature of this recurve crossbow is its slotted magnesium-cast barrel.
This barrel makes your crossbow shoot straighter by holding the bolt for longer on the release. This means that your shots will be more accurate each time you fire your crossbow.
The Wildgame Innovations XR250 is lightweight so you can carry it easily and have maximum control when in use. This crossbow is very easy to draw and load so you can be sure that you are ready to fire when opportunity strikes. It also comes with everything you need to go on a hunt straight from the box.
The overall range and power of this crossbow are lower than the compound options on this list. This means that you will have to be patient until the game approaches you. However, with its incredible price and consistent accuracy, the Wildgame Innovations XR250 is a great crossbow to help improve your tree stand hunting.
What To Keep In Mind When Choosing The Best Crossbow For Treestand Hunting
Choosing a crossbow can be a huge decision. The tool you choose can influence how much enjoyment you get out of treestand hunting. Using the wrong crossbow for your needs can be frustrating. Close misses and malfunctions can take all of the fun out of the sport.
You will need to take into account the features of each crossbow to pick the right model for you. The draw weight of each crossbow will determine the distance that you can shoot. The quality of the arrow track will determine the accuracy of your shot. The power stroke determines how quickly your arrow accelerates from your crossbow.
The cocking device helps you pull your drawback to reach maximum power with minimum effort. All of these features are important to consider when choosing your next crossbow. The quality and overall construction of these features vary among models and brands. Finding the perfect crossbow for your situation will make you a better hunter and ensure that you are making better shots.
