Before starting the article, we warn the reader - hunting with a crossbow in the Russian Federation is officially prohibited! And not only on the boar, but also on all other animals. Moreover, in a number of other countries it is absolutely legal. Why not be out of place to get acquainted with its features, secrets, as well as with the weapon itself - a modern crossbow.
Why does the ban apply?
Hunting a wild boar with a crossbow in Russia is prohibited for several reasons:
- Weapons are classified as highly lethal.
- The crossbow is a quiet device that does not emit loud shots. This makes it possible to equate it to a weapon with a silencer, which is prohibited for civilians in Russia.
- The crossbow is a type of throwing weapon.
Where is hunting allowed?
If hunting with a crossbow for a wild boar is your clear goal and a cherished dream, then we advise one thing - to make a hunting tour to one of the neighboring states:
- Belarus More detailed information about the possibilities of such a hunt will be provided by specialized organizations that suit it.
- Finland Hunting with a crossbow here is completely legal, but also takes place in an organized manner - you will need to find companies that deal with this business.
The benefits of crossbow hunting
Let's look at the experience of hunters from other countries, what is so remarkable about hunting a wild boar with a crossbow:
- Qualitatively new unforgettable sensations, which, according to many, do not get during a normal action with firearms.
- The simplicity of the mechanism and its complete reliability. Fans of hunting know how sometimes a lot of fuss in the forest with a gun - it must be protected from moisture, debris and so on. The crossbow in this regard is not at all demanding.
- Great chances for glorious prey. The crossbow, as we have already noted, is an almost silent weapon. And the speed of flight of his arrow (bolt) is up to 100 m / s with its weight of 22-27 g!
- The lower "price" of the slip, in contrast to the same gun, which is ensured by the same noiselessness. There is a great chance that the animal will not notice an incorrectly thrown arrow, which cannot be said about an unsuccessful shot.
- The issue price. You can choose a crossbow based on your capabilities - the cost of different types of these weapons varies significantly.
Shortcomings of a crossbow
Let's talk about the disadvantages of hunting a wild boar with a crossbow:
- Shooting at movable targets, especially from a decent distance, is extremely difficult, as well as taking a lead when firing. It can even be argued that it is almost impossible to conduct targeted "fire" to defeat with this type of hunting - it remains to be content with only more or less static goals.
- Silence can also be the reason for the inhuman attitude towards the animal - an unscrupulous hunter will not hasten to end his death torture with a final shot, but will have to wait for another prey in ambush.
- A ban on the territory of Russia - not every hunting lover has the opportunity to travel to another state.
- If you already have a crossbow, you will not be able to obtain a license or permission to hunt not only a wild boar, but also any other animal.
- More sophisticated aiming skills are required. Accurately shooting from 30-40 meters from a gun is not at all the same as getting from the same distance exactly at the target from a crossbow.
Types of Crossbow
There are two main types of crossbows for hunting wild boar:
- Recursive (classic). A simple reliable and easy tool - its weight does not exceed 2 kg. Perfect for long hunting tours.
- Blocky . Their weight is already close to 3.5 kg, which for large trips is already becoming a noticeable drawback. But then you get a more powerful and modernized weapon.
How powerful should a crossbow be for boar hunting? For a striking shot, it is enough to have a weapon with a pulling force of at least 80 kg. We advise you to pay attention to models with a fuse and protection against a single shot - in other words, made without an arrow. The latter can cause a major breakdown of the shoulders of the crossbow.
About the sight
The crossbow for hunting wild boar and another large beast is already equipped with a fairly good full-time sight. If you decide to replace it with another one, then remember that you should not install the device with a high multiplicity - the shooting will be conducted at a relatively small distance. Suitable for a crossbow option is in the range of 4x24 and 4x32. If you have the financial ability, look at the night sight - seasoned wild boars are active at this time of day. It is worth paying attention to collimator views, which allow for more accurate shooting.
Before hunting a wild boar with a crossbow, you should definitely get used to the sight - start training by placing the target at a distance of about 10 meters, gradually increasing it over time.
Arrows and tips
Talking about the secrets and features of hunting a wild boar with a crossbow, we want to immediately warn you - do not save on supplies! Poor arrows and lugs can cause misses and inaccurate shots that hurt, and not kill, the beast. Another tip - get a few varieties of bolts and tips, test them in different weather conditions (including in strong winds) and select the best ones specifically for you.
Let's look at the tested products:
- For hunting for large prey, special two-blade tips made by New Archery or Carbon Express are best suited - they provide the opportunity to pierce the carcass through and through.
- If you are going to hunt for gilt, yearlings or medium-sized animals, then arrows equipped with blades that open when they come in contact with the obstacle will be an excellent option.
- The most suitable material for arrows is, of course, carbon fiber, reliable and durable. In the manufacture of its products it is used by such well-known American companies as Carbon Express and Easton.
- Do not forget to equip your arrows with a tracer shank - it will help you not to sometimes lose a lot of a standing arrow.
And now, when everything is ready, we will introduce you to the features of crossbow hunting for wild boar.
Who can’t shoot?
We start the conversation with those who in no case can not choose their prey:
- Female with piglets . As an exception, it is allowed to shoot defective cubs, as well as crossbreeds with a domestic pig. All this is negotiated directly with the ranger. But still the hunter will always ignore such a family.
- Adult mature boar . Cleaver, a boar with already formed fangs-"dividers". The animal can safely be called an analogue of a rhino - with its weight of a quarter ton. Remember that by the beginning of the hunting season, the boar will have already acquired a “kalkan” - a kind of “armor” made of connective tissue, complemented by a durable woolen coat, which has been extended over the winter. This "shield" accounts for just the slaughter area - neck and chest. It will sometimes not be possible to break through it the first time even with a bullet, and from being wounded the beast will furiously become furious. But hunters bypass cleaver not only because of fear of him. The young male is the main producer of offspring.
Who will we hunt for?
By the way, hunting is conducted from a crossbow on moose, wild boar and deer. However, boars are considered the most coveted prey. Here's who it is acceptable to take on the sight:
- Old boars . They are no longer producers, and the goal of their existence is the same - to show their superiority by hitting younger rivals.
- Yearlings . A little pig more or less than one year old. It is considered the best option from the gastronomic point of view - a soft tasty meat, increased nutritional value. The animal is slender, reference-looking, ankled, without a hump and with barely distinguishable sexual characteristics. Weight - 25-40 kg. This is no longer a milk striped pig, but a wild boar with lighter hair than in adults. As a rule, they try to choose a male prey.
- Gilt . Age - 1.5-2 years. The year-old looks more serious - the withers, bristles appear, the weight reaches 60-70 kg. However, it is still not so simple to distinguish a pig from a hog.
Types of wild boar hunting with a crossbow
When choosing a crossbow with weapons, you have to dwell only on static hunting methods. You also need to refuse the help of four-legged friends - dogs. It is highly likely that the dog, having shot to the prey, can become a victim of an arrow itself. Therefore, the following remains - hunting with a crossbow for wild boar from a tower, an ambush, a shed, a triestend (a mobile shed).
Before the action itself, it would be nice to practice and test your strengths - choosing volume targets rather than flat ones. And best of all, if they somehow resemble a wild boar with their outlines. The last training should be done with such a target on the tower. Before hunting at a specific place, your crossbow should already be shot from different angles at all multiple of 10 distances - up to 50-60 meters.
You will be ready for the hunt when the accuracy of your hits from the tower or storehouse into the slaughter zone of the target from different distances will be at least 90% of the total number. It’s not bad if a huntsman or a friend will watch your workouts - flaws and mistakes are more visible from the side.
This moment...
The hunt begins with your capital placement in the shed near the feeding grounds - first of all, load the crossbow and put everything you need on hand. And then - just wait. Needless to say, you cannot make noise, eat, drink, smoke. The best time to start is evening. Be prepared that you will have to sit until the morning.
Usually the first thing to say is families with small piglets. Then - bill hooks, at once dispersing the whole pack. You should discuss with the huntsman in advance whom to shoot. Take prey on the sight and track its every movement. The shot should catch the boar at the most convenient position for you - a certain distance, with the beast in profile facing you.
According to reviews of the hunt for a wild boar with a crossbow "Cheetah", it can be judged that the most successful area is the rather extensive lungs, a paired organ pierced by a dense network of vessels. To get into the heart or liver with an arrowhead, you need to have a truly natural talent. Head, neck, spine - this is not your option. Apart from the torment of the animal, it will bring nothing.
Do not rush to run to the prey after the shot - even a mortally shot wild boar can far rush into the forests on adrenaline. Wait until the animal lies on its side and calms down.
After shot
The most successful option is when the arrow pierces the prey through and through. It is convenient to trace this by the tracer shank - the light enters the side of the boar, dies for a second and lights up again a little to the side. A successful hit can be monitored by the behavior of the boar: fell to his knees, began to spin in place, tumbled to his side. Such a beast obviously will not go far.
Do not go down from the tower until the huntsman arrives. Briefly and clearly explain to him everything you saw and only then move to place X. Abundant blood stains, especially with air bubbles, parts of torn internal organs again indicate your luck - the beast will be easy to find even at night.
There are no blood spots, and the traces of the beast go in a straight line - this indicates a miss. But much worse is the following - a broken arrow, a few spots of blood, a straight run. Hunters with dogs are already searching for huntsmen with dogs across all lands, but searches often turn out to be futile. Note that such a "service" and flows into the hunter for a pretty penny.
Hunting a wild boar with a crossbow is inaccessible in Russia and expensive in other countries. And, as you have seen, it is quite specific, requires experience and thorough preparation.