[RB]

SInce it is the first late season with a crossbow and the weapon is new too many I got to thinking it would be good to discuss some things that folks may need to look out for when using a crossbow in snow, ice and cold conditions.

Anyone with cold weather experience with them have any tips on what to watch out for? How to best prep the crossbow for below freezing?

 

[LONG BEARD 101]

RB,

I used mine last year in the late season and it was cold. I had no problems, but wondered the same thing you are.

 

[dpms]

I would keep snow/ice off of the deck. The string latch and trigger mechanism on crossbows is rather open so I would also be careful of melted snow/ice getting into there and freezing.

 

[secret]

i myself have used my crossbow down to -17 no problems, my advice is #1 hot hands #2 scope covers #3 lots of waiting! hunt areas where the flinters hunt youll get fast action! oh yeah most important....... snow camo!

 

[octagon]

Last year I used mine in the late season and we had snow and changed to wet snow and by whole bow froze up and had about an 1/8" of ice all over it including the rail

There was no way I was going to pull the trigger with it like that!! Just a warning what can happen in the wrong mix of weather.

 

[RB]

jack, that kind of sounds like what I am envisioning in my head as late season nightmare with a crossbow, that is what got me to post this....along with what DPMS mentioned which seem to be the vulnerable spots.

If it is snowing real hard i may take an extra camo Tshirt to cover it up while in stand or something.

 

[octagon]

Yes, if you can keep it covered, I highly reccomend that!! It would have been ugly if I pulled the trigger that`s for sure

 

[kmrcstintn]

took my Eastman X-Force out this past weekend when it was a steady light to moderate rain; wipe off as much accumulated water as possible; scope covers that seal out the moisture is a another good idea; use some aerosol oil spray and inject a light coating into the trigger/safety area to dispel any water so rust doesn't set in; lightly lube the cam axles (if using a compount xbow)

 

[Larry]

I have a camo cloth that I drape over the red dot scope and trigger area to keep the rain and snow off. Often in foul weather, I kind of lean over the bow. This keeps snow off the bow, and off my face! Also, I'm not sure if its important, but I wipe the water off the bolt from time to time. I don't know if water would affect the flight path, but better safe than sorry.

 

[DadHuntsNow]

In very cold weather, I keep the bow cold so there is less problem with condensation and freezing.