Ready for Deer Season? Barnett’s pre-season tips to keep crossbows and gear dialed in.

Tarpon Springs, FL (July 28th, 2026) – The anticipation of deer season is hard to beat. Instead of counting down the days, put that excitement to good use. Success often comes down to preparation rather than luck. Before opening day, spend the time making sure both your crossbow, gear and shooting skills are ready.

Inspect Your Crossbow – Look for worn or frayed strings, damaged cables, loose scope mounts and stock screws, and cracks or other damage on the limbs and riser. If something doesn’t look right, have it repaired before the season rather than hoping it lasts one more hunt.

Don’t Store It Cocked – Modern crossbows are built to stay cocked during a hunt, but leaving one cocked for extended periods puts unnecessary stress on the limbs, string and cables. Before heading home safely de-cock the crossbow.

Check Every Arrow – Arrows deserve as much attention as the crossbow. Inspect every shaft for cracks, loose inserts, damaged vanes and cracked nocks. Roll them on a flat surface to check for bends and discard anything questionable. A damaged arrow isn’t worth the risk.

Practice Like You Hunt – Benches are great for sighting in, but deer rarely cooperate by standing in front of one. Practice from the positions you’ll actually use—kneeling, sitting, standing, from a tree stand or inside a ground blind. Wear your hunting jacket and gloves to make sure nothing interferes with your shooting. Life-sized deer targets reinforce distance estimation and realistic shot placement.

Know Your Distances – Practice estimating distances before confirming them with a rangefinder. Learning what 20, 30 and 40 yards actually look like makes distance estimation second nature and speeds up decision-making when a deer appears unexpectedly.

Pack Before Opening Day – Extra arrows, a rangefinder, Allen keys, a broadhead wrench, string wax and a first-aid kit don’t take up much room but can save a hunt when something goes wrong.

Cock Your Crossbow the Same Way Every Time – Whether you’re using a rope cocker or a crank, make sure the string is centered evenly before every shot. An unevenly cocked string can shift your point of impact, even if the crossbow was perfectly sighted in the last time you shot it. It’s one of the easiest accuracy problems to prevent.

Preparation builds confidence. When your equipment has been checked, your crossbow is shooting how it should, and your gear is packed, you can focus on making an ethical shot instead of worrying about your equipment.

About Barnett Crossbows

Barnett is the first and longest-standing crossbow company with a storied heritage. Founded in 1962, we are the pioneer of the modern-day crossbow. Barnett’s tradition of innovation has brought about numerous “firsts” in the crossbow & archery industry for the past 60-plus years. Barnett innovates and supplies a broad spectrum of high-performance and value-driven crossbows, vertical and youth bows, and archery accessories popular with both hunting and recreational shooters. Barnett is also the leading provider of slingshots and accessories.

For more information, please visit WWW.BARNETTCROSSBOWS.COM