Horton General Crossbow - Manual (Page 9)

9
SHOOTING INSTRUCTION & TECHNIqUE
Before shooting your crossbow also read and
follow the safety and operational instructions
listed to avoid serious injury to you or others:
• The
Cocking Your Crossbow and Arrow Loading &
Unloading Safety sections of this manual.
• The ACUdraw, ACUdraw 50, Rope-Cocker, or Dedd Sled
instructions if your crossbow comes with one of these devices.
• Your model-specific Assembly Instruction Manual.
As any experienced hunter will tell you, it is easy to make a bad
shot. To shoot a crossbow accurately, you must practice proper
shooting technique. Here are the steps to follow after you have
cocked and loaded your crossbow:
1. If you are shooting from a standing position, your feet should
be approximately shoulder-width apart and positioned either
perpendicular to the target in a closed stance or quartering at
a 45-degree angle toward the target in an open stance.
Pick the stance that is most comfortable for you
(photos 8 & 9).
2. Shoulder the crossbow keeping your fore-grip hand and fingers
on the fore-grip and below the arrow flight deck.
3. Position your cheek in the middle of the stock cheek-piece or
comb, and make sure you have a clear sight picture through
the scope.
4. Position your trigger finger on the side of the stock above the
actual trigger and pointing toward your intended target. Do not
place it on the trigger (photo 10).
5. If standing, keep both elbows pulled close to your body to
better support the crossbow (photo 11). Follow the same
steps when shooting from a seated position, making certain
your crossbow limbs will clear any obstacles.
6. If shooting from a bench rest, your fore-grip hand is
particularly vulnerable to misplacement (photo 12). Be careful
to keep your thumb and fingers below the flight deck and away
from the cables to avoid injury.
7. When you are ready to take your shot, slide the trigger’s
safety knob from the SAFE position to the FIRE position.
8. Just before taking your shot – take a breath; exhale about half
of it and hold the remaining air. Place your trigger-finger on
the trigger and begin to squeeze it slowly until the bow fires.
This breath control and trigger squeezing process will keep you
steady and improve your accuracy.
9. Follow the shot through your scope until your arrow hits its
target rather than looking up immediately after pulling the
trigger. This technique is called “follow-through” and it, too, will
improve your accuracy.
8
Proper foot position. Proper foot position.
9
Position finger on the side of the stock.
10
Keep elbows close to your body.
11
Keep your thumb and fingers below the flight deck and away from the cables to
avoid injury.
12