A friend recently messaged me to say his season was over followed by a picture of his crossbow with the left limb hanging by the string. I immediately thought about a similar experience I had a few seasons ago and the growing number of reports I have seen involving busted limbs on even the most expensive crossbows, which appear to be disproportionate when compared to compound bows.

But why?

Crossbow limbs can fail for several reasons: limb fatigue, damage, dry firing and even faulty manufacturing. Thankfully when crossbow limbs fail it is catastrophic, but not as dangerous as when a crossbow does so. In many cases, you will hear a cracking sound, followed by a loud pop, but the limbs do not explode; instead, the string usually keeps everything secure, albeit dangling.

Let’s look at why this can happen.

Limb fatigue is the leading cause of failure. In some cases, this is the result of leaving the crossbow cocked for long periods of time – think in between hunts. This is why you should always decock the crossbow before storing it, even for short periods, such as overnight.

However even long hunts can, over time, result in limb fatigue. When you consider that your compound bow is only drawn and released when you shoot, having a crossbow cocked for several hours can significantly lessen its life span.

Dry firing, or firing your crossbow without a bolt seated, or seated incorrectly, is one of the worst things you can do in terms of caring for it. When dry-fired, there is nothing for the energy to do except return to the limbs, something they are not designed to withstand. Most of the time, dry firing is unintentional. It occurs because a bolt is not seated correctly, or the trigger is accidentally activated.

Many modern crossbows include a safety to prevent accidental discharge and an anti-dry fire mechanism as well. Either way, you should take every precaution to avoid misfires.

The safest way to decock your crossbow after a hunt is to shoot it. To avoid using and possibly damaging a hunting bolt and broadhead, always make sure to have a practice bolt equipped with a field tip for this purpose. I also use a rubber stopper, which allows me to shoot into soft dirt and prevent overpenetration simply. Both the bolt and stopper have held up well, allowing several seasons of use each.

Damage other than from dry firing is also a common problem with crossbows, especially among those hunters new to the platform. Sometimes the damage is due to a lack of preventative maintenance. At other times, it is a result of general care.

Always store your crossbow in a dry, preferably climate-controlled area. Like a compound bow, a crossbow can be damaged by prolonged exposure or large fluctuations in temperature.

When storing your crossbow, ensure that all bolts, screws, and other components are lightly oiled to prevent rust. Check the string for frays and wax or replace as needed. Always place the crossbow in a protective case for both storage and transportation.

Something I see frequently with new shooters is damage caused by the limbs hitting an obstruction while taking a shot. This is especially true when hunting from a tree stand. Be mindful of how much room the limbs will need to clear any obstacles when fired.

Never shoot bolts that are too light for your crossbow. Although not as damaging as dry firing, it can have the same effect over time.

Finally there is faulty manufacturing. Yes, it happens, and it is not limited to cheaper, entry-level models.

The failure I experienced several seasons ago was a case in point. I was shooting an almost new (second season) higher-end model when I heard the initial cracking while sitting in my blind. I unloaded the bolt and placed the crossbow on the ground. Within a few minutes, the left limb broke and was left dangling by the string. Upon closer examination, it was obvious that part of the limbs had not set correctly. One half was solid and uniform in appearance, while the other half was milky and porous as if filled with an air bubble. Luckily, the manufacturer replaced everything, but I did finish out the season with my compound bow.