Been a hunter for some years. It was a hunting bolt, complete with decent broadhead. My suspicion is a long shot, or a bounce wound. This is a rural area and calling authorities is a waste of time.
I hunt with a crossbow, compound and a recurve. Crossbows have allowed rifle hunters a new chance to harvest. Some of those folks think a scoped CB shoots like a rifle, well they don't. Arrows lose energy quickly and distance has to be accounted for. While a CB bolt might be from a 150 lbs. rig they lose energy very quick, just to light.
Quality archery hunters have really gotten a bad rap since our state allowed CB's. I am not against cross bows, just the folks who don't take the time to understand the limits. Yes, at say 50-60 yards I can hit with a CB or a heavy arrow from a compound, the energy at this yardage is lopsided between the two.
These are just dip sticks doing this. Same folk that do not practice rifle skill at different yardages.
All forms of archery equipment are just tools. It is the individual who is the dip stick. My recurve is reserved for under 25 yards stalking, that is my limit of my ability. I would not take a shot over 25-30 with a CB due to arrows energy. Compound with 125gr+ is good out to 50-60. Still I a risky shot but I know the instrument has the energy, if I can do my part. I have taken deer at 48 yards with the compound.
My point, I reckon is not the weapon but the lack of understanding, practice and the energy needed to do the job. I bet I could sight my CB to hit at 100 yards accurately, but I know it will not do the task of making clean kills.
Me, I like to get close, it's my thing.
Know your and your weapons limitations, and please practice before you hit the woods. It's the right thing to do as a sportsman least you get the rest of us bad mouthed or banned.
