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Buying a Crossbow on Black Friday or Cyber Monday: A Practical Checklist
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Black Friday (November 27, 2026) and Cyber Monday (November 30) are when many hunters buy a new crossbow or the accessories they have put off all season. A sale only helps if it is the right crossbow for you, so this checklist puts the decision first and the shopping second. When you are ready to compare, crossbow packages on Amazon list what each package includes - use the steps below to read those listings properly.
Short answer: choose the model before the sale starts (legal where you hunt, a weight and width you can carry, cocking you can manage), then compare complete packages - scope, bolts, cocking device, quiver - rather than headline prices. Buy from a seller the manufacturer supports, check the return window, register the warranty promptly, and leave time to assemble and sight in before you hunt.
1. Decide what you need before the sale
Sales create urgency, and urgency is how people end up with a crossbow that is too heavy, too wide or too hard to cock. Settle these before the sale begins:
- Is it legal for your hunt? Crossbow rules, minimum draw weights and season access vary by state and province - check your wildlife agency.
- Where will you hunt from? Blinds and stands favor narrow crossbows; walking hunts favor light ones.
- Can you cock it consistently? If not by hand, plan on a rope cocker or a crank - and check whether one is included.
- How will you unload it? Some designs can be de-cocked with a crank; others must be shot into a target or the ground with a discharge bolt.
Our full crossbow buying guide walks through each of these. Write down two or three models that fit, so a sale on something else doesn't pull you off course.
2. Compare packages, not headline numbers
Most crossbows are sold as packages, and two listings for the same crossbow can include very different things. Make a short table for each candidate:
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Scope | Included? Multi-reticle or speed-adjustable? Matched to the crossbow by the maker? |
| Bolts | How many, and do they match the manual's length, weight and nock spec? Field points included? |
| Cocking device | Rope cocker, crank, or built-in? Cranks are often sold separately and are model-specific. |
| Quiver, sling, case | Included, or extra purchases? |
| Maintenance items | Rail lube and string wax included? |
Then add what you would still need to buy: a crossbow-rated target, broadheads, extra bolts, maybe a case. The package that looks cheapest is not always the one that costs least once it is ready to hunt.
3. Read the listing, not just the title
- Exact model name and year. Manufacturers often sell similar names with different specs; confirm the model on the maker's website.
- Speed figures are measured with the lightest allowed bolt - your hunting setup will be slower (why).
- Weight: is it with or without the scope and quiver?
- Width: cocked or uncocked? Cocked width is what matters in a blind.
- Owner questions and reviews: look for repeated issues (fit of included bolts, scope quality, cocking problems) rather than star averages.
4. Check the seller, return window and warranty
A crossbow is a long-term purchase with a warranty that matters. Before you check out:
- Confirm the seller is one the manufacturer supports for warranty service. When in doubt, check the manufacturer's dealer or warranty page.
- Read the return policy - especially for large items and accessories that might not fit your model.
- Register the warranty promptly. For example, TenPoint and Ravin both ask owners to register within 30 days of purchase. Keep the receipt with the manual.
5. Good accessories to buy in the same order
If you are buying a crossbow, a few accessories make it usable on day one. Buying them together avoids a second wait:
- A target rated for crossbow speeds (and one for broadheads if you will test them).
- Extra bolts that match your manual - see bolts and broadheads.
- Broadheads legal where you hunt, with field points of the same weight.
- Rail lube and string wax (maintenance basics).
- A cocking device if one isn't included, after confirming it fits your model.
Buying for someone else? Our crossbow gift guide separates gifts that fit any crossbow from those that must match the model.
6. Plan setup time before you hunt
A new crossbow is rarely ready out of the box. Leave time to:
- read the manual, especially cocking, de-cocking and dry-fire warnings;
- assemble it and mount the scope as instructed;
- sight in at 20, 30 and 40 yards with your hunting bolts;
- check broadhead flight;
- practice from the positions you will hunt from.
If late-season dates are still open where you hunt, that setup time may decide whether the new crossbow is ready this year. Check current season dates with your wildlife agency.
Common mistakes during holiday sales
- Buying the fastest crossbow on sale instead of the one that fits.
- Assuming any bolts or cranks will fit - most are model-specific.
- Skipping the warranty registration.
- Shopping too late for delivery before a planned hunt or a holiday.
- Choosing a target not rated for crossbows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Friday a good time to buy a crossbow?
It can be, because many retailers and manufacturers run holiday promotions on crossbows and accessories. It is only a good buy if the crossbow already fits your needs and is legal for your hunt - decide on the model first.
Should I buy a crossbow package or the crossbow alone?
For most buyers a package is simpler, because the scope and bolts are matched to the crossbow. Compare what each package includes and what you would still need to buy.
Do I need to register my crossbow warranty?
Usually yes. TenPoint and Ravin, for example, ask owners to register within 30 days of purchase. Check your manufacturer's warranty page and keep your receipt.
When are Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2026?
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30, 2026. Many retailers start promotions earlier in November.
Sources and further reading
- TenPoint warranty policy and procedures - registration within 30 days
- Ravin Crossbows warranty information - registration within 30 days
- List of U.S. state fish and wildlife agencies - crossbow rules and season dates
- Hunter-ed.com official hunter education courses - required in many states before buying a license
How this guide was written: Based on crossbow manufacturers' warranty terms and specifications, wildlife-agency guidance, and the common questions buyers ask during holiday sales. We do not track or quote prices or discounts; check current listings yourself.