What Can You Hunt With a Pistol Crossbow? From Small Game to Wild Hogs
Pistol crossbow hunting is one of the most common questions we get before a sale, and the honest answer is: more than most people expect, but less than a full-size hunting crossbow. A compact pistol crossbow is a short-range tool. Sighted in and shot inside its effective range, it will cleanly take small game and varmints, handle predators, and — with enough draw weight and the right broadhead — put down wild hogs and close-range deer where the law allows. Here is a realistic ladder of what you can hunt, and the setup that keeps each step ethical.
First, the honest truth: a pistol crossbow is a short-range tool
Power is the whole conversation with any pistol crossbow, so start with real numbers. The Ballista BAT with T-Stock ($349.95) runs 130 lb limbs and shoots up to 300 fps; the reverse-draw BAT Reverse ($449.95) steps up to 150 lb draw and up to 340 fps. Those are serious numbers for a crossbow you can carry in a daypack — but they are still pistol-crossbow numbers. Plan on an effective hunting range inside roughly 20–30 yards, and closer for bigger animals. Shot placement and a sharp broadhead matter far more than chasing the last few fps. If you cannot get inside that window and put the bolt in the vitals, pass on the shot.
Small game and varmints: the everyday quarry
This is where a pistol crossbow shines, and where most owners start. Rabbit, squirrel, and other small game are perfectly matched to mini crossbow hunting: the range is short, the animal is small, and a compact bow is quiet, quick to load, and easy to carry all day. Swap your broadheads for small-game points, blunts, or judo points so you do not bury a bolt or destroy meat. The BAT with T-Stock is an ideal small-game rig — the added stock steadies your aim on those little targets without adding much weight.
Predators and nuisance animals
Move up the ladder and you reach coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and groundhogs — the varmints and predators many hunters and landowners want off the property. Here you switch back to a hunting broadhead. A fixed-blade head flies predictably out of a short bolt and drives deep enough on a raccoon or coyote at close range. Keep the same discipline: get inside 25 yards, wait for a broadside angle, and aim for the vitals. Because predator and nuisance rules — including legal methods and hours — vary widely, confirm what is allowed where you hunt before you head out.
Wild hogs: where a pistol crossbow earns its reputation
Wild hogs are the animal that put the Ballista pistol crossbow on the map, and it is a legitimate hog tool at close range. Reach for the BAT Reverse here — its 150 lb draw and up to 340 fps give you the penetration a hog's tough hide and gristle shield demand. Run a strong fixed-blade broadhead, keep shots inside about 25 yards, and aim tight behind the shoulder for the vitals. Hogs are an invasive species across much of the country, which is why many states let them be hunted year-round with liberal methods (see the USDA's feral swine program). For field-tested tactics, read our 10 tips for hog hunting with a crossbow.
Deer at close range — where it is legal
Yes, people take deer with a pistol crossbow, and the BAT Reverse has the draw weight to do it — but this is the top of the ladder and the least forgiving. You need the heavier 150 lb draw, a premium broadhead, a rock-steady rest, and the discipline to hold shots inside about 20 yards. Just as important, deer are big game, and not every state that allows crossbows allows a compact one, or lets you hunt deer with the draw weight a pistol crossbow makes. Dial in your setup first — our guide to maximizing your pistol crossbow's power for hunting success covers bolt weight, tuning, and broadhead choice — then confirm it is legal before you hunt deer.
Is pistol crossbow hunting legal?
Check before you go.
Two things vary by state: whether crossbows are legal for the season and species you are after, and whether your bow meets any minimum draw-weight rule (several states set a floor for big game). A few states also treat very short or "pistol" crossbows differently from full-size models. Do not guess — start with our state-by-state crossbow regulations guide, then confirm the current rules with your state wildlife agency before you hunt.
Matching the crossbow to the quarry
Use this as a quick reference for building the right setup:
| Quarry | Recommended setup | Keep it inside |
|---|---|---|
| Small game & varmints | BAT with T-Stock, small-game / blunt points | ~25 yds |
| Predators (coyote, raccoon) | BAT Reverse, fixed-blade broadhead | ~25 yds |
| Wild hogs | BAT Reverse, tough fixed-blade broadhead | ~25 yds |
| Deer (where legal) | BAT Reverse, premium broadhead, confirm draw-weight rules | ~20 yds |
The pattern is simple: the bigger the animal, the more draw weight and the closer the shot. That is why the BAT Reverse is our pick once you move past small game.
Frequently asked questions
What can you kill with a pistol crossbow?
Realistically: small game (rabbit, squirrel), varmints and predators (coyote, raccoon, groundhog), and wild hogs at close range. With a 150 lb model like the BAT Reverse you can also take deer where it is legal. Match the draw weight and broadhead to the animal, and keep every shot short.
Can you hunt deer with a pistol crossbow?
Where the law allows it, yes — but only with a heavier-draw model like the BAT Reverse, a quality broadhead, and shots held inside about 20 yards. Check your state's crossbow and minimum draw-weight rules first, because deer regulations are stricter than for hogs or small game.
Is a pistol crossbow powerful enough for wild hogs?
A 150 lb, 340 fps model like the BAT Reverse is, at close range and with a strong fixed-blade broadhead. Keep shots inside about 25 yards and aim tight behind the shoulder. Lighter, lower-draw crossbows are better kept to small game and varmints.
How far can a pistol crossbow shoot for hunting?
It will launch a bolt much farther, but ethical hunting range is roughly 20–30 yards depending on the model and quarry — and closer for hogs and deer. Practice at your real hunting distance and let shot placement, not maximum range, set your limit.
Ready to pick your pistol crossbow? Compare the full Ballista crossbow lineup, step up to the hog-capable BAT Reverse ($449.95), or start with the versatile BAT with T-Stock ($349.95). Questions about legality or setup? Our FAQ and support team have you covered.
