I doubt anyone is regularly poaching with crossbows. Following a blood trail at night sucks, and while it’s definitely possible to kill cleanly and humanely wit

I doubt anyone is regularly poaching with crossbows. Following a blood trail at night sucks, and while it’s definitely possible to kill cleanly and humanely with a bow, the deer typically has the ability to run for a few dozen yards at least. Most poached deer where I am (Arkansas) are taken with small-caliber rifles - mostly .22 LR, but some .22 Mag and .17 HMR. They’re still loud but not nearly as loud as a centerfire rifle cartridge. They’re also generally extremely accurate and inexpensive.