when do you cock your bow during hunting?

cbruce · Post by **cbruce** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:22 pm

I mean do you cock your bow when you start walking toward your spot or treestand or do you cock it after you arrive the spot to hunt? I myself cock it after I get my spot. But I feel this way may let me miss some opportunity on the way or if by any chance, a bear is in front of me, then I am in dangure even with the deadly weapon in my hand

I'd like to hear what's your way to do it. Thanks!

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:30 pm

I put the rope cocker on the string and carry it to the stand or blind that way. If I need to cock it I can do so quickly, but I don't like the idea of carrying it cocked and slung over my shoulder. When I started crossbow hunting I carried it cocked, then one day I prepared to take a shot and found the safety was already off!

It had likely snagged on some brush and got moved to the off position, but the thought of the string going up my back with the bow slung just didn't appeal to me, so I switched to carrying it with the cocking aid on the string, but un-cocked.

bob1961 · Post by **bob1961** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:34 pm

the few days i've hunted so fer wit my xbow i carry it cocked from my truck ready for a shot walking in the woods............bob

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cbruce · Post by **cbruce** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:36 pm

great idea, wabi. I thought about that, I think I should make my rope cocker a little shorter so it will not easily drop on the way.

beretta96D · Post by **beretta96D** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:41 pm

I cock it before my walk to the stand in the p.m with a bolt in place, but in the a.m just the aid is in place.

DuckHunt · Post by **DuckHunt** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:41 pm

I cock my crossbow at my vehicle. I don't load an arrow until I get to my stand unless I plan on slipping slowly through the woods still hunting. It is only about 400 yards to my stand but I frequently take 30 minutes to get there because it is all uphill. On the slow trips I occasionally knock an arrow.

If I decide to hunt from an elevated stand, the bow typically goes up and down cocked. But it NEVER goes up or down with an arrow loaded.

DuckHunt

raydaughety · Post by **raydaughety** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:41 pm

I have an accu-draw on my exomag so I cock my bow after I'm settled into my stand. I hear ya Wabi and wanted to share that I did the same thing that you did. I was walking in to my stand and after arriving at the blind I went to load a bolt and saw that the safety was off

N8tr Boy · Post by **N8tr Boy** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:55 pm

during the day heading in I cock it when I'm in off the road a bit and stock as I enter the seating area.

vixenmaster · Post by **vixenmaster** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:40 pm

i tote my climbing stand on my back every morning that hunt in the dark.when i get to my tree i then cock CB and put safety on. i pull it upto me and then put arrow in place.

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:54 pm

wabi wrote:When I started crossbow hunting I carried it cocked, then one day I prepared to take a shot and found the safety was already off!

Maybe that's how that guy shot himself in the head.

I do the same thing wabi. Put the cocking rope on and head to the stand.

Benu · Post by **Benu** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:57 pm

I cock mine once have it up in my stand with me.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 10:04 pm

I leave my cocking aid on and cock the bow when I get to my blind. If I decide to go for a walk and still hunt in the woods I use a rubber band around the stock and slip it over the safety to keep from accidently bumping it off on a branch. I used to cock it as soon as I left my car, but have since decided that a shot before getting to my blind would likely be a running shot and I'd rather just enjoy seeing the deer go by than chance that shot.

one shot scott · Post by **one shot scott** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 10:14 pm

If i travel thru thick brush than I carry it cocked. I feel this way it less likely for the limbs to snag, but I dont load a bolt, and i carry it in my hands. I only load a bolt if I think I could surprise something and its clear woods. I dont recommend hoisting the bow up to the stand with a bolt loaded!! I guess some guys/gals leave their cocking aids on the bow until they get to the stand but I would be afraid of it falling off and only realizing it when you get to the stand. I know its unlikely...but THAT would suck!

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:19 am

Im like a few the CA is on the bow and I pull it to full draw once Im about to take to the skyline~!

dutchhunter · Post by **dutchhunter** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:38 am

i always cerrymine cocked and flat over my shoulder never put an arrow in untill i am ready to shot or sit i do not likto care mine with the sling i find it a lot better to lay it over my shoulder DUTCH