stalk hunting

Dennisp · Post by **Dennisp** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:33 pm

How many stalk fully ready, cocked and loaded.

Thanks, Dennis

I guess I should add that I have read this forum since 2005 and hunted with an exomax since then. The superintendent of a National park I hunt here in Texas has decided to ban Crossbows from the hunting areas this year due to safety complaints from other bow hunters. Reasons cited are: range and hunters walking with an arrow loaded.

dick195252 · Post by **dick195252** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:53 pm

Welcome to the Forum. I hunt from tree stands only.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:54 pm

The anti-crossbow faction says a crossbow has too many advantages to be used in fair-chase hunting.
I say, "Just let one of them try stalking (still hunting) with a crossbow!"

I've tried it and quickly realized my best chances for actually taking game was from a stand or ground blind!

The crossbow can be used, but it's full of challenges I'm not ready to deal with most days. The crossbow is just tough to maneuver through any kind of brush with, and the arrow trajectory requires either a rangefinder or a very good ability to judge distance.

I also dislike carrying it "cocked and locked" so to speak. I had the safety flipped to OFF by brush one time when I was carrying it that way and I took it as both a warning and a learning experience. Not a good idea to carry it cocked, let alone cocked & loaded!

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:34 pm

I do. I don't have the patience to sit in a stand for very long.
I have had tremendous success on the ground, the scenery is always changing as you move and if done right your success rate increases. I doubt I will ever sneak up on a 14 point deer, but that's not why I am out there. I think I get more satisfaction out of beating the deer at it's own game on it's own turf than I would any other way. Eye-level rocks!
My first deer, a buck, was at three yards, I could see my reflection in his eyes before I sent the arrow on it's way, you can't compete with that kind of excitement!

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:30 pm

I used to do it more. Like Wabi I've also had my safety flipped to "off" while walking through thick stuff. So now I have a thick rubber band that I have slipped over the stock (doubled) that I hook over the safety for extra insurance.

Grizzly Adam · Post by **Grizzly Adam** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:37 pm

Not me.

You can FORGET stalking in most of our woods and brush. Shoot, you can forget walking an Excal through most of it, period!

In a lot of our woods, you can't see five feet in front of you.

It's best to hunt paths and field edges here.

groundpounder · Post by **groundpounder** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:51 pm

I'm most always on the ground. If I am "stalking" or "still hunting" I will have it loaded. But if I'm just trying to get from point A to point B in a hurry I will NOT have it cocked and have it slung over my shoulder. Or if I just get tired of carrying it "ready" I will uncock it and sling it.[/b]

warningshot · Post by **warningshot** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:31 pm

warningshot · Post by **warningshot** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:35 pm

last year was stalking during a heavy snow storm ...the safety froze up and kept sliding to the fire(red) position ....... everytime i checked it was in the fire position .....had to unload it to continue to hunt ....

Hoss · Post by **Hoss** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 11:46 pm

I do it cocked and locked with the safty on. I love it.. effective range remains at 40 and under. getting that close remains hard as hell. Achieving that distance on foot does not happen to often but does ifn you play the game right.Ive been close enogh to poke one in the eye, and that is why I love it...

Dennisp · Post by **Dennisp** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:17 am

Thanks for all the post so far. I do stalk hunt "cocked and locked" and remove the arrow if the trail becomes thick. I was trying to get an idea on others thoughts on the safety aspect.

Dennisp · Post by **Dennisp** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:24 am

I have taken 2 exotic sheep stalk hunting both shots 25yds or less. and one doe while still hunting about 6 yds away. All on public land, and numerous deer so close as to try to smell me I could have touched, but could not get a shot cause I could not move.

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 2:26 pm

groundpounder wrote:I'm most always on the ground. If I am "stalking" or "still hunting" I will have it loaded. But if I'm just trying to get from point A to point B in a hurry I will NOT have it cocked and have it slung over my shoulder. Or if I just get tired of carrying it "ready" I will uncock it and sling it.[/b]

Same here.

groundpounder · Post by **groundpounder** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:25 pm

Dennisp Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 12:17 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for all the post so far. I do stalk hunt "cocked and locked" and remove the arrow if the trail becomes thick. I was trying to get an idea on others thoughts on the safety aspect.

If you are removing your bolt for the fear of a misfire while in the thick, I would go ahead and uncock it too. If any part of you is in the way of the string or limbs with a misfire it would be almost as dangerous as with a bolt in or out. I have no problem letting mine down without the use of the rope cocker but I know some who use the rope cocker to safely let down a cocked xbow. Oh but don't forget to remove your bolt before letting it down! That could make for a bad day and have read of someone doing that on here.