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Post by hittingguru on Feb 1, 2009 9:33:17 GMT -4
I've never shot one, and may not hunt with one, but I do want to learn about them. Couple of quick questions to start, then I'll add more as time and experience permits.
1. Do you spot and stalk with it cocked and a bolt in place? 2. What do you do when you get to your treestand if it is already cocked and the bolt in place? 3. Ok- the day is done, it's dark:30 and you are getting down and out. Do you discharge the bolt, or just remove it? 4. Can you leave it cocked overnight, or is dryfiring a possibility?
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Post by Buckslayer on Feb 1, 2009 10:10:55 GMT -4
I've never shot one, and may not hunt with one, but I do want to learn about them. Couple of quick questions to start, then I'll add more as time and experience permits. 1. Do you spot and stalk with it cocked and a bolt in place? 2. What do you do when you get to your treestand if it is already cocked and the bolt in place? 3. Ok- the day is done, it's dark:30 and you are getting down and out. Do you discharge the bolt, or just remove it? 4. Can you leave it cocked overnight, or is dryfiring a possibility? 1..you can hunt with it cocked and loaded if you prefer to hunt that way.. 2..you can hoist the crossbow up the tree without the bolt cocked or uncocked with safety on.. 3.you can discharge the bolt using a old bolt or you can remove the bolt and let the crossbow down again safety on.. 4..you can leave it cocked overnight in the warmer weather but for the limbs sake and safteys sake i would discharge the weapon. all the questions that you asked are good ones always think safety and common sense read your manual,the more times you have that cocked and ready to fire remember theres more of a chance of it going off walking or assending or desending from a tree.
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mel
lodge member
Finally A Grandma!!!
Posts: 15
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Post by mel on Jul 14, 2009 13:14:45 GMT -4
Yes I do. Personal preference. The few times I actually got into a stand I hoisted it up without being cocked. I always cock it once I get up safely. (me and tree stands just do not mix lol) I just remove it then lower the bow gently. I never leave mine cocked. I always take care of that before I get into my vehicle. I am so afraid of dry firing it which is very bad for the bow. The limbs can be broken with just 1 dry fire. ( ask my hubby about that 1 hehehe) Always safety 1st. Crossbows can be a very dangerous weapon.
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Post by mrlongbeard on Jul 14, 2009 20:04:02 GMT -4
crossbows aren't as easy as some would have you believe. just because you hunt with one doesn't mean the deer is going to just stand there for you. just as everybody said safety is foremost. some crossbows will not fire without an arrow.
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Post by XMan on Jul 17, 2009 10:26:46 GMT -4
That's what they say Mrlongbeard that some won't fire unless an arrow is loaded. Just to be on the safe side I would unload it and decock it. I've had a couple come into my shop that wasn't supposed to be able to fire without an arrow, but it did. Anything that is man made can and will sometimes fail. err on the safe side.
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Post by gullythumper on Jul 17, 2009 11:06:54 GMT -4
While opinions vary on the cocking/de-cocking, I personally find cocking my crossbow in the stand (pump up portable), quite difficult. I cock it before I ascend and it stays cocked until I reach the car. Then I use an old bolt to either fire into a rotten stump, or more often, into my small portable target I keep in the vehicle. As per hand de-cocking, while a lot of people do it, the mfg's don't recommend it and one error can lead to it dry firing and could destroy the crossbow. If you carry a cranking device, or have one built in to the crossbow, then I would wait until up in the stand before cocking it. NEVER hoist or lower your crossbow with a bolt still in it.
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Post by truegrit on Jul 18, 2009 12:55:09 GMT -4
If I hunted in bigger woods, then maybe I would spot and stalk. I cock my bow before I leave the house, ALWAYS have the safety on. I haul it up without the bolt and the same way going down. I have left my bow cocked if I am going out the next morning, and it's been fine, I have never had any problems with it nor have I had any accidents, I am extreemly safe. my ten point has a dry fire inhibitor.
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Post by XMan on Jul 20, 2009 13:24:10 GMT -4
I didn't want to mention any crowbow companies names, but your so close you're burning up. It only takes that one time for a malfunction and you'll be ordering new limbs. I've had several bows come into my shop, and also when I worked for Gander Mountain that did exactly that. Their warranty package is great thank goodness. Like I said anything that is man made can and at times will malfunction. Just a thought!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2009 17:13:41 GMT -4
I cock it at the truck before going in pull it up with a rope and then put the bolt in less movement and noise, i do keep the hand cocker in my bag oh and like gully said keep a old bolt in the truck to let it go .
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