When to produce an arrow...

[The Vanilla Gorilla]

When I'm stalking or just still hunting thru the woods, I keep my arrow in my (Bow) quiver until I feel I am about to take a shot. Then, when I feel I am just any second away from having to draw and shoot, then I remove an arrow and put it on the string.

I dont care for having an arrow on the string as soon as I see my intended target. My main objective is to close in on the game quickly and quietly without being seen. I dont like taking a chance of the broadhead getting tangled up in greenbriars or grass, nor do I want to take the chance of tripping and falling on either the nock end or the sharp end.  Only when I have closed to my furthest effective range, do I remove an arrow from the quiver and put it on the string. (for instance, I won't shoot at an animal outside outside 25 yards. so around 25 yards is when I'd string an arrow. Providing there is enough cover for me to do so!)

Also, you fellas who use back quivers...removing an arrow from a back quiver requires more movement than removing an arrow from a bowquiver, and it has the potential to be a little noisier, therefore a greater chance of getting busted. How far out would you guys remove an arrow from a back quiver and get it on the string before taking a shot?

Reason I'm curious is because I've seen guys leave the truck with an arrow on the string, and I've hunted with guys who won't touch an arrow until they are counting lice on a hogs butt before they even consider getting an arrow out of the quiver.  I figure I'm closer to the ladder side of the spectrum.  How long do you guys wait?


Cam

[Hot Hap]

My arrows stay in the quiver until I spot game. Then I remove an arrow and carry it in my hand until I'm within my shooting range. Then it's on the string. Hap

[dnovo]

It's too dangerous to walk around with an arrow nocked with a sharp broadhead on it. I'm with you. I nock an arrow when I think a shot is about to present itself. I've known of 2 guys that killed themselves by falling on their arrow when they were walking.

[Shakes.602]

I dont  EVER  put One on the String Until I Am Ready To Shoot Something!! Now, I am Using AN AWSOME  BackQuiver (Thank You HuntsManLance!    ), I Pull An Arrow out and Keep It Point DOWN In The Same Hand My Bow Is In. Held Tight To The Bow, As Carefully As I Can.
  Until I think the Moment has Passed, and Put It Back in the Quiver.      

[mmgrode]

When I am still hunting I definitely keep an arrow on the string.  I've had times when I would not have had time to get an arrow out of my back quiver for a shot.  That, and the movement would give me away instantly when you're at eye level.   I also move slow enough while stalking/still hunting that every step is painstakingly precise.  I give the sharp head respect, but don't worry too much about it.  I always like to be ready for business!!  I can see how with a bow quiver this would be stealthier and safer, but I accept the risk, be it small, for the ability to make a quick shot when needed.
Have a great season, Matt

[Problem Child]

I learned something yesterday.............when you hear something crashing through the woods,go ahead and nock an arrow. I had two does playing "chase" that ran by me at 15 yards(twice). I use a Catquiver III and a Skookum one arrow quiver on my Longbow but where I hunt there is no cellphone service and I always hunt alone so I never keep an arrow nocked.

[Rusty in Fla.]

A few years ago while still hunting  with my son I thought I heard a pig in a clump of Palmettos. I knocked an arrow and began to inch forward towards the center of the bushes. It turned out there was nothing there so I backed out with the arrow still on the string. I ended up sticking the back of my calf with a perfectly sharpened Magnus broadhead. I never felt it go in. It was only a few minutes later when my sock was getting wet that I realized what I had done. Next week when we took to the woods both my son and I had single arrow quivers from Black Widow on our bows.
 
       Rusty <><

[Rico]

Yes those broadheads are razor sharp and if you cut yourself with one you will bleed. So I usually try to leave them covered until needed or while siting on stand.