When slip hunting...

[blacktailbob]

After reading about some accidental stabbings I tend to not have an arrow on the string while slip hunting anymore.
While I'm sitting in a spot on my chair I nock and arrow.
Just wondering what others do.

[bigbadjon]

I believe it is prudent to not nock an arrow unless you a well away from other people and you are almost prepared to shoot. While I have personally never had an accident, I have twice had my bowstring cut by careless broadhead handling . Both times by people walking by me at a firing line sticking their arrow between my riser and string. Could have just as easily poked me I guess.

[Orion]

I don't put an arrow on the string until I see the critter I want to shoot (and close at that). Hunting with an arrow nocked is an accident waiting to happen.  All kinds of stuff to slip on and or get tangled in.  Speaking of tangling, walking with an arrow nocked requires a lot more movement to keep the arrow from becoming entangled in the brush.  Just not a good idea.

On stand, of course, I have an arrow nocked and the bow across my lap or between my legs.

[Wudstix]

When I'm stalking (slip hunting), especially for hogs, I carry my bow, string down with an arrow nocked.  This puts the arrow pointing up on my left.  Usually, am moving so slow that it is not a problem.  I hunt public land for hogs that are very pressured and 99.999% of shots are happening before you realize that you have your bow up.  They like the briar patches and it is like busting out grouse or quail.  We call it, "wing shooting for pigs".  Not much time to nock an arrow, unless you're good at 40-50 yard shoots at running boar.  They go from 10 yards to sixty real quick.   

[Pat B]

I have a Solo Stalked(leather broadhead cover)tied to the upper limb and hold the arrow in my bow hand. When I need the arrow I slip it out of the  cover and on the string. I don't walk with the arrow on the string unless I'm ready to use it.

[Lakerat007]

I suppose I have the not so popular answer. But in my defense I'm strictly a Bowhunter and I don't walk down firing lines and such. I also roll solo and seek areas nobody else hunts so harming someone with friendly fire isn't a precaution. But from the time I hit the woods I nock an arrow and stalk my way to my stand. Many times this has got me a quick shot I would not have got if I was digging in my quiver. I'm moving at turtle pace with nobody in the general area just don't see what can go south. The only probs I have ever had was during a rushed attempt to nock an arrow. To each there own and safety first. Life is a game of choices but I don't have any probs with a arrow on the string

[GCook]

When I'm stalking (slip hunting), especially for hogs, I carry my bow, string down with an arrow nocked.  This puts the arrow pointing up on my left.  Usually, am moving so slow that it is not a problem.  I hunt public land for hogs that are very pressured and 99.999% of shots are happening before you realize that you have your bow up.  They like the briar patches and it is like busting out grouse or quail.  We call it, "wing shooting for pigs".  Not much time to nock an arrow, unless you're good at 40-50 yard shoots at running boar.  They go from 10 yards to sixty real quick.   

We call that spook and shoot instead of spot and stalk!

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[GCook]

I believe it is prudent to not nock an arrow unless you a well away from other people and you are almost prepared to shoot. While I have personally never had an accident, I have twice had my bowstring cut by careless broadhead handling . Both times by people walking by me at a firing line sticking their arrow between my riser and string. Could have just as easily poked me I guess.

Our club doesnt allow broadheads on the range.

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[GCook]

Still hunting I don't nock an arrow until game is spotted but I sometimes will move quite a ways trying to get close to a sounder of feeding pigs.

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[bigbadjon]

I believe it is prudent to not nock an arrow unless you a well away from other people and you are almost prepared to shoot. While I have personally never had an accident, I have twice had my bowstring cut by careless broadhead handling . Both times by people walking by me at a firing line sticking their arrow between my riser and string. Could have just as easily poked me I guess.

Our club doesnt allow broadheads on the range.

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What's your point? Careless handling could get your eye poked out with a blunt. It's best to not nock an arrow unless you are preparing to shoot or not around other people.

[gregg dudley]

I make a safe decision based on the terrain and cover.  If I feel it is safe, I don't have a problem stalking with a nocked arrow.  But hey, I'm a risk taker.  I once pulled the tag off a mattress when it clearly said not to...

[Ron LaClair]

In my 63 years of bow hunting big game I've never had an accident (knock on wood). If I'm just walking in to my stand I don't have an arrow nocked. But if I'm slipping into an area looking for and expecting to see game I have a broadhead on the string. I am moving turtle slow and am ALWAYS conscious of the direction the broadhead is pointed which is AWAY from me.

IMO if you don't have an arrow on the string you're not hunting you're just going for a walk. Being "nocked and locked" has paid off occasionally over the years. I recall on time in particular, I was going back to my truck after spending several hours in the morning on my stand. I was moving slowly across a big high grass field that I knew deer sometimes bedded. I had my longbow ready with arrow nocked when two bucks jumped up in front of me. One of them went straight away and the other went horizontally to my left. I had only seconds to shoot but my bow came up and the shot was true. The buck never made it across the field.

For me there's a difference in how I feel when I'm hunting with an arrow ready on the bow....and I like that feeling.

[supernaut]

I personally have no problem sneak hunting with an arrow nocked. I will add that everyone should always have a first aid kit and know how to use it, just in case things go south.

[dnovo]

I never walk, even slowly with a broadhead knocked. I personally
know of 2 different guys who slipped with an arrow knocked and both
died quickly from blood loss.
Too many things can go wrong

[GCook]

I believe it is prudent to not nock an arrow unless you a well away from other people and you are almost prepared to shoot. While I have personally never had an accident, I have twice had my bowstring cut by careless broadhead handling . Both times by people walking by me at a firing line sticking their arrow between my riser and string. Could have just as easily poked me I guess.

Our club doesnt allow broadheads on the range.

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What's your point? Careless handling could get your eye poked out with a blunt. It's best to not nock an arrow unless you are preparing to shoot or not around other people.

Agree.

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[blacktailbob]

Appreciate all the comments.

Ron, what's that fluff in front of the fletching on the arrow? Looks almost like a string silencer.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

My father found a broadhead in the back of his leg from someone who thought he would get ready whole they were sneaking in on some deer.

[Ron LaClair]

"Ron, what's that fluff in front of the fletching on the arrow? Looks almost like a string silencer."

It's turkey down that I wrapped on the shaft ahead of the fletching just for decoration. Sometimes I've used white fluff, that makes the arrow more visible when the fletching is gray barr's.

[Roger Norris]

In my 63 years of bow hunting big game I've never had an accident (knock on wood). If I'm just walking in to my stand I don't have an arrow nocked. But if I'm slipping into an area looking for and expecting to see game I have a broadhead on the string. I am moving turtle slow and am ALWAYS conscious of the direction the broadhead is pointed which is AWAY from me.

IMO if you don't have an arrow on the string you're not hunting you're just going for a walk. Being "nocked and locked" has paid off occasionally over the years. I recall on time in particular, I was going back to my truck after spending several hours in the morning on my stand. I was moving slowly across a big high grass field that I knew deer sometimes bedded. I had my longbow ready with arrow nocked when two bucks jumped up in front of me. One of them went straight away and the other went horizontally to my left. I had only seconds to shoot but my bow came up and the shot was true. The buck never made it across the field.

For me there's a difference in how I feel when I'm hunting with an arrow ready on the bow....and I like that feeling.

Ron...we have spent a TON of time together in the woods and in camp, but I sure as heck disagree with your comment about not having an arrow on the string is just going for a walk. As sharp as I know you get your broadheads....it's a miracle you haven't gutted yourself.

I figure if I don't have time to nock an arrow, it's not that good of an opportunity. I'm not risking my life over a running shot at a deer.

[Ron LaClair]

Patience Grasshopper....don't listen to the demon that whispers fear in your ear. You are the one in control.

Roger, I've hunted with you enough to know that you don't "slip hunt" That style of hunting is fast becoming a lost art. Most bowhunters are content to hang a tree stand and walk to and from it. With old time hunters of years past slipping or stalking as it was called was their primary method of hunting. It requires a little more skill but it's not hard to learn what you need to do to become successful....and to be successful you need to be ready... "nocked and locked"

I think it was Howard Hill or John Schultz that said, "Without an arrow on the string you're just going for a walk"

I slipped up on this little buck through the corn with an arrow on the string as he was feeding in the hay field