Still Hunting/Stalking with an arrow nocked.

[elkken]

I have never thought this was a good idea, stalking or still hunting with an arrow nocked until I was really close to the point of shooting.

A year or two ago there was an archer in Washington State that was killed when his partner, who had an arrow nocked, ran into him and arrowed him in the behind or back of the leg.

[monterey]

Originally posted by kill shot:
I love this thread. It reminds me of the day when about 4 of us would go out about a half an hour before day light. All of us walking down a two track with arrows knocked. We were just full of hope. Not a bad thing.

Guess we as bowhunters are perpetually full of hope and optimism!    

Four people walking together in the dark with arrows nocked      

This is just me, but since I messed my leg up a couple years ago I'm a terrible bumbler in the woods.  Fell down four times while hunting this past year!  :eek:    

I am switching over to the single arrow carry option on the bow so as not to be removing an arrow from the quiver.  Tried it out on a small game hunt last week and liked it.

[bob@helleknife.com]

To me, if I am still hunting I need to be totally focused on seeing game before it sees me. Its a 100 % effort.

Trying to deal with the arrow on the string at the same time destroys my concentration.  

Its so easy to get sloppy.

Bob

[Hopewell Tom]

I like Charlie's comment about paying too much attention to the arrow. I'd do that I think.
I'm thinking about that single arrow bow quiver as well, although I can be pretty "cool" when slipping one out of my Arrowmaster.

[dnovo]

I think this is a very bad idea. The last few yards of a stalk, yes.
Stillhunting before game is spotted, NO.
I know of 2 guys who died doing this.

[kagross]

I used to stalk ducks along creeks, always had an arrow nocked, but then again, I was moving really slowly and carefully.  Never had a problem.  I was also 15 yrs old and it was 30 years ago.

[Dave Lay]

im another one who thinks its a bad idea... to many bad things can happen.. if its a matter of excessive movement getting a arrow on the string, then get a different quiver. I know with a cat quiver or most bow quivers the movement is quiet and with little movement..

[BRIARS]

I normally do not walk around with the arrow on the string. But I have done it stalking a very few times on favorable terrain. However I advise against it.

The post does raise other questions. We all know even with field points we do not want to fall on an arrow so: Do you hand carry your arrows walking back from you target butts? Do you hand carry your arrow while shooting 3d?

I know I do all the time while practice shooting. I have done it while shooting 3d a few times. Especially if the next target is close and I am up to shoot first. I never thought of it much but there must be a quiver design that is safer for traversing uneven ground.

Anytime we handle an arrow it can be dangerous. The safest way would be to always use a quiver of some sort.

[ChuckC]

Not so many years ago we took 60+ yard shots, we sat in a tree with no safety belt (or stand for that matter), we didn't sharpen our broadheads very well, we smoked Camels, we didn't have fire extinguishers or smoke detectors, we turned our backs to drunk driving and any number of things that are not considered the best choices today.  This is one of them.  

Not only can you slip and hurt yourself, but you can hurt the guy that is in front of you on the trail.

ChuckC

[Red Beastmaster]

If I think a potential shot is imminent, I will nock up.

I cruise field edges for groundhogs with an arrow nocked. When hunting larger game I'll nock if I'm still hunting through an especially deery or hoggy spot.

I will always put the arrow away when crossing streams, ditches, or fences.

[Blog on Bottom]

Someone above stated what I was thinking, but couldn't explain. Too much to think about if there's a razor-sharp arrow out front. I need to concentrate on the hunt, not the arrow (whether it's for safety or for snagging).
With field points? I don't use them (only use judos and blunts), but I wouldn't worry one bit about them. Someone above also said that you usually walk back from the hay bale with them in your hand. If we try to remove every iota of danger, then we may as well live in a jail cell and have a food taster for us also. And don't play football or anything fun either  

[GANDGOLF]

Just goes to show "Common Sense AIN'T COMMON.!!" If you're stalking without an arra on the string, you ain't stalking --- your Traveling.. If you move so fast- you don't KNOW where your feet will be Planted, your Bow will come through , your Broadhead will pass by, you're not stalking your TRAVELING !! Like the old sayin" White man walk Lot See little- Indian Walk Little SEE LOT"

[turkey65]

I'm 72 and if I remember correctly when I took my hunter safety course back in the fifties you were told never walk with an arrow on the string,I guess it sunk in to this day I don't.

[njloco]

Sorry to do this, but like I said I stalk with an arrow knocked, but just like everyone shouldn't have a driver's license, this apparently trruely applies here, meaning some archers shouldn't stalk with an arrow knocked and it would seem that they know who they are !

I would add that, I wouldn't walk with anyone else that had an arrow knocked, especially in the dark.

With a longbow and arrow in hand with good footing and going slow, it really is not that big of a deal. On the rare case that something is about to happen, you can toss both longbow and arrow away. Making a habit out of marching around with your hunting buddy with broadheads flashing all over, bigger deal.  What is just as dangerous, is holding the bow in one hand and the broadhead arrow in the other when you come to difficult terrain and brush. At least the arrow is not on the bow, so they think they are okay, but it is in a better position for you to fall on or stab your face. I have seen people do this, thinking it was a safety maneuver, it is not, that is what quivers are for.

[Izzy]

I do under circumstances of my own choosing. At the same time, I forbid my sons to do it.

[WarDancer]

I love the little one arrow ace stick on quiver that Black Widow makes almost as good as having one nocked on the string.

[Hopewell Tom]

I haven't done it with a broadhead, but have with a field point. I like the "under circumstances of my choosing." Also, I agree about teaching it as "not done."
As above, it's a personal choice, done very carefully...
Lots of good comments, thanks for the input.

[bofish-IL]

A few years ago one of the guys I worked with nephew was sharpening a broad head and someone rang the doorbell. He got up carrying the arrow and tripped over a child toy ran the broad head through his stomach.

He came real close to death. Doctors could not stop the bleeding. He had to have a bunch of units of blood.

There is a lot more things in the woods to trip over.

[hvyhitter]

I do when stillhuning oak stands for squirrels or fencerows for groundhogs. I will also carry bow in one hand, arrow in another when stalking bedded deer and nock the arrow behind the last bit of good cover before closing the last 20 yds or so..............YMMV