Still Hunting: Arrow Nocked or in the Quiver?

[ronp]

I have a single arrow quiver mounted on my bow.  It stays there until I see a deer, or if I sit for a while I will nock one from my side quiver.

[M60gunner]

Usually in bowquiver, although it cost me a not being able to get an arrow on the string fast enough. That if I hunt with recurve. Lately it's been my LB and side quiver especially here with such ankle busting terrain.

[tecum-tha]

If you stumble and fall on the wrong area you can bleed out in 30 seconds. So, it is each hunters own personal decision. Some may not get a second chance. Not worth the risk until shot is immanent. Solo stalker or another quiver that allows arrow retrieval quickly, quietly and with little sideways movement.

[frank bullitt]

Still Hunting,..... How fast ya going?

Depends on the situation, but when the arrow is on the bow string, it is pointing away.  If you slip, it can be tossed.  If the arrow is in your hand, in many situations, it is easier to fall on. On steep  slopes and difficult cover, the quiver is the best place for the arrow.  But really, it is not that difficult to safely walk and chew gum many times.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by pavan:
Depends on the situation, but when the arrow is on the bow string, it is pointing away.  If you slip, it can be tossed.  If the arrow is in your hand, in many situations, it is easier to fall on. On steep  slopes and difficult cover, the quiver is the best place for the arrow.  But really, it is not that difficult to safely walk and chew gum many times.

I'd also add, if you are slipping and stumbling, you are probably moving WAY to fast for still hunting. Otherwise, what Pavan said!

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by frank bullitt:
Still Hunting,..... How fast ya going?

Me?  Not fast at all.  Even calling it slow would be an exaggeration of speed.  Never really clocked it.  A couple of weeks ago, while on the coast, I took about 3 hours to go about a quarter mile on flat ground following paths in the sage brush.  The little health app on my iphone doesn't even register that I'm moving.  As I understand still hunting, the idea is to mostly be still, taking only a few, slow, careful steps at a time and then spending several minutes looking around.

It seems the technique of many bowhunters around Iowa use is the charge in, jump on every possible branch and log to see if it will snap, bend fence wires until they are screaming in agony, clank on this, hack out that, check the cell phone message that just rang, clatter up a tree, bang on stuff to make sure it is secure then, it's STATUE TIME, shh, don't move, don't turn your head, don't blink, a deer may see you.  There is a time for stealth and a time for travel and a time for stealthy travel.

[elkken]

In the quiver ... a bowhunter in WA was killed a few years back when his hunting partner stuck him in the ass with a nocked arrow. I'll nock an arrow on the final stock and NEVER when someone is near me.

[flyonline]

Can't let this go past without comment despite only just signing up.

Had a moment a month or so ago where I was sitting watching a mob of goats just out of bow range on a steep rocky/brushy slope. Had an arrow nocked ready to go if they drifted into range and put my bow down to grab a photo. The bow was facing downhill and somehow the arrow flicked round over the string some 180deg uphill and the broadhead whacked me on the nose.



Lucky for me it was a fairly light cut and didn't need anything more than a band aid for a day or two, but an inch either way and it would have taken my eye out, or a couple lower and I would have been eating soup through a straw with a split lip or blowing my nose sideways.

From now on I'll be only having a nocked arrow when I'm ready to shoot with two hands on the bow!

Steve

[Sam McMichael]

I used to, but I pretty much gave up the spot and stalk approach to hunting. Now I hunt almost exclusively from stands, so I carry all my arrows in the quiver. Yes, I stuck myself once in the old days when carrying arrows in a Qwikee-Quiver without a cover. That one does NOT fall under the classification of common sense.

[Hopewell Tom]

Looks like a pretty good example from Steve on the unexpected.
Missing a chance at a deer is a small thing really. Coming home safe is the best reward.
When you're close enough to shoot you have to be pretty still, a nocked arrow should (note the should) be safe enough.

[frank bullitt]

Always, have the highest respect of sharp objects!

[TomMcDonald]

Originally posted by flyonline:
Can't let this go past without comment despite only just signing up.

Had a moment a month or so ago where I was sitting watching a mob of goats just out of bow range on a steep rocky/brushy slope. Had an arrow nocked ready to go if they drifted into range and put my bow down to grab a photo. The bow was facing downhill and somehow the arrow flicked round over the string some 180deg uphill and the broadhead whacked me on the nose.

 

Lucky for me it was a fairly light cut and didn't need anything more than a band aid for a day or two, but an inch either way and it would have taken my eye out, or a couple lower and I would have been eating soup through a straw with a split lip or blowing my nose sideways.

From now on I'll be only having a nocked arrow when I'm ready to shoot with two hands on the bow!

Steve

Jesus. Murphy's Law hey.

[Doug_K]

Nocked, unless I'm working through heavy brush or difficult terrain.

Sharp objects are dangerous. Keeping your broad heads covered isn't as foolproof as it seems. I've had broad head arrows fall out of my bow quivers after successive shots. A branch can catch on an arrow and pull it off the holder and out of the foam. You take a tumble down a hill with a back quiver full of broad heads, chances are pretty good at least one will come out.

Your best assurance for safety if your concerned would be hunting the way you want, knowing personal first aid, and carrying quick clot, bandages and a tourniquet.

What can go wrong, will.

[Ron LaClair]

I think it was either Howard Hill or John Schultz's   that said, "If you don't have an arrow on the string you're not hunting you're just going for a walk"

Some years ago I was walking back to my truck after sitting in a stand most of the morning. I had an arrow on the string of my longbow as I was walking across a field of knee high grass. Two bucks jumped up in front of me, one going straight away, the other went to my left bounding over the grass. I drew the bow as I swung up following the buck and the arrow was on it's way taking the buck through the heart. It happened fast without thought. If I hadn't had the arrow nocked and ready I never would have had time to make the shot.

 

One day hunting with Toad Smith in a corn field, He was going to work the west half and i was going to work the east half. I heard a deer and carefully moved across to the next row.  Toad heard a deer and carefully advance to the next row. Then we both heard a deer and stepped into the next row with our bows half drawn, we were stalking each other. To bad we cannot hunt deer with HTMs it would be way safer.

[Pat B]

I hold the arrow in my bow hand with the broadhead in a "solo stalker" I have tied to the upper limb.

[Bowwild]

In the quiver.  While it is isn't certain because there were no witnesses, a fellow was found dead near St. Louis about 20 years ago of an arrow wound...his own arrow.  Folks surmised that he fell on it.

[Jakeemt]

I usually keep one nocked. Then again I also ride a motorcycle, drink too much, and consume a steady diet of red meat.