I cock mine before I ever put it on the 4 wheeler, w/ arrow in it on my property. I can legally hunt here off of my 4 wheeler, but don't at my other places. I also got some of those cheap aluminum caribiners tied on my pull ropes so I can just hook them on the stirrup and not have to fool w/ knots. I shot a small but tasty doe last year passing thru my place on my way back bear hunting. They seem to be very tolerant of atv's and tractors, ect. While we are on the subject, a reminder to those who may not know, BUT NEVER pull your bow up to stand w/ arrow on the rail!!
I carry my CBow to and from my stand in a cloth case. I climb into my stand and haul it up, remove the case, cock it and am ready to hunt. When done I de-cock it case it and lower it down before climbing down. It is usually dark if I am going to or leaving mt stand. for an evening hunt I go in in the afternoon but I don't think there is much advantage in trying to stalk into my stand. I'd rather take my shots in my shooting lanes where I have cleared out all the brush and I know the yardage.
After pre-season practice is over, I cock mine at home and leave it cocked till hunting season. Then I just take one arrow into stand with pre-cocked CB. If I don't shoot anything during archery season with that one arrow, I shoot it in the direction of the landowner's house in disgust. I usually do the same thing for Black powder and gun season as well. Landowner is healing good from last season so far.
BBO
Unless you are using a cranking device I would not cock my bow in a tree stand even with a rope cocker. Its safer to climb back down the tree and recock if you have to rather than hang off the harness. Better yet use a ground stand!
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OHA Life member, NRA member, DVC# ON 452
I cock it when I get out of truck. Have some yotes around and have jumped deer on the way back so I want to be ready for anything. Take the arrow out when I get to stand and put it back once up and ready. I carry a old arrow to shoot in the dirt when back at truck.
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Hunting is like Marriage, you get out of it what you put in it. Sometimes you score and sometimes you don't, but its always fun going out!
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