YES you can lose fingers if you don't get them out of the way. (I know). Embarassing inasmuch as I was a state bowhunter instructor, but got in a hurry sighting in one night and my short-term memory kicked in. Had the tip of my thumb just hanging there. Off to the emergency room and got it sew back on. Was very lucky as still have feeling int and can hardly see where it was cut. I have since buiilt a thumb guard on the stock to keep this from happening again. I notice that a lot of the newer Xbows are designing their stocks with deeper forearms to help eliminate this problem. Guewss when the Lord blesses you with over 80 birthdays you have to be extra careful -- if you remember.