Crossbows are most generally cocked by a mechanical device, or by using your foot and pulling with both hands. BUT, a crossbow is not COCKED at the time or even near the time of taking the shot. A crossbow is at the ready position......just like a firearm. Shooting a crossbow is more near like shooting a firearm, but without the gunpowder.

This is my last reply on this subject, so in ending.........I know a few people who hunt with crossbows, in fact I worked with a couple of them in Ohio in the summer of 2001. When we discussed hunting, both of them acknowledged they used a crossbow instead or traditional/compound bows because they did not want to take the time or put forth the effort needed to become proficient archers. In other words, they liked the idea of having the crossbow cocked back at the ready, putting a bolt in, aim and pull the trigger. Both told me there was nothing to it!