I've known grizzled veterans who've accidently cut their bowstrings too. In fact, I are one of 'em.

Smart bowhunters always keep a spare string on hand, one that's completely set up and broken in. That way, when a string gets cut or broken it can be replaced without ending the day's hunt.

One of the things I absolutely hate about today's compounds is the fact you can't hardly replace a string in the field. Even if you carry a portable press and spare string in your backpack, it makes enough noise to scare all the deer out of the woods. So, I leave my spare string and press in the truck when I take the clankbow. It's easier to sneak back to the truck, fix the bow and then sneak back in than it is to try and work quietly in the woods.

In the old days with the steel cabled bows with teardrops, you just drew back a little, slipped the replacement string on the open hooks, let down, draw back with the new string and slipped the bad string off. Back in business. If the string was completely cut or broken you could totally relax the bow simply by backing the limb bolts out. Can't do THAT any more! The limbs are still under a lot of tension when you hit the ends of the limb bolts.

I really miss the simplicity of the old compounds, but then how would shops stay in business if people could do all their own work on their bows.

I guess that's one reason I do most of my hunting with my recurves and longbows. I don't have to have a mechanic and support team to keep my bow up and running in the woods.[8D]