scarey!

A lot of it depends on the situation. It can be hard to cock the bow in a tree stand, depending on the type of stand. I usually cock the bow before I climb the tree or before I start walking to the stand. I have shot and missed and recocked the bow with deer infront of me. It isn't as loud as it seems. I also found that wearing gloves is really helpful when drawing it back.

Please take note of some safety tips:

Never load an arrow until you are in a safe position, in other words you can cock it, but don't load the arrow until you are in the tree and your safety belt is already on, or when you are seated on the ground, then unload before you get up or come down from the tree.

Always use a pull rope to bring the bow up the tree, cocked or not! Of course without the arrow loaded. Although, I worry about a dryfire when pulling the bow up. I'd rather break the bow than fire an arrow.

Always carry the bow when walking - unloaded. It can be cocked, just don't put an arrow in it. I never stalk, but if I did I still not load an arrow until I was ready to shoot.

Never rest the front of a loaded bow on your foot. Sounds silly but shooting yourself in the foot is a common crossbow accident.

Leave the safety on until you are ready to shoot. Practice slipping it off quetly so you can do it when a deer is in front of you. I usually take it off after I see a deer and have brought the bow into a safe shooting position.

I hunted with a crossbow and a compound for many years now. The crossbow does bring up added safety issue for me. I mean these to be helpful. They are things I've learned to be conscience of over the years.

I always say to myself "I want to kill the deer, not myself" Think safety first.






Happy Hunting
Kestrel

most definetely don't place arrow in bow till up in your stand.