I have been using a crossbow for a couple years now, never have i heard it recommended or condoned, but today on a basspro shop tv show with Bob Foulkrod i saw himDe cock his crossbow with his string rope cocker. now this looked very dangerous isint it safer to bring an old bolt and shoot it into a target or some soft dirt ? i have a rachet type cocker and i would be very hesitant to try something like this. [8D]

I 've made strings for quite a few people and the string goes onto an Excal at least two times. So I may have cocked and de-cocked an xbow a bizillion times with no issue. Unlike some guys I know it's best to take the arrow out first.

I also de-cock my excal after every hunting trip with the rope cocker. It is safe and easy as long as you take the arrow out first, and it beats lugging around a target or ruining an arrow in the dirt. I do not know what type of xbow you have but I don't think that I would try it with a rachet type cocker you say youhave.

Bob

No problem decocking by Excal with a string cocker. Have even uncocked my compound thusly though it is more difficult. One needs a short piece of untipped arrow or dowel to deactivate the anti fire device.

Shooting an arrow into a target is beyond a doubt the safest way to uncock. Shooting an old arrow into the ground is not an option where I live, too many rocks. Never ever try to uncock an xbow w/ a crank type cocker. Using a rope cocker is a breeze, once you do it a time or two. WhenI first heard of this method, allI had was an Emax [225 #] and it scared me for 6 months before I worked up enough nerve to try it. As hard as it may be to believe, it takes a lot less effort to let the string down via rope cocker than it does to draw it. Just be careful and double check everything.

I am fairly new at the game but using a cocking string seemed to be easy for me to decock. However, I like shooting the CB so if I can decock by shooting - all the better

I use the rope, works fine for me. There is always that moment when I pull the trigger that I second guess if the hooks are snug on the string, and then the hope that the pressure I am feeling on my boot is not an arrow I left in it.
The only time I decock is when I am in the house changing or adjusting a string or something else on the bow, outside there is always a target close by.

There is a initial fear of the unknown at first, but the first time you try it you will never waste space in your quiver for a old arrow. It is really easy to do. A little harder on a Horton, but it will work also with them.

I keep a older arrow with me in my quiver, and when it's time to get down out of my stand, I pick out a object, like a leaf or something, and fire. Two things, it let's me know my scope is still on, and un-cocks my bow ~~~~ I'm shooting a 200 pounder with a crank, I wouldn't even attempt to to un-cock with the crank .... If something ever happened, it would be a nightmare ~~~

I've never tried uncocking my crossbow with a rope cocker,for methere isnt any need to...

I know some people arent able to but I just uncockit by hand, for me itsthe fastest andeasiest waythere is