Target shooting is made less enjoyable by the fact that you must first cock your crossbow and after shooting you must pull your arrows. Cocking and pulling come real close to being work. This article deals with these two tasks and how to make them a lot easier. There are four options when cocking your crossbow.

The first option is to cock it by hand or more correctly referred to as the “ARMSTRONG METHOD”, OR THE “HE MAN METHOD”. This is the way I did it for over 20 years, and then I didn’t even think of trying any other method. I was in my early twenties when I started playing with crossbows. I am now in my early fifties and I do not recommend this method of cocking to anyone. You may be reminded of how you have abused your back.

ROPE COCKING AID

The rope cocking aid is composed of two handles and two hooks connected by a piece of rope. This method allows you to cock the crossbow with one half the effort and insures that you have cocked it evenly which is one of the major keys to shooting consistently accurate. This is my recommended method.

CRANK STYLE

For those who cannot make due with the rope style cocking aid, there is the crank style. Although it is more inconvenient than the rope style, you can cock the crossbow evenly with even less effort.

A FRIEND

There will be times when a shooter will have to rely on his friend to cock their crossbow. The friend can use methods 2 or 3.

NOTE: Never use a cocking aid to “let down” or uncock your crossbow. If you are unable to do so by hand, use an old arrow with a blunt tip or “gudo style point”, no fletching is necessary and shoot it into a dirt bank. Now that we have mastered the cocking part, let’s go to pulling arrows.

PULLING ARROWS

Most shooting should be done with field or target points into a bag style target. Instead of tugging and grunting the arrows are pulled with two fingers and no effort. Shot for shot the bag target is not only the easiest, but the least expensive.

DO NOT SHOOT BROADHEADS INTO BAG STYLE TARGETS. THEY WILL EITHER GO RIGHT ON THROUGH THE BAG AND INTO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE ELSE OR THEY WILL HANG UP IN THE TARGET AND BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE.

DEALING WITH 3D & 
FOAM TARGETS

When shooting into foam and 3D targets, one must keep in mind that the arrow is stopped by friction. This friction causes heat. The heat melts the target and it sticks to the arrow making it difficult to pull out. In simple terms the arrow is glued hot melt style in the target. Some targets are worse about this than others. Now we need an arrow puller.

ARROW PULLERS

There are several types of arrow pullers on the market. The two styles that I prefer are the T Style and the Plier Puller. The T Style puller screws into the rear insert of the arrow and acts as a handle to remove your arrow. It’s somewhat like starting your lawn mower. However, instead of pulling the arrow out of the target you may pull the insert out of your arrow. The Pier Puller is my choice. It allows you to grip the arrow and give it a twist. This twist frees the arrow from being glued and allows for easy pulling.

NOTE: When using target points give the arrow ¼ twists clockwise and pull. The twist will not only free the arrow from being glued but will tighten the target point if it is loose. If your arrow is tipped with a broad head, you must first twist it ¼ turn counter clockwise to avoid bending or breaking the blades. This frees the arrow, but loosens your broad head, so you must go ¼ turn clockwise to tighten it then pull.

Safe and successful hunting,       Dan

To purchase a pair of the pliers type arrow puller, you can contact Dan Miller at:
(740) 483-2312