walking to your stand location with a cocked crossbow

[archer36]

There is a difference between the law, a preference, or rules of a club. I cock my bow at the truck because I have to walk through an Orchard and have encountered deer on my way to the stand. I have shot around a half dozen deer that way. 

[Buck154]

13 hours ago, BowhunterNJ said:

Similar to a muzzleloader no?  Not "loaded" until you have a cap/primer in ML or a bolt loaded in crossbow?

CORRECT

[JustMike]

Very obviously not an expert, but wound up asking a very similar question of a conservation officer recently. Was getting my firearm certification, and he mentioned how the weapon needed to be disarmed for inspection before handing it over.

I asked afterwards "what about crossbows?" and replied that removing the bolt was sufficient to consider it disarmed. I specifically followed up asking if I should decock it, and he replied that was unnecessary. Once the bolt is out, it's considered disarmed.

Based on that conversation, along with the post from @mazzgolf, I'd say it sounds like you can walk with a cocked (but not armed) crossbow anywhere you can walk with a crossbow.

Personal preference, I'd prefer not to walk with a cocked crossbow. A bad fall might be able to dislodge the string, causing some bad things to happen depending on where the string is, where the limbs are, and where my hands/body are in relation to that during the fall. However, I reserve the right to be 100% wrong about that preference

Edited November 2, 2021 by JustMike

[230jhp]

On 11/2/2021 at 12:12 PM, JustMike said:

Very obviously not an expert, but wound up asking a very similar question of a conservation officer recently. Was getting my firearm certification, and he mentioned how the weapon needed to be disarmed for inspection before handing it over.

I asked afterwards "what about crossbows?" and replied that removing the bolt was sufficient to consider it disarmed. I specifically followed up asking if I should decock it, and he replied that was unnecessary. Once the bolt is out, it's considered disarmed.

Based on that conversation, along with the post from @mazzgolf, I'd say it sounds like you can walk with a cocked (but not armed) crossbow anywhere you can walk with a crossbow.

Personal preference, I'd prefer not to walk with a cocked crossbow. A bad fall might be able to dislodge the string, causing some bad things to happen depending on where the string is, where the limbs are, and where my hands/body are in relation to that during the fall. However, I reserve the right to be 100% wrong about that preference

If you x-bow fires on a fall there is something wrong with the safety and the anti-dryfire mechanism.

[Slayer1962]

I used to string cock the crossbow on the ground before usingthe climbing stand then hoist up cocked but no bolt.

Since a few crossbows ago ( 2 ravins and a tenpoint ) I have the hand crank and i am comfortable cocking it after i am settled into the stand. 

I decock before lowering it because i come down just about last legal light , unless i let one fly earlier 

[Tarhunt]

I do not cock my crossbow until I'm at my stand. That's just my preference. 

[JustMike]

1 hour ago, 230jhp said:

If you x-bow fires on a fall there is something wrong with the safety and the anti-dryfire mechanism.

Undoubtedly true. However, these are machines, and machines can fail at the worst possible times. If I plan things while knowing about possible failure conditions, I can plan for better safety.

[JFC1]

On 11/2/2021 at 12:12 PM, JustMike said:

I'd prefer not to walk with a cocked crossbow. A bad fall might be able to dislodge the string, causing some bad things to happen depending on where the string is, where the limbs are, and where my hands/body are in relation to that during the fall. 

I agree completely, at least in dark or rough terrain

[bucky]

[Bucndoe]

A crossbow with no bolt is not armed. A muzzleloader with no cap or nipple is not loaded. Personal preference doesn't change these facts

[230jhp]

On 11/3/2021 at 2:20 PM, JustMike said:

Undoubtedly true. However, these are machines, and machines can fail at the worst possible times. If I plan things while knowing about possible failure conditions, I can plan for better safety.

I think contraption rather than "machine"is a better way to discribe an xbow.

[Mixbaghunter]

I cock mine when I get in blind .decock before I leave .I don't like walking with loaded or cocked crossbow.  

[KEITH STONE]

That same guys tells them to take the string off their crossbow and compound bow at the end of the season.