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Official Pennsylvania Hunting Safety Course Link to Pennsylvania Game Commission

Chapter 7: Advanced Hunting Techniques
Archery Skills

Nocking an Arrow

A nocked arrow should be positioned about a quarter inch above the arrow rest on the bow handle. On most bows, a small brass band called a "nock set" or "nock point" is crimped onto the bowstring to mark the correct position.

To nock the arrow:

  • Grasp the arrow between the thumb and index finger of the right hand (if you're a right-handed shooter).
  • With your left hand, hold the bow parallel to the ground about waist high, string toward the body.
  • Lay the arrow shaft on the bow's arrow rest.
  • Position the arrow so that the fletching will not hit the rest when the arrow is released.
  • Align the slot in the nock with the string, while making sure that the cock feather points up (while the bow is parallel to the ground).
  • Pull the arrow back until the string snaps into the slot.
Nocking an arrow

When the arrow is nocked and the bow is raised, the cock feather points to the left if you are right-handed.

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Pennsylvania Hunting
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Official hunting safety course for Pennsylvania hunters last modified: August 17, 2010
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