Chapter 7: Advanced Hunting Techniques
Cocking Devices

Crossbow draw weights have become heavier in recent years as consumers have demanded more speed. As draw weights have increased, the need for cocking aids has become more important.

Although it is possible to cock the crossbow manually, most modern crossbow manufacturers also offer a device to assist in cocking, which is included with the crossbow when purchased or sold separately. Some devices come assembled on the crossbow itself. Two of the most common types of cocking devices are the cocking harness and the hand crank. Most individuals can cock even the heaviest drawweight crossbow using either system.

Cocking Harness (also called a rope-cocker): This device reduces the energy required to cock a crossbow by 50 percent.

• It consists of a sturdy cord, wrist straps or handles, and pulley-equipped hooks or cocking sled that temporarily attach to the crossbow string.
• The user cocks the crossbow in a single motion by standing up while pulling on the wrist straps or handles.
• The cocking harness is very efficient, although it does require some manual dexterity. It allows less physically capable individuals to cock the crossbow themselves.

Hand Cranks: These devices are either permanently attached to the stock or easily attached and then removed after cocking and prior to the shot. This device operates similarly to a boat winch, using gear reduction and a crank handle to reduce the heaviest draw weights to a fraction of their original weight.

Never use a cocking device to uncock the crossbow.

The recommended method of uncocking a crossbow is to shoot an arrow from the cocked crossbow into a safe backstop. If hunting from an elevated stand or tree stand, remove the arrow from the crossbow, and leaving the safety in the on position, lower the crossbow from your stand. When safely back on ground level, shoot a practice tipped arrow into a safe backstop such as a dirt bank or other suitable target. Never leave a crossbow cocked over an extended period of time; check the owner’s manual that came with your crossbow for recommended lengths of time.