15 replies to this topic

[FuzzyFultz]

I had a problem un-cocking my bow in the woods after the hunt and with out shooting it. I am new with the crossbow and I am still learning, so as I have read and watched videos, most companies recommend shooting a de-cocking arrow just in front of you into the ground. So this is just something I came up with and maybe using just temporarily. So if you use this method, please be careful and pay attention to details. For I am not responsible for someone getting hurt. So at your own risk.

**After reading and following/posting on another thread here about de-cocking the crossbow. I for one am going to either make me a de-cocking arrow or purchase one. I have been enlightened here on the crossbow nation and I am thankful to all.**

  I first cut me a small stick to mimick a short 6 inch arrow and used my cocking rope. I put mole skin on one side of my cocking rope hooks to keep from marring my bow until I can get myself a Red Hot Roller cocking rope. Thanks Pa Crossbow for that help/suggestion. The stick worked well, but it was rough and I had lost two of them already. So I decided I would make me an un-cocking arrow from a wooden dawl rod. You could do the same thing with a short piece of 2219 aluminum shaft, but I did not have any old arrows to cut it out of. Just put two inserts in it. The rod is really close to the same size of an arrow. I cut it 6 " long. I then sanded it with fine sand paper, smoothing the ends and rounding over the edges. I then colored it with a green and black permanent marker. I colored a quarter of an inch of each end red, so if I dropped it in the woods, it would be easier to find. After coloring it and giving it some time to dry, I used a paper towel and wiped it all down to remove any excess marker ink.
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Then I attached it down below and under neath the finger flinge rail and against the picatinney rail (Cyclone Express) the rail under the adjustable fore - arm, I used velcro to attach it. I made a loop that I could easly slide the small wooden rod into. The ends of the fore-arm hold it in place. That way I have it with the bow always. Works real well. This will allow you to slide it in and duplicate an arrow and then the trigger will release and you can un-cock your bow using your cocking rope.  
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I thought this might help someone else or that someone could give me their ideas or how they un-cock their bow with out shooting it. The anti-dry-fire trigger is nice. But makes it tricky when un-cocking with out shooting. I might add a picture tomorrow if someone is interested.
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WARNING---Only un-cock your bow this way if you feel as if you can. Do not put yourself in harms way if you do not have confidence in unloading this bow with the rope cocker.

Edited by FuzzyFultz, 02 January 2012 - 07:17 PM.

[Unclebuck257]

Maybe some others will have more info for you, but as far as I know you're not supposed to "uncock" your Cyclone without shooting it. Just go to Cabelas and buy a smaller "discharge target" for exactly that purpose and use it to discharge your XBow. They only cost about $20.00 and are small and handy enough to carry around with you to the truck, blind, etc. That's what I did after some in here put me on to them. What you're doing I believe is dangerous to your Xbow.

[pa crossbow]

Good idea Fuzzy a lot of people on CN are doing the same thing.Personally I cant see where its going to hurt the bow or you as long as you pay attention to details. Kodabow, Excalibur and others decock there crossbows in a similar manner. Discharge targets are just another piece of equipment to make or buy and carry around with you not to mention the extra cost in dollars out of your pocket. This of course is just my opinion and not a suggestion or advice.

Pictures are always nice Fuzzy as they say they are worth a thousand words.

Edited by pa crossbow, 01 January 2012 - 01:57 PM.

[Trip]

Please post a pic Fuzzy!

[FuzzyFultz]

Updated with pictures...

[FuzzyFultz]

 Trip, on 01 January 2012 - 09:52 PM, said:

Please post a pic Fuzzy!

Just updated with pictures. To un-cock ---I put the small rod into the bow and then place the rope cocker on the the string. I am right handed, so I pulled the excess rope to my left hand/arm and held slight pressure on it with left hand/arm and then release the safety and pull the trigger with my right hand. Then slowly let the string back down. The rod will just fall out of the way. Only do this if you are confident that you can with out injuring your self. Be careful when loading the rod in the bow as to not damage the arrow retainer. You can not go much longer than 6" on the rod in order to release the string slowly and not drive the rod into your foot. But believe me un-cocking this way is not hard at all. You just need to pay attention to what you are doing.

I first tried a pencil with no eraser end on it. That did not work and caused me to pull the trigger and nothing happened. I then had to go back to the Parker videos on line and refresh my memory on how to reset the anti dry fire mechanism. Simple, just put the rope cocker back on the string and pull up as to cock again and you will hear the faint click. Then your ready to go again. Here is the link to the video to show you how, just click on it if anyone has a problem like this.

Edited by FuzzyFultz, 04 January 2012 - 09:10 PM.

[FuzzyFultz]

**After reading and following/posting on another thread here about de-cocking the crossbow. I have had a change of mind, remember I am new also and trying to figure it all out. This method I came up with works, but is dangerous and could harm your bow if you do not get your cocking rope on properly or could harm you. I for one am going to either make me a de-cocking arrow or purchase one. I have been enlightened here on the crossbow nation and I am thankful to all.**
And if the moderators want to delete this thread I started, then please do. Thank you all....

[Zrt1200]

I do not recommend shooting into the ground unless it is a sand pile 20 yards away!! One member on here shot into the ground and the arrow hit a rock. The arrow did a 180 degree turn and just missed his neck!! NOT good!! I use a 14" square box filled with rags to use as a discharge box. Just pack them in good and shoot away even at 5 yards.

[Fishguru22]

I, for one, feel that this type of un-cocking method is THE MOST DANGEROUS method there is!!!!  There is nothing safer than shooting the bow into a proper target.  I carry a rinehart 18-1 in my truck, or car, and shoot the bow into it whenever I am done for the day.

Just think of a person, maybe elderly, or less strong than average, after sitting in a treestand all day in the cold, with stiff and cold fingers, trying to hold the draw weight of a bow with one hand!!!  One of these days, that person is going to have the rope slip from their grip, and Lord knows what is going to happen to them?????

I NEVER recommend that a person unload their bow this way, and will NEVER be convinced that it IS safe!!!!

My opinion, but it is a VERY educated one.

Rob

[Old Hoosier]

When I am ready to quit hunting, I shoot a practice arrow with a blunt tip into the ground directly below my treestand. That way I have no trouble finding it. If I hunt back to my truck, when I get close to the truck, I just shoot it into the ground at a 45 degree angle. Messing around trying to de-cock a 165# or more bow is too dangerous for me to attempt. I got chills just reading how to do it. There are easier ways for it to be done.

Edited by Old Hoosier, 03 January 2012 - 10:51 PM.

[Hogalator]

 FuzzyFultz, on 02 January 2012 - 07:32 PM, said:

**After reading and following/posting on another thread here about de-cocking the crossbow. I have had a change of mind, remember I am new also and trying to figure it all out. This method I came up with works, but is dangerous and could harm your bow if you do not get your cocking rope on properly or could harm you. I for one am going to either make me a de-cocking arrow or purchase one. I have been enlightened here on the crossbow nation and I am thankful to all.**
And if the moderators want to delete this thread I started, then please do. Thank you all....

Fuzzy, thanks for the advice & Pics. Life is dangerous and sometimes we have no choice but to take a risky route. I had to de-cock my 150# Safari Mag just the other day. The ADF was below the rail so that an arrow would not, could not trip it. I had a 150# Crossbow cocked that would not fire an arrow. My bow press is for Compound bows and I couldn't use it either. I had to let the draw down with my Rope Cocker after I had my wife trip the ADF with a stick and pull the trigger. I corrected the problem by shimming the trigger assembly up so that the arrows would contact the ADF.
    Hind sight being 20/20 I could have placed something on top of the ADF so that the arrow would contact it thereby allowing me to fire the arrow.
Be safe & may your arrows alway fly true

[FuzzyFultz]

 Hogalator, on 04 January 2012 - 10:47 AM, said:

Fuzzy, thanks for the advice & Pics. Life is dangerous and sometimes we have no choice but to take a risky route. I had to de-cock my 150# Safari Mag just the other day. The ADF was below the rail so that an arrow would not, could not trip it. I had a 150# Crossbow cocked that would not fire an arrow. My bow press is for Compound bows and I couldn't use it either. I had to let the draw down with my Rope Cocker after I had my wife trip the ADF with a stick and pull the trigger. I corrected the problem by shimming the trigger assembly up so that the arrows would contact the ADF.
    Hind sight being 20/20 I could have placed something on top of the ADF so that the arrow would contact it thereby allowing me to fire the arrow.
Be safe & may your arrows alway fly true

Thanks ... But all you would have to do would be to attach the rope cocker and and pull as you would to cock and you will hear a slight click. This resets the ADF mechanism. Then you are back in business. If you shimmed the trigger and deactivated the ADF, if I where you I would remove the shims. This is a nice feature and will possibly save you some grief.

Here is the link to the video to show you how, just click on it if anyone has a problem like this.

Edited by FuzzyFultz, 04 January 2012 - 09:08 PM.

[Hogalator]

 FuzzyFultz, on 04 January 2012 - 06:27 PM, said:

Thanks ... But all you would have to do would be to attach the rope cocker and and pull as you would to cock and you will hear a slight click. This resets the ADF mechanism. Then you are back in business. If you shimmed the trigger and deactivated the ADF, if I where you I would remove the shims. This is a nice feature and will possibly save you some grief.

Here is the link to the video to show you how, just click on it if anyone has a problem like this.

No, no i didn't deactivate the ADF. I attached the Rope Cocker and re-set the trigger & ADF many times. Problem was that the ADF was below the rails so that the arrow could not trip it therefore it would not fire.
   I bought the Bow second hand and I don't know if someome replaced the rails with maybe thicker ones or maybe had the trigger mechanism out and left a spacer out because the Trigger Mechanism was too far below the rails making the ADF a few thousands below the rail. This made it impossible to trip the ADF by placing an arrow on the rail. Of course I didn't realize this until it was too late.
    After getting it de-cocked I took the Trigger assembly out to inspect and saw that there is a molded ridge that the assem. sets on inside of the stock. I cut (2)spacers from a Milk Jug and placed them on the bottom of the assem, cutting out for the trigger and openings for the screws to go through. This brought the assem up just enough for an arrow to consistantly trip the ADF making is function as it should. It all screwed down snug & tight.
   I've contacted Parker twice hoping to get some information but so far nothing. I bet that it originally came with a spacer and I'd like to get the spacer that came with it. If not, I'll make one out of metal shim material and be done with it. The Black Max (Safari Mag)funtions flawlessly now.
Be Safe & may your arrows always fly true

Edited by Hogalator, 05 January 2012 - 02:36 PM.

[FuzzyFultz]

 Hogalator, on 05 January 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

No, no i didn't deactivate the ADF. I attached the Rope Cocker and re-set the trigger & ADF many times. Problem was that the ADF was below the rails so that the arrow could not trip it therefore it would not fire.
   I bought the Bow second hand and I don't know if someome replaced the rails with maybe thicker ones or maybe had the trigger mechanism out and left a spacer out because the Trigger Mechanism was too far below the rails making the ADF a few thousands below the rail. This made it impossible to trip the ADF by placing an arrow on the rail. Of course I didn't realize this until it was too late.
    After getting it de-cocked I took the Trigger assembly out to inspect and saw that there is a molded ridge that the assem. sets on inside of the stock. I cut (2)spacers from a Milk Jug and placed them on the bottom of the assem, cutting out for the trigger and openings for the screws to go through. This brought the assem up just enough for an arrow to consistantly trip the ADF making is function as it should. It all screwed down snug & tight.
   I've contacted Parker twice hoping to get some information but so far nothing. I bet that it originally came with a spacer and I'd like to get the spacer that came with it. If not, I'll make one out of metal shim material and be done with it. The Black Max (Safari Mag)funtions flawlessly now.
Be Safe & may your arrows always fly true

OK, I misunderstood. There is a video that discribes and shows some good pictures of the trigger mechanism in the Yahoo videos on line. Also on the Parker site. This may help you or someone on line here might have a detailed drawing/parts list of the trigger.

I have had no problems getting a hold of Parker customer service or the tech service people. They have been great with me. I did call after new years and they where out until yesterday. They told me that they never put the standard rope cocker in with the Cyclone bows (it is marring the side of the rails) and that the dealer did this himself. So I sent the dealer an e-mail and he said that he would trade out the cockers. So I am pleased with that.

[pa crossbow]

Fuzzy I ran across this when on Ebay. Horton has addressed the decocking crossbows with its very own decocking bolt. Much like the one described on here being made by a few members.Just thought you might like to know about it.Link below is to the Horton website.


http://store.hortona...-Arrow-1pk.html

[FuzzyFultz]

 pa crossbow, on 25 January 2012 - 02:50 PM, said:

Fuzzy I ran across this when on Ebay. Horton has addressed the decocking crossbows with its very own decocking bolt. Much like the one described on here being made by a few members.Just thought you might like to know about it.Link below is to the Horton website.


http://store.hortona...-Arrow-1pk.html

Thanks Pa Crossbow, but I already built me one. I used a 2219 aluminum shaft and filled it with my sons play sand. Worked great. I wonder what it weighs, maybe I will weigh it some time.It is very heavy.