[THF]

Went hunting this morning and had come back to my truck for lunch. Doing my normal routine, I unloaded my arrow and went to decock my A4 with my cocking rope. Pushed the ADF button, took the bow off safety, pulled the trigger and started to let the string down like I’ve done hundreds of times before. But this time, the string would not let down. I’m thinking WTF? Something definitely isn’t right. So I cock the bow again and take a closer look. My Nocturnal knock had come off the arrow and I didn’t realize it. It was wedged between the string and the back of the rail! And I mean stuck. I keep pulling the string back, relatching the string and pulling the trigger all the while keeping constant backward pressure on the cocking rope. Did this several times and finally, the Nocturnal had all it could take and bent in the middle enough to slide down in the trigger mechanism and I was able to let the string down.

But now, the Nocturnal had dropped clean out of sight into the trigger box! After a few choice words, I ended up coming back home and took the scope off so I could reach the socket head cap screw that holds the metal block that sits on top of the trigger mechanism and what the scope attaches to. I was able to get some needle nose pliers in there to get the Nocturnal out. I inspected the whole area and found the pressure on the Nocturnal had damaged the back of the rail creating a hell of a burr on the back end of it. I was able to polish it out smooth again, cussing the whole time.

I then inspected my string and found no damage. I put everything back together and attached the scope again placing it right back on the marks I made on the scope rail before removing it. Went out to my backyard range expecting to have to readjust my scope. First shot at 30 yds was right in the bullseye. Thank goodness! I’m back in business.

Before anyone brings it up, I was using the correct diameter Nocturnal knocks for the ID of my arrow shaft. They came with the Spinal Tapps I bought from Jerry. It was a snug fit and I had shot this arrow several times with no issues. Not sure what the hell happened, but it did.

If you are using Nocturnal knocks, make sure you check the end of your arrow before you put it back in your quiver! I pulled all of mine off my arrows and am back to using the regular plastic moon knocks.

Headed back out again! They chasing hard down my way!

 

[bunnyrabbit]

Thankfully you did not get hurt.
Thanks for sharing.
All the best.

 

[Moon]

Good move to stop messing with lighted nocks, IMO.

 

[KTownKiller]

Ya, thanks! Can ya put a drop of glue or something to keep 'em in?

 

[THF]

Ya, thanks! Can ya put a drop of glue or something to keep 'em in?

I’m taking Moon’s advice above I think. At least for the rest of this season!

 

[Moon]

I just don’t think lighted nocks are worth the possible problems associated with them.......as you just experienced. JMO

 

[Gabowman]

I just don’t think lighted nocks are worth the possible problems associated with them.......as you just experienced. JMO

I was having problems with the Lumenocks not staying lit after the shot sometimes so I went back to regular nocks too. I hunt from elevated stands and my shots are all downhill so I really don't think I have a need for them. I haven't used them for a couple years now and really haven't missed them. I'll add that I have killed enough with my bows to fill my freezers each of those two years, and haven't lost the first arrow.

 

[THF]

I hunt from the ground.... A LOT. And I've had a hard time finding my arrows in the past. I usually find them for the most part, just takes forever. I like the concept, but I didn't really liked the Nocturnals from day one. Just felt and looked cheap to me.

Looking back, I was in a bad way today. Could have easily dry fired the bow or injured myself trying to recock the bow as you have to slide the cocking rope back thru the sled so it's even on each end to recock it. Had the nock gave way while I was in the middle doing that, it would have been bad.

I might look into another brand next year. Like KTK mentioned above, might have to put a dab of glue on them to make sure they stay put.

 

[KTownKiller]

Just glad ya didn't get hurt, man!

 

[Iron Duke]

I find … almost every arrow I've ever shot. Installed the 3 of the Rolls Royce of illuminated nocks. Took me 3 weeks to find one of those arrows the first time I hunted with them. (3 times in that stand, looking for the arrow each trip) It had ended up under matted down dense grass. I found it with a steel rake. Surprisingly it was still faintly glowing. My point is that just because you have a light in your nock, it doesn't guarantee an easy find.

I can't see my arrow in flight and never looked for it. If you're looking to get giddy about a lighted rainbow arc into your quarry, have at it. My only goal is putting that quarry on the ground. If you're into recording your hunts, then I could see the added drama of a lighted nock.

Like Moon, I think illuminated nocks are more trouble than they're worth. They screw up your normal FOC, add weight to the wrong end of your arrow, slow your arrow down, add something else to screw up, would seem to encourage a poor follow through and encourage a bad habit of "peeking," and make you weight the rear of all your practice arrows if you're serious about training.

 

[Gabowman]

I got rid of them simply because I caught myself "peeking" looking for the arrow right after the shot. Yea, my fault, but it still happened. If I hunted from the ground I'd probably switch back to them just hoping it might help me find my arrows. If they worked helping me then fine, if not then I'd remove 'em again. I shoot arrows that costs @ $30-$35 per half dozen. If I lost every one that I shot at a deer with I wouldn't loose the whole half dozen. I don't try killing that many deer in a year. For me....the more simple things are the better.

 

[robertyb]

I got rid of them simply because I caught myself "peeking" looking for the arrow right after the shot. Yea, my fault, but it still happened. If I hunted from the ground I'd probably switch back to them just hoping it might help me find my arrows. If they worked helping me then fine, if not then I'd remove 'em again. I shoot arrows that costs @ $30-$35 per half dozen. If I lost every one that I shot at a deer with I wouldn't loose the whole half dozen. I don't try killing that many deer in a year. For me....the more simple things are the better.

I shot under a doe at 26 yards doing exactly that a couple of years ago.

 

[KTownKiller]

I never make mistakes!!! AHEM!!! Cough cough!!!

WAIT a min!!!! Did we just hear ID and Moon agree on somethin!!!?

 

[Iron Duke]

I never make mistakes!!! AHEM!!! Cough cough!!!

WAIT a min!!!! Did we just hear ID and Moon agree on somethin!!!?

Moon's like … former Prince Harry. He's blinded by love and being led around by ethical trailer park trash. Other than that he's a trusted warrior who can shoot the eyes out of gnats at 50 yards.

 

[gingerjake]

Its different strokes for different folks. I shoot deer for urban herd control (see trail camera thread, The Season Ain't Over) and donate the excess to FHFH. They seldom come out of thick stuff into legal shooting area before last light. There's more light at 17' up a tree than on the ground so the nock shows where you hit and where the deer went if you don't have a pass through. I shoot a 550 grain arrow with a 200 gr insert and 125 gr BH, so FOC is no issue. I use Launchpad red Type B and have cleaned out shops as far away as Saginaw, Michigan by mail order and driven 3 hours into PA to get my hands on their remaining stock. The only problem I've had is making the mistake of putting them on Jerry's Spynal Tapps and shooting the same dot with a second arrow. Cracked the nock and I didn't discover it until I took a shot at a fat doe and cut the string. Shooting from a ground blind at first light, I look for the arrow immediately to check hair color and blood on pass throughs. Red light is VERY useful when the arrow exits at a 45 degree angle into the brush. If you've got a pack or two in your junk box, I'll pay shipping.

 

[KTownKiller]

I hear ya, Gin. I don't get to see my big ****** bucks till dawn and dusk, usually not even that! So I'm think'n the lighted ass end on an arrow would be a gooder! Do ya find the deer jump the arrow more though? Like don't they see the light also...?

 

[gingerjake]

Do ya find the deer jump the arrow more though? Like don't they see the light also...?

KT... Ever heard the saying "Deer in the headlights"? And that's on the front end! In my neighborhood one has to drive up to them and blow the horn to get them out of the road. These deer are weird. I think it's from inbreeding. Last year I watched an 8-point come out of dense cover and walk across an open 1/2 acre lot straight toward a crew putting a roof on a house 75 yards away.

My last experience with a lighted nock this season was a last light doe that looked like a high back shot with poor penetration, but turns out she was lead doe of a double and I only saw the second doe but the arrow was buried 95% in the lead doe and left a great blood trail. Easy flashlight track until I found the arrow and then the doe. This is where it gets weird. Stuck the red light next to the doe and walked out to get help with the drag. Came back in 45 minutes and flushed four does out of the same backyard within 15 yards of my pack, quiver, and bow at the bottom of the ladder stand. Walked straight back in to the doe with another snorting and stomping at us. Maybe the red light means something special to the does.

 

[Renegade19]

Couple things, I love, love, love suburban deer. The deer in my avatar came from a back yard. I also love lighted nocks but as others have said, you have to resist the urge to peek. I did that this year and missed high on what should have been a slam dunk shot. Nothing like a pass through bolt sticking in the ground with the nock very dimmed from good blood. As for Nocturnals, I had great success with them from a vertical bow. The Decimators I shoot with the light up nocks are equipped with what I'm pretty sure are Nocturnals or knock offs of Nocturnals. No issues yet.

 

[Renegade19]

Oh yeah, one other thing, I'd have lost a bolt and an expensive Thorn broadhead last week if I hadn't finally been able to see the nock buried in tall pasture grass. Took me a while but I finally found it. No light, that bolt is still there.

 

[KTownKiller]

Great afternoon reading, gents!!! Thanks! Sooo, Moon and ID don't know what they're yap'n about.... Oooops! Outta here!!.... LOL!!!!