Saddle and Crossbow

[bj139]

Did you cock it on the ground first? I have the mini too.

Yes. I cocked it on the ground and didn't try it in the tree.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I cock it on the ground. If I forget to do it. I have cocked in the tree. Both work. One is more difficult. Excalibur micro 335


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[hambone]

I always cock my Excalibur Phoenix on the ground and use a rope haul to pull it up in the tree. However, I have to admit I have been stupid, or half asleep at times and forgot to cock it. So I have cocked it in the tree with my foot in the stirrup using the rope cocking device. It’s real difficult and I don’t recommend it. Feels like if your foot slips the bow is going to flying off through the woods!


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[bj139]

I always cock my Excalibur Phoenix on the ground and use a rope haul to pull it up in the tree. However, I have to admit I have been stupid, or half asleep at times and forgot to cock it. So I have cocked it in the tree with my foot in the stirrup using the rope cocking device. It’s real difficult and I don’t recommend it. Feels like if your foot slips the bow is going to flying off through the woods!


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If it slips it it likely to propel the xbow into your jaw.

 

[Halon6]

My Mission doesn't have a stirrup, so it is a little more tricky to do in the tree. I do mine on the ground to hunt. I tested at height and can do it by pushing down with my foot as I pull the cocking rope, but it is just off to the side of the tree in mid air, not pushing down on a step or platform. I never miss, so the odds of needing to cock it again after a shot are zero anyway!

I have the RSD for my Sub-1

 

[joel0711]

Anyone have much trouble with the width of the older Excaliburs(not Matrix/Micros)??

 

[uncle ricky]

Anyone have much trouble with the width of the older Excaliburs(not Matrix/Micros)??

i shoot a matrix 380 and manage 2-3 deer a year, some from a saddle

 

[PastorKen]

I’ll try my Excalibur Equinox from the saddle this year for the first time. I’ll also use my PSE compound bow some. I bought a cocking crank to use in the tree. It’s loud though. I had thought it would be difficult to use the crossbow from the saddle. But I practiced a little bit and I really don’t think it’s going to be a problem.

 

[hambone]

I’ve been using the Excalibur Phoenix for about 10 years. I haven’t had any problems in the saddle. Just have to keep the string and limbs away from the tree. I do this by making sure I move around the tree on my steps to put the deer in a position where the bow is away from the tree. Took five deer last year. It works.


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[jbogg]

I have an older Excaliber Vortex. It’s as wide as a small aircraft and I don’t have any problem shooting from my JX 3. I have the Tether very long and move around the tree easily.

 

[jewalker7842]

I've been wondering about it this and was going to experiment with it today if I had some time. I do not think it would be too big of an issue. My crossbow is an Excalibur so if I can shoot that sucker any crossbow will not be a problem in the tree.

 

[Stykbow1]

As others have mentioned and suggested cock the crossbow on the ground before climbing and be vigilant of the limbs contacting the tree. I try and set up with the shots to my nine o'clock to six o'clock if the tree is twelve o'clock. If you do have to shoot around the tree make sure the limbs will clear after the tree after the shot and the limbs return to their uncocked position.

Good Hunting....

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I have cocked my 335 micro in the tree before. Difficult but not impossible. If you forget to do it on the ground


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[Tuckersmith]

I’ve wondered the same thing

 

[bj139]

Last Tuesday, I cocked mine on the ground before I went into the woods and nocked an arrow for the walk in. I removed the arrow before ascending the tree and replaced it at height. I only needed one shot.

 

[PastorKen]

Here’s an update on cocking my crossbow in the tree. I discovered that I can use my Excalibur cocking device in silent mode. I just have to make sure I don’t let go of the handle or it turns into a spinning knuckle buster. But since I’m not gonna let go of the handle it shouldn’t be a problem. I actually tried this Saturday and it worked perfectly.

 

[dlist777]

For anyone still following this thread:

I started hunting this year out of a saddle (JX-3) and a xbow. I've probably done 10 hunts and succesfully got my first saddle buck on Friday evening. I just wanted to share some stuff I've learned that might be helpful (these might be specific to the JX-3).

1. I got a small runner, an amsteel loop, and a caribiner and hooked my bow into my bridge on the left side (connected to the handle). This way the bow stays on my strong side "at the ready". If I move around the tree it comes with me. The runner is long enough that I don't need to unhook it to shoot on my weak side. I only unhook it if I want to hang it momentarily if I'm standing up and adjusting me tether or something.

2. Range finder and binos are hooked to the other side; same way. If I see something I don't even need to take my eyes off of it to reach down for RF or binos.

3. For the weak side shots, I find it pretty easy to move the bow over the bridge and just shoot lefty. The bridge and connections of the JX-3 provide such a stable rest, that I don't have a problem acquiring the sight picture or shooting lefty. It really reduces the amount of movement needed for 360 shooting . For shots on the right of three say between 12 - 3, I'll still shoot righty, but 3-6 will be lefty.

Here are some pics. Can't resist including my first saddle buck either.

 

[dave]

Thanks for the pics, that's a nice buck too!

 

[jbogg]

I used the rope cocker to cock my Excaliber Vortex in the tree in my JX3. I always cock it on the ground, but in this case I took a shot and wanted to reload and keep hunting. I found it surprisingly easy to cock even in the tree. I use the Lonewolf hand climber as my platform and I adjusted the back rest so that I was able to stand on the platform and lean back and straighten up into a standing position as I cocked the crossbow.

I can’t shoot lefty so I added a Cranford screw in steps on either side of the tree, and those two steps coupled with my Lonewolf Handclimber allowed me rotate 360° easily. The additional foot positions allow me to sit much longer as well.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

I have used my rope cocker in the tree on a 335 micro and have done it several times. It has a 265 pound pull and is not easy to pull in a tree but certainly not impossible.