Just wondering how everyone keeps the arrow on their shelf while on stand.
I've seen the Kwik Lok Arrow Holder that 3 Rivers has. Does anyone use this? or some other method?
Thanks
Ken
I use my finger.
I use them, they work well for sitting in a tree
Kwik-loc never leave home without it. They work great.
Kwik Lok or Sta Jac holders work great and they are what I prefer.
A finger x2
I keep my bow in my lap so the arrow, for me, just sits on the riser. But from everything I've heard about the kwik-loc has only been good.
I use a 4"tip piece of an arrow and rubberband wrapped around the bow and arrow holding it. Works pretty good. It is quiet and pretty quick to remove and prepare for a shot.
Like Matthew, I just hold my bow on my lap so I don't use an arrow holder. I used Kwik Loks for years and they do work well. I prefer the look of a "clean" bow.
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Can the Kwik-loc be removed without harming the bow finish?
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHunterGA:
Can the Kwik-loc be removed without harming the bow finish?
Yep.
Index finger.
Bow in lap with finger over arrow.
QuoteOriginally posted by Encino Man:
Bow in lap with finger over arrow.
X 2
I just started using a Kwick lock this year for the first time, works good. Before that, 20 years of lap or fingers.
I did blow a great opportunity at a doe in Ill because if it. I forgot about it and it pulled the arrow off the string. I then fumbled the arrow and it ended up falling to the ground. I t was a mental lapse worthy of a blooper film. :)
Take home message was: Remember to practice your "routine" so that when the eye of the tiger sets in, you don't forget to release the stupid thing.
Please consider the FTS Arrow Holder from Flemish Traditional Sports. It is the only fully removeable, weather-proof arrow holder made. It is totally quiet, reliable and it will not leave any marks or residue on your bow when you remove it. In fact, you only need one for all of your bows because of how easily it goes on and off your bow. Check it out on our website!
Eric
QuoteOriginally posted by Encino Man:
Bow in lap with finger over arrow.
Me too. If I have to move, I put my finger on the arrow so it doesn't fall off the shelf while I re-positioned.
If I'm treestand hunting my arrow just rests on the shelf hanging on the hook. Wind gets me every once in a while.
Kwik Loc.
Be careful about "sta-jacs"- I had one whose rubber became rigid/hard in the cold- cost me a 14 yd shot at PY after sitting in a cold rain/snow all day. . . . 15 minutes left and argh!!! The "jac" would not let go of the arrow! (just imagine you get to full draw- only to see the nock end of the arrow "floating" in the air half between the riser and the string.)
Kwic Locs for me. Sta Jacs were good too, when you could find them.
I use them both..the Kwik loc using woods will not let go. Like the problem ksdan had with the sta-jac
I keep my bow across my lap and my bow hand on the handle with a finger holding the arrow. I've been cought off guard too many time.
I use Sta jacs on my bows. Don't think they're made anymore. Can still find them at bow shoots, on line, etc. Best arrow holder ever made IMO.
I have a Kwik Loc on my bow and use it at times and my finger at times. I don't hang my bow, always have it across my lap so no big deal really to just put my finger on the arrow. I use an elevated rest and always let the arrow shaft lay under the rest on the shelf until I see game. I do that so as not to push the shelf down over time with my finger pressure on the arrow shaft.
I bought some of the kwick loc this year from 3 rivers archery they work great, I have one on every bow now
graylingoutdoorproducts.com have some arrow holders called the prefect arrow holder i really like it.The kwick loc to me is to big but ths grayling arrow holder i cut a lot of the plastic base off and stick it on the riser good stuff...
Kwik lock on my recurves, the grace of God on my Hill.
I use the Kwik Lock, and I end up putting velcro on the riser, and the looped side on the back of the Kwik Lock.
That way I can take it off in the "off season", and simply apply the fuzzy side velcro to the side of the riser.
I hang my bow a lot in the tree stand and it works good. Plus, you can move it from one bow to another, just need more velcro.
I've always had time to grab the bow, and first thing is I release the Kwik Lock, if I hear or see game coming, I'm ready.
My (usually frozen) finger, my bow is either in my hand on on my lap.
Bow in holder and shelf angled enough to keep arrow in place.
i use a quick lok arrow holder. i have broken myself of what i consider a bad habit holding the arrow with your finger. in a hunting situation the quick lok will release the arrow as soon as you start the draw cycle. it is quiet, and easy to use. i also dont lay the bow in my lap. istead i keep the bow in a vertical postion, with the bottom limb tip resting on my foot, with my bow hand on the handle or near the throat of the grip. its less motion and always at the ready. rv
I was trying to think of something this past Fall as my index finger became more and more numb. I was wondering if some kind of "knob" could be worked into the bow riser so my finger could rest on it instead of being wrapped around the arrow so tightly for so long. Kind of like a thumb rest or locator. Sounds weird now that I type it, but you've got a lot of time to think when your in your tree...
Arrow holders are a convenience. They are also one more thing that can fail and cost you a shot opportunity. Same thing with bow holders or hooks. On stand, bow In the lap, arrow On the string. One thing to watch out for is clothing pushing the rear of the nock off the string. They key is being ready at all times. Minimize movement and eliminate gadgets that might cause a problem if they fail or get in your way. Practice with your arrow holder if you decide to use one. They can pull your nock off the string if you draw without disengaging it first.
If you have ever tried to hold an arrow on the shelf with your finger in below zero weather, you will appreciate the Kwik Loc. I started using one last season, and it sure beats a frozen digit. A little practice with it makes it a much appreciated addition to your riser.
I keep bow in hand with finger over arrow in as near a ready position as comfortable - never know when something will slip up on you, but it is sometimes a pain. We also don't have very cold temps, so I don't have to worry about not being able to feel my fingers.
My bow is on a hook except for times I most expect to see a deer from the stand. Of course that is difficult to predict.
I've used Kwik Lock and Sta-Jacks. I do have to think about releasing the holder from the shaft as soon as I take the bow off the hook.
I'd like to find Sta Jack's with a screw attachment because I have a couple of bows (Thanks RWM)that have inserts at just the right place for attaching these.
I'm going to check out a couple of those mentioned above in the thread though.
Other than a Doe blowing, my least favorite thing to happen when on stand is to drop a perfectly sharp arrow from the tree. They always seem to hit a noisy step on the way down and then land on a rock!
If my hand gets cold I use my string finger to steady the arrow while the other hand is in my hand warmer.
I call it a "bow spur"....but it's just an eighth inch piece of brass rod, about a quarter inch long, drilled and glued into my riser adjacent to the rest. Although it's a permanent thing, you get used to it, and rubber bands are easy replacement things. Hardly noticeable and without the rubber band on it, I forget it's there.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/2011%20hunt%20pics/b18.jpg)
You people that are having the holders pull the nock off the string may have them installed backwards.
I have the bow mostly on my lap when sitting, on a hanger when I stand. I've had the wind take my arrows off the shelf 3-4 times. Since then I've been using a double string nock and havn't had any trouble since. A generous fit for the arrow nock so it wouldn't pinch but so far so good. I setup my nock point as normal with the top nock. The wind may want to push the arrow one way or another but the arrow now has something to push against. Now it would have to be my fault.
These work well for me. Self adhesive velcro attaches the arrow holder to the bow. At the end of the seasons it peels off with no damage to the finish. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/Shortbldtr/IMG_1615.jpg)
Have used Kwik-loks on very successfully on several bows for the past 15 years, BUT...
I have two very special bows I just did not want to stick anything to with adhesives. On those bows, I have the Flemish Traditional Arrow Holder, and it is a great choice for the job. The work very well easy on/ easy off and no "sticky" to deal with. Eric is a sponsor here, and you can find his "stuff" at http://flemishtraditionalsports.com/ .
I tried to be ready to shoot every minute of every hunt, and these two products do a good job of helping me do that.
Mark, that is one of the coolest holders around. I remember seeing something like that a few years ago somewhere. Maybe you.
For those who use the Kwik Loc.
Can you take it off after the hunting season and somehow keep the adhesive side sticky so it can be re-used or do you just buy another?
I'm thinking the velcro idea might work.
Paul I use the same kind as you.First pic is in the out of the way after hunting season but easy to put in place with velcro.Been using these for about 35 years.
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/Kip_album/June2010084.jpg)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/Kip_album/2007_0212Image0058.jpg)
Kip- I still have the one you gave me at BQ on another bow
Paul
Brass pins in my bows too.......
In my bow holder arrows stand alone on the shelf without need of assistance with exception of high winds at that time she hits the lap.
I drilled a small whole in the riser and used a #4 or #3 finish nail cut to proper length(head sticking out to help hold on the rubber band). I must admit, that I see my bows more in a utilitarian way than works of art.
Thanks Pat...but I can't take credit. I learned the trick from Rudy Bonser, an older gentleman who retired up here from PA....and had a bow shop for many, many years there. I'm sure it's been around a long time, and there are other who do the same thing or a version of it. The truth is, I'd rather NOT have to have one, but as someone stated...I can last a lot longer with my hands in my pockets, when the temps get below zero.
The arrow holder from flemish traditional sports. Easy on, off, and change to other bows.
duct tape
Thanks folks for all of the kind words! For those not familiar with our arrow holder the best advantage of our holder is that it will come off your bow without leaving any residue or marks and it does not require you to drill into the riser. It really does install in seconds and it is totally reliable without any cold weather issues.
Whip showed me one that works great for me! You attach a small rubber band to the end of a wooden tooth pick. The tooth pick goes against the side of the riser opposite the shelf and the rubber band goes around the riser over the arrow and loops on to the end of the tooth pick. When you are ready to draw, just release the tooth pick on the looped end and it falls to the ground without making a sound.
Mike
Like Mr Baker, I drill and glue a small piece of brass nail into my bow. I've done that for a long time.
ChuckC
I used to use the frozen finger method, then found the rubber band toothpick technique here on Powwow. Don't have a picture of it to post, but if you do a search you should find it. Works for me.
Gonna have to try that one from flemish outdoor sports. Just got into the trad side this past year and have been looking for something like this. I bought one of the qwik locs, but couldn't bring myself to stick it to the side of my bow.
I have never used one, just my finger,never had a problem. When its cold I wear a glove on my bow hand. I practice with it on so its not uncomfortable or clumsy. I also shoot wood arrows which arent as heat draining as aluminum. My goal is too keep my bow as clean as possible and have never felt the need for an arrow holder. I certainly dont knock people who use them, but for me its what the late Col. Jeff cooper called " an ingenius solution to a non exsistent problem" Its a big world aand to each his own, whatever works for you
Kwik Loc for me. In fact i wouldn't have gotten my 8 pointer with out it. On Oct 30th I was hunting in thick laurels when the 8 pointer came walking through fast at 2:45pm and i was just getting set up in my stand. I grabbed my bow and made the shot before he passed my 15 yard window. If my arrow was in my quiver i would not have been able to make the shot.
Kip, that bow/knife combo is making me drool.
QuoteOriginally posted by Gator1:
I use the Kwik Lock, and I end up putting velcro on the riser, and the looped side on the back of the Kwik Lock.
That way I can take it off in the "off season", and simply apply the fuzzy side velcro to the side of the riser.
I hang my bow a lot in the tree stand and it works good. Plus, you can move it from one bow to another, just need more velcro.
I do the exact same thing. I can take it off when I'm not hunting, and use the same holder on as many different bow as I like.