Anyone have experience with draw-locks?

I started eyeballing the same thing during firearms season this year. I am having trouble holding steady while at full draw now, but can hold a gun that is heavier than my bow pretty steady. Figured taking the draw weight away while aiming would allow me to keep using my compound and be as accurate as I used to be.

I was looking at the one from Hickory Creek.

Yeah, that's the one that appeals most to me so far. I'd want to update the bow to one of the more modern ones after getting used to it, but I could start out by "souping up" the old reliable Mathews and cranking it back up to it's original 70# draw.


I'd still like to achieve a quiet shot if I can, and I think the best way to get it might just be using a compound with a draw lock. The compounds today are pretty darn quiet and still should be when using a draw-lock.


I was getting used to the crossbow and beginning to get a satisfactory group off the bench last week, but my offhand hold is still not very steady. I did try a couple shots using the telescoping hiking stick as a substitute for the bench, and it felt promising. May get the time to get back out to the range and play some more this weekend.


I used to walk way too much, and finally started killing more deer when I got up a tree and stayed there. Now the old body is making me go another step towards hunting from one spot and it will likely be on the ground more than in a tree, so the gear change will reflect the changing needs and capabilities. If I need to, I'll use a camera tripod for a steady rest and hunt from a pop-up. Maybe not as fun as sneaking through the woods still-hunting, but still beats staying home.

That was very cool! Not quiet but very cool!