An entry that was submitted on www.archerytalk.com

I'm new to this forum guys, but not to archery. I've been shooting ALL types of bows for almost 40 years and I've been on the Pro Staff for several archery companies. I am also a Senior Member in the P&Y Club. A line of duty injury caused me to retire from my police dept. after 33 years of service. This injury severely weakened my left arm and shoulder, as well as my neck and back. I had multi-level neck fusion surgery as well.

In spite of this injury, I refused to admit I couldn't shot a bow anymore and stop archery hunting. I turned my bow down to the minimum legal poundage, but the bow was almost impossible to draw and hold. I could only shoot a few arrows in practice before my left arm would start collapsing. I finally admitted that it was unethical to the animals I was hunting to continue with traditional archery.

I heard the State of Colorado had passed a law permitting qualified handicapped hunters to hunt in the archery season with a crossbow or Draw Loc. I was aware of the P&Y's position on hunting with a crossbow in an archery season, but the thought of not hunting elk in Sept. in the mountains was unbearable. I applied for the handicap crossbow permit and was approved for a lifetime permit.(Thank you Colorado DOW).

I purchased a crossbow and quickly discovered something, these things weigh a ton. I had to use a shooting stick to hold this thing up to shoot it. It shot great though and in Sept. I headed for the mountains to hunt elk. Their is nothing wrong with my legs, but after a weekend walking the mountains with my new crossbow I discovered one thing. If I wasn't handicapped enough before that weekend, I was afterwards. That crossbow was like carrying an anchor. My neck and back were killing me. My elk hunting season was a disaster.

I knew I was going to have to find something else. This summer I learned about Hickory Creeks Draw Loc attachment. I called Hickory Creek and talked with the owner, Jerry Goff. Right away Jerry and I hit it off. I had seen his companies videos, but talking to the inventor was great. I decided to give it a try. After placing my order I received my Draw Loc in three days.

Attaching and tuning the Draw Loc was simple. Like most bow hunters, I had several bows in my bow room. I then headed outside to give it a try. The bow, with the Draw Loc, couldn't have weighed much over 6 lbs. I nocked an arrow and carefully let my first arrow fly. The release trigger was much better than on my crossbow, and the bow noise firing was MUCH quieter than the crossbow. Hitting the ten ring at 30 yards was a piece of cake.

Then I tried a recommendation from Jerry. Since my left arm and shoulder was much weaker than my right arm, Jerry advised me to try shooting my bow left handed. Folks, it worked even better. Since my right arm was stronger, everything felt even better. Shooting and holding the bow steady was much easier with my right arm. I've had several sessions shooting the Draw Loc, and can't wait for this Septs. elk season.

The safety on the Draw Loc is great. You won't accidently knock it off safety, and the anti-dry fire is foolproof. Now I probably won't walk around in the woods with it cocked and locked all of the time, but when I set up to call I will cock and lock it. I know how tough bows and strings are today. You're not going to hurt your bow keeping it cocked for extended periods of time. Just pay attention to the condition of your cables, string, and string loop, and you'll be fine.

I haven't hunted with the Draw Loc yet, but its going to allow me the opportunity to continue to bow hunt. I respect traditional archery hunters, compound hunters, and crossbow hunters. But I couldn't use these options anymore. But the Draw Loc can help people continue shooting archery equipment they might already have. They're nothing better than to see an arrow fly, and I can't say enough about this new option to do that. Thanks Jerry.