Lighted Nocks - Yea or nay?

[CurlyTail]

This season, I became convinced that lighted nocks would be a good thing the help a guy see exactly where the arrow impacted the Elk. We had a situation were an Elk was hit, we thought it was a good hit, and gave him one hour to die. Turned out the hit was actually high, and we should have given him overnight before tracking. Bumped him from his bed tracking. Was probably a moot point as it turned out to be non-lethal hit anyway. The elk was never recovered and we are as sure as we can be that he never died.

What do you guys think? I have NO practical experience with lighted nocks, and could use a recommendation for brand to purchase. Are they too much weight, expense, hassel to be worth it?

[ishy]

I'm for all the way. Just for what you stated, removes all doubt (I would think) of where the arrow hits especially in lower light situations. But I'm in Idaho so still haven't tried them. We usually wait for every state in the union to change, wait a few years, take a breath and then put it on the ballot for 5 years down the road. I think most sporting goods stores stopped selling 65% let off bows several years before the Idaho changed.

[Brendan]

I really liked them when I used them. Shot a whitetail buck about 1 minute before legal shooting light ended a couple years ago. I wouldn't have been able to see the deer well enough to shoot if it weren't for being silhouetted against snow. With the lighted nock I was able to see exactly where I hit, and could see the arrow sitting in the ground from my stand after a pass through.

They are heavier, but you can usually get weighted practice nocks to keep practice arrows the same weight. I used Firenock. Very well designed but expensive...

I stopped using them when I started elk hunting as not every state allows them and I initially didn't know where I'd be hunting. Been considering using them again this year

[Lefty]

I have three lighted nocks even for target shooting they are great.

Even just for arrow recovery
Ive lost a few arrows . Sure would have been nice to find them. ,..

[lamrith]

I like them, WA made them legal. Like many for me it is a combination of 1 tracking that fast moving arrow to impact as well as recovery after the fact. If the shot is not a pass thru you see it leaving with the animal, again confirmation on hit and location.

They can be a pain for tuning. Most are around 9grains extra weight on the tail, so unless you have high FOC, you may need to bump up to a heavier head or weighted inserts to keep the arrow flying well. Thus changes your speed and point of impact requiring sight adjustment.

That said I will be hunting another state this year that does not allow them, so they were removed from arrows lastnight and I will be practicing without them.

FYI - for those that use them, once the batteries die (if not replaceable) keep those old nocks to use in practice arrows so you have the same arrow balance without burning batteries on new nocks..

[CurlyTail]

I believe they are now legal in Colorado, and I plan to use them next season.

I have heard some good reviews on Nocturnals - anyone tried them?

[Everest]

I have really enjoyed using them on whitetails. As mentioned, you can get a good idea of where you hit and know whether you need to wait to trail. Also they make the arrow easier to find.
Firenock is supposed to be the best, but you have to pay $$$ for them. The owner is a nice guy also.

[Mike_Parson]

They are illegal in NM so i have never used them. i can see where it might be a good tool to use tho.

[Fridaythe13th]

I like them, but don't use them only because of price (broadhead $12 + arrow $14 + nock $10 = $36) and I missed a nice buck from a tree stand right away in the morning and that little light glowing in the ground was hard to look at for the next 3 hours. I did want to make all that noise getting out of the tree stand at prime time.

[Northman]

Curly tail- I use the Nocturnal nocks. They work great. Just use the tip of your knife to reset them. The green and red give off the most light. They weigh 15 grains each. I haven't had any problem with tuning them, but all of my arrows are FOC.

[Mike_Parson]

I have to correct my previous statement. i thought they were illegal here in NM but it seems they changed that law a while back and i wasnt aware of the change. so they are now legal to use here in NM, but i havent used them yet. I might now that i know the reg has changed.

[CurlyTail]

I went ahead and got some Nocturnals.

They make target shooting much more enjoyable - you can see where you hit so much better

They are expensive, and I have had a few malfunction after a few uses, and a rare dud out of the box even.

Overall - I like them, will keep using them. But will keep a look out for a cheaper and more foolproof brand as time goes by.

[rowdycwby1]

They work great there just a pain to tune them but are great in low light. I shot my cow in 2013 with them 30 minutes before legal shooting light was up and it really showed my shot placement and if I should go after her or let her set overnight!

[Mike_Parson]

do they make a brand that are easy to turn off once you shot them and have used them for practice or are they a one time shot and then your done and they burn out and you have to just buy new ones? i have tried to research this online and have drawn a blank on how they really work and such.

[rowdycwby1]

Mike Nocturnal necks can be turned off after shooting just take a knife or sharp end of field point to lift them back up. What arrows are you shooting? If you shoot gold tips I have some you can try since your close to me.

[Mike_Parson]

i am shooting the Gander mountain hunter brand. i bought some and i liked the way they shot. they are a little lighter than the Bloodsport Hunters i have been shooting. They are still a .245 ID.