Abstract: An over-the-shoulder sling at least partially supports the weight of a crossbow without interfering with use. The apparatus includes a shaped bracket attachable to the front of the bow, such as to the foot stirrup used when pulling back the string. A sling assembly including an over-the-shoulder section connects to the shaped bracket. A length of the sling assembly from where it attaches to the bracket is preferably at least semi-rigid to ensure that no portion of the sling interferes with the bowstring or bolt (arrow) during use. The semi-rigid section preferably attaches to the curved bracket through a rotating and pivoting connection providing multiple degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A center-mount bow-string holder is provided for use by an archer, e.g. with a sling, for carrying a bow or standing with an armed or unarmed bow. The holder includes spaced-apart hooks for supporting a horizontally held bow-string. For support, the bow-string is centered-balanced between the hooks with the bow-string supported on the hooks. The axial spacing of the hooks is such that the same serve as a guide for and are closely adjacent to the arrow nock end when placed on and held by the low-string and further the lateral spacing for each hook is such as to allow the archer to move the armed or unarmed bow silently and freely in and out of the holder, as desired.