Methods and systems for illuminating an arrow nock or bolt end are disclosed, including providing a lighted nock having: a nock body which has a portion for attachment to an arrow or shaft and a slotted proximate end adapted to receive a bowstring; and a detent member, a luminous assembly, and a push member all of which are at least partially disposed within the nock body, wherein the push member comprises a recess and at least a portion of the push member protrudes into the proximate end; attaching the lighted nock to the bowstring, thereby releasing the portion of the detent member from within the recess of the push member; drawing the bowstring; and releasing the bowstring, thereby withdrawing the bowstring from the slot, and illuminating the nock. Other embodiments are described and claimed.