A de-cocking mechanism for a bow having an energy storage assembly mounted to a center support with a draw string that extends across the center support coupled to the energy storage assembly. The bow includes a trigger assembly that retains the draw string in a drawn configuration. The de-cocking mechanism includes a de-cocking actuator that automatically releases the draw string onto the de-cocking mechanism when the de-cocking mechanism engages with the trigger assembly. The user can then manually move the draw string from the drawn configuration to a released configuration. The de-cocking mechanism is preferably combined with a cocking mechanism.