Traveling oversears with bows and arrows

[houndsandlongbows]

How are my fellow traditional bowhunters traveling with your bows and arrows when going overseas? Do I need a TSA approved case for everything?

[KodaChuck]

In my experience, archery equipment is not subject to the same requirements as firearms. I do the following. If feasible, I ship my gear to a destination ahead of time via FedEx so I don't need to deal with the airlines. There can be some customs issues but this is the most certain method. You really want to avoid hassle, pilferage or theft of your equipment in the airline system so the next angle is to never pack your archery equipment in cases that look like firearms cases because you will then go through all the airline hassles for firearms unnecessarily. Take a 3 piece takedown and pack the bow in your rolling duffel bag with your clothing as padding. Remove broadheads from arrows and pack them separately in a box marked "Caution - razor sharp". Arrows go in a plastic MTM case in the duffel with everything else...bow, boots etc. I flew internationally last year and as expected  - zero hassle. However...if you package your bow like a firearm, standby because it will be stopped and inspected by people who don't know what they are looking at and then repacked not nearly as nice as your packing job.

[Pat B]

You might check with the countries you plan to visit to see what their rules are.

[McDave]

Additionally, don't land with your bow in certain countries if you're carrying broadheads, even if you're just changing airplanes and continuing on to somewhere else.  Evidently some flights to South Africa are routed through Holland, which has strict laws against broadheads and will confíscate not just the broadheads but also your bow and arrows.  England has strict anti-hunting laws too, but I don't know if their laws are as strict as Holland's regarding transportation of equipment.  Probably best to mail your equipment, or at least your broadheads, ahead, as was mentioned

[cacciatore]

I am a serial overseas traveler, once I carried 25 bows in my checkered luggage, with knives, many, broadheads, tons, and arrows. I am been doing these for 30 years 2-3 times a year. Never had a problem, for sure the TDS are a plus saving you money for a extra piece of luggage. I store my bows inside a padded bow case like Kathy Kelly or similar. The arrows stay in a rigid box, broadheads in a special box. My luggage on exit from the US are always been controlled by TSA agents and nobody has ever questioned with my belongings.
Same in my way in.
That’s it.

[Bisch]

I am a serial overseas traveler, once I carried 25 bows in my checkered luggage, with knives, many, broadheads, tons, and arrows. I am been doing these for 30 years 2-3 times a year. Never had a problem, for sure the TDS are a plus saving you money for a extra piece of luggage. I store my bows inside a padded bow case like Kathy Kelly or similar. The arrows stay in a rigid box, broadheads in a special box. My luggage on exit from the US are always been controlled by TSA agents and nobody has ever questioned with my belongings.
Same in my way in.
That’s it.

Same here, only not nearly that many trips, and I only carry 2 bows at a time!!!!

Bisch

[2wfstlhunting]

Ideas to work with:
The case needs to be sturdy enough to prevent injury by luggage handlers
Many have put their takedowns into their luggage from dufflebags  to hardcases.  I have never used a soft case for transporting my bows ( since 1993 when I actually took a takedown as a carryon to Wyoming) so this makes me very nervous. I do have to say that I have never had anything actually crushed or broken in my primary suitcase and I usually travel with a structured but soft cloth covered suitcase.
Avoid the use of camo if possible.
I have personally used one piece longbows on 3 of 4 trips to Africa with no problem at all.  They and arrows go into rigid tubes which are lashed together.  This keeps the tubes from rolling on the conveyor belt which is one of the main reasons that they get crushed, jammed and/or broken.
If there is a case that looks at all like it might be a gun, I and others that I have seen have clearly labeled them with a taped on sign that says: ARCHERY EQUIPMENT.  This works.
The primary problem, which has only happened to me once (flying into Canada and then changing planes to Newfoundland) is your luggage showing up with you.  This is a generic travel problem but as it is vital equipment for the outing it becomes the main problem when it doesn't show.  I am not sure that there is anything special that you can do about that except get good insurance, and don't plan your trip too tightly.  Sometimes arriving at your destination a day early just in case the bow doesn't, is not a bad idea.
Carefully review the policy of the airline(s) that you are traveling on. It is all on-line.  If you are changing planes then make sure to check ALL airlines in this regard as they do differ in their policies (this is a much bigger deal with guns than bows). Also read up on posting about travel destination (or transfer) countries as they also differ.  Amsterdam is the most glaring one due to their broadhead issues, but otherwise I don't think that there are significant problems with usual travel to Canada and South Africa
DO NOT put your electronics or optics in your check in luggage.  Carry them.