Air travel with bows

[PASSTHRU2]

Want to take the Kodiak Mag(52") with me when I go to Florida Turkey hunting. Need advice on how to pack and what kind of luggage to use?  Need to keep the bags to a minimum these days.  Thanks

[Steve O]

Best way to do that is with a 3pc take down in your duffle.

[rastaman]

one piece airline travel search  
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Here are a few previous threads on the subject.  You could ship it out ahead of time also and that would probably be cheaper.
Hope this helps.  It might be a good excuse to buy a 3 piece though!  

[Hit-or-Miss]

Drive. Less hassle IMHO and you get to enjoy the open road and Waffle Houses.

[kung fu kid]

Rastaman,
So, you can stuff a 3-pc td in the duffle bag.  But how do you bet the broadheads thru security?

[cacciatore]

On my last flight International from Denver to Italy,I carried with me 5 TD recuurves and 15 one pieces. I stored the TDs on my duffle and the one pieces inside 2 sky bags.i had to pay $400 extra for that but it worths.Right now you are alouded of just 1 piece of luggage so if you can't store the Bear in a bag with the rest of your staff be ready to pay extra.If you decide to take a long single piece of luggage you can pad with clothing your recurve.Broadheads are not a issue if they go on the checkered luggage.

Do they take xrays of the luggage the same as the passengers?  Or can one bypass all that and just have them feel up your bows like the passengers.  I would rather not put up with the hassle or the risk of someone inventing new rules on the spot and just drive myself to florida.

[njloco]

I'll be watching this thread closely as I am going to Texas a week from today. Beside my rifle, I'll be taking one of my 3 pc. bows.

When You guys say put it in your duffle, do you mean like the army green one they gave me back in 68 ?

Thanks

[Cal bow]

You can pack bows, arrows, knives or other sharp items in your check in without a problem. It may get inspected by TSA but it will not stop it from going through.

[slivrslingr]

You have to check everything, bow, arrows, and broadheads.  Check with your airline as to how much an extra checked piece will cost you, some airlines only charge $20-25 as long as your total checked weight is under 50lbs.  

I put my t/d Pronghorn and arrows in a piece of drain pipe with caps inside my backpack as well as the broadheads and knifes and all my toiletries.  One piece of checked luggage, no dramas.  My carry on is my daypack, it has my binos, quiver and a change of clothes, just in case my checked bag gets delayed.  With your carry on, make absolutely sure there is nothing that is sharp in there or wet.  It's a hassle to open your bag and take out toothpaste and stuff like that.  The KISS principal is essential for flying these days.  Have a great trip!

[JEFF B]

in 2007 i was over there in the usa left my Bow at home as i did not want to pay any extra or lose it. well cut a long story short. i bought a t/d longbow and put that plus my arrows plus broadheads and knives all in my suitcase and they put it in the luggage comparment as long as  you declear everything thats in your suitcase you will not have a problem just dont take anything pointy with you in your carry on luggage.

[cedar]

Ship bow and arrows a week early to the place you are going by UPS or USPS.

[HOWITZER]

Went to wyoming this year with my take down recurve packed in my frame pack in the spotting scope pocket that has foam and had no problems.  Arrows went inside a cardboard tube inside the frame pack.  Broadheads were put in a plastic small tackle box and placed in the frame pack.  My spotting scope binos camera and change of cloths went in my day pack as carry on.  Follow the rules the airlines post on their websites and you wont have any problems.

[HOWITZER]

On a previous trip I went with my brother who was bringing a rifle and I placed my recurve and arrows in the gun case along side the rifle and had no issues.

[Don Stokes]

A piece of PVC pipe big enough to hold the bow and arrows works well, but I recommend you strap or tape something to the pipe to keep it from rolling around. I watched mine fall off a baggage cart in Denver and go rolling across the runway when the baggage was loading, and had to get the gate attendant to go down and tell the baggage handlers to go pick it up. It still got to Telluride late!

[chanumpa]

Good info guys.I appreciate the input as I too neede this info.