Air travel with a 1 piece recurve...How-To

[Mike Vines]

I've had a couple recent requests about how I travel by plane with my 1 piece recurve, so I thought I would let everyone know with a couple visual aids.

To begin with, my recurve is a Two Tracks (TG Sponsor) Ambush recurve.  it measures 47 1/4" long (tip to tip) on a straight line measurement, and it's stats are 49# @ 28" (50# @ my draw length).  Which in my humble opinion is fine for anything I will ever hunt here in the good 'ole USA.

When I bought this "Short" bow, it shot so well, I was wondering how in the world I was going to fly anywhere with it.  I did a little researching and from what I gathered, the airlines workers really like golfers (read that as they don't usually destroy their equipment), so why not give it a try.  I have yet to have anyone question what I have in there, and each time, my case has been opened by Homeland Security, and closed back up and taped shut by them.

When I travel, my suitcase is a hard sided golfclub case.  I found mine on Craig's list for $20.  I can't speak for any other "Short" bow manufacturer, but I can honestly say that the Ambush travels just fine.

Here is a picture of the bow inside of the "suit" case.  (I always use a fleece bow case, but for picture sake, it has been removed).  Also in the picture is my arrow case.  It is a piece of 4" thinwall PVC with a cap glued on one end, and a cleanout installed on the other.  I can hold a dozen broadhead tipped arrows no problem inside of it.

   

With some well pack clothes around the bow, you should have zero problems while traveling in this manor.  I have even taken my take down bows this way as well.  Recently, I took both my Ambush and my takedown RER (together) down to Texas this way, and in March I will be flying to S. Carolina for the St. Jude hunt, then later this year, I will be traveling to Kauai, Hawaii this very same way.

Here is a picture of the case closed up.  I also use a cinch strap and a piece or 2 of gorilla tape to ensure the case stays closed.

   

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Good tip! Cheers! It is getting easier to travel with one-piece bows, as many people here travel with bikes and surfboards.

[CDR]

Mike, that case is great!!  

[maineac]

Great thinking.  I'll have to measure my short 1 piece.

[njloco]

Mike, you do still have to check it in, I mean you can't take it with you as carry on, correct.

When I flew down to Texas they wouldn't even let me keep the 3pc in my carry on with the arrows going in the checked luggage, they said I could use the riser as a club! ( must have been my NY accent )  

[Mike Vines]

I didn't even try using it as carry on, just way to big Ken.  So yes, I did have to check it, but it was no problem, or worry, if it was going to make it there still in one piece.

Funny how times change.  When I was stationed in Korea, 93/94, I had to work at Kimpo International Airport once a week processing in new soldiers.  One of my jobs was to search luggage, and we had to confiscate any and all weapons.  It was not uncommon to go back to the office with a few K-bars that were in soldiers carry on luggage.  Just funny to me looking back how much security has changed in 20 years.

[Roadkill]

I work at an international airport.  Bag handlers have contest to see who can be dumber in some cases.  Pack carefully   Your method works for short bows.
For longbows use a piece of PCV pipe.  Pack you clothes around them.  I can get three in one tube and check it in the oversized counter.  They ship skis, snowboards, golf thin gees and dogs thru that door.
My hunting friend just bid and won a 5 day African safari at the sheep show.  If he takes a bow for minor game, he'll use one ofmy tubes

[Jwilliam]

Just curious what they charged you. Did you have to spend extra for an oversized bag??? Thanks !!!


Bill

[Mike Vines]

Originally posted by Jwilliam:
Just curious what they charged you. Did you have to spend extra for an oversized bag??? Thanks !!!


Bill

Just regular baggage charge of $25.  Like I said, the airlines industry loves golfers.

[Whip]

I bought a cheap one once for a hunting trip and the handlers broke it on the return flight.  As in anything, quality is important.

What are the dimensions of your case Mike?  Longest bow you could fit in?  

Most times when checking in I'm sure they just assume that there are golf clubs inside.  But if the case is oversized, and you are headed to Alaska in November and everything else about your look says "Hunter", I wonder if they might question what is inside and slap a charge on it.  

The airline rules say golf equipment is exempt from oversize charges, not golf club cases.  My guess is that if you got a nit picky gate agent checking your bag you might very well get hit with an oversize charge unless it is less than 62" total dimensions.

[Steve O]

I've used this SKB Freedom case for over a decade to do what Mike is doing for bows and guns on hunting trips.  Have never had to pay extra...golfers and skiers don't.  I'll cry discrimination when it happens!

This thing has roller skate wheels on it and is easy to glide thru airports.


 


Keep in mind you do not have to declare bows and arrows, only guns.  If they ask at the counter what is in the bag, "sporting equipment" is a good answer.

[stabow]

I used a golf travel bag to carry my takedown bow, arrows and a double bull blind plus clothing on a few trips but the airlines baggage handlers managed to break the wheels off. It’s a good idea though......stabow

[Whip]

That looks like a bomb proof case Steve.  How long is it and what length bow will it hold?

I know what your saying - it really shouldn't matter what is inside the case.  And most times they will never ask.  It's just the eternal pessimist inside me that makes me worry that with my luck I'll end up with a hunter hater for a gate agent.

I've been shooting the old one piece bows lately, and would love to travel with them.  But my obsessive worrying has kept a three piece takedown in my luggage.

[Mike Vines]

I will measure tonight, and let you know.  I'm just guessing from the pictures of mine that 50" (actual straight line length) would be near the max for my case.  But I will let you know for sure.

[Steve O]

Joe, my case is 51" overall and should hold a 48" bow (only a guess).

It   WILL hold a Doulble Bull Recurve blind,a takedown recurve and/or longbow, and a bunch of arrows too.

I built a bow tube out of 6" schedule 40 PVC, glued a cap on one end and put a screw on cap on the other. it was pretty cheap and I could fit three bows in it.

Bisch

[Tim Finley]

When I fly to the trad shows I use an aluminum box that measures 4x8x72" I can get 24 bows in it recurves and longbows if  I just had longbows even more . When I checkin in ND they normally charge me nothing except the $25 extra bagage and on return I somtimes get hit with over weight . They are rough on it it has become quite beat up even though it is very tough made Ive had to bend and straighten to get it to close properly. I have traveled with it by air about 25 trips.

[Mike Vines]

I just got home and measured the case.  Inside dimensions are 48 1/2", and on a diagonal it measures 49 1/2".  Plenty big enough for my Ambush plus plenty of gear.