Take down bows

[Kevin Hansen]

Have never owned a take down long bow and am wondering how "necessary" they are for air travel...both commercial and bush planes. Other than the hassle of having a longer piece of luggage is there extra cost associated with non-take down bows? If so, how much?
Thanks.

[BigJim]

Yes, it is very handy to have a take down for flying. Typical extra expense for TD when buying a bow new can be from $150-200. An extra baggage and oversize fee is about $75 each way.

I pack two 2 piece longbows in my suitcase every time I travel to hunt. My arrows take up more room than my bows.

Do a test, get your self a piece of 4" pvc 66" long(typical travel case for  longbow).  now put that on a wheel barrow or wagon (simulated luggage cart) try to go through doors with it. Get out the luggage and even though it is empty, try to cary a piece or two of luggage and the pipe. Not fun.
Three times I have flown with PVC tube case. One time they lost the case (deer hunt in Saskatchewan) one time they broke the end of the pipe off (schedule 40 pipe) and one time it made it home and back without a hitch. I guess 1 out of three is ok.
my $.02 BigJim

I trade lefty Pete George for a lefty takedown Robertson out of curiosity, pretty simple and it fits anywhere.  It has become my stow away back up bow, not that I needed such a thing, but it does make a really fancy back up bow.

[tracker12]

I recent bought a TD just for the convenience when traveling and am very happy with the purchase.  I like to take my bow with me whenever I travel. We did a spring turkey gun hunt this past year and during the afternoon all we did was shoot our longbows.  Much easier to throw a small 2' pad in the back of the truck than  a full-length bow.  Plus t gives us another excuse to by another bow.

[Kevin Hansen]

Thanks gentlemen for your thoughts. Your opinions are about what I surmised, but it is nice to hear from people with firsthand experience.
Anyone with differing opinions?

[legends1]

Very easy with a takedown. I put my bow in with my clothes in my suite case. Cost me no more to travel and yes I travel by airlines a lot.

[beendare]

My TD recurve saved me 1 piece of luggage and fees both ways to Ks on United, which would have been $100.  Bow/arrows go right in with my clothes in a big rolling duffle. I do worry that if lost the reimbursement is $200.

You really have to love that one piece to be traveling around with it!

[CRS]

T/D's are not necessary, but will save you money and hassles.

Heading to Florida in March with the boys for some hogs.

All of us will be using T/D's.  Specifically to get around the extra baggage fees and ease of travel.  My wife will be carrying the spare bow in her luggage.

[GrayRhino]

Not to mention that a takedown 3 piece bow allows you to have an extra set of limbs to go up/down in weight, or even to replace a damaged limb(s).

More expensive to pay for a takedown, but better for me in the long run for travel, packing and general portability.

[T Lail]

I also travel/fly with a take down.......bow, arrows and all go in a large duffle and are extra padded by clothes......never had a problem, never had damage, never paid extra.......