Backpack Hunters

[Dan Adair]

I wish photobucket hadn't ditched my account.

I truly believe that 60" 3 piece recurves we're bred for the backcountry.  

I have a few places that I like to pack into in September, usually those trips range from a 3 day weekend to a 9 day "expedition."  I tend to compress and put gear in Sea to Summit stuff sacks inside my pack (my packs tend to be 5200" or 6500+")  I usually orient all the stuff sacks east/west in the bag, and use the two limbs to help aid the compression system north/south.  I usually put the bowquiver (either GNBH or Selway for a 3 piece 'curve) back on the riser on the RH side of the pack, with the top of the riser in a cupholder, and the rest of the riser under the packs compression straps.

My hunting packs go in 35-60 Lbs depending on how long the stay.  I have to use trekking poles on packs 50 on up.  Once I get camp in, and offload gear, I keep my bow in my hand.

[Dan Adair]

No matter what....


Takedown bows are the S@#T for the pack out.

[twitchstick]

I have used a one piece or haven't had to brake down a bow on any of my hunts. I have broke them down and put them in my pack to see how they fit but haven't had to in the field. A few times I have strap it on my pack or scoot  the bow in front of me. In real steep terrain it would be the safest to broke down bow. Most of the time if it's not safe I take other routes. I prefer a bow quiver.  For extra arrows I cut off an old fishing rod tube and keep my extra broad heads in a small plastic case. Good luck on your trip and take some pics.

[KSdan]

For what it is worth. . .   I have a MTM arrow case- it is the one about 7.5" wide and 3" thick.  Very affordable(like $25) and quite sturdy.

I store my 3 pc 62" takedown recurve in a soft side take-down case (with sleeves for all the parts).  This case goes in one side of the MTM.  There is still room for 2 dozen arrows and even acc. i.e gloves, repair kit, etc. The only thing that does not fit inside the MTM is my bolt on quiver. I have a small home-made foam case for that.  I can strap that to the pack separately or it straps to the outside of the MTM.

I leave the MTM in basecamp- though it would not be impossible to keep attached to your pack.  I think you would be hard pressed to damage anything even in a fall.

I also use this MTM packed inside my larger luggage when I air travel with my gear.

Dan in KS

[The Night Stalker]

First trip, I strapped my recurve to my kifaru longhunter in order to use my climbing sticks. I prefer to pack my A&H but I shoot my Dakota pro hunter better. I pack my arrows in an easton arrow holder shown below.  The new kifaru nomad or EMR 2 has long pockets that the arrow case will fit in.

 

[PowDuck]

I've always carried bow in hand. This year, however, I own a take-down Shrew longbow and plan on taking it down and packing it. Arrows in mini-Cat quiver strapped on the pack. Then using TWO trekking poles. This is only for the hike in and out with ALL the weight of camp. Daily hunts will be bow in hand and ONE trekking pole in backpack.

[Bart S]

I made the mistake breaking my 3 piece bow down and having it stored in my pack.  Within 300 yards of my first bike hunt, I came up on a herd of elk crossing the trail in front of me with the bull in the back. He stayed within range for about a minute, but it took me about two to quietly take my bow out, assemble it and get an arrow nocked      Now I always keep my bow ready and at hand, but I haven't had done any serious climbing while hunting though.

[Cootling]

Carrying in hand is easier with an internal frame than external.  Internal is narrower and you won't be banging your bow on the frame.

I don't want mine strapped to my pack unless I'm on a mild trail because I am almost certain to fall on it at some point.  A very slight fall--like an unplanned "sit" on a steep trail--could cause major trouble.

Opportunities at elk often evolve very suddenly and unexpectedly.  If I'm in hunting country, I want my bow handy and not in pieces.  A takedown is awfully handy for packing to hunting territory, or when packing out meat.

I use a bowquiver and put a tube in my pack if I need extra.  In grouse country I'm likely to need extra!

[bartcanoe]

Thanks everyone for your experience and ideas.

One of the things I love about Tradgang is everyone's willingness to share their knowledge.

[njloco]

Back to the top for a very informative post.

I wonder if there would be any interest in a section for pack in type hunts, whether it be hiking, animal, bicycle, canoe, etc. ?

[Burnsie]

On my trip to Colorado last fall, I broke down my three-piece recurve,  put it in a bow sock and put it one of the long pockets on the side of my pack. I like the idea of having the bow always at the ready in my hand,  but it would have been futile where we went.  We were going up steep nasty terrain almost from the go.  I'm almost certain that if I had been trying to hike in with the bow in hand, I would have damaged or broke it.  I needed the trekking poles more than the bow.
However on the hike out, once we reached the valley floor we had a nice bull and two cows come strolling out in front of us, with our bows neatly packed away.

[Yolla Bolly]

I strap a belt low around my hips, from which I hand my hip quiver, after I tighten the hip belt of my pack (Kifaru Longhunter).  I put bow-string holder on the other side, where I park the bow when glassing or moving in open areas, otherwise it is in my hand.  Often use it as a walking stick and glassing "monopod". If I drop the pack to hunt light, a possible pouch moves from the pack belt to the low belt.