Back Up Bow

[JR Williams]

I like to have a backup bow the same specs as my primary. My go to hunting bow is a 60in 55lb MOAB, and my backup bow is the same. 1 bow has pretty veneers and antler tips, and the other one is plain Osage and bamboo limbs.

The feel and shoot the same, and they also are tuned to shoot the exact same arrows. If something ever happens to one bow I can just grab the other one and go.

Works for me.

[mahantango]

Hmm... I think I have about nineteen backup bows at the moment.

[AZ_Longbow]

two bows as close to the same as possible. of you want a true backup bow. i would want the same arrows an the same stings to all match up and shoot the same places.
now if you want a stable full of different bows, go for it i have near 2 dozen myself. but when it comes down to hunting and accuracy i try to learn one and stick with it. i want to know every arch that bow shoots.

[hawkeye n pa]

Bisch X3.  I shoot with guys that can go from a longbow to a recurve and never miss a beat.  I'm not one of them. And when I'm shooting at game I don't  like any second guessing.

[woodchucker]

Beware, of the man with 1 bow... (Just sayin'...)

[Homebru]

My "back up bow" is nearly identical to my primary bow.  I guess I like them......or I didn't want anyone watching me shoot my "back up bow" to realize how bad a shot I am.
homebru

[screamin]

I use one riser and have an extra set of limbs

[Homebru]

Originally posted by screamin:
I use one riser and have an extra set of limbs

This is exactly how I started but then bought a second riser.  Now I've got two bows.  ;-)
homebru

[Friend]

I prefer two of the same or two sets of identical limbs.

[Tedd]

I always have two identical hunting bows or I should say that is my plan. Any time that I didn't have an identical backup in the last 20 years, the worst happened!
This year in January I got a new Pittsley Predator. 62@31".  Soon after, I sold most of my other customs then ordered the second Predator last month. It already arrived. I think it shoots even better than the first one! I won't be trying any other brand or style for a long time. But I will probably get a another Predator or two just for different wood combos or draw weights.
Just as important are back-up arrows. At the start of deer season I like to have 12 good matching arrows made up. Plus about 6 for practice. I can't stand not having a fresh dozen carbon shafts with all the fixins in the package in stock.

[rraming]

I had three of the same once - now I don't shoot that brand bow anymore ^^^- ha!
I know guys that only have one, if anything did happen to it, just get another.
I have three, all different bowyers but ordered another and hopefully can still stay with a PMA and a PSA.

Good Luck!!!

[tomsm44]

You know, I often hear claims (and I agree with them) that one of the drawbacks of compounds is all of the things that can malfunction on them.  In spite of that, I rarely hear compound guys talking about having a backup bow while it seems to be pretty common in the trad community.  I'm beginning to think that maybe we're all just using that as an excuse to get another bow.        I think I'm gonna start basing mine on weight rather than bow styles.  I just picked up a backup to my 42# bow.  Now I need a backup 47#, a backup 53#, and a backup 55#.  And two backup 25# bows for my two oldest kids.  And a backup 35# for the one I have for them to grow in later.  

   

[tomsm44]

Actually, I got the new 42# bow for my wife, so I guess I need two backup 42# bows as well.  Just in case.  You know, if both of ours fail at the same time.  It could happen.

[Caughtandhobble]

Originally posted by GregD:
I am pretty sure the "back up bow" argument is the early stage of bow buying disease.  I have been suffering from this affliction for decades and I have a vague memory it starting with that very thought.

[mangonboat]

I concur with Matt's analysis. His logic is irrefutable.

I am all of a sudden feeling anxious about my lack of preparation and need to start looking at back up bows.     :D

[dbd870]

I had 2 early 70's Bears and 1 of them failed last fall. Maybe if you have newer bows one is adequate but especially if you are shooting older bows I think it makes a lot of sense. I had an identical back up of my compound when I was shooting them.

[dnovo]

You guys are behind the curve. I've been buying backup bows for my backup bows. I think that's why I have 4 Mohawk longbows, all at 52-53#.  I've sold off some of my longbows, but only because I was buying another and when I had one I really liked I got a second one just like it(sometimes a 3rd or 4th). When I travel to hunt I always take 2 bows

[dnovo]

You guys are behind the curve. I've been buying backup bows for my backup bows. I think that's why I have 4 Mohawk longbows, all at 52-53#.  I've sold off some of my longbows, but only because I was buying another and when I had one I really liked I got a second one just like it(sometimes a 3rd or 4th). When I travel to hunt I always take 2 bows

[Danny Rowan]

When I travel I always take two bows. I shoot Schafer Silvertips mostly so no problem it I have to switch bows in mid hunt. They all shoot the same for me and are tuned to the same arrows.

[Jim Picarelli]

Back up bows are good