Horse packing with a longbow

[IndioArcher]

Going on an elk hunt and we are packing in about 12 mikes on horseback. Any tips on transporting a non-takedown longbow?  I’ve packed in with a compound before and a simple scabbard works well, but my compound is about 1/2 the length of my longbow.

[Pat B]

We used a 4" PVC pipe with screw cap when we hunted Colorado but we had a pack horse and loaded the PVC pipe on the panniers.

[boomer453]

Carry it in your hand and be ready to throw at the first sign of a trainwreck.

[Ron LaClair]

I used a rifle scabbard, it worked fine 

[Missouri Sherpa]

I made a couple of bow scabbards out of 1600 denier black luggage material.  Padded with foam, Velcro closure, made to fit my Shrew bows.

[David Mitchell]

When I did a pack-in hunt on horses I just put my bow in a bow sock and carried it in my hand unstrung.

[Missouri Sherpa]

I have dozens of horse pack trips behind me over the past 20 years and the easiest safest way I have found to transport a traditional bow and arrows is to use a 2 piece takedown bow and a plains quiver.  I made a leather plains quiver with a fake fur lining for this purpose.  This quiver can hold 2 bows inside wool felt bow socks along with a dozen arrows.  I put a small leather sheath on each broadhead  while in the quiver.  I strap a Great Northern bow quiver on the outside of the quiver.  The whole package will hang neatly on your saddle.  Sometimes if I am not in transit to camp and just riding from base camp to a new hunting area a few miles away I will use this setup and stuff my bugle tube in the quiver as well.

[Missouri Sherpa]

I don't like to ride with a pack or anything else on my person.  I hang my day pack and bow/quiver on opposite sides of the saddle for unencumbered riding experience.  Helps to have a trustworthy mule with a great handle.

[Ron LaClair]

John, I like your mule that's a good looking ride. I think mules are better in the mountains, they're more sure footed than a horse and a more comfortable ride IMO.

This is Big Red, the mule that I rode when I elk hunted in Idaho. He was like sitting in a rocking chair.

[WVFarrier]

I second the PVC tube.  works great