Cat Quiver and Elk hunting

[BEN]

Any one use the Rancho Safari cat quiver while elk hunting?  Any pro's and cons?
I am going on  a hunt with "Elkherder" this fall and a friend offered his cat quiver III for use as a daypack/quiver.
I like the idea of not using my bow quiver. I went out and shot with it on and loaded last night and the first thing i noticed is it does affect my mobility because of the rigid quiver up my spine. I shot with it standing, kneeling, and on 1 knee. I shot better my second round after I got used to it a little. Any concerns/experience's with hunting, manueverability you guys may have?

thanks.....Ben

[elknut1]

Don't know much about that particular quiver but I will say I want my quiver on my bow for quick & easy access. If all you're doing is treestand hunting, then I can see your reasoning. But when it comes to putting 5-12 miles a day hoofing it around locating & working elk it's darned near a must to have everything at your fingertips in a moments notice & in a quiet fashion.

  Too, I'm not savvy on the extra movement needed to remove an arrow from a quiver not right in front of me. My suggestion would be to shoot several 3 d shoots with quiver mounted & get used to it, you'll be better off in the long run on most running & gunning western elk hunts! It's just a suggestion! (grin)

  You can see a typical setup in this photo!

  ElkNut1  

[BEN]

Nice bull!!    
Thanks for the input. I do use my bow qiver while whitetail hunting (tree stand).....I just "thought" it might be easier doing that much walking with the arrows behind me instead of on my bow. Not sure of the vegetation in central Oregon, but I know here in SE Ohio, hiking with a bow quiver off a clipped path can be difficult at times with the brambles and brush we have in my hunting areas!

I may just decide to use my bow quiver and my own day pack instead of borrowing the cat quiver; just want to get other's perspective and advice and will try both ways over the summer.  I have a "Wal-mart special" backpack with detachable fanny pack: it has well-padded shoulder and hip straps.
 
 

Think this will work?

Ben

[elknut1]

No reason for your pack not to be sufficient! I used a similar one for years. It carried all the needed items no problem!

  These days I use a similar size pack as you show but this one has an internal lightweight frame & a hidden canvas seat on the outside & I can starp on an entire elk quarter to it on the trip out once a bull is down.
  Once back to rig or camp I then opt for a pack frame on return trip for rest of meat.

  Go here if you'd like  www.elknut.com  & click on "video clips" you will see the pack we use & pack frames along with items to carry on ones elk hunt.
  Good Luck!

  ElkNut1

[beachbowhunter]

I can't imagine doing an elk hunt with a Cat quiver.

[Whip]

Good video on your pack Paul!  I agree, having the right pack loaded with everything you might need is much more important in elk hunting than it is in the whitetail woods.  The right pack can make a huge difference in your hunt once an animal is on the ground.  

As for a quiver, I have been using the Safari Tuff Arrowmaster for the past year and really like it.  Even with a pack on my back it rides very well and I have instant access to my arrows.

[BEN]

Awesome video's!  hope you don't mind, i copied them to my photobucket page to listen again and not have to try and remember where i saw these!

It was nice to see the basic list on video--easier to figure out what i have already and what i need to get yet. Easier for me to see than decipher through the multiple lists that have been posted---though they are a great help too!
Thanks "Elknut1" and others---taking all you advice to heart!

Ben

[Steve O]

I've tried just about everything and I just cannot improve on the bowquiver.  Especially for an active pursuit like elk hunting; I want my arrows ATTACHED to my bow.

[Jack Skinner]

Dont know about the CatIII but I have used a CatVII for several seasons now. It is a backpack with the Catmini attached. I use a selfbow with a solostalker and then the CatVII. I can carry more than I need in this system and would not hunt tuff country without it anymore. If I could find one I would buy the CatVII.5, it has better water carring capability.

[Mark Baker]

Quiver Caddy is a great option....designed and used by us elk hunters here in MT.  Like some, we hate bowquivers, especially on our longbows and selfbows, and it will work with any pack combo...and no extra straps around your neck!   Proven in the elk woods for 20 plus years.  

That's my pitch!

[Afraid a snake]

I use a cat3 1/2 and love it.I have a lightweight scookum 3 arrow quiver on my bow.With the cat quiver, I can carry extra arrows for grouse and stump shooting.The cat quiver also does a good job of keeping fletching dry when hunting in the rain outwest.

[Bear Heart]

I used a 3 1/2 catquiver for most of the year and loved it.

[GameGetter]

Hate to disagree with most of you but I would not hunt Elk with anything but my cat quiver. I use the cat q. VI (the fanny pack with the quiver on the side). It is easier to get an arrow back into it and it is just tied onto the pask and can be ajusted up and down. The fanny pack is large enough to carry everything I need for a days hunt (and I pack enerything).Also, if I plan on needing a larger pack the I just untie the quiver and put it on my back pack. it will tie onto any pack that has shoulder straps! As for added movement when retreving an arrow, I actually make LESS and it is done behind me, away from the animals veiw! The feathers on my arrows are always protected and I use as bright a fletch as I want because they are hidden! So I guess that my two cents is that once you practice with it a bit you will love it. I would just get the mini (just the quiver with carry strap) and tie it on to whatever pack you are using!

[BEN]

All good ideas here. I will be shooting a couple different set-ups and see what happens for the best.


Another, totally different question concerning binos: in a hip case, or with a harness? I only carry a small, very compact set while tree-stand hunting---ok to shoot attached to my harness that has built-in bino attachment. Probably will borrow a set of 10x40 binos for this trip--can you shoot with this size on a bino harness, or just keep them in a hip case?

Thanks for your guys help----Ben  

[onewhohasfun]

Ben, I use 10x40 swarovskis on a harness and don't even know they are there.

[Steve O]

I thought this would be a perfect setup...

Love the fanny, sold the mini  

[Ramjet-SS]

Funny I tried the Cat Quiver could not stand it. When in the Scrub oak brush thicker than quills on purcupine it was always catching.

I tried the Safari ough it was better and almost tolerable but the bow quiver is the best tool for me.

I use a Bino harness it wil hold the binos in close to the chest.

NICE BULL

[centaur]

I wore out a Catquiver3 using it as my elk hunting quiver for about 10 years. Just bought another one last year. I like them because there is plenty of room for 'stuff' and I carry several blunts for grouse while hunting elk.

[Ben Maher]

i have never hunted elk but as a deer hunter here in Oz where inclement weather can be murder on arrows i always have a cat qiuver handy. cat 1 for smaller trips and cat3 for longer jaunts. i don't like quivers on my longbows [ like 'em on my 'curves though ]. if i have to carry a day pack or full backpack i carry a GN sidekick or a Gfa or more recently a Bowers side quiver....and yes i have a lot of quivers.... you can't go wrong with a cat quiver and it is still , to me , the quickest and movement free way to get an arrow ready.....

cheers

ben

[Over&Under]

Steve O is right, Best fanny pack I ever had, but sold the mini.

I could not get it low enough on my pack to not catch on limbs and such when I ducked.