Backup Bow Question

[rappstar]

I wanted to get your opinion on this...I'm putting the finishing touches on my gear for my trip out west.  I'm leaving in about 16 days.

I have some extra limbs for the bow I'm going to hunt with.  I also have another complete bow.  These two bows shoot different arrows and such.  

I'm thinking about just taking the bow I'm going to hunt with and the extra limbs vs. taking the other complete bow and arrows for that bow.  

What is the likelyhood of breaking my riser?

[Night Wing]

Take the bow with the extra set of limbs. I don't know about odds, but I do know Murphy's Law. Better to take the extra set of limbs along and not need them, than not having them and then needing them.

[Whip]

Unless the extra limbs are the same weight as your primary limbs and can shoot the same arrows, I would agree with Night Wing if you're driving and packing space is not an issue .  Chances of breaking a riser are slim, but if you have the room why not have a complete backup?

[rappstar]

Good point.  Space really isn't the issue.  I guess I'm more concerned about leaving my other bow in the truck/base camp as we will be bivying out for 3 or 4 days at a time.  

If someone were to break-in to the truck, I'd rather lose the extra set of limbs vs. my other bow.

[jcar315]

All sound advice. If you are taking the extra limbs why would you leave them in the truck if you are going to be away for 3 or 4 days? What if a limb breaks while out bivying?

If space is not an issue I am always a big fan of having it and not needing it.

[rappstar]

I could pack the extra limbs but I figure if I do happen to break a limb, I'll probably only be 3 to 5 miles from the truck.  

I guess if I'm super paranoid about it, I could just stash the other bow in the woods away from the truck.  Its a takedown as well...it would be easy to put in a plastic trashbag or something....

[amar911]

I learned a long time ago that "stashing" items out in the woods was a recipe for disaster. There are actually people who are very good at spotting stashes and taking what they find without even feeling a little guilty about it. That happened when I stashed some things of mine in a way I thought no one would ever find them. I was amazed at how quickly they disappeared.

I doubt you will need an extra bow or limbs, but you are just as likely to break a riser as a limb, so take the entire bow if you want to protect yourself from damage. Your truck is probably as safe a place to leave the extra bow as anywhere else you will find. I have never damaged a bow to the point it was unusable, but I know of others who have on very rare occasions.

Allan

[AkDan]

murphys law..it's easier to have and not need then to need and not have!   Been there done that....its the reason I have 3 identical bows.  

if you can carry both bows AND the extra limbs I'd do it!  

I'd leave the 2nd bow in the truck if possible...of course if it's going to be HOT HOT HOT I'd crack some windows.

[joe skipp]

Depends on where I'm hunting and how long I'll be away. I ususally pack 2 T/D bows because I can shoot the same arrows from either bow. If its a bear hunt in Canada for 7 days, then one bow with extra limbs.

I just wouldn't want to pack in 2 bows, extra limbs and extra arrows for both bows. Seems like a lot of unneccesary gear.

[AkDan]

I hear that Joe, but if I can have a back up somewhat accessable when traveling acrossed country or even just off the road system I'll take it every time!  I'd hate to fly half way across the US, or drive 10 or 12 hours to get somewhere, get on a hunt, find a broken bow and have to be done with a hunt.  Did that in 2000 when a limb tip delaminated, end of a caribou float for me!  NEVER again!  Even if that means a day wasted due to packing out and back in to get my backup bow, it'll save a hunt.  

BUt I do agree in a backpacking situation that I wouldnt physically CARRY the back up bow with you if you're not TOO far in...or you have time to back out and get the backup bow should something happen.  

On my 2000 hunt it was a good thing I had a 7mm with me or my hunt would have been completely over.  I love to bowhunt, only second to eating wild game.  And though it's extremly rare I pull any gun out, this one saved this fly out float hunt to a fly out float trip.

[joe skipp]

I hear ya Dan....or get to your location only to find your archery gear is headed to another state!

I feel safer when travelling across country to take 2 bows. A good hard bow case will hold 2 T/D bows and an extra set of limbs can be bubble wrapped and placed in your duffel bag if you really need it. With all this airline scrutiny, I pack both bows in my duffel and leave the hard case behind.

Whatever works for each individual and what they feel comfortable with taking.

[Don Stokes]

Take 'em both, and don't forget spare strings that are shot in. They're the most likely thing to get damaged. If you fly, I'd pack the bows separately.

I flew to Telluride on an elk trip years ago, and packed my longbow in a pvc tube. While sitting at the gate in Denver to change to the commuter plane for the last leg, I had the dubious pleasure of seeing my bow tube roll off the luggage wagon unnoticed by the driver. I got rather excited (!) and got the gate agent to go down and inform them. In spite of his quick action, my bow arrived a day late.

[beachbowhunter]

I've hunted with a set of duplicate back up limbs for my Zipper on several remote hunts. Never needed them luckily. However, I recently sold the back up limbs so now I can count on breaking something next trip  

[rappstar]

Thanks for all of the input guys!  I'm actually still shooting in the backup strings but they will definitely be going on the trip.  

I'm thinking this will be a game time decision on the backup equipment.

I hope to get back on Tradgang in late September with some harvest photos!

[fisherick]

Have your backup bow all packaged up at home and ready to be overnight express shipped to a local post office where your hunting.

[ChuckC]

I have some concerns about leaving them in the truck...  the heat !  Will it damage the bow ?
Chuck