2+ weeks in moose country: one or two bows?

[Archie]

I'll be floating for  up to 18 days in Alaska this fall, on a DIY trad-bow hunt for moose and small game.  I'm thinking I'll take 2 bows, but do you experienced guys think that would be unnecessary?  I'm comfortable with both bows equally, but would have to bring 2 setups of arrows.

[m midd]

I would definately take a 2nd bow. Its better to have and not need than need and not have. That sounds like an awesome trip. Good Luck!

[Walt Francis]

I always take a backup bow on Alaska hunts.  If you and your hunting partner can shoot the same spare bow I'd only take one. I have never needed a backup bow, but it is better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

[duncan idaho]

"no battle plan ever survives contact with the enemy"

Always,Always, have a backup plan, even if you are on a whitetail hunt 30 miles from home.

[Jeff Cooper]

Take it! In 2006 I was on a float hunt and fell on some rocks while hunting a side hill...damaged my primary bow so I had to use my back-up. It would have been a long hunt without the 2nd bow.

I will always take a 2nd bow on extended hunts up here.

[Bjorn]

Absolutely 2 bows-I like them to be identical that means shoot the same arrows and take the same strings. Bring a camera or two as well.

[Firstlight]

I would have two bows...

[Sean B]

Yep, take two!

[slivrslingr]

Agree with everyone, but both should shoot the same arrow.

[Kevin Dill]

Can't argue the 2nd bow. On the other hand, I have never needed more than one...and that includes some pretty far-flung hunts in tough environments. I'm not that bothered by the risk these days.

[awbowman]

I would go with a three piece with extra set of limbs, same arrows and two extra strings

[coconutdave]

Two, you just never know.

[xtrema312]

I ask myself if the success of my hunt could seriously be jeopardized by the failure or loss of a critical piece of equipment.   I also ask myself if a ruined hunt or the amount of time lost in fixing or replacing the equipment would be a big deal.  If the answer to both is yes, then I take a back up for that critical piece of equipment if that is reasonable to do.   It may not be reasonable to do if you don’t have anywhere to keep extra equipment without having to back pack it all with you.  If that was the case, I would have a real bullet proof bow.

I don’t take an extra bow to hunt an hour from home.  I can deal with an issue that forces me to lose a morning or evening hunting.  I wouldn’t think of losing a full day of peak rut time off or a day or whole hunt on an away from home hunt because of a failure of a critical item.  

I have never had a bow or gun for that matter fail on a hunt to the point we couldn’t work the issue out in a reasonable time.  But I have seen bows blow up and guns break parts so it can happen.

[Pat B]

Always have a back-up!

[Terry Lightle]

Going to spend 1 week in Oct.Will be taking 2 bows.

[ron w]

I always take a back up, even when I hunt local. But The back up is always able to use the same arrows.

[eflanders]

I have always brought a back-up bow for all of my big trips.  I have never had the need for it myself.  However, others always have.  Isn't it funny how the prepared usually never need the spares?

[LoneWolf73]

How far back to the house?


Take two.......

[damascusdave]

I think we may have missed the most important point here....two weeks hunting in Alaska...wow...that is gonna be some great memories

DDave

[CEO]

One bow, three strings. An 18 day float trip usually ends with rotten meat unless you have a way to fly it out early. Have fun!