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.
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.
Carry it in your hand and be ready to throw at the first sign of a trainwreck.
I used a rifle scabbard, it worked fine :thumbsup:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/osage_on_a_horse.jpg)
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/mule-skinner.jpg)
I second the PVC tube. works great