Flying with one piece bows?

Biathlonman · April 05, 2018, 06:36:47 PM

I booked a moose hunt for 2020 and we will probably drive to Newfoundland but to get to the outfitters camp is only accessible by helicopter or float plane. Has anyone ever done that with a 1 piece R/D longbow? I'm working on putting a T/D together but my one piece is my baby.

Rob DiStefano · April 05, 2018, 08:19:47 PM

a once piece bow in an appropriate STRONG tube (like, schedule 40) will become another luggage expense, that's about it. just comes down to money, and another large piece of luggage to lug around. i've flown out for hunts to wyoming, texas, the carolinas, georgia, and a two piece longbow has been a pleasure to travel with inside my large coleman duffel bag

mec lineman · April 05, 2018, 08:28:52 PM

See if TJ will 2pc. That zip stik!

Cari-bow · April 05, 2018, 08:49:15 PM

My experience with float planes is they have no problem one piece bows. They deal with fishermen all the time. Now you might want find a case to protect it. That said I've just layed the bow on top of everthing without a problem. They have never charged extra, It's all part of the payload.

Jeff D. Holchin · April 05, 2018, 11:31:30 PM

When my buddy and I did our NF moose hunt, we drove up to Deer Lake and then jumped into a float plane with Moose Valley Outfitters. I had my take-down Brack but another guy in the party had a one-piece longbow and they had no problem fitting his home-made PVC tube bow case into the plane.

hunting badger · April 06, 2018, 12:49:46 AM

When i first moved to Alaska I flew into a remote camp in a super cub, I was worried about my longbow but when I saw them bungee it to the wing struts a I almost had a heart attack!! The pilot told not to worry they do it all the time, we did and they never lost it but I kept my eye on it the whole trip to camp!!

Sockrsblur · April 06, 2018, 07:41:55 AM

Wow Brad that will be an amazing hunt! Super excited for you Sir

Kingstaken · April 06, 2018, 08:33:42 AM

Like said above PVC tube. I think the one I received when I bought a bow of someone was 4". Buy a glue on cap for the bottom and a fitting that glues on the top that accepts a screw-in cleanout for the top.
Good luck with your hunt.

imbowhunt10 · April 06, 2018, 08:51:47 AM

The float plane should not be a problem. I would make sure the bow is in a protective case of some sort. I have one from 3-Rivers that I have used on 2 Alberta bear hunts, that is awesome. I worry a lot more when it comes to commercial flights............

Rob DiStefano · April 06, 2018, 09:28:38 AM

Quote from: imbowhunt10 on April 06, 2018, 08:51:47 AM
The float plane should not be a problem. I would make sure the bow is in a protective case of some sort. I have one from 3-Rivers that I have used on 2 Alberta bear hunts, that is awesome. I worry a lot more when it comes to commercial flights............

yep, that's the big worry. the charter flight guys are very knowledgeable and accommodating, whereas commercial airlines are akin to the cattle cars of old.

Orion · April 06, 2018, 10:29:44 AM

I use a PVC for commercial flights, but often bush pilots don't want the extra space and weight of such a large case. I usually have a cloth case on the bow inside the PVC pipe so it's no big deal to ditch the pipe for the final flight. .

Pete McMiller · April 06, 2018, 10:36:19 AM

Yep, I've taken two trips to Newfoundland for moose with one piece bows. Drove to Portland Creek both trips and then a float plane into camp. Actually took two bows, one R/D and one ASL. Just put them both in their own heavy duty bow sock (from Teresa Asbell) and tied them together. I just made sure that when they were packing the float plane my bows were the last thing on and the first off. Unlike commercial airlines, they were very careful with all of my stuff. The only hard case I took was for my arrows.

imbowhunt10 · April 06, 2018, 12:29:10 PM

I worry a little more about the unexpected things that could happen, even on the way there and the way back whether it be in a vehicle or on the float plane. The case I have would take a certain amount of impact. Might be my old age showing.

Bow man · April 07, 2018, 08:40:31 AM

Quote from: Cari-bow on April 05, 2018, 08:49:15 PM
My experience with float planes is they have no problem one piece bows. They deal with fishermen all the time. Now you might want find a case to protect it. That said I've just layed the bow on top of everthing without a problem. They have never charged extra, It's all part of the payload.

X2

monterey · April 07, 2018, 09:52:21 AM

Quote from: imbowhunt10 on April 06, 2018, 08:51:47 AM
The float plane should not be a problem. I would make sure the bow is in a protective case of some sort. I have one from 3-Rivers that I have used on 2 Alberta bear hunts, that is awesome. I worry a lot more when it comes to commercial flights............

When We went in by super cub in AK the pilots were adamant about not having any kind of hard case in their plane. Thats probably not the case with all of them but it might be a good idea to check in advance. There is plenty of room in even the little cubs for bows. An English war bow would fit easily.

A soft case would probably be fine for the entire trip.

wingnut · April 07, 2018, 09:55:07 AM

Years ago I flew into Saskatoon for a bear hunt and ran in to Mickey Lotz at the airport. We were standing there waiting for our luggage when we saw the cart coming. There was a white pvc tube sticking out the side and it hit the concrete wall and bent in half coming in. It was Mickey's bow and it sustained tip damage. It was the last time I traveled with a one piece bow. The extra baggage fees will pay for a 2 or 3 piece bow in a few trips.

Mike

Cari-bow · April 07, 2018, 10:07:19 AM

Commercial airlines are a totally different they never let you load or unload the plane.
With float plane trips I have always been part of the loading team. This way you have input as to where your bow goes.

Yes epoxy finishes are good and I would use at least a good sock.