ORIGINAL: DougE
the last thing you want is an object with several sharp edges flopping around,hitting you and the horse,especially if you're in the timber.If that horse starts to spook,you want to worry about controllingthe horse,not your bow.Use the sling for walking but get something more secure for for riding.Besides,a scabbord would make a nice partial tip to your guide at the end of your hunt.
There's a good chance the guide will have decent stock and you won't have much to worry about but you never know.I was in Colorado on a pack in hunt back in 2003.The outfitter just bought a bunch of horses from an auction prior to us coming out.The horse I ended up using was afraid of water.It wasn't a real big deal because I've trained a few young horses to get over their fear of water but I had some hairy rides each day on this horse.No way would I have wanted a bow slung over my shoulder.
Never trust your critters to account for all the issues that can come up...I do this every year in the backcountry, not that I am an expert (but have made LOTS of mistakes), and would agree with above, do NOT suggest having bow hookinto backpack or sling or anything else...(and I have a bow scabbard used it once and never again)
Several reasons...all involve safety...you do NOT want to accidentally hit the horse wiht teh bow scaring it, and causing you to fall/get kicked/ hit in head by trees etc. when getting on and off, easiest thing (if you dont ride a lot) is to make sure you can use both hands, and have someone hand you the bow...
I know there are easier things like backpacks and slings, but if there is a OH CRAP, you want to be able to get rid of the bow, and take control of the hrose or hold on!!
So, for me, I carry my bow in my hand and since I know my critters, and have trained them, I can steer them with neck reigning...so I have one hand on the throttle and one on my bow, and if something happens, the bow get thrown clear...is a lot easier to fix a bow than crawl out of the backcountry...
Never assume outfitters critters are bomb proof!!!
Here is a pic from two years ago...backpack I use is a Badlands and while hiking, i hook it up to the backpack, but while riding, I carry the bow...and mine is a SHORT axle to axle so I could carry it on backpack without hitting horse, but would prefer to not for safety...sharp sticky things are scary to me...
Pic from 2 years ago...left bow at camp to go retrieve the meat...be safe, and have fun and take pics, as you will have the time of your life!!!
