Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

How do you fellows that archery hunt carry your bows (and arrows) while on horseback? An outfitter that I am going to use this year refuses to carry a hard shell bow case on a horse and has told me that he suggests using a sling. I just can't see how that would work since most of the slings that I have seen are for carrying a bow while standing. Any ideas? How do you carry them on horseback?

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

I would remind the outfitter that HE WORKS FOR YOU. Tell him to top pack the hard bow case. IMHO Bows & horses do not mix. The only way I will carry my bow on a horse is in a hard case. I have a rifle that I have used for the last twelve years hunting off of horseback. The stock looks like it was in the twin towers during 9-11.
I repeat, I will not carry a bow on a horse that is not in a hard case. I think it is easy to tell this outfitter does not care if you end up with a damaged bow or not.
Good luck on your hunt & tell your outfitter someone from Montana says to pull his head out.:D

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

A sling works very well. I usually use a bow scabard like they sell in cabelas. I rig it differently, however. Instead of going underneath your stirrup, I drape it behind the saddle and the bow sits behind you. A hard case would be a pain to pack I would think.

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

Thanks bdana,

Could you tell me what kind of sling that you use? I wouldn't really want to purchase scabard since I will not be needed if very much except for this trip. I happened to stuble into this sling on the net. It specifically mentioned horse back.

http://www.quakeinc.com/add.cfm?item...TOKEN=33291606


Thanks for the advice Wolf.

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

It is almost impossible to tie on a bow hard case on a saddle. And in fact it becomes almost dangerous for the rider. Maybe someone has a trick on making this work but never have we got it to work well. Cabelas has a new bow back pack now. I'm not sure yet if you could sit a horse with this on. I will personally try it out this year.

The best thing we have found is parachute cord. You tie a loop just below the grip on your bow and sling it over your shoulder that way. And when shooting the cord is hanging below your grip and completely out of the way.

The reason the outfitter refused was because of safety reason. Most people are not adapt to getting off and on a horse and that big case that won't move when getting on or off causes alot of people to fall off. And no outfitter wants a client with a broken arm or worse. Its safety and that's why he refused.

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

Thanks Cherokee,

I really don't have a problem with him not carrying the hard case, and I'm sure not going to start off on the wrong foot by telling him how to run his outfit. Gotta pick arguements if need be a bit wiser then that.

I believe that he doesn't want them (hard cases) even on the pack horses or mules. We'll be riding in on horse to base camp, and hunting mostly from foot (but may include some riding) from there.

What I'm trying to do is to find the best way to do it. Refences have told me that it really isn't a problem to ride with a sling, but I want to make sure that the one that I get will work for me.

But your just using parachutt cord, interesting. I have a 1000 foot spool in the garage. Have you (or your clients) used any of the slings out there though to have something to compare it to?

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

Bob,

Yes alot of our bowhunters show up with bow slings. I can't remember the make or model of the slings. Its just the occasional one or two. I don't much care for the bow scabbard case that goes on the saddle we have some and bows are always getting bumped on trees. When I travel on horseback on my personal hunts I just one hand it on to the horse and then I slip my arm in between the riser and the string and let it hang off to one side of my body. This is okay as long as your not going on long trips on horse back.

If you have a hard case I would have him pack that in with the bow to base camp atleast you would have a nice safe place to store your bow while in camp.

Also make sure you can secure your arrows really well on horseback. Wouldn't want a arrow to come loose from the quiver and cut you or your bow string.

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

BobCo19-65
I still stand behind my statement that the outfitter works for you. A hard shell bow case is the only safe/secure way I know of to carry your bow on horse back. The outfitter can lash a hard sided bow case down as a top pack on a decker very easy. If the outfitter does not want to do this? You are taking a chance with your bow. Make sure he has targets & a bow press in camp. Bring an extra bowstring, cables and tools with you. Ask the outfitter how many years he has been guiding bow hunters? Ask for a reference list of bow hunters that have hunter with him. Then call all of them. Guiding a bow hunter is not the same as guiding a rifle hunter.
I know I am sounding like a jerk. I am just thinking about your bow & your money. What will you do if a horse brushed up against a tree and bends your sight or arrows? I am sure there will be trees where you will be hunting. You will also be riding in the dark every morning & every evening. The horse can see just fine in the dark but you can't. How are you going to avoid brushing up against tree limbs if you can't see them until it is too late?

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

He won't do that either.

Done that - since 85, I have also personally talked face to face with the head bow hunting guide.

Done that, they all said not to worry about it.

As you can tell this was one area that I was a little concerned with, that is why I am trying to find out some info and ideas. I have experience with horses so riding is not very new to me. But I am trying to think of a way to keep my bow as safe as possible with what I have to work with.


As you have mentioned Wolf, I am planning on bringing an extra string, serving material, portable press, etc with me on the trip.

This is directly from the Outfitters Web-Site:

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

I guess I am just too darn hard headed for my own good.[:@] I just know what my hunting gear looks like at the end of the season. I treat my bow like it was made of gold. I have had them "go out of tune" for no apparent reason?
I wish you the best of luck on your hunt. Remember to post pictures when you get back. Also tell us after the hunt how packing that bow on a sling worked for you. Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks?:D

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

That sling looks fine to me. If I were in your shoes, I would use a fancy homemade sling made out of rope. My buddy uses an old lead rope. A thicker rope is nice bc/ it doesn't dig into your shoulder as much as a smaller diameter rope. A couple problems w/ a scabbard;
You have to be pretty agile when getting on your horse bc/ you have to lift your leg higher. It is very difficult to get on the right side of your horse if you want to. Your bow takes some licks. You can put it in a soft case and still get it into the scabbard if you want to. Brad

RE: Carrying a bow on horseback?
 

As others have said find something that is comfortable for you i do not know how long your base camp ride will be but anything over 20 minutes and good trail is enough for me with one handing it or a sling. whatever you decide make sure you try it out b4 you get up there and then are stuck using it. I certainly understand the outfitters point most people show up with these heavy rigid cases or even worse the cordura scabbards wich will gall a horse raw in no time. we take leather scabbards made for bows on our trips i would be surprised if you spoke with the oufitter and asked if one of his local saddlemakers designed scabbards would they be allowed. Just because you are paying a price does not mean he is going to tear up his stock so your arm won't be sore. Spend a little more time speaking with him about what TYPES of scabbards are not allowed. Good luck on your hunt and if ya don't get a scabbard make sure you figure something out thast is very comfortable and will not get hung up in the trees and if it does i would recommend a weak link so that you don't end up with your bow in the creek.

Get an Eberlestock X1A1 or the X2 day pack with their bowbucket..

I expect a sling will be your best bet. You could easily make one that is adjustable to set the tension and adjust as needed. I would make a cover for it as well, to protect it while on your back, that allows the use of the sling.

I've been on four lengthy horseback trips in rugged mountain country, and there's no way a scabbard would've worked, much less a hard case. (Too much brush.)

A sling works OK, but my shoulder got sore after a few days. What I finally learned was to let half the weight bear on my shoulder and half of it be supported by my cupped hand on a long stabilizer. To make it easier to hold the stabilizer I duct taped a tennis ball over the end; this fit well in my hand (and made it easier to maneuver the bow around branches and other obstacles). It may have looked a little goofy, but it worked very well!

I have used a sling and it was HORRIBLE...as an outfitter he should have bow scabbards already...we use them every year with great success. If you get into a place where the horse needs to jump off or over something your going to want the use of both your hands.

http://ri.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LE...nzsazlluPLgIU-

This is the best bow sling I've ever used.A back pack that you can put your bow in also works as long as it doesn't hang too low.You also have to be careful about going under branches.

If you're not an experienced rider,a scabbard is the best way to smash your bow.Horses have little regard to how close they walk to trees and if you can't control them with leg pressure before they walk by a tree,your bow will get crushed.Use a comfortable sling and adjust it so it doesn't hang too low.

Bow scabbord
 

Ladies hunt by horseback too, even older gals like me. Sling is a bit dangerous and doesn't protect my bow. Outfitter Supply sells an excellent saddle scabbard which I just ordered. Will let you know how that works. Glad to have found this site.

I've been on a couple horseback elk hunts and a bow sling is easily the best way to go. you can go simple with loops that slip over the limb tips or a better option is to get one like the Dead Ringer that encases the limb tips, string and cables from tangles with brush