Backup bow, yea or nea
Contributors to this thread:Moose
From: Mike Castillo
14-Aug-17
Leaving at the end of September for a northern BC moose/elk hunt...This will be the biggest hunt I have ever done. Should I bring a backup bow? Is it feasible to bring along another bow given the travel and logistics? I could bring a takedown recurve, although I am far from great with it...It could serve as a serviceable bow if worse came to worse. Thoughts?
From: sticksender
14-Aug-17
Yes for peace of mind. And you can ship it up by Mail for pretty cheap. Give it 3-4 weeks to get there.
From: Guardian Hunter
14-Aug-17
Very cheap insurance to bring bow #2. I never had to use my second but always brought it just in case.
From: Hawkeye
14-Aug-17
+1 Guardian Hunter
From: jdee
14-Aug-17
Send it up. What's another hundred bucks now ?
From: carcus
14-Aug-17
I would bring a spare, I always do
From: ryanrc
14-Aug-17
At the very least bring the recurve. I have brought mine on out of state hunts before that I drove to. I figured it would be meant to be if I had to use it and it didn't take up much room. If I were you, I would buy a cheap used bow that was all set up already. Sight it in and send it up there. Leave it there at the end of the trip. Like a $100 parker compound that would be more accurate for you than a recurve.
From: dkbs
14-Aug-17
Several years ago I drew an awesome elk tag. On the third evening of the hunt, I drew my bow back just to check if the peep still aligned properly and the lower limb broke. The next day I shot a big bull with my back up bow. I'd always taken one on out of state hunts and this was the only time I needed it. The hunt would've been over if I hadn't taken it.
From: Ace
14-Aug-17
Mike I have a Double Bow case if you want to borrow it. Big heavy aluminum one with wheels. I'm in CT and we could connect.
From: Shawn
14-Aug-17
I have taken my compound as a back up to my recurve and vice versa. I shoot either one pretty well so I always have a back up. Shawn
From: Backpack Hunter
14-Aug-17
I've never had or used a backup bow.
From: greg simon
14-Aug-17
Without a backup bow your only backup will be your guides rifle. I take an extra bow.
From: Zackman
14-Aug-17
I vote for yea
Good luck!
From: Mark Watkins
14-Aug-17
Yes, for sure.....I've had to use mine twice. Leave the backup in base camp.
Don't leave home without it!
Mark
From: Jaquomo
15-Aug-17
Always, always, always on an expedition hunt. If you're hunting somewhere a half day drive from an archery shop, that's a different deal (but I always do anyway). But where you're going? Absolutely. With a compound, have it set up the same, shooting the same so you don't have to screw around with it. Even when I'm hunting trad I always take a backup takedown.
From: scndwfstlhntng
15-Aug-17
Yes. Stuff happens
From: Habitat for Wildlife
15-Aug-17
I would. Good luck!
From: Pigsticker
15-Aug-17
Yessss!
From: venison
15-Aug-17
Yes
From: deerhaven
15-Aug-17
Yes! I never leave on a hunt without one. Never had to use it in over 30 years but it gives me a lot of comfort just knowing it's there. It also gives me a spare sight, rest, and other spare parts if I need them.
From: Bushwacker
15-Aug-17
Taking the advice of others, and after my daughter had bow issues in May on our bear hunt, I just recently purchased a back bow and it will be going with us to Africa next year.
From: kota-man
15-Aug-17
My back up bow came in handy on an African trip where the luggage goons crushed my main bow beyond recognition. Like someone drove over the case with a forklift damage.
From: DEMO-Bowhunter
15-Aug-17
I packed one bow in two different bags for my hunt this year and one of my bags did not show on-time. Luckily or unluckily we got weathered in, so my second bow showed up the next day. Didn't need two bows, but what if my second bow was my only bow?
I'll bring two bows forever now.
From: Bou'bound
15-Aug-17
absolutely
From: 76aggie
15-Aug-17
Take a backup. You never know when you have to initiate Plan B.
From: mallardsx2
11-Sep-17
I never go on a trip without one. I even take a backup muzzleloader when I hunt with one of those.
From: jjs
11-Sep-17
Always, t/d recurve or longbow doesn't take much space up for the piece of mind.
From: Medicinemann
11-Sep-17
I have been on a bunch of extreme hunts....and I have used my backup bow four times. Though we refer to one of the two bows as a "back up" bow, make sure that you can shoot both of them very well. One of the four times I used my back up bow was for grizzly bear.....when confidence in my bow and my ability to use it was of paramount importance. It didn't bother me in the least bit to use it either.....because I shot it as much as my primary bow....
From: Hawkeye
11-Sep-17
Absolutely should bring a back-up...or Mr. Murphy will be guaranteed to show up in camp...;)
From: Ollie
11-Sep-17
It is doubtful that your compound arrows will fly out of your recurve so you would need to take some extra arrows matched for your recurve bow. Taking an extra bow/arrows is not a problem when driving to a hunt but is a major pain in the rear, and additional expense, when flying.
From: Medicinemann
11-Sep-17
I put both bows in an SKB double bowcase.....an additional 6-8 pounds, no additional expense.
From: expeditiontraders
12-Sep-17
I always take two. I put one in th bottom of a Terra Guida and the other in a Tuffpak. With a little planning, I can split my gear so that I can hunt if either bag makes it. I have had to use a back up bow twice for mechanical issues and four times due to airline mishaps.
Good luck.
From: md5252
13-Sep-17
I always take a backup TD recurve. Arrows go in bow case with compound arrows.
No extra hassle at all and gives me peace of mind
From: glunker
25-Sep-17
You are just fine with one bow unless you need a second. Question basically answers itself. If you can take one then do it. Tom Hoffman mentions he takes a second bow to 3rd world hunts to let locals shoot to promote bowhunting, mostly human relations.
From: Swampy
28-Sep-17
Always
From: Redheadtwo
28-Sep-17
Take a backup bow. Or do like I do-take your takedown recurve with extra limbs and an extra string.
