Stabilizers for Elk DIY Backpacking
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Recently updated my stabilizer, getting one much heavier than my previous one, which weighed just about nothing and pretty much probably did nothing as a stabilizer. Then I realized the next time I will use it for hunting, I'll be hauling it up the mountains of Montana after shaving every ounce I can out of my backpack. So, a question for hunting backpackers - what do you use for a stabilizer and, (if you know) how much does it weigh?
Quivalizer from Option Archery.....kills two birds with one stone!
Never even heard of quivalizer. Pretty neat idea.
I shot a Mathews Switchback XT for years without a stabilizer, but with my newer Hoyt & Mathews bows and shooting longer distances, I use a 10-12" stabilizer for my backcountry hunts. I find I can torque a lighter bow too easily so I put up with the weight.
More than 5 dozen elk for my Son & I in the last 30 years, to date we haven't used a single stabilizer on our elk hunts. I feel it's what a guy gets used to during his practices, 3D shoots & hunts. Not at anytime did we feel under gunned or unsteady because of the lack of one. It works for us & it may suit you if you give it a shot for a few straight weeks & it will shave off those unneeded ounces you are concerned with. Good luck!
p.s. we're shooting the new Mathews VXR 28" bows this year & no stabilizer on these either.
ElkNut
Elknut1 stabilizers do infancy help stabilization of the bow. You are shooting a Mathews, no wonder why your not using anything... don’t need to add any weight to that boulder of a bow. You wouldn’t even be able to pick it up haha
I suggest anything 10” and larger, Andy thing under that is a complete waste of money, as for the quiverlizer imh I think it’s a waste of money, yeah it’s a cool concept for back country but once you start shooting arrows it’s going to toss off the balance, also with a side stabilizer such as one like that you have to re sight in your bow as it will throw it off. Now take it off and use as quiver that’s also going to be a differ poi. Bee stinger 10” with 1” quick disconnect and you’ll be golden.
Foamkilr is right. 10” and above. Are they necessary? Nope. Do they help? Of course they do. The question is how much! I have a 10” b stinger with adjustable weights I am looking to sell if anybody is on the hunt!
No stabilizer. Just pay attention to the level bubble and get a sight that can help you eliminate the torque if need it. Try a TACTACAM up front instead of a stabilizer if you cannot do it without stabilizer.
Six that’s all good if you want to shoot 20 yards n closer. But real shooting it makes a difference
Real shooting?! I guess my shooting is fake because I don’t use a stabilizer and don’t see the need for one in hunting situations. Lol
Foamkillr, If a person is a Real hunter he can get shots at 20 yards and less.
Thanks all, this is helpful.
No stabilizer but prefer a longer axle to axle bow and Tight Spot quiver.
I use a b stinger micro hex. I find a stabilizer helps me with accuracy. With that said you can learn to shoot without and be pretty darn good
One thing I’ve done when backpack hunting. I’ve taken off the stabilizer and quiver and even the sight. Put in pack and just carried bow for the long hike into an area. Easier with weight on the back vs the arms for long hikes in.
2nd year using a Bee Stinger MicroHex counterslide. Absolutely love it. Extremely lightweight and perfectly balances my bow by offsetting the weight of my sight and quiver. Does a stabilizer help? Yes. Does it help enough? All personal preference, but I know how much more quickly it allows me to settle my pin for the shot, and no way I’m sacrificing that for a few ounces.
No challenge at 20 yards and in. Chip shot. Let’s see you reach out to 50-70 yards on a big elk. Do that with no stabilizer. Sorry but In the big boy woods you need a stabilizer. I’m sorry but I don’t know anything about that 1st pin action! Like I said real shooters, my kids can hit a golf ball within 20 yards lol.
if a few ounces on a stabilizer is going to have an impact on your hunt weight-wise in having to haul it up the mountain.............go on a diet and drop a pound or two!
Ive killed elk with em and without em, none of them knew the difference. Each one was real shooting
Sometimes the men’s woods doesn’t allow you to do that top pin thing. Shooting whitetails out of a recliner is a different story. Gunna pass up a 400” bill because you can’t shoot 50 yards?? Foolish
Why don’t you practice with and without it. If you feel you shoot better with it I’d absolutely use it on your hunt. If you feel it makes no difference leave it at home.
I use a CrossOver single extension stabilizer. I've shot target archery since the early 80's and have always used a stabilizer, but the CrossOver that extends beyond 12" to 17" does one super important thing for me.
It allows me to keep an arrow nocked and set the bow down, leaning it on a tree or branch without the broadhead sticking in the dirt. If you're hunting elk it is super handy when trying to call and elk are in the hood so that you can pick up your bow in an instant and be ready for the action.
Just my $0.02 on another important function of my stabilizer.
Cheers, Pete
So foam, you’re saying that someone can’t shoot beyond 20 yards unless they have a stabilizer? Yes, I would pass a 400” bull in a second at 50 yds if I feel like the shot isn’t good. I would pass at 20 yds if the shot isn’t good. 20 yds doesn’t automatically make it a chip shot either. I’ve seen many seasoned elk hunters miss 20 yds and under. I guess they should have been using a stabilizer. I’ve seen seen many seasoned hunters make terrible shots past 50 and they were using a stabilizer. My point here that others have made is that a stabilizer will help some and others don’t need it and it won’t make you a better hunter.
Pretty sure Randy Ulmer doesn't use a stabilizer when hunting.
Foamkiller, why dont you just get closer and shoot the elk? OTOH, have you ever hunted elk in the "men's woods"?
I LOVE these threads. I missed these. It seems like it's been a while since I've seen one.
The old formula, some good opinions, some really good recommendations, one blowhard who thinks he knows it all :)
This is relaxing
Dang, forgot to give my opinion. . . .:)
I don't elk hunt as much as some of the killers on this thread, but I do use a stabilizer. An 8 inch Mathews brand. I commonly shoot at 80-100 yards in practice. I'll have to take it off some in practice this year and see if it makes a huge difference.
I don't think the weight of it makes any difference on an actual hunt
Foamkiller, I have played with a stabilizer from time to time over the years thinking there must be something to them but have found there isn't enough of a difference in accuracy if any at all for me. I can shoot to 80 yards with no real world concerns. -- The biggest hurdle these days is controlling ones emotions & focusing solely on the shot when that bull appears, if a stabilizer helps you & others then; I say use them.
As for me I'm not going to fix something that isn't broke, thanks!
ElkNut
I use a 10" Fuse Carbon Blade. I use it mostly for vibe absorption. If it helps with my shooting any it is a plus. I don't need my pin to be rock solid as I try to ignore it as much as possible anyway.
Also...the Quivalizer is a great idea. Whether you like it or not is one thing, but the length of the Quivalizer allows it to act more like a target stabilizer vs. a hunting stabilizer.
the bee stinger counter slide shrunk my groups in half at 70 yds plus. I wouldn't shoot an animal that far unless it was a follow up shot. I won't hunt without it.
Ulmer states he shoots more accurately with one. But chooses not to carry one for weight savings when backpack hunting. But according to some if a few ounces makes a difference you need to lose weight
Pretty sure ulmer is a pretty fit guy?
Crossover stabilizer here. Packed it all over the mountains the past two years and it is great
Crossover stabilizer here. Packed it all over the mountains the past two years and it is great
foam shooting elk long is a recipe for disaster. i ain't like shooting whitetails out or your recliner. every year i stop at the taxidermist and hear the" bowhunter he man" stories of wounded elk never recover
I used a crossover 8-21 on my compound. Then realized they aren’t worth the weight or bulk. For me it was not necessary
If you are shooting at elk at 70 yards you don't need a stabilizer. You need a lesson in elk hunting.