The first and only time I went elk hunting, carrying my one piece longbow on my pack was quite brutal. It was a long hike in and I was using climbing sticks in each hand which is why I had it on my pack. But if I had to sit down I had to be very careful not to sit on top of it, or hit trees on the trail.

This year I may bring a 2 piece bow or not use any climbing sticks.

What do yall do? I am using a Kuiu pack if that matters.

Best regards, Jason

I strapped my bow to the side of the pack. Yes, I had to watch out for some overhead stuff and yes, you have to pay attention when you go to drop your pack.

I would rather have a 2-piece, but it’s hardly a deal-breaker.

Scenery!

;p

Jason take me and I'll carry both our bows!!!

I never went on a trip like that but I hunted north manitou island in Lake Michigan and I carried my bow in a round cylindrical case and used it as a walking stick. It was only a couple of miles to the south end of Lake manitou

For long hard climbs I strap my bow to my pack and just be mindful. Usually just carry my bow in one hand and trekking pole in the other. When I’m actually hunting poles are stowed in my pack and bow in hand.

I carried an extra quiver of arrows strapped to my backpack most of the time, but my bow was always in my hand. When I bow hunted elk and muledeer in Colorado I saw mountain lion and bear tracks, so I wanted my bow to be easily accessible.

I snuck up to 20 yards on this bull moose to get a picture while bowhunting elk in Colorado.

I had a similar idea... and posted about it. It was NOT well received by my peers!!

Regardless - I'm with you... I've hunted the hills of Colorado, Idaho and MT and have decided that giving up the ability to instantly shoot an elk that pops up at 20 yards (carrying my strung bow) is a fair exchange for packing my bow... seeing an elk and putting it together. I no longer hunt/climb around those slopes with anything in my hands except walking sticks. My bow and arrows stay in my pack to be assembled when it's time. I bought a JT Archer Apollo two piece... that thing is perfect. Assembles VERY quickly... strings easily and I'm ready to launch arrows quickly. I just mount my tube quiver on my pack vs. on my bow. I tried this set up with a recurve and the curves made it an unfriendly process... so I got a 2p longbow. Good luck.

Jar

Before I got my takedowns I would carry my bow in one hand and walking stick in the other. Did that for years. Now I stash my takedowns in my pack and use two walking sticks. For me, 2 piece takedowns are worth every penny.

I mostly used takedowns and trek poles when walking in. Then when actually hunting, I had my Safari-Tuff quiver strapped to my back pack, carried my bow in my hand and did not use the poles.

Lets go Wudstix!! Haha.

Appreciate the replies everyone, thank you.

Keep the sticks for when the going is steep and rough and pack a two piece, something like a bow-bolt system or like the takedown system that Steve Jewett is building, which is the only place you can get it. Then when it's time to hunt or probability is high for something walking out carry the bow and pack the sticks. I'd pick Steve's T/D system for quick and quiet assembly and zero possibility of any BS or rattling.

Back when, many including myself used a single hiking staff which leaves the other hand free to carry your bow.

I use a take-down bow and two poles for those multi-mile pack in and outs. Especially

the down hill parts with heavy weights.

Funny how I didn’t feel a need to keep my bow in hand while navigating by headlamp….

;)

4 legs Good; 2 legs Bad.

I’d have a 2-piece if I could, though

My Colorado elk bowhunting area and me heading up the mountain.

Some Colorado scenery.

Last year Colorado deer hunt above timber line I used 2 piece longbow in side pouch of pack and quiver and arrows strapped to back of Kuiu frame pack. The walking sticks made the steep hikes way easier than with bow in hand. Easy to string bow and attach quiver and leave pack and sticks behind on the final part of stalk after finding bedded buck. I would do the same on an elk hunt if steep and rough and sticks made going easier.

sorry pic did not attach upright, don't know how to edit

OK… I guess I just figured you were hunting Australia….

DGW upright:

I carry mine in my hand too.

I carry mine in my hand too.

I use one walking stick and carry my strung bow in the other hand. Even when I'm carrying a 3-piece take-down. I don't get a lot of time out west, and when i leave the trail head, I'm hunting, even if I have a heavy pack on my back.

Last year hiking in with my camp on my back, I carried my longbow strung in my hand with my back quiver strapped on the side of my pack.

I can reach arrows out of it and shoot if necessary. I will say that I'm also small game hunting for food while hiking and it would be a hungry trip if I had to put my bow together everytime I needed it.

I don't use trekking poles or a walking stick but I know that is coming soon. My knees are getting pretty beat. When that happens it will be a strung bow in the left and walking staff in the right.

I'm hunting from the moment I step into the woods.

Love the pics Nemophilist and GDW!!

Well I went ahead and ordered another Toelke whip takedown today. I love their bows.

Love the pics Nemophilist and GDW!!

Well I went ahead and ordered another Toelke whip takedown today. I love their bows.

Always at least one bow in hand; two is better if you can pull it off. My stepson Alex demonstrates the preferred "ambidextrous Ninja" stalking technique, used on our last Colorado trip. Oddly, no elk were taken.

ElGuapo, you won't regret it. Both of my takedowns are Toelkes.

My one takedown bow is a Damon Howatt HTD 62" 62#@28" three piece recurve. Kinda a prototype bow by Damon Howatt that they never marketed.

I NEED a walking stick or trekking pole in my right hand so I carry strung in my left hand. I like to hunt with a 66 or 68 inch longbow so that's very light in the hand.

Planning a pack in this year so the terrain to be covered will dictate a few things. If need be I'll take a TD strapped to the pack in case two trekking poles are needed.

Wudstix, I had an HTD just like that for several years and only parted with it when I switched to left handed shooting. Great bow. I bought it from East Side Archery in Chicago.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here