Carrying Bow While on Horseback

[Spiral Horn]

Hi Folks,

Going on a bowhunt over the winter where at least part of it will be on horseback. Looking for any with experience here in how they carried/transported the bow while mounted.

Thanks in advance for any experience-based suggestions.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

I wore my backpack with the bow in the main bag.

 

[MattB]

Bow scabbard that will allow you to put the bow between your leg and the horse. Opening pointed backwards.

 

[goodgrouper]

Carried my very short ATA bows on my backpack for a lot of years, never had an issue, although having broad heads in the quiver worried me. The scabbards are cool but I worry about your bow getting damaged if your horse was to bang it against a tree or fall. Not sure if one way is clearly better than another.

Some friends of mine use these

TrailMax Protector Bow Scabbard | Saddle Scabbard for Bows

Carry your compound bow and arrows securely with the TrailMax Protector Bow Scabbard. This saddle scabbard for bows is also great for fishing rods.

www.outfitterssupply.com

 

[Jethro]

I've done 2 drop camps going in on horses. 1 archery, 1 gun. Carried our bows over our shoulders/back in Primos bow sling. Worked well. No problems keeping the bow safe as the horse tried to sideswipe trees. Neither trip did we wear our packs while mounted, which I gather is a horsemanship thing. They were stowed with all other gear.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

I give all my hunters a “bowbat” sling to carry their bows. We used to allow them to put their bow on their back pack, had some guys knocks poke horses backs almost cause a wreck, knocks up can’t get caught on branches and get pulled out of quiver, with the “bowbat” sling you can move the bow around if needed plus unlike the primos sling, these cover ur sight and wrap completely around the bow.


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[EnDoB]

I've used the bowbat also. Works great keeping the bow protected. Lots of pockets to stash other gear. The only problem with it is if you are flying and are limited on space. Once you're off the horse you don't use it anymore.

 

[Tilzbow]

I use a sling like a Primos and carry the bow under my right arm with the sling over my shoulder. This has worked well over 10-12 horse back trips over the years. I once tried a bow scabbard but having to take the stabilizer and quiver off so it’d fit made that a non-starter for anything other than a long ride in or out where there was little to no chance of an encounter with a target animal during the trip.

 

[MattB]

A buddy who used a sling to carry his bow under his arm while riding horseback got tossed and landed on his bow. It would have been worse for his bow if a couple of his ribs didn’t give way and soften the blow. But not enough so that it kept him from smashing the hood of his quiver exposing his broadheads. It was a miracle he didn’t get cut up.

 

[Marble]

I give all my hunters a “bowbat” sling to carry their bows. We used to allow them to put their bow on their back pack, had some guys knocks poke horses backs almost cause a wreck, knocks up can’t get caught on branches and get pulled out of quiver, with the “bowbat” sling you can move the bow around if needed plus unlike the primos sling, these cover ur sight and wrap completely around the bow.


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Thanks for this. I've been contemplating the solution for this. I looked at them online and they are available.

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[Tilzbow]

A buddy who used a sling to carry his bow under his arm while riding horseback got tossed and landed on his bow. It would have been worse for his bow if a couple of his ribs didn’t give way and soften the blow. But not enough so that it kept him from smashing the hood of his quiver exposing his broadheads. It was a miracle he didn’t get cut up.

I fell off a horse on a Stone Sheep hunt in BC, it was one of those giant BC draft horse mixes. Technically I fell over the horse but it’d take too long to explain. Thankfully I landed on the top of my head so my bow wasn’t damaged and didn’t cause any damage, but I did have a slight concussion, a really sore neck and a big horse looking down on me with a WTF look on its face. My guide scored the fall a 9.8.

I suppose for being as safe as possible a sling isn’t a good idea while riding a horse, or carrying a bow while walking in rough terrain for that matter. Since I try to hike and stay off horses I’m personally more concerned about stumbling and falling when carrying my bow over both shoulders with the sight on one side of my neck and the stabilizer on the other.

 

[mt terry d]

I always carried my bow in my hand unless I was pulling pack animals. Then I tied
it on top a pack. No way I'm coming off with broadheads on me.
A scabbard that really covers everything sounds like a decent idea.

 

[87TT]

How did the Indians survive?

 

[Deadfall]

How did the Indians survive?

They were excellent horseman that lived on and with. For the rest of us, scabbards are only responsible way to go. Never seen a bow get messed up on side of horse in a scabbard. Also never seen a broadhead get pulled out of a scabbard and cut the crap out of a horse.

Seems rude to carry all that extra weight on your back which causes you to lean back on saddle and wears the crap out of horse kidneys.
Then again why on earth would anyone ever consider how the horse feels.