When going hunting my biggest pet peeve would always be how to properly carry my bow so it would be secure and not provoke back pain while carrying it. There are many options to carry a bow properly on your back and today I’m going to go through them and give you some suggestions on great methods that have worked for me.
Buy a Bow Sling
You can carry your bow on your back with the help of a sling. You wrap it around your shoulder and chest after it’s attached to your bow. When you’re not using the bow, This leaves your hands free to do other things while keeping your bow secure and dangling around your neck.
A specially designed bow sling is the most convenient way to carry your bow on your back while hunting. This could be a custom-made sling or a specialized bow string purchased online or from an archery store. It’s necessary to determine the size of the sling, measure the length of your bow and the length of your arrow. Here’s a guide for you to properly measure the length of your bow.
Slings allow you to keep your bow in a secure position while you’re on the move. If you follow the instructions and get one with the correct measurements, using a specially designed bow sling will help you considerably.
Carrying a bow on your back without a sling can cause the bowstring to stretch in the wrong direction due to body movement. The bow will be harmed and its effectiveness will be reduced as a result of this. Just make sure you buy or make a sling that fits your bow properly.
If you are hunting in grassy woodlands or forests there are some types of camo for bow slings that are great, the most recommended is “Mimicry” which means mimicking the area around which you are hunting. Keep the season in mind and get the camo that may match the landscape you may want different patterns to match different seasonal leaf patterns as even a month of waiting can greatly affect leaf color and your surroundings. (1)
Carrying a Bow in a Safe Case
Carrying your bow in a case provides the best protection for your archery gear. Doing so is unlikely to cause damage as your bow is fully enclosed within the confines of its case.
Bow cases also include a built-in handle, which provides a point of contact of handling for an archer. Even when traveling long distances, this is a relatively comfortable way to pack a bow. If you ever looking for bow cases that fit your need, you may check the best bow cases guide.
Carrying a bow in a case has one main disadvantage: it might add a large amount of weight to your luggage. Even soft-sided bow cases can be heavy in nature and difficult to carry on lengthy hikes.
Use a Backpack
Carrying your bow with your backpack can help you keep track of it as you make your way to a ground blind. Even on long trips, this is a relatively comfortable way to pack a bow.
All you have to do is wrap your backpack straps around your bow and secure it. You won’t have to worry about it as long as the bow doesn’t move too much while traveling. Just make sure it’s securely fastened before going on a hike so the straps don’t come undone.
You may want to watch the video below;
Carrying a Bow Over your Shoulder
Another common method is to carry a bow over your shoulder. However, you must use caution when moving the bowstring, as excessive movement can cause the string to stretch too far and possibly harm the bow.
Shoulder slings are an excellent choice while carrying your bow in this manner. You’ll also be able to do other things with one or both hands-free. Many of them can be worn on your back or carried over your shoulder.
While carrying your bow in this manner, you can still get to it fairly quickly. You’ll also be able to do other things with one or both hands-free.
Precautions to Be Taken When Carrying a Bow
All archers and hunters must remember that safety comes first at all times. You and your equipment could be damaged if you don’t arrange your back sling and bow properly. While carrying a bow on your back, you should take the following precautions.
Insulate the String
If the string comes into contact with your skin, it can scratch you or it can cause injury. As a result, before using the string, make sure that the entire bowstring is completely covered. Only then is it secure to transport your bow.
Put it Across
When you’re using it as a sling, you’ll need to wrap it around your body. It’s possible that it will slip off if you’re only carrying it on one side of your body.
One section of the bowstring should be above your shoulder as you’re placing it. The bowstring’s opposite end should be tucked beneath your arm.
The bow will not slip off whether you’re moving quickly or trying to shoot a target. Putting it across means you won’t have to worry about it sliding off and injuring yourself.
Take Size into Account
A bow can come in a variety of sizes. You must assess your torso size before employing this strategy. Carrying the bow as a sling can be difficult if the bow is too tiny. As a result, you must consider the torso’s size and the bowstring’s length. Once you’ve done that, it’ll be clear whether or not you can employ this method. (2)
Apart from these, here are some precautions you need to take while carrying a Bow:
- Make sure your sling and bow are adjusted to your height. Place your bow and sling in a comfortable position to avoid physical pain or injury from your bow or sling.
- Chafing and possible shifting will be reduced if you adjust your sling snugly on your body.
- If a back sling does not fit your style, an over-the-shoulder carrying option is ideal.
- Keep in mind that recurve bows are more effective at causing arrows to fly further than straight bows.
- If you’re going to carry a bow on your back, be sure the recurve bow is properly tied.
Carrying a bow on your back is simple. We recommend using a sling. Following the steps outlined above ensures that no injuries or other issues arise.
References
(1) Mimicry – https://www.britannica.com/science/mimicry
(2) torso size – https://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Torso-Length
