My Question is how do you like Catquivers. I have been thinking about buying one, especially with large pack on it for all day hunting. Seems like I take everything but the sink in my extra large fanny pack. I have quivers on my recruves, but I like the comfort of having extra arrows because I can miss with the best of them, and also to have some field points and judos along.
When hunting I may stay all day or all evening, take lunch, small thermos, etc. All feedback appreciated!
I used one last year for the first time and really liked it. The only drawback that I noticed was that all the arrows need to be close to the same length, the shorter ones tipped with judo or field points didn't stay put. I liked the pack for carrying gear and the fact that there was nothing on the bow. I will continue to use it.
I've hunted with a Cat III for over 12 years. Love everything about a Catquiver. My only issue is that I am short 5'8 and cannot sit while wearing the quiver. In all my years this was only an issue on one bear hunt where we would stop and listen for the dogs quite often. Spot n stalk or stand hunting was made for a catquiver.
JDSIII
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m123/JDS3_2006/Archery/100_1400.jpg)
I hunted with the Cat III this year and was very impressed with the amount of gear I could carry and the comfort on allday hunts where I would travel 5-10KM. I'm actually shorter than JDS3 but still find this a very comfortable system. If you look at the two straps on the above picture, I would carry externally my tripod and ground blind, inside I carried my video camera, 2-3 bottles of water, 2-3 sandwiches, first aid kit, folding saw, knife, extra shooting glove, calls, extra compass, matches, tags, etc... Some days I bet I carried a 25-30 pound pack. I like the way the pack stays behind you and below your head. Never lost any arrows, and I like the way it keeps my fletches dry and out of sight as my feathers are bright yellow.
i personally am very close to buying a mini myself
The one draw back mentioned above can be fixed my buying or making the rised spacer that will allow you to carry some Judos and other small game points.
It is just a great all in one pack. You can buy a pack as big or as small to suit your needs. Everything you want to carry should fit nicely into one of the larger modles. It really comes in handy when I am out trying to walk up hogs.
Good luck
I have one; and they have advantages and disadvantages.
JDS3 can't sit with his because he is to short; but I am 6-3; and I shoot longer arrows; and I cannot sit with mine either.
I do NOT like the arrows being where I cannot see them while stalking and hiking. I have this horrible feeling I will turn and see a trail of arrows behind me.
On the other hand; I use one when I am treestand hunting for bears. The fletch is covered up as well as my white nocks; which I have seen elk as well as bears see on bow quivers. I always tie mine to my bow rope( with my bow) and then just lift it up and hang it on the tree; and in a very short time I am still and invisible to bears.
They can carry enough to get you through and emergency; and a couple small bungee cords can hold your jacket until it cools off.
you do need an adapter so you can carry rubber blunts; or arrows of different lengths.
If you slip and fall in not so friendly country; the frame can save your back; but your arrows - that is up to fate.
I have done some rock climbing while hunting that I could not have done with a catquiver.
It protects your fletch in rain.
But I do not like my arrows being out of sight while I am stalking.
I used a CAT III for several years---it is ok for serious hunting, but I found that for stumping/small game hunting that having to take off the quiver to replace an arrow was inconvenient and went to a hip quiver. Recently bought a mini for turkey hunting---first real test coming up next week. I think it will work well. Need to get another adapter plug for a second blunt or judo. The big Snuffers and Phantoms both fit together ok.
I literally wore out a III years ago, and just bought another one. For still hunting/spot and stalk, they are great, and they can hold a lot of equipment. If you are hunting in wild country, that is a real plus.
Have a 3.5 for about 8 years now. I really like it however, the only issue for me is shooting off my knees. I am 5'7", short waisted and the bottom scrapes the ground when I'm on my knees. Cost me an elk several years ago when I turned to catch him passing on my left. The botton scraped a rock and he turned himself inside out leaving. He was around 7 yards when this occurred.
Jon
I have a Catquiver II that I use quite often in conjunction with a single arrow bow quiver. It holds all my gear for a days hunt. However, I still hunt for hogs a bunch and always dress them in the field and pack out the meat. This quiver won't haul that much! Can anyone share with me weather a larger Catquiver could handle 15-30 pounds of meat in addition to my gear? Do the larger ones have the same straps?
I have also used a cat 2 for what seems like for ever I wore out the fabric and ordered a new cover for it. I also bought a cat 6 and this is the best system of pack.quiver I have found. Its basicly a mini attached to a big well made fanny pack. the quality is excellent. Cats are great in that your arrows are protected from the weather, abuse and the fletchings are hidden..I glued in a small piece of rubber in the point end where my shorter judo rides. end of that problem. rancho safari burned this summer and some cats were getting hard to find, so I bought another mini.... did they rebuild??
I agree with Dave Lay, I have the 6 used it in Western WY to hunt all day, love it. Use it all the time now. I would get a 6.5 to carry all the water if I was going to buy one now.
I've used the Mini for years but I didn't like the packs with the other models. Just an aside, I laid the mini on the ground one day and not think put the bow on top of it. Of course the the string went in with the broad heads and you know what happened then...
Bird Dog, I had the exact same thing happen to me in just before an afternoon hunt in the heat of the rut. I never felt so dejected in my life. I learned the hard way why you should always cary a spare string.
I put two heavy duty rubber bands on each side to stop it from happening again. Like you I now carry a spare string.
I use the cat quiver. i hunt the ground, so I only wear it for getting in and out, and any moving of location. In my blind I take it off. It serves the purpose. I don't put any thing in the small pack on top because I don't like the top heavy feeling it gives.
If you want to solve the problem with Judo's or blunts. Take a empty shot shell 12 or 20 Ga. punch out the old primer and cut the case down about have way, bolt it down towards the outside edge of the quiver with a 10/32 bolt and nut. You may want to mount the case first and then trim to whatever length that suits your needs.
the best way to carry judo points is to cut a 1/4"
slice into the plastic bottom of the quiver and put one of the "legs" of the judo into the cut. You will never lose it.
I like the concept of a catquiver, but have struggled with the three or four that I have owned (slow learner) for the same reasons mentioned above. I finally bought a mini and simply strap it to the back of my regular day pack. I strap it at an angle so that it does not hang down so far and I have really enjoyed the results. The system lets you slip off the pack, disconnect the mini from it in short order. This is great for stalking game that has been spotted or situating your equipment in a stand or blind.
If you like the cat quiver, and are going to purchase rumor has it you should do it soon.
I think their production plant burned in the fires this past summer.
stock should be getting thin.
Could become hard to get really soon.
oz
The cat quiver is great except for the strap connections. I had two rig mine up with zip ties.
I hunt out of treestands mostly. I strap my cat quiver to my stand for the trip in and tie it to the side of the tree when I get in my stand. Works for me. I like having the space for all the do-dads I always carry with me hunting.
They don't fit my build--uncomfortable, too much movement getting an arrow out when wearing it, way too difficult to get an arrow back in.
Yes, I did own one. Bought it from a friend with a similar build--didn't work for him either.
Chad
I have a cat quiver II that I use. I modified mine a bit to support a hydration bladder it works great for day hunts. I use the mini with a Bad Lands monster pack for other hunts.
As others have mentioned if anyone is considering buying a Cat Quiver I wouldn't wait too long. Before finding a used Mini on another site my search of vendors showed that many no longer carried them or were out of stock on certain models.
I've got a III.5 and a mini and like the mini te best. The only complaint, other than the judo problem which I fixed, is that I find it awkward to replace an arrow into the quiver while it is on my back. I use the mini for turkey hunting from a blind and it works great.
The mini is th one to get. 3 rivers has an attachment to make it into a full back back style from an over the shoulder. I use that one all the time. On all day hunts I rig it to a small backpack that I have, it also fits nicely onto the back of a climber when hiking into an area.
I have hunted with a CQ IV for many years. Most of my hunting is done on the ground for mule deer and elk. It works great and holds all the tools and game bags I need to field dress a big bull. It also holds plenty of "stuff" for a full day in the field. I have used it in stands and blinds to hunt antelope. I like mine so much I bought a second one (used) on the TG classifieds last fall. That way I can pass one on to my son. I have also ordered repair parts and some new accessories from Rancho Safari to fix my old one. I enjoy hunting with my longbow without a bow quiver attached whenever possible, but I still need a decent sized pack.
As far as the fire last fall, I have emailed them and tried to find out what the status is. I've gotten no reply. The Rancho Safari web site came back up a few months back and shows stock on many items. I hope they are back in business.
Mike