For those who have flown with their takedowns, what's your preferred method? Pelican 1700? Skb? Bow just padded in luggage with arrows in a tube?
On one side, I like the idea of the pelican the best, purely from an indestructible standpoint, but on the other, I know that case will be treated as a firearm which adds headache / hassle to a long trip. My only fear with just putting the bow / arrows in with my luggage is the possible damage (although I do love the fact of no one knowing I have it).
Any insight is greatly appreciated!
I've flown all over, including several international trips, with a takedown with 2nd set of limbs in a soft case in the middle of luggage surrounded by clothes. Zero issues. I prefer to keep my bow low profile as well, especially flying overseas. Arrows in a tube, broadheads in a plastic box.
R
Same as Ryan, bow limbs taped together in a bow sock and riser in other half in middle of duffle bag surrounded by clothes. Arrows in a tube, broadheads in a foam lined box. Binos and electronics in carry on backpack.
MTM makes a pretty small takedown case that is hard plastic. It holds the riser, limbs and arrows and is small enough to fit in the duffel bag that holds the rest of my stuff. Not as sturdy as a pelican, but gives a bit more protection and you don't need to pay for a second checked bag.
I have flown several times using the traveler takedown recurve case from 3 rivers. I just cut the foam so that it fits my bow. It fits perfectly in the bottom of my Pathfinder rolling duffel which has hard sides for added protection. This has worked really well for me and never given me any issues. I believe I got this suggestion from someone else on Tradgang
Bow just padded in luggage with arrows in a tube. :thumbsup:
For YEARS I used a Coleman Polar cooler. 2 bows ,24 arrows boots, clothes, and whatever ever.
I drug it to ticketing and then I drug it from the baggage claim. Work like a charm. One of my friends that I hunted with would often complain that my cooler had more frequent flyer miles than he did. :goldtooth:
On my trips to Africa, I used a gun case for bow, arrows, and everything else I could get into it. On the outside of the case, I taped a sign " Archery Equipment - No Firearms". I didn't have any problems going or coming back. You can get a lot of accessories in a gun case plus bow and arrows.
We always use a duffle with hard sides in the bottom. We also modify an arrow case to hold our soft cased takedowns on one side with the arrows on the other. The case is then placed inside the duffle. After numerous trips we have had no trouble
I've flown with take-downs and always used a soft case with arrow tubes. I place them in a military duffle bag and don't advertise the contents. Sometimes I even place two 5 gallon buckets with bottoms cut off to form a large long tube in the duffle bags. Two fit great. They may get cracked or damaged, but not my archery stuff. I've even used an empty golf bag carrier (plastic) and stuff it full. It is oversized and may be more, but can fit more than a duffle. Just a word of caution: If taking multiple outfits, split up the packages. Even if you have one lost or delayed, by may get one thru on time.
I use a duffle on wheels and inside a hard case for my arrows and a soft case for my takedown longbows . I use my day pack for smaller personal item like my binoculars, Kindle etc. and use it as a carry on.
Duffle with wheel and hard bottom...two bows padded and arrows in tube...do not wish to advertise...
Exactly dont advertise what you have it may get intentionally lost.
Like most have said, rolling duffle with hard sides on the bottom, limbs and riser wrapped in clothes. With the extra baggage fees the cost can add up quickly. I just flew back from my annual hog hunt in Florida and my friend that had a separate bow case, his luggage bag and a cooler of meat paid $230 in baggage fees on Southwest. The third bag costs an extra $150.
Yeah Mint. When I fly I donate the meat to the needy or to the ranch hands. It's not really worth it to ship it back home. I'll get plenty of meat here.
I used my son's compound bow hardcase. TD Bear, dozen arrows. I did pack the BH's in separate plastic box and labeled them. Packed some clothes around them. Used TSA locks, no issues. It was still under 50#'s. Next time, if there is one, going to use my double size plastic arrow case. I have already cut foam to accommodate the bow.
Thanks everyone for your input!
After a couple discussions with people who've had damage in both soft case in luggage / hard sided duffle (that failed), and people who's bags haven't shown up until the end of the hunt, I decided to go with a Pelican 1700 for my main bow, and then I'll just grab a cheap backup recurve to stuff in my luggage as well. Both the Pelican and the duffle will have a dozen arrows.
I know the pelican won't get destroyed as I'm on 50+ flights a year with one, and that way even if a bag doesn't show, hopefully the other does.
I have a pelican case that holds a riser and two sets of limbs, and 2-3 dozen arrows. I've flown with it several times to and from Alaska to the lower 48, and have never had any problems. If TSA ever thought it was a gun, they never said "boo" to me about it.
When my daughter and I flew with bows a few months ago from Alaska to Chicago O'hare, I packed her 58" longbow in a thick cardboard tube I got from the industrial supply store where I work. The tube was very thick-walled, for threaded rod... we throw those tubes in the dumpster every day. I sawzall-ed it into two equal pieces and zip-tied and taped them together (so they wouldn't roll), and used one side for the bow and the other side for arrows. Worked great.
I know this is a little late, but wanted too add what I've done that works well. I have the Black Widow Pelican Case that holds one riser and two sets of limbs plus quiver, accessories, broadheads, strings, tools and 18 Arrows. Definitely labeled it ARCHERY ONLY - NO FIREARMS. Then for complete separate backup, do a fairly inexpensive roller duffle that meets dimension requirements. I put a whole takedown bow, riser and limbs plus accessories in the typical Plano rectangular arrow case, then another Plano rectangular arrow case with arrows. Bow protected with bubble wrap inside around limbs and riser. Then pack with clothes and soft case and whatever in duffle. I wear a backpack stuffed with clothes, meds, essentials, and binoculars etc for carry on... Works great so far. Pics available if helpful. :campfire:
Just an idea, you can make a pretty good arrow tube from a piece of the plastic gutter material sold at lumber yards. I can get 8 arrows in one put 4 in from one end and 4 from the other. I've had one for a few years to throw in the truck. Going to make another to carry in a duffel to fly.
Is there a good way to store the string so it doesn't lose its twist & I don't have to pack a bow square?
I always just put a twist tie through my string loops when they're off the bow. That keeps them from untwisting.
Take an arrow and hold it with the nock against the riser and make a mark with a magic marker on the arrow where the string is to mark the brace height you want. Now you have a tool to measure brace height and you don't need a bow square.
Trust me, the magic marker mark will not change the "tune" on your arrow. (Before someone asks). :biglaugh:
R
We have done as Ryan suggested but usually throw a bow square in our luggage. But, simply threading one loop through the other and then pulling down on the end with the loop that you threaded through works.
For trips into the African bush, we also take extra strings that are ready to shoot as well as serving/tying string, nocks, nocking pliers, and even a fletching jig with some fletching. Im sure that Im forgetting something.
We manage to keep our duffles under fifty pounds with all of our clothes and gear. We've never needed to launder any thing while there for a just over a week and that's changing hunting attire daily.