Trad Gang

I will be going to Australia in September, and have started getting stuff together.   I was wondering what will be the best way to pack arrows. I will be taking 4+ dozen arrows.   I was thinking of getting two plastic 4 to 6 inch pipes from the lumberyard, cutting them to arrow length + about 3 inches.  Putting half my arrow, without heads, in each.  I was then going to put a piece of foam in each end and seal with duct tape.  Weight will be an issue, so I was going to get the thin wall stuff.   My broadheads will be packed seperate, padded in small box.  I was thinking of taking two duffle bags, half the arrows and one bow in each.   What is the best way to pack a bow (both takedowns) for the trip?  Any advise for a first time international hunter?

I would pack the bows just like the arrows, may be both with some air-foil around it.

Mel, I think your plan is good for the arrows.  And a great idea to split the bows and arrows up into seperate bags.  The odds of them losing both bags is much lower, so your trip wouldn't be ruined if one didn't show.  

For packing the bows, I've had good luck with the Safari Tuff bow cases packed inside a duffle with clothing all around them to provide additional padding.  I use the Rhino case, which provided excellent padding.  The Gazelle cases are a less expensive option.  I have both in stock if you decide to go that way.

I was talking with Dave last weekend about your trip - you guys are going to have a blast!

Mel,

I typically travel by air with a rolling duffle with two compartments.  The bottom compartment holds my T/D in a hard case.  I put an arrow box in the top with points mounted.  GOOD idea splitting up your gear between two cases!  Just upgrade to First Class--there is no way you are going to fit everything into 2-50# duffles   :biglaugh:

Traveling with the arrows in a tube sometimes causes the fletching to get smashed down. I used to travel that way, but now prefer the arrow boxes with foam dividers that keep the fletching separated.

Two duffels with one bow and half your arrows in each is the safest way to go.

On both of my trips to Australia, the customs ladies have given me a hard time about my wood arrows, being concerned that I was importing some evil foreign timber into the country. They finally let me in, but not without quite a look through every bit of my gear to see what other exotic items I might be trying to bring in. They were also quite concerned about the fact that my hunting knife had a wood handle.

They nearly confiscated my snake-backed Jack Harrison take-down longbow due to the snake backing, until I told them how amazing it is that they can make imitation snake backings look so authentic. WHEW! Barely made it through that one!

On the plus side, the Sheilas in customs are kinda cute. . .

I have flown a bunch with my bowhunting gear.. I have never had any issues using the Arrow Saf-Pac tucked in the center of my duffel.  I should say that I alway tape them closed in four places.  Lightweight and strong. This has always worked well for me..

Make SURE you take alot of pics and some video clips for us... LOL


John III

are ya comming down to New Zealand as well mel or stopping in the land of the wambats?

Northern Queensland only.  Maybe next time to New Zealand, would love to get there someday.

all i can say is its a better place than aussie for a start we dont have anything that will bite ya. LOL!!!

While going to Africa I packed arrows in a tube like you mention, it worked fine.  Next time I think I'll just tape a bunch of shafts together and bring seperate fletches and fletching jig.  Fletched arrows take quite a bit of space.  A handful of shafts taped together probably is close to four dozen, I'm talking carbons here-wood might be different because of the variables involved in fletching.  Carbons are just so easy to mke in camp.

The chef

Yeah, Jeff, but don't you have The Rabid Kiwi Menace, where an unsuspecting fellow might get pecked to death by said rabid kiwi?

this is exactly what you need.
i have been trying to hunt in canada for the last 6 months. this is what i travel with. it is the MTM arrow plus case from 3rivers.

if you top and tail your arrows like i do you'll fit exactly 4 doz. stacked 4 high in each slot. and there's heaps of room for all your accessories. put some foam in like i did in 2 of the compartments for broadheads. i've got 54 of them riding in there. room for knives and heaps of other stuff. lockable and offers great protection.

my take down recurve rides in a kathy kelly padded case in my big backpack.


  (http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd349/ozyclint/DSCF2465.jpg)

good luck, you'll have a blast.
i hope you had a better time abroad than i did.

take lots of photos.

Mel

There is a company called Tuffpak that makes a five sided tripod container, same company also goes by the name of Nalpak.  see here:

http://www.tuffpak.com/retail/default.asp

There cases are very pricey but I've found some great bargains on these cases through Eb@y.  You're on the right track seperating one set of bow & arrows from a second set of bows and arrows.  Good tactics there.

These cases do not look like bow or gun cases, thus are less prone to intentional vandalism by antis or theft by the thieves looking to score guns.  They are actually used in the entertainment industry for holding tripods.  I've found them to be darn near indestructable.

ill put together a bit of a packing list when i get some free time Mel
iv got a lot of arrows ;-)
time is catching up we'l be there in no time

hey you guys leave some pigs for us locals.    :campfire:

naw ben we dont have anything that will bite ya or peck ya. LOL!!!

Mel,

I have two duffels ready to go. Each will have a complete set up: bow,3 doz arras,glove armguard and broadheads. That way should either go missing the other will have to do.I am using a combination of the MTM compact arrow cases and the easton arrow tubes. My concern is being able to carry enough arras in the field each day. As you know I like to shoot alot and five arras in my hip quiver are not going to be enough. The Easton arra tube comes with a strap on it and I'm figurin on attaching it to my day pack with a back up supply. One of my bows will have snakeskin on it so I'll get ready with the fake skin story to keep customs gals at bay (or maybe I'll cover it up with camo tape). I'm planning on packing broadheads in a small plastic fishing tackle box. I am intending to haul all of my important/exspensive stuff: binos,GPS,Sat phone and cameras in my carry on. You won't need much in way of clothing. If Andy hasn't told you were planning on hunting like the locals, barefoot, loin cloth and white dots all over us! So work on your tan and the bushy hair!

ha ha ya Mel ill send you the tailors contact details  that is making up Dave's custom loin cloth.

Mel one thing that is going to be a must is having a hydration pack in you pack, your gonna want water with you all the time.

dont forget a spare string for both your bows.

the Ozzy's are pretty keen on preventing stuff coming in like seeds, grass's, no mud on your boots etc  they will likely ask you if you have been on a farm or exposed to livestock within the last 3 weeks...the answer is "No i live in town" etc

it's no fun if there aint anything that can bite ya Jeff

Dave, did you managed to get our care package from the 300 extreme fella?

Hunting like locals?

Bare feet:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/pig4.jpg)

Whip the shirt off to try to lower body temperature dangerously-close to over-heating on a rotten day after quite an episode:
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l164/b_kleinig/18.jpg)

Actually, these days I try to leave my boots on (I think) after more-than-usual recent wriggly encounters.

I love my country, and I hope you blokes have a ball here!

Not yet Andy but Asgier says he'll fix us up. I have some Texas hawg for him so I'll catch up with him at some point.

Ben,

I'm sure we gonna have a great time. Hawg population gonna take quite a beaten though. You'd better give em some time to repopulate after we're gone!

Gooday Mate!

hey hunt it if i were you would  cover those snake skins or else they will take ya bow off ya and burn it    there customs are just as tough as ours