Trad Gang

I'd like to read about back quivers. The good, the bad and the down right ugly.

A friend who knows about the new HH bow that's coming e-mailed me that it just wouldn't be proper for me to use anything but a true back quiver with a Hill bow. Now I know he knows a bit but I thought I'd better get some other input on this matter.

My memory of trying to use one years ago reminded me of what I must have looked like chasing myself around attempting to simply get out an arrow. It was kinda like a dog chasing his tail.

Thanks in advance for the advice and information.
God bless,Mudd

We use them pretty extensively here in the Territory, and have slain good numbers of animals whilst wearing our trusty back quivers. I highly recommend Mike G, a sponsor here, for a superb back quiver made to your dimensions.

Got mine from 3Rivers. I really like it a lot. The only Con I have with it is, When crawling in the brush it gets snagged on every branch.

Mine doesn't get snagged on every bush, because I can easily rotate it around so that it is more like a side quiver when going through thick stuff.

What can I say...if you use them long enough they grow on ya. Howard made it simple in one of his videos, if I can recall the source. He would hike the bottom of his quiver with his bow hand and that would bring the arrows to within easy reach. He would also swing the quiver under his arm with bottom forward to move through heavy cover...easier to do with a single strap. His emphasis on choice of leather was to keep the quiver flat against the arrows, quieting them and making it more difficult for them to fall out.

At any rate, a back quiver has always been the practical solution to my needs. Holds enough arrows to shoot to my heart's content, plus I always have a few necessaries stored in the pocket...sometimes you just can't find a decent size leaf when you need one.  

My guess is that it would be hard to lose too much on the deal...resale value, of late, seems to be pretty fair. Shop around, though...a few bucks more can often get a much better product.  Enjoy, Rick.

I use one for practice, 3D's and if I'm just chasing squirrels or small game.  They can carry more arrows than a regular quiver.  I carry some flu-flu's, judo's, blunts and hex heads in mine all the time.  

I don't use it for large game because of broadheads rubbing together and dulling themselves, although that problem is easily corrected with "broadhead booties" that can be rigged to slip off.

Used a pattern from Tandy Leather to make my go-to back quiver and modified it to suit me.  I added some D-rings to tie stuff on with, and punched a row of holes in the top  to run laces through to cinch up arrows so they don't rattle.  Done right, you can un-cinch it from the front without taking the qiver off to get to your extra arrows.  I need to make another one now that I have used this one for a while and know the problems with it.  I think I can still make some improvements.

As mentioned above, I pull the bottom under my arm pit and hold it there with my bow hand in thick stuff to prevent snags, etc.....

I like using it, but use a GFA for large game because it's easier to keep broadheads separated, and it's easier, for me at least, to hang and work with in a tree stand.

With that said, my first trad deer was taken using a back quiver I made and from a tree stand.

I just never forgot as a kid everytime I bent over all of my arrows fell out.  Mine rattled like an old hollow drum and sounded like one when I put an arrow in it.

I use one I made for 3D shoots and stuff...not for hunting though. I just don't want to risk noise from arrow movement. Also, I like the less movement that just pulling an arrow out of a bow quiver provides.

My hunting quiver is a side stalker. You can whip it around and carry it like a back quiver, yet pull it forward and grab an arrow quickly and quietly. Now if I were hunting squirrels or bunnies, I'd need a back quiver to hold all the arras!

Over the years I've used alot of types of quivers and have even tried to design some different types for my self. I've used hip quivers, side quivers, target quivers, pocket quivers, even broadhead pocket quivers,Numerous bow quivers and back quivers. However, thru them all I kept going back to a back quiver. It's for me the most practical of all. I have 6 currently, of which 2 are old standbys. Once you are used to using them they are very efficient, you can move thru the woods and brush very quietly.Rickshot is right--they grow on ya. After while they feel like part of ya.

Do a search for back quiver threads.  IF the quiver is properly made from appropriate weight/flexible material and well broken in the issues most bring up will not be issues. Mudd, just be aware that there are many beautifully made back quivers out there for sale that just will not work well in the hunting environment--too stiff, etc.  I have a great quiver I recently purchased from Nate Steen (Sunset Hill here) that works like a quiver ought to.  No dulling of heads, no falling out, etc.  Nate hunts with them exclusively and knows what a good quiver needs to do in the woods.  Whatever you do, get one from a maker who actually hunts regularly with one.  I am working on publication of an article exclusively about back quivers so don't want to "publish" my material ahead of time or the mag won't want it    I have gotten tired of every article on quivers devoting one short paragraph to back quivers and relegating them solely to 3D or stump shooting.....Dave

I made a back quiver out of thin latigo leather and lines it with dyed white fox fur.  The ruff keeps the sound down.  I put a 2 inch thick piece of dense foam in the bottom.  I push my broadheads into the foam and they stay put.   I like the idea of Marvin M to use laces to hold the arrows in place.  Marvin, can you post a picture to show what you did?

For big game I use a home made two arrow side quiver on the bow.  Dead quiet, doesn't get caught in brush, etc... for bunny's, squirrels, and 3D'd the back quiver is what I use.

I tried to use several different ones but i just dont like the back quivers at all. With all the great bow quivers that dont effect the way your bow shoots i cant imagine why someone would want to use anything else.

Also those quivers that Rod Jenkins makes it so easy to get your arrow out when the time comes to put one on the ground.

I wish i liked the back quivers because i do think they look really cool and for some they work great so please dont think im bashing people that do wear them.

I use a back quiver from Mikes Archery Leather, great guy, great quiver.......

I like it better for two blade broadheads though, the 3 blades dont go in and out so easy.....

I sure like mine, this is one I just made for myself.
(http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp206/desertdude48/quiver002.jpg)

pretty much all i use afield is a back quiver ... lets me carry all my  blunts , judo's flu flu's and a bunch of broadheads . swings around under my arm when in thick scrub  and has now become a natural part of my hunting gear .
they do take some getting use to but when carrying a Hill bow afield its mandatory !!! lol
i've never had any trouble with broadheads dulling and whilst i use to turn to a CAT quiver for inclement weather i now just tend to carry some waterproofed vinyl fletch covers .

Ben

I like mine for rabbit hunting and stuff like that but it's way too stiff and noisy for deer hunting.

(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/20090228_ac_03.jpg)

GingivitisKahn, the problem is that you have a back quiver, not a "Hill back quiver". Hill quivers are soft, never stiff, they "fold" in the middle to mold to your back and "grab" the arrows so they do not rattle nor do they fall out when one bends over.

God bless,

José

I bowhunt with a backquiver..you want one that is soft and pliable so it conforms to your back. This will prevent arrow rattle. BQ'ers were made for 2 blade heads not for multiple blades. I have a Dave Creger 8oz leather quiver that I can roll up for travel and unroll for hunting.

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P2040001.jpg)

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/scan0006.jpg)

(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/PA030006.jpg)

QuoteOriginally posted by jdemoya:
GingivitisKahn, the problem is that you have a back quiver, not a "Hill back quiver". Hill quivers are soft, never stiff, they "fold" in the middle to mold to your back and "grab" the arrows so they do not rattle nor do they fall out when one bends over.

God bless,

José

Yeppers - you're absolutely correct.

Love mine for the range....don't find them quite as functional for tree stand hunting...which is what i do the most of in my neck of the woods.  Solution...get a Great Northern quiver to attach to my bow in the tree stand and get a good quality leather back quiver for the range and still hunting!

Good luck

Michael

Michael I tried shooting several of my bows with quivers attached(strap-ons) and found that I prefer the bare bow. I have a side quiver that is great and I've been using it exclusively this season for hunting.

Having said all that, the e-mail from my friend said whether I liked it or not I was now among the ranks of the "elitists" and as such I needed to look the part as appearances are everything...lol
The facts(as related to me) seem to be that a HH style bow isn't a complete experience without a good HH style back quiver


I'm trying to work a trade for one so I can do my part in becoming the "elitist" I should be...lol

God bless,Mudd

Hmmm? After looking at Rod's style of quiver, I'll add a fleece collar to my side stalker!

I like that quiver that you can fold up, i bet it really holds those arrow pretty tight.

Back 20 years ago when I started building and hunting with selfbows.I got one from neet. I carryed it 1000's of times,100's of miles.It's the only one I've ever used.I still use it today.Other than a little ware it still looks as good as the day I got it.

I love my back quiver but need to find a good fletching cover for it to keep them dry .

Switched to Hill style 3 years ago to discover their secrets. Now, I wouldn't use anything else & I've used them all. Like most here, stuff hanging off my bow bothers me. Get the kinks out (see Joe Skipp above)& you'll love a BQ. I carry 15-20 arrows incl 2-blades & judos (3 max) at the same time w/o problem. Cover w/anything while hunting in the rain to keep fletch dry.

With a good back quiver, broadheads don't rub together; arrows aren't noisy; and it is very easy to get through brushy areas.  You can slide them under the bow arm/shoulder and get through any tight spot.  A good back quiver will collapse onto the arrows and keep them in place with no rattle.  I love em'.

Exactly George.  they are hard to beat when correctly made, well broken in, and properly used.

Sounds like you about have all the bases covered already, but I'll chime in for the fun of it.

I like mine a lot for more open country.  Great for roving, rabbits, less dense woodlots, etc.  It's even good in treestands as I will raise it up with the bow on a string (don't CLIMB WITH ARROWS IN IT!), then hang it on a nail or limb.

That being said, it's a hassle in dense brush, and it does rattle some.  Like most things, it has good points and bad points.  Overall, I like having it as it suits many purposes, but I don't use it all the time.  Go figure.

Well I've used a back quiver for about forty years.  Since I build and sell quivers, I try stear new folks away for back quivers as they take some getting used too.  My latest style has a three point hook up and that stops chasing it around your back.  This hook up is very much like the Pearson quivers of the 50's and 60's.

Jerry