I have always used my cat quivers for hunting. Planning on elk this September, will be hunting out of a camp and also might not return every night. What kind of quiver do you elk hunters use? Do i need one on my bow or will my catquiver work good for the hunt as well as the moving in the rough timber and brush?
For some reason I want to NOT use a bow quiver and have tried everything else out there. I just cannot find anything better to use than the bow mounted quiver. Especially for elk hunting.
I use a bow quiver. I cant find anything better.
I hate bowquivers on longbows, but they're great on a recurve.
Having said that... you might consider what the small game opportunities are like in your elk area.
The presence of grouse usually dictates a bigger arrow supply.
I used a catquiver II several yrs out there and it works well. Gets thru the brush easy. Drawback is if you are wearing a pack also. I have since gone to a bowquiver. It works better for me than anything else.
I have had the excellect good fortune to go elk hunting in Idaho several times with Mike Westvang. Mike grew up hunting elk in the Northwest.
When tring to cut off elk, we would "dive" into and thru some very thick brush (bushes) that were 7 or 8 feet tall and thick as a hedge row. I don't see how you could get thru them with anything but a side quiver. That is what Mike and Jason used. I followed their lead and was glad I did.
The other good thing about a side quiver was you could carry 2 or 3 grouse arrows :) . Elk hunting can often break out into a grouse hunt.
If you have to hot foot it thru the huckleberries, avalanache bush, etc, it will test your arrow carry system to the max. It is gonna be real easy to leave some arrows in the bushes if you can't keep good control of your quiver :)
rusty
I hunt with a pack that will handle a quarter on the first trip out - which leaves me using a bow quiver. I use a variety of bow quivers holding at least 6 arrows. 4 broadheads and 2 judos.
You probably already know this, but what ever you choose, make sure it works well with your pack on.
I thought I 'd not like a bow quiver, but after one day loved it. It just becomes part of the bow. I hunt with a LB, so I guess I'm lucky that they are not a problem for me on them.
Joshua
I used bow quivers for a number of years, but when elk hunting I often found myself in oak brush and extremely thick cover. A bow quiver hung up often and I even lost a couple of arrows along the way. Not only do I dislike losing arrows, it could also be downright dangerous.
I found my answer with a side quiver. I first made one myself in the style of the GFA quiver sold by G Fred Asbell. Last year I switched to the Safari Tuff quiver and have been with it ever since. Either one work very well in heavy cover.
I carry the Safari Tuff quivers on my website below if you are interested in taking a look at them. You can see Asbells by clicking his sponsor ad at the top of the page.
How are they with a pack? I've wondered about that and really think they are a great concept but didn't dare try one owing to my always having a pack on.
Joshua
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
I hate bowquivers on longbows, but they're great on a recurve.
Charlie
Might I ask why you feel that way, It seems a bow quiver, no matter what it is mounted on, would add similar characteristics to each.
Please elaborate Mr. Lamb if you would be so kind.
Thanks
Jake
I think Charlie means its Sacreligious to put a bowquiver on a longbow....I agree....I just can't picture Hill, Swinehardt or Schulz hunting with one...
Seriously....the longbow just seems the "simple" weapon that should be shot without anything hanging on it. out West, I use both the Catquiver 3.5 and bowquiver for Elk, Deer and for Antelope, I prefer the backquiver.
I don't hunt with my longbow out west...just my recurve....
I personally use a bow quiver for some of the reasons stated above, and have found that going through oak brush or thick cover is much easier for a bow mounted quiver than one on my back or at my side. I tend to get a side quiver hung up way more often and it always seems in the way of a pack and of brush.
What I use is a Great Northern quiver with the bottom mounting brackett bent in such a way that it mounts to the side of the riser rather then the back of the limb. This allows the arrows to sweep back within the "footprint" of the bows profile so that they are even more out of the way.
I used the Safari Tuff quiver this past season and I have to say, its pretty slick. The arrows and fletches are protected. Branches and brush don't smack against them or get tangled up as they do in a bow quiver. My first year I used a back quiver and hated it. Switched to a bow quiver and stuck with if for 14 years. Two years ago made my own side quiver with an old bow quiver I attached to a "possibles bag" but got sick of losing my judo points when they slipped out while I was walking around. Now I'm sold on the Safari-Tuff style quiver.
I hunt with a pack that I can haul out the first load of meat with. I always pack along the essentials for staying out overnight. Bow quiver has always worked best for me. For me it's easier to get through brush with the pack on and bow/quiver in-hand than pack, bow, seperate quiver to tend to. Between now and your elk hunt, do trial runs with different pack/bow/quiver set-ups in your home area and find what works best for YOU. Would be a good "homework" assignment - would whet your appetite for the elk hunt! Practice your bugling and cow calling on these forays and mystify the locals.
Take care - Charlie
To each his own but I really like my leather side quiver for everything from whitetails to elk. (Hit F5 on your keyboard to refresh page if the photo doesn't open)
[IMG]http://brothersofthebow.com/elkquiver.jpg[/IMG)
Let me try that again:
(http://brothersofthebow.com/elkquiver.jpg)
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Quiver caddy...works well with packs.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/Mark.jpg)
And it does'nt add to the neck strap clutter!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/caddy1.jpg)
And is the easiest on/off quiver option out there, for when you are setting up to call, or just want to hang it by your side in a tree.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/Elkhunter.jpg)
A lot of successful elk hunters here been using it for decades now....through the thickest tangles, and in the widest open country. Not perfect, but almost.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/woodwizard/Kbull3.jpg)
I had a catquiver; and in steep rocky country- man its dangerous! Catquivers can have a real place in some hunting situations; I liked mine for treestand hunting for bears. Bears notice white nocks and fletching and having them hidden in the catquiver was a really neat trick.
But- wearing it while carrying in bait was a chore.
And for hunting elk- well.. if your on flat ground fine..but if your on scary ground - a catquiver is not your friend.
Try sitting down with one on.
Maybe if you shoot really short arrows you can- but you need the option of sitting down fast when the ground gives way; or you slip. And if the word 'slide-rock' means nothing to you - well here's some news: you don't want the option of rolling on your back; or sitting down not to exist.
A backpack is not the same issue; as it is not full of arrows - arrows which can break as your riding the rocks. I have been there ! I ended up with one arrow - an ash arrow with a rubber blunt. The rest of the quiver was full of carbon arrows with broadheads on them ( they are still there if you have a metal detector and the nerve)
Everything has its place; and a bow quiver or side quiver while elk hunting is my choice: after hunting here for 24 hunting seasons.
I'm glad Mark chimed in on this one. I have tried almost everything. The Quiver Caddy is fantastic. It goes through brush and protects your arrows better than anything I've used. Not having another strap around my neck is really nice. The different sizes of Kwikee quivers, 3, 4, 6 arrow, models gives you lots of choices. Very fast on and off. Good luck.
For the county we bowhunt for elk it is hard to beat the Safari Tuff quivers. They have the capacity necessary to carry both broadheads and grouse arrows and are quiet and lightweight.
I currently use an ussized stalker style quiver that Jason built for me. I like the convience of my arrows being at hand without a lot of movement and the ablity to move the quiver around back for those "thick" moments.
I wear a Bison Gear pack that carries everything I need and expands to take that first meat load out. It took a little time and experimenting but the quiver and pack now work together very well.
Mike
Jake... Joe Skipp nailed down the big reason for me. It's about my romantic concept of what a longbow should look like.
There is a practical reason as well... and this is just my own take on things. Because the longbow is so physically light it's balance is more easily upset and that's important to me.
Since the recurves I prefer have plenty of mass weight they are less easily upset balance-wise.
I use to believe that any bow could be shot more reflexively accurately without a bowquiver. I still feel that way about longbows. Not so much about recurves.
QuoteOriginally posted by jhg:
How are they with a pack? I've wondered about that and really think they are a great concept but didn't dare try one owing to my always having a pack on.
Joshua
That is one of the slickest things with the Safari Tuff quiver. The quiver kind of lays up alongside the pack and you don't even know it's there until you need it. I've had people ask if they can be strapped to the pack, but honestly, you don't need to. It lays very nicely along the side of the pack and is right at your side.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/2009%20Western%20Hunts/CONM2009C040.jpg)
Use a bow quiver Sir, you will thank me later! Elk hunting in elk country is no place to have a side quiver or back quiver dangling around. Things can happen quick & you need your arrows right there in front of you at all times for quick action! This is not whitetail hunting!
I have taken many hunters out over the years & nothing but bow quivers is the answer for running & gunning style of elk hunting! I'm not interested in what's romantic or pretty, you need an efficient elk hunting tool at your disposal at all times as you will see, elk hunting for serious hunters is no stroll through the park! (grin) Have the right mindset & bow & arrows at the ready! If you do not, you will find that anything else can cost you precious moments & opportunities!
If you are exclusively a treestand hunter then that is different! Good Luck!
ElkNut1
I'll echo Whip's comments. I used a bow quiver until I bought a Safari Tuff from Whip. I now use the Safari Tuff combined with a skookum one arrow quiver on my bow. I actually attach the Safari Tuff to my Badlands SuperDay pack when I am hunting anywhere I may be moving (not a stand). I just remove the strap and used the straps on the pack to hold the quiver. It takes some fine tuning to get it just were you want it but mine is solidly anchored and allows me to access my arrows easily. This allows me to grab my bow and my pack and be ready to hunt. The main advantages to the Safari Tuff are: 1) your arrows are completely protected from the weather and othe elements which is a big advantage when elk hunting; and 2) your arrows are easily accesible but yet not flopping around like some side or hip quivers. No. 2 becomes very handy where we hunt elk as you typically find yourself running through the sticks to try and intercept the elk. I did add a little extra foam in the end to help cover my broadheads. I also find that you need at least 4 arrows to prevent the arrows from rattling when you run. I use the skookum one arrow quiver on my bow because it feels as though there is no quiver yet you always have quick acess to one arrow if you need it. For me, its the perfect combination. I tried to find a picture of my setup but, unfortunately, I don't have a good one of just the pack and quiver. These may give you some idea. Best of luck.
(http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr66/seangoke/DSC03973.jpg)
(http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr66/seangoke/P1030505a.jpg)
Bow quivers vary a lot in size and weight, and shouldn't all be lumped together. You may not like a heavier bow quiver on your bow, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't like a lighter weight 4 arrow bow quiver.
There are bow quivers that will definitely alter how the bow shoots and require retuning the bow. Then there are those that won't change how it shoots, or won't change it sufficiently to where it's noticeable. I have tested (and had others to test in order to confirm) a number of other competitive quivers in trying to determine the extent to which they affect the performance of the bow. The weight of the bow quiver, how it fastens, distance from the limbs, and a variety of other things all come into play.
We get lots of responses from those who say our (EFA) quivers actually quieten their bows. Many of them say that they can't tell that it's on the bow.
Again, don't put all bow quivers in the same catagory. There are those of you who want to shoot 6 or more arrows, and I don't think we'll ever make that quiver. However, when it comes to 3, 4, or 5 arrow quivers, we make them in more sizes, stitch styles, and colors then anyone else. We also make them in limb wrap, limb bolt, and side mount attachment systems.
Our motto is "Travel Light with Eagle's Flight".
Intersting info. Very interesting in how we all have preferences that we love while others hate them and vs versa. For example, I tried the hip thing and after two days swore I 'd sooner eat chicken liver and brussel sprouts than carry my darts again using one of those.
Joshua, not a C. liver and B. sprouts kind of guy.
Good observation Joshua! It seems like the choice of a quiver draws even more passionate responses than the choice of bows sometimes! Each person needs to find what works best FOR THEM. There are pluses and minuses to every option available. I think I like the concept of GOKE's set up best of all :thumbsup:
As I look back on past hunts where guys had anything other than quivers on their bows they had the toughest times getting an arrow back into the quiver easily & quickly. Some may feel this is a moot point but it's actually a deal breaker! Broadheads are razor sharp so you can't just handle an arrow by hand & shove it into a back , side or pack quiver effortlessly without undue risk of cutting yourself, it can be very dangerous when your eye cannot see what the hand is doing. The next thing you find is your hunting partner is always trying to put your loosed arrow back in for you.
These things are common place where setups take place & you have to re-postion for another & another & by god you'd better not even think of moving through the woods with a nocked arrow. It's tough enough to negotiate much of the country with just yourself than worrying about a 30" arrow hanging out in front of you or held by the opposite hand as you hustle to the next setup.
Please seriously consider the bow quiver, it's your best friend during ones elk hunt!
ElkNut1
I hunt with a bow quiver most,but have used a side and back quivers for a couple of years. For me I like the bow quiver the best mainly because I always have a pack on. But I think I use bow quiver mostly because its what I learned with so it feels better. I know many hunters that use cat style quivers with packs as well as back and side quivers. I think it just a prefence of what works for each hunter. In the back country I know I would rather have something that I am comfortable with then trying fumble for a arrow as a bull comes in silent and they do. I would try it with the set up you plan on taking and see if it works for you. Good luck
Thanks for your thoughts Charlie, I understand now what you were meaning. Especially the balance issue on such a light bow. :thumbsup:
Elknut makes a very valid and valuable point. No pun intended. Moving with an exposed head is not a good idea. I will say that quietly putting arrows back into the Safari Tuff when it is strapped to my pack is not as easy as when it is hanging free. However, the skookum solves this problem as well. If I have an arrow out of my Safari Tuff, bull moves on and I need to move, I just stick the head in the cover along side the one already in my Skookum (it works for me with Grizzly or Muzzy two blade heads but may not work for all heads), hold the shaft to the bow with my hand while moving, and then out it comes again when I set up. Once the action stops, I can easily put the arrow back into my Safari Tuff when stealth is no longer needed.
I really like my cat quiver. I use the one that has the smallest pack just big enough for two bottles of water, knife, tag, extra tab, and four power bars with elk calls on the out side. My feathers are always dry and protected and out of site. With the addition of a single arrow holder on my bow Ive found thats works well for me.
GOKE has a good idea in his setup. I think I'm gonna try the Safari Tuff and 1 arrow quiver idea. For years I used bow quivers and for me they always seem to make the arrow not fly the way I would like. I don't really like anything on my bow at all. Back quivers work well but can be a pain at times. ELKNUT also makes some very valid points as well. I'm now so sure that there is a "one set up" that works for all conditions. Although, I have not tried the plains quiver set-up as of yet. Alot of guys swear by that set-up. :)
I use a bow quiver as much of the time I'm packing in to hunt and other quivers don't work as well for me. I do like shooting a bow with out a quiver on it, however, and if you're not packing in a side quiver would be a good choice.
I just went to Whips web site and saw that safari tuff, looks good. Anybody know how well it holds arrows do they rattle when you run.
I have got both sizes of the Safari tuff quiver. this is my pig hunting rig. I hunt in about 1 square mile of very dense privet. The quiver has proven to be "TUFF" as green briar and privet can gets.
(http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww66/rustycraine/dryadpig1.jpg)
rusty
Just think about putting your quiver and arrows thru a square mile of this stuff.
Wingnut (Mike Westvang - Dryad bows) following a blood trail. Arrow in for ground. Wingnut uses a leather side stalker. I use one of my Safari Tuffs. I like the fact that the Safari is deep enough to cover my arrows completely with the fletch cover on.
(http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww66/rustycraine/safarituff.jpg)
What every works for ya. but when the going gets real tuff.......it gets Safari Tuff :)
rusty
Oh and I forget to mention "Alder". they will make your elk stroll interesting. One time Mike and I were pushing thru some real tall real dense alders to get to a bugling elk. We hit a tunnel and jumped on it. I told Mike that this looked like one of my pig tunnels. Without missing a beat Mike says no it a bear tunnel. see his tracks. ?????????? I held my arrows a little closer to my chest. :) Not sure what good that did but maybe is was like a kids "security blanket" LOL
rusty
QuoteOriginally posted by elktalker:
I just went to Whips web site and saw that safari tuff, looks good. Anybody know how well it holds arrows do they rattle when you run.
No, if you have enough arrows in they don't rattle at all. I usually carry 3 or 4 broadheads and a couple of judos. Even with less than that I doubt they would rattle much since the broadhead is buried in foam and the feathers tend to hold the nock end apart, plus the design of the quiver tends to keep them in place.
Elktalker,
What Whip said. Here is a previous post where I have a pic of my Arrowmaster at the nock end. You can see how the shafts stay spaced. The somewhat flexible middle of the quiver will keep the shafts from moving around after they are inserted in the foam for your points.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=078169;p=1#000001
I started out with one of the old Kwikee bow quivers that did not have a hood years ago and have owned most every bow, back and side quiver on the market since. Always went back to a bow quiver for the convenience and think they are the best all round quiver. Several years ago I discovered Great Northern bow quivers and used them exclusively. I was always looking for a lighter quiver and when Don Ward at Eagle Flight started making his I had to have one. I now have 4 of his quivers and think they are about the best there is. They add very little weight to a bow and hold the arrows very securely.
I agree with elknut bow quiver all the way. I'm sure there are times when a side quiver or back quiver would do fine but all around the bow quiver fits more situations.
You already will have binos,calls,pack maybe gps etc; hanging off your neck or back to get hung up when your hiking or running from one setup to the next. You only have one free hand to hold or grap onto branches to move them out of your way or help you up the slope or over blowdowns etc. Why have the added worry or hassle of your quiver or arrows hanging up.
This is what works for me, maps, snacks and torches are as accessable as my arrows too.
As for re loading an arrow I just feed them up backwards when in the field.
I found my 6 arrow kwiky quiver hung up in the thick stuff and was on the wrong side of my bow if I have to crawl. Love the look of a bow quiver.
Like the look of the safari tuff too and will get one sometime.
(http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn273/andyabersoch/Copyof102_3750.jpg)
I am making my own bigger version of a Glen St Charles style leather back quiver. Should fit a solid 9 or so arrows, but I am not done just yet. You can use it like a cat quiver but w/ my design should be stronger, more versatile, and bigger. I really am not fond of bow quivers as they change the balance of carry, are very limited w/ # of arrows, and my longbows simply don't shoot the same with them on. My curve seems to not mind them.
It sometimes comes down to what you like and are proficient with. Just like bows! The bow quiver tends to be easier to master* (*arrows in and out), making it a good choice for many. Personally, I look for a little more versatility and a method for getting the arrows off my bow. I like to carry at least 6 arrows and they're pretty darn heavy, weighing in at 710 grains each. That's a lot of weight to hang on my bow plus I don't like pushing that nest out in front of me each time I prepare to draw for game to pick up on. After 40 years of playing with every quiver under the sun I finally came up with one that can be quickly removed for a final stalk, hung or strapped in/to a tree, attached to a pack, and easily maneuvered through the thickest brush. I've used it from the brush jungle of south Texas to the elk backcountry. It works well for me. I suggest using whatever you like and are proficient with in the terrain and conditions in which you hunt.
(http://brothersofthebow.com/vista1web.jpg)
What an awsome response. i highly respect each ones honesty and years of experience worth of opinions. i can honestly say i'm not sure how i will go just yet, but alot of valuable information to digest. Thanks, keepem comin.