I know most of us have a backup bow just in case something happens to your main bow.I have a few questions.Is your backup the exact model of your #1 bow,is it a set of limbs for a takedown,do you ever shoot it or is it a true backup? If it's not the same model is the grip different?Have you ever needed it? Just wondering,thanks.
I don't have a "back up bow". I have a bunch of bows that I like and shoot a lot, and one or two that shoot more than the others. I typically grab one of those two when I go to the woods, but I could not, in good faith, describe any of my bows as back up bows.
I too, do NOT, have a true back up bow. I do travel with a spare set of limbs and string for my primary hunting bow.
I do have a couple of other bows that i shoot regularly and that shoot with the same arrows. One reason i dont have an exact duplicate is, well, quite honestly, if i want to spend money on a bow, i would rather have something different.
I have never needed it, but having a bow as a back up is a great idea. I would say, however, you have to think over your hunting situation.
If you are hunting a local woodlot and can get home in a reasonable amount of time, then i would only bring a spare string.
If you are driving a considerable distance, or paying big bucks for an "out of area" hunt, I would bring another bow, or two, maybe even three.
If you own a takedown, work the classifieds for a spare set of limbs.
Good luck and let us know how what you decide.
Tricia and I each have matching weight and model bows from the same bowyer. They are intentionally used as back up bows. We shoot both of our bows year round. We also have two extra strings shot in for each bow.
If I travel far from my home for a bowhunt, both of my bows in my signature go with me.
Lately, I've begun to shoot my 37# recurve more.
I have two Border recurves one is ilf, one is standard take down. They are close to the same in all other ways. I also have two different arrow & bh set-ups. I can't decide witch bow I wanna shoot? I guess I'll hunt both! Flip a coin I guess?
I'm on the side of the fence that I have a few bows that I shoot often & a couple that I shoot more than others.
My go to bows for hunting are different brands & design but they have similar shooting traits that make them almost perfect cousins.
I also do not have a true back-up bow. If I am hunting a ways from home, I always take two bows that shoot the same arrows. Extra set-up strings also are in my pack, as well as extra judo's and BH's.
I guess you can say that i have a matching set, both in weight and model from the same bowyer, but one set of limb/riser makes a 56" bow, one a 58" bow. I also have some 60" limbs as a back up to both. So I guess you can say I don't actually have an exact duplicate.
I practice with both bows about the same amount, but the longer one is used strictly as my back up bow when hunting.
Both bows shoot the same two batches of arrows pretty much the same also. One set of arrows is lighter (536 grains) that I use for 3d and technohunt (I'll also use the longer bow more for this), and the other set is about 50 grains heavier that I use for hunting whether it be deer or elk.
I have two Pronghorn Longbows there only one pound difference between the two, they shoot the same arrows.
I reckon I've not got enough back-up bows; my wife thinks differently.
Mine aren't true back-ups. I use them as the mood hits. Sometimes I'm in a Hill mood, sometimes a Black Widow mood (currently) and sometimes a Schafer mood. Sometimes I'm in an old Bear mood.
On a trip I always take a back up. Sometimes it's one bow with 2 sets of limbs,sometimes two different bows. This year I'm hunting with a Holm Osprey, and my back up is a Silvertip. Two totally different bows but they shoot and perform almost the same. Both like the same arrows, so I'm go to go!
I have 3 bows that are all similar as to the grip and sight picture. I shoot all 3 frequently and mix and match as needed or wanted.
They are all different also as to length and poundage so I can adjust to a given situation and have a close back up.
I usually bring an extra bow, often times a totally different style with 3 or 4 broadhead tipped arrows, just in case. Rarely have I ever needed it but get some comfort knowing its available if something happened to my primary. If packing in somewhere I usually leave it in the vehicle at the trailhead.
I carry a back up bow if I am traveling.
My backup bow and my go to bow are both the same make, model, length and weight.
I would hate to be hundreds of miles from home and miss out on a hunt.
I'm comfortable with any bow I own, but this year I'm planning on using a recurve and longbow both the same draw weight.
Right now I'm a one-bow guy, my new Widow PCH. I of course need a back up, and it'll eventually be a one-piece PTF, same length, with the same Asbell grip and maybe a slightly higher draw weight.
The Asbell grip is the best that I've ever held, for me. Having the exact same grip on both bows will be a distinct advantage going back and forth between them.
I shoot a longbow and have a backup recurve in a different weight. Shoot the same arrows out of both but change head weight.
longbows here - never needed a back up, never needed a back up string either. I have two bows that will shoot the same arrow (real close anyway) that's all I want in my back up. I'm not bringing back up arrows for the back up bow. They also have the same length string but I need to twist or untwist a little to switch them and move the nock. The grips are different but I can shoot one and then the next without having issues. (I ordered another back up for the back up but don't tell!)
Well, i'll be using my Dave Ricke recurve as my go to bow this year, then after that i have my back-ups in order as follows: My BigRiver, then my other BigRiver and my Next Bigriver, and then another BigRiver if those don't work, then just in case i have 2 more BigRivers on stand-by. 5 are longbows and one is a Curve.
George that's why I kept the Turkey Creek. Besides when we run out of bows we can borrow one of Tom's.
Usually only take two bows on an out of state trip. They're both the same make and model three-piece takedowns and the weight varies by 4#. Doesn't really make any difference which one I take out. I might use one one day and the other the next.
Wow,what great answers!I see alot of you use bows with different grips.That is something I can't do.Here's what I got,two Kanati longbows 56" 45#@26".They shoot the same arrows.One bow is from last year and one is new.My biggest problem will be do I use one or switch off every hunt!LOL I guess that's a good problem to have.Thanks again for your answers,keep them coming.
Hey Bucky you can't go wrong with those Kanati's, great bows, but one can't be a backup bow! You gotta switch up every hunt or at least every other hunt to make it fair!!
Chris you are right! Just got done shooting and I realized I must use them both.It wouldn't be fair to use one. :archer2: :