Anybody use a back quiver for hunting?
85% Backquiver, 10% Catquiver 3.5...bowquiver 5%.
I tried - really, I did.
But they just weren't really suitable for traveling through the woods, and especially not in the thickets. Even the local 3D shoot was a pain; whenever I bent over to pull arrows I ended up picking all of mine up after I emptied the quiver over my shoulder!
I purchased a safari tuff arrowmaster. It's awesome- very easy to swing under the arm in the thicker stuff, fits well across the chest, just on the shoulder (if carrying the climber) and easy to extract arrows.
I do find that if i'm not careful packing arrows into it, the carbons can rattle against each other. I've worked around this by putting an knit hat in with the arrows.
It was a bit pricey, but I don't intend on purchasing another quiver.
I love a back quiver,the one i use I made nearly 26 yrs ago and its with me every season.It took some getting used to when i first started using it, but now its kinda like a second skin. :archer2: (//%5Burl=http://images.imagelinky.com/1323900938.JPG%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://images.imagelinky.com/1323900938.JPG)[/url] [/IMG]
Yep. Even tree stand hunting. I have snaps on my strap and unsnap it and snap it across the bar of my tree stand and have easy access to my arrows. If I remember to take a photo I'll post up one while in the stand.
Love it! I made one that I used this fall, and I don't think I'll go back to bow quivers. If you are dumping arrows when you bend over, your quiver is too stiff. It should bend against your back and hold the arrows in when you bend over. Mine does.
I also use a single strap, so I can swivel the quiver under my left arm when I'm going through brush...no hangups whatsoever! When I'm in a tree stand, I take the quiver off and hang it where I can reach the arrows to reload if necessary.
I'm still making some adjustments to get it to hang the way I want it to, but it's plenty functional as is. One thing I changed was the leather bag I made to hold spare string, folding knife, lighter, string wax, etc. I originally had it attached at the top of the quiver because that's the way I'd seen it done in the pictures here and elsewhere. There are two problems with this: 1) the weight of the bag at the top of the quiver tends to make the quiver slide outboard on my shoulder when I walk a ways 2) more importantly, I couldn't get anything out of the bag without taking the quiver off. So I moved the bag down to where the bottom if it is even with the bottom of my quiver. The result is better weight distribution, and I can simply rotate the quiver under my left arm (same as when going through brush) and the bag is right there under my left hand. I can reach in an fish out my knife or whatever without removing my quiver. The bag is simply tied to the laces on the quiver with a leather lace, which also serves to hold the flap on the bag closed.
I also made a leather haversack for whatever other junk I want to carry to the stand: coffee/water, lunch, hand warmers, etc. Both the quiver and the haversack came from the same side of leather, and I still have some left, some of which will be used as grip wraps on my bows.
I use a back quiver maybe 1/3 to a half the time. Depends on the hunt/mood. I like mine. It's not perfect, but nothing is.
If I could ONLY pick one type of quiver, it would probably be a back quiver, but I have my eyes set on a side quiver that might change that. Dunno yet.
In the past I mostly used bowquivers. This year, since I was using a longbow, I committed to using a HH backquiver. I spent the summer getting it broken in and adjusted. Once I decided to learn to use it exclusively, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they really work. If made properly and worn properly, they are silent and effective. As stated above, you can slide it under your arm for passing through thickets, and when backpacking a treestand, I simply hung it under my other arm with the fletching forward like a plains quiver. Like Bud B. and 30coupe I hang it by my side while in a treestand. Sitting on the ground or a stool, I laid it by my side in easy reach. I found it very effective and versatile. I enjoyed it very much and plan to stick with it. So far, for me I don't really see many cons, but a lot of pros.
Gerald
A properly made back quiver is a joy to use and one that isn't made right, is a royal pain.
In open country is use one. In heavy brush or thick timber I use a side quiver.
Sliding the back quiver under your arm for the thicket travel. The best ideas are always the most obvious. I have an Art Vincent (Cedar Leather Works) beauty that I used on occasion, but can't wait to get out and try the under-the-arm thing. Will be looking for a bunny on Saturday.
I love having too many arrows on board.
The way i shoot Tom,Ive never had too many arrows on board. :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Ragnarok Forge:
In open country is use one. In heavy brush or thick timber I use a side quiver.
A Hill-style back quiver tucked under your arm works just as well or better. I've got a side quiver, but I don't like it nearly as well as my back quiver. The side quiver has to ride lower for me to get the arrows out. As a result, it hung up more for me in brush than the back quiver does.
I do, but my bleeder blades tend to hang up a bit and the topof the quiver has a second layer of leather that is kinda stiff...makes for a bit of noise and such. I like it, it looks cool, but it's not perfect. I had a cat quiver and liked it less. Bow quiver isn't an option. So here I am.
Almost forgot another plus for the backquiver. We finally got some colder weather in late Nov.-early Dec. While carrying my longbow and wearing my backquiver full of cedars over my red and black wool cruiser, I looked like my picture should be in the dictionary under "bowhunter". :goldtooth:
For those of you who use quality soft leather back quivers like the Hill or similar, do they stay soft enough in cold weather as well as warm?
If treated ocassionally with a leather treatment they will stay soft,water repellent and last for many years in any weather. :coffee:
I prefer to use a self made leather back quiver for hunting. I throw a few extras in there including my axe and a snack.
I plan to build a new one this year with a few more storage options for stringer and spare string, file and a journal.
Since I miss with my first arrow and hit with my second arrow more often than I want to remember, I can use nothing but back quivers, everything else is too slow.
(http://www.tradgang.com/rob/toll640/p55.jpg)
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Have used about every quiver out there. Some good ones. Now, Heavy leather BQ only.
For all you back quiver lovers, is there a flexible one on the market or some kind of template to follow to build your own? I've only used a couple and didn't like them at all. I had the usual problems, noisy, hangs up in bruch (two strap varieties), etc. After reading the article above I'm willing to try again. I just need a point in the right direction.
I have used an old leather back quiver for over 20 years. It suede with some fringe on it. I think it's an old youth quiver. I put a chunk of foam in the bottom and use a arrow gripper taken from an old Pearson bow quiver. The shape of the gripper fits right in the top of the quiver and holds the shafts apart so they don't rattle around. A two blade head pulls out easily through the slots in the shape of the gripper. Like others have said, slings under the arm for getting through brush. It's a small quiver and only holds 4 arrows the way I have it rigged but it has served me well. I keep thinking about getting a new one but I think I'll stick with old faithful. It has been with me so long I would feel funny in the woods without it.
I really like back quivers, and have been planning on making one for some time. However, I got a chance to check out one of the safari-tuff arrowmaster quivers and it seems perfect for climbing through brush, bad weather ect. I think I'm sold on it.
QuoteOriginally posted by gringol:
For all you back quiver lovers, is there a flexible one on the market or some kind of template to follow to build your own? I've only used a couple and didn't like them at all. I had the usual problems, noisy, hangs up in bruch (two strap varieties), etc. After reading the article above I'm willing to try again. I just need a point in the right direction.
Rob D. posted this in the how-to section of this site. It's the one I used...works great for me.
http://www.tradgang.com/backquiver/
I have to tell you that although i use a bow quiver and love it, I think there is something really special about back quivers---they just create a special visual mood when you see them.
The articles Rob D. posted were superb and I enjoyed reading them very much. I had 2 old back quivers which I bought from Herter's back in the 1960's. They were stolen from me along with quite a few bows including my good old Rocky Mountain Recurve. Would sure love to have my old stuff back, and those quivers were very good. Thanks for posting this thread.
A well made Hill style backquiver, wide & flat, with medium weight leather that's broken in and flexible, with a rolled top edge, is a joy to use in the woods if you know how to do it right.
Last weekend I hunted with Rik, in some horribly dense mahogany thickets...he with his bowquiver and backpack, me with my backquiver and fannypack. Needless to say, he is using a different pack system next time as he was constantly making noise getting through the brush. When I go through brush, the quiver slides to my side, and I can duck down pretty low and quiet, and there's nothing on my bow to hang up on brush.
I see backquivers made out of too soft leather, for quietness, but they collapse too much for me to getting arrows in and out. Bridle leather is very easy to break in like a baseball glove, super flexible, and won't stiffen in the cold weather like latigo, yet is about 8 - 10 oz which gives lots of durability and broadhead protection. A quiver that is too small in diameter required more of a straight-out movement to remove an arrow, requiring long arms and a big movement. A large quiver will flatten, making it easier to remove an arrow diagonally out of the quiver for a lower profile arm movement. A quiver that's not too stiff will allow you to bump the bottom with your hand/elbow to make reaching arrows easier.
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Bow quiver all the way for hunting. The main advantage above all else is that your bow-quiver-arrows are all a self-contained single unit! Why cary an extra piece of gear?
Nate,
My next one is going to be bigger, like the one you are wearing. I used Rob's pattern for my first, and while I like it a lot, it is on the small side. I'm going to use this one for a while though. That 8-10 ounce leather is pretty pricey for a first attempt at least. I triple layered the top of the quiver, so it stays open pretty well. The bottom as triple leather and a piece of carpet to protect the broadheads.
Where can one find hides of bridle leather?
Where can I find a decent back quiver?
Nate Steen (aka Sunset Hill) makes one that is more than decent. See the pictures earlier in this thread.
I use my HH back quiver unless it's really wet or snowy, then I shift to a Safri Tuff.
Google English Bridle leather....there are a few manufactures. If you work the leather in your hands, like you did with a baseball glove when you were a kid, it will be soft and supple, yet thick....perfect. Latigo doesn't ever really get as soft unless you use thinner leather.
I grew up using backquivers so its all I use. I see the pros and cons of them, but just dont feel right without one on my back....I made this one out of bison leather, its about 11 years old.
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Mike's Archery Leather.....Mike makes great back quivers.
NICE guy too.
Use BW Arrowmaster and works great can wear traditional or Asbell style. Arrow fletching stays dry in wet conditions.
Another back quiver guy. I made this one over 25 years ago and it's has been my hunting quiver ever since. (http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/k_schoch/DSC02386-2-1.jpg)
I picked up a safari tuff this year and i love it!!
Is the pope Catholic?
QuoteOriginally posted by Bud B.:
Yep. Even tree stand hunting. I have snaps on my strap and unsnap it and snap it across the bar of my tree stand and have easy access to my arrows. If I remember to take a photo I'll post up one while in the stand.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1367.jpg)
Great backquivers folks. Monster job Quickblood! Here's mine rebuilt several times;
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Love that article Rob. Lots of good info :thumbsup:
I find it so much easier to replace Arrowsin my side quiver. I have a great back quiver and it can carry two doz arrows, but it is hard to select a certain shaft or replace one
I started making quivers for kids out of carpet. Do not laugh, cheap way to improve your ideas and get it where you want it before committing to leather! I did both back and side quivers. Knap inside is very quiet, but grabs Judos
Try it and get back to us
I use a 40+ year old Pearson back quiver most of the time when carrying my Kodiak. I have a Selway slip-on on my Legend longbow. I have been considering a strap-on for the Kodiak. This season has been dedicated to the Kodiak so it's back quiver only thus far.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ben Kleinig:
Is the pope Catholic?
Yes, he is. ;)