How important is a take down down bow for you traveling hunters? If you stick with a one piece to you travel with it or mail it out ahead of time?
It will be close to the same size as a shotgun or rifle case.iI will be flying to alaska wih my one piece long bow this sept!!
Make sure you check with your airline. Those oversize cases for one piece bows can cost you an extra $80 each way.
Mike
If I have to take my two 66" Blacktail TD recurves on a commercial airline for a package hunt, both bows get taken down and are stowed in the cargo hold while I fly in coach.
I want both of my bows to be with me. Mailing is out of the question since one or both bows could get "lost" in the mail.....if you get my drift.
Best to mail it ahead. I have sent a longbow down to georgia and back a few times. Apex Predator (Marty Thompson) squared me away with a pvc mailing tube with foam.
Which brings me to the reason I am on the waiting list for a two piece longbow.
Never had an airline problem or an added fee using a Plano fishing rod case extended to fit a 64" bow. Same when I took a 7' spinning rod in the same case. Just the same as checked luggage. Of course, if I remember correctly I was always flying Southwest. The other blood suckers may charge you for a checked bag.
I have a pvc tube I made especially for carrying my bow and arrows while on the plane. I capped one end and installed a clean out on the other, It fits my arrow tube which holds a dozen arrows and my three piece longbow broken down and is about four feet long. Well under the 52" limit that they have imposed for oversize baggage. If your case is over it is as much as 125 dollars extra to take it on the plane. I heard tell of somebody who uses their golf bag case. They put bow and arrows and misc. hunting gear in the golf bag case where it stays well protected from the meatheads that throw your stuff around. Plus it is built for airline travel. Food for thought.
The takedown feature would be a strong consideration/necessity if I were buying a new bow. Just too much hassle, expense, or risk of damage for me to transport a one piece bow. For me, practicality demands a takedown. Plus, paying the oversize charges on a trip or two would probably equal the additional cost of a takedown option.
I don't travel a great deal at least not far. I do like takedowns though. One summer I shot the NALS in Idaho. My Wife & I were on vacation & we drove about 3000 miles in a Camry with a 64" long bow in a PVC case that I'd made. It was a real pain. Every time we'd open the door the bow would try to fall out. I bought a Fox takedown LB at that shoot, & I really like takedowns.
Even if you don't take one down often, they are handy.
Frank
Mike Vines did a little post on that golf club trick a while back, He was packing short 1 piece recurves but it would also work great for a takedown and long arrows. HERE IT IS. (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=113095;p=1#000000)
Thom
I usually don't go anywhere but I keep an old Bear takedown in my trunk. If I see fresh hog sign, out it comes. I keep three arrows with broadheads in with it.
I have some one-pieces... but have decided that I will only buy take-down bows from now on. For local or long-distance travel, ease of storage at home, or to stick it in a backpack, or for versatility when carrying it on a bike, horse, 4-wheeler, motorcycle, boat, etc., , the TD is the way to go.
I agree that future purchases will be takedown, especially if I ever buy new again. Just have a one piece coming that I expect to be a show stopper and I don't know that the budget will allow for a second with T/D option before the trip.
better check and ask SPECIFIC questions....I just got gigged on a backpack that was perfectlly fine three months ago.....just to let you know, there initials are US A--....
I travel with my bow a fair bit and will only take a T/D now. The bow, arrows, and other related bits go in a tube that goes in my backpack. One bag to check, no extra fees, no drama.
i put my bezeleel cougar take down in the case that it was delivered in with my extra strings, broadheads, and extra tools and the whole thing gets wrapped up in my hunting clothes in the middle of my cargo bag. VERY easy and convienient.
:thumbsup:
Maybe I wasn't clear. I know a takedown is easier to travel with. How do you travel with the one piece, or do you send it ahead?
When I travel to ETAR at Denton Hills I take 20+ bows in a aluminum box ,72"x 8"x5" . I fly Delta, it cost me $30 each way . If they stick me with oversize its $80. Usally they dont but it has happened in the past. They wont charge oversize for golf bags...not fair!!
i have 3 one piece bows and 1 takedown. since I drive a jeep and the seats fold down I really have no issues taking my bows around. but when im not taking the jeep the take down is just great. think all my bows will be take downs. next one that im buying shortly will be a (cant mention name)ILF recurve tht 35# for my bad shoulder. that should be a great one for traveling due to the easy take down