Like many, I have a goto bow. But I started wondering about backup bows. If you subscribe to the "if it can go wrong it will go wrong on a trip away from home theory" I'll bet you do.
What I'm wondering is whether your backup to your main hunting bow is exactly the same, a little different (maybe a pound or two more or less draw), or maybe even drastically different.
Ken
Mine is 4 inches longer and a pound lighter in draw weight.
Don't have one... my Schulz is all I got
I have 4 bows that I shoot about the same, so any can backup the others.
I truly enjoy the Big Jim take down system, it makes packing 2 bows a charm
F-Manny
I have 3 64" 50# ACS CX, if I'm traveling I just bring extra limbs.
The problem with backup bows is you buy one and it shoots great. So, you buy another and another and well you know the story.... I keep everything at 52lbs 60" -62" so they all use the same arrows and shoot to the same point of impact.
I have a few that are all around the same poundage, one of my favorites is a Zipper with 2 sets if limbs, both very close in weight.
I have several ACSs as well. Always take two complete bows on out of state trips. Same configuration, about 2# weight difference. They pack small. Doesn't make any difference which one I pull out of the case. They shoot the same.
I've got two that shoot (ABOUT) the same. So close that 'they' drive me crazy :knothead: trying to figure out which is the go to and which is the back up...
If I had a wife for every "back-up bow" I own, I'd be Solomon!!!!
So far I've refrained from the backups..did it with guns and all but about 3 just collected dust.
I do have another recurve other than my Sasquatch, a Quinn Stallion. It's about 7# lighter and same length..64".
my 72# Brackenbury is my all around back up but once I get my new Stealth I'll be alternating between hunting with my two Stealths so the one not in use will be my back up.
Varies somewhat. I make sure the back-up shoots whatever arrows I have for the primary accurately and with good flight. I currently have the luxury of two bows of the same model & manufacturer only a pound apart but enough years between them that there are notable differences. But they shoot similarly enough.
For many years my back-up bow was a Bear Kodiak Hunter because it was rugged and reliable.
I also have a practice of hunting with a bow and then often choosing a different one for the next season. Though I have favorires that tend to come up in the rotation more regularly. I never change within four months of the opener or then until the end of the season. Obviously the prior year's bow makes a good back-up. Keeps the stock circulating. ;-)
My bows shoot all about the same and I have three, that will do!
My main bow is a Kanati R/D longbow. My backup bow is also my bowfishing bow and it's a Browning Wasp recurve that's a couple pounds lighter in draw weight than my Kanati. I have altered (added material to) the strike plate on the Wasp so that it has the same point of impact as my Kanati.
I do not have a back up. Probably should, with my history of breaking anvels with a rubber mallet.
Primary is a #51 Toelke Chinook T/D with classic grip. Back up is same length, grip, quiver. Just a few pounds lighter and one piece instead of two.
My first bow is 52@28 62" Pronghorn Longbow my back is a 51@28 62" Pronghorn Longbow.
62" Widow PLIII, 54#@28" is my go to bow. 62" Widow PLV, 53#@28" is my back up....or is it the other way around? Been on two different hunts in Quebec where one of my hunting partners need his back up. So far I have been good, but I am a clumsy old fellar!!
I've used old Widow MAIII's in the 46-48 pound range for many, many years but just recently started using an 40 pound A&H ACS for no other reason other than to keep things interesting and broaden my horizons a bit.
We'll have to see how it goes for a while but I know that every time I walk past my bow rack and look at that 92' 46@28 MA, I almost feel like I have to say, "Sorry ol' buddy". :) If the ACS "sticks", I don't know what I'll do for a back up. Those old Widow MA's were pretty much interchangeable.
I don't even have a dedicated "go to bow" and therefore no back-up either. Frankly, most of the time this is a dilemma!
However, more to your question. When I finally settle on a hunter for the season and if I'm going beyond commuting distance from my home, I pack a backp-up.
The back-up will be tuned to the same arrows.
Whenever I travel off island to hunt, I always take two bows, usually two of my Schafer Silvertips or 1 Tip and my Brackenbury Quest. I shoot the same arrow out of all my bows and they are all close in weight so they all shoot the same therefore back up is not a problem.
I have two CHX widows same length and weight I can bring whole bow or just limbs. Widow
My go to bow is a 55# 60" Gail Martin Classic takedown. My backups depending on circumstances and just plain whim are a Hatfield takedown or a Dreamcatcher in the same draw wieghts so they shoot the same arrows. I lost a limb bolt on one of my takedowns many years ago on a trip to West Virginia and man was I glad I had a backup as I was able to take a nice 8pt.(nut)
How about posting some pictures of your main bow and your back up???
When I go to CO for elk I do take a back up. Don't for deer because I usually am not that far from home. My primary bow is a 56# Pronghorn. Just got a 48# Pronghorn but don't have any practice with it yet.
My back-up bow is a second identical set of limbs for my Sarrels Blueridge takedown longbow. As long as my riser is intact, I am good to go. I also have a Sarrels Bobcatt takedown recurve that is my back-up, back-up bow.
Bisch
All my bows get there fairs share and all of them shoot great. The titan is my number 1 go to though. then the hunters bow and omega, both shoot good so either one.