So today I went into my local archery shop in Toronto called basically Bows. Real cool fella by the name of Gary runs it. Anyway I went in ready to buy a bearpaw back quiver but realized that's not really what I was looking for. He listed off alot of negatives to a back quiver and I tend to agree. They get caught on branches in thick brush.. Can't see which arrow your grabbing and also you can't wear a backpack. But they are definitely the most romantic type of quiver.. They just look cool and its nice and tidy. I then convinced myself to get a smaller 3d\\target style quiver which I'm not in love with but has definitely been easier walking around in the bush. My only problem is noise and they fall out sometimes when I bend over.. And also when you guys are hunting small game like squirrels rabbits and grouse do you walk around with an arrow drawn or do you wait till you spot something and then extract an arrow !!! Tell me your quiver tips and favorite types of quiver and also how you hunt with them !!!!!! Thanks.
My favorite hunting quiver is the GFA quiver sold by the Asbells. You can wear it in so many ways, can use a back pack, light, holds plenty of ammo, and keeps arrows separated and quiet. I do like my back quiver too. You have to know how to hunt with one. It must be pliable enough to gently conform to your back and keep arrows from rattling. It needs to have only one strap so that you can easily slide it around under your arm when going through brush so it doesn't hang up, then just as easily slide it back in place. They become second nature to use with a little practice. I use a fanny pack when hunting with my back quiver.
No stuffing of any kind is needed if the quiver is properly made. It will hold the arrows silently in place.
I just had mine out today for a little shooting--I like back quivers a lot.
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I like back quivers for small game, or a side quiver like a Safari tuff. I don't walk around with an arrow on the bow or in my hand. Good way to stick oneself.
It's hard to beat a back quiver if it's the right thickness of leather and fits you properly. While tree stand hunting, you can take it off if you want and fasten to a cup hook on the trunk of the tree for easy removal of a second arrow if needed. Just takes a little getting used to. For small game hunting, I like to have an arrow on the string for a quick shot if the walking isn't too rugged.
Here in the thick FL scrub and swamps it is hard to beat either a Safari Tuff Arrowmaster, Bowmate Elite, or Cat Quiver. I own both a Bowmate and a Cat Quiver and find it hard to pick a favorite. I would own a Safari Tuff also but two is enough. What I'm saying is to me the side quiver is the ultimate design for maneuverability and flexibility in scenarios. I hate bow quivers.
I don't/can't use a back quiver for all the same reasons cited by the shop owner.
I started with a belt quiver, but they swing around and make noise. Next came various bow quivers, some of which had an effect on arrow flight. Still, I stuck with bow quivers for many years.
Then, I saw the Chuck Adams belt quiver and made my own by converting a bow quiver. That served for a few years, but still had the noise factor and could not be readily turned to the opposite direction if desired.
Finally I made one of the over the shoulder side quivers. Worn like a plains Indian quiver but a different design. I'm finally satisfied! It will hold up to nine arrows with broadheads and a few more than that with field points. It's quiet, out of the way, allows a daypack or even a full pack. It is easy to set aside while sitting in a blind or just taking a break.
Really have yet to find a downside so far.
It does not lend itself to easily and quietly extracting an arrow. For that I use a bow mounted single arrow stalker. It is the best way I have found to safely have an arrow at the ready.
The Hill style quiver and fanny pack are a great combo. If I have to wear a backpack I strap a homemade "Safari Tuff" style quiver to the pack on my right hand side. The bottom of the quiver ends up resting a couple inches bellow the bottom of the pack once the pack is on your back.
I agree with dave Mitchell. I use GFA type quiver and its very handy.
I have a hip quiver from Farr west leather that I love for broadheads. I never thought I'd like a back quiver but got one from soap creek for small game hunting and target shooting. Now I'm thinking I may use it for broadheads too. Decisions decisions .
I'll admit that a bow quiver is most likely the most practical quiver for hunting but I just don't like anything on my longbows.
Made myself a GFA style, then owned a safari tuff and then got a farrwest short trail hip quiver. My search is over. Can wear a pack, arrows are at the ready, slips through brush with ease and a single loop of paracord attaches lets it hang next to me in a tree.
I love my back quivers, but when I'm having to pack stuff in they aren't convenient and I made this hip quiver out of a quickee quiver and mount, and kydex/wrapped in leather. Weighs very little and holds arrows quiet and out of the way. Then you can get the other bracket to attach to trees. And leave the "holster" on your belt. I forgot I also extended the quiver hood. I put a drop of epoxy over screw heads so it doesn't rub my clothing and doubled up the kydex where it mounts to add rigidity.
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I have back quivers, bow quivers, hip quivers and side quivers. The one I like the best is the Palmer Elite side quiver. With my Cat III.5 a close second. They both protect your fletching really well with easy arrow extraction and they are both very quiet!
I use a Thunderhorn Lynx bow quiver when still hunting and ground blind hunting big game. I use a back quiver for treestand hunting and small game and stumping. I have not found that the bow quiver affects my accuracy. I like the bow quiver when ground hunting because I can remove an arrow silently and it does not get caught up in heavy brush. The back quiver is good because it can hold a dozen arrows no problem and I can easily remove it when sitting in a tree stand but it takes a large movement to retrieve an arrow which I didn't like.
I use a backpack with the bow quiver and a fanny-pack with the back quiver.
I don't generally do spot and stalk when deer hunting at home, so the back quiver is ideal for me. I carry a lot of "stuff" some times, and this quiver will carry a lot of it. It is my freight hauler. When on the ground, I prop a follow up arrow on it close at hand. In my ladder stands I hook it to my stand on the right hand side to make it easy to reach a follow up arrow. Some complain that a back quiver is too noisy due to the rattling of the arrows. If this is happening, you are moving too fast.
I've tried about every kind of quiver there is and found I prefer the GFA side quiver I made from an old Selway bow quiver for hunting.
I started with a backquiver and still use the back quiver. Cat 3.5 comes out when its raining hard or I need to take more gear in the woods.
Safari Tuff Arrowmaster for me.
me the back Q best or side q
I like to make my own gear when I can. I made a back quiver out of an old wool surplus blanket with some heavy cordura material for my field tips and practice. I'm currently working on making a quiver to attach to a canvas backpack. Going to put a strap on it and make it detachable. I am going to make a little hood that slips over the fletchings to protect them from rain and thick stuff on the walk in. Projects keep me occupied during the off season.
The Absorkee Quivers, from Farr West Leather.
Absorkee Quivers are a great option for those that don't like the added weight of a bow quiver, or that one more item hanging off your neck. It's quick easy on, easy off allows it to be carried, on your belt, your pack, or from your pocket.
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The original Absorkee Quiver, carries 5 arrows
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The Emigrant, carries 5 broadheads, plus a dedicated pocket for a Judo Point.
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The Short Trail, carries 4 broadheads.
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And...the Ridgeline, carries 4 broadheads, plus it features the Small Game Point Holder, a magnetic insert that allows one to carry a judo point, or other steel blunt safety, and securely.
Currently Farr West Leather is running a pre-hunting season sale, please see the post in the Sponsor's Classifieds.
Thanks,