I know that each state is probably different but I'm not sure on this. In Illinois I know that I have to have my compound either in a case or the string locked down. Can I carry my recurve unstrung with a quiver full of arrows on the bow, wrapped in a blanket to my hunting location? My case isnt big enough to carry all together. I only live about 20 miles from where I hunt and its going to be a pain to take the quiver on and off every time( now thats its cold). I have looked on the web and it says guns and bows, but it doesnt specifie what kinds....Roy

If it's unstrung your fine I beleive. At least I hope so because thats what I have been doing for along time!

I can't see a problem with an unstrung bow of any type. In VA I think the bow has to be either unstrung or in a case, but this is in reference to having it in the Nat'l Forest outside of hunting season.

I may be a criminal and not know it!  
I travel all over the place with strung bows and never give it a thought.

Killdeer  

If locking down the string on a compound, I'm assuming you mean putting a cable tie on it or something like that, then I would think that unstringing your recurve would make it just as inoperable. Your best bet is to ask your local Natural Resource Police and ask them.

Another option is to get a case like this one that can hold a strung recurve with a quiver on it.

 

 http://www.3riversarchery.com/Cases+Bow++Strung+Recurve+Case+Leave+quiver+attached%21_c43_s193_p0_iKSRCS_product.html  


Snakeeater

"Illinois law requires that all weapons, including bows, be transported in a carrying case in or on any motor vehicle.

This includes ATV transportation to and from the tree stands.

A padlock which locks the cables of a bow making it nonfunctional also is accepted in place of a case."

I do not know if unstringing a bow would be considered covered even though it is nonfunctional at that point. Guess it would depend on the Warden and or Judge.

I found this first..
Is a valid FOID card required to bow hunt?
No. A bow and arrow is not defined as a firearm.

Then I found this...
What constitutes a legal "case" for transporting a firearm?
The Criminal Code refers to "a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container." However, the Wildlife Code is more specific, defining case as "a container specifically designed for the purpose of housing a gun or bow and arrow device which completely encloses such gun or bow and arrow device by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened with no portion of the gun or bow and arrow device exposed."  

Its kind of says two different things at the same time. First a bow isnt a firearm , then its got to be cased because it is....

Here is the link..
http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/firearmsfaq.cfm

No, it says you don't need a Firearms Owner ID card because a bow isn't a firearm, but in Illinois it is considered a weapon and thus must be cased when transported.

fastened with no portion of the gun or bow and arrow device exposed."


So If I read this last part correct, As long as its not in the open, We can wrap it them up in a blanket and its closed?

Just found this on the IL.conservation page..

A padlock which locks the cables of a bow making it nonfunctional also is accepted in place of a case...

Once again good ole Illinois..A recurve has no cables..Unstrung is nonfunctional...Hope nobody ever has to fight this one

According to the hunting digest, page 9, located at:   http://www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/Digest/

Transporting Firearms and Bow and
Arrow Devices in Vehicles
It is unlawful to:
 carry a bow or bow and arrow device in a
vehicle, conveyance or aircraft UNLESS it is
unstrung or enclosed in a case, or otherwise
made inoperable.

Hey! What are they going to do? An un-strung bow ain't nothin but a stick.

Wouldnt a recurve also be unuseable with a padlock on the string?

BushMaster,

Thank you for saving me the typing. Of all the hunting regulation in IL, this one's completely cut and dry for stickbows. And it's spelled out right in the regulations, which anyone hunting here should read before they go out hunting.

Thanks Bushmaster. I'll just unstring it.

Is Big Brother watching?

 :rolleyes:

Wow......I never knew such laws existed.Are they afraid you're gonna shoot something out the window of your truck??

Just another very stupid law. We have a lot of them here in Dayleyville!