Carrying your bow...strapped to the pack or in hand

[Lungbuster]

I was walking to the stand to hunt deer(whitetails in western pa) and I carry a small backpack with some gear in it. But it got me thinking, What do you do when your out hunting elk or mule deer? Do you carry your bow in hand all day or do you have it strapped to a pack?

 

[Bonecollector]

It would depend on the terrain, but I'd keep it in hand as much as possible.

 

[velvetfvr]

If it's a day of season and legal shooting light, it's always in my hand. Never know what can happen and when a buck or bull will be in shooting range.

 

[tdcour]

It depends what it looks like and where I'm hunting. In the open terrain with rolling grasslands and little cover where I typically hunt I'll have it strapped to my pack, but when I was hunting in New Mexico this year where there was more cover I never strapped it to my pack.

 

[tdub24]

Strapped to my pack if the animal is spotted and the stalk is long. If just walking aimlessly, I have a Primos bow sling.

 

[az.mountain runner]

In the early morning on my way in it's dark, to semi dark can't use my pins anyway I'll have it strapped to my pack, ruff terrain, strapped to pack, still hunting or just changing glassing, points in my hands.and of course strapped to my pack on my way out at night.trigger release never leaves my wrist until I'm back at camp.never know just might be able to get pack off and get it in my hands, if enough light is available.

 

[hoshour]

I always have my bow in hand. I've had too many weird things happen to keep from connecting for me not to be superstitious about always being ready.

 

[Lungbuster]

I always have my bow in hand. I've had too many weird things happen to keep from connecting for me not to be superstitious about always being ready.

Haha I hear ya on the superstitious part, I'm so bad that if I see a shooter buck and don't get a shot I will only put that arrow on the rest of the season. I figured most had it in hand but wasn't sure when it came to the different kinds of terrain. I know around home I usually strap my quiver on so the bow feels more balanced and less bulky

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

I have always kept my bow in hand but I have never had a good pack system harness. On my old pack, getting the bow off meant taking the bag off. Now that I have a Kuiu bag I am stoked on the bow bucket system, it allows you to get the bow off your pack with one hand without having to take the pack off. I will still keep my bow in hand when in the deer but I think it will be beneficial for pack-ins and steep hikes.

 

[hoshour]

One part superstition, one part preparedness. I do a lot like that. For instance, I always strap my release to my upper bow limb when I'm not using it, always keep my #1 arrow in the same spot in the quiver, keep the same things in the same pockets, etc. Of course, that could be old age, but then again it could be experience.

 

[WapitiBob]

If you're gunna strap it to your pack, get one of the new stretchy Primos bow slings to cover the cams and cables while it's lashed down. Cheap insurance...