Number of arrows

[Smokepole]

I'm looking at a Selway bow quiver, and I'm thinking that the fewer arrows I carry the better for the weight/balance of my longbow.

So my question for you experienced bowhunters is, what's the minimum number of arrows you'd carry (I'm talking about elk and deer hunting)?

Being a new bowhunter, it's hard for me to believe I'd ever need more than three with me while I'm hunting (with extras in camp of course) so I'm wondering if you guys have ever run into situations where you needed more than three?

[rambler_wannabe]

I carry 3 broadheads and a blunt as a small game getter (misser) and practice stump shooter.

[et]

I use the small selway quiver on my long bow for the reasons you mentioned. I carry 3 broad heads and a Judo tipped arrow in it. I do carry extra broad heads and Judos as replacements.

I also go with a single arrow quiver and a plains style quiver. Then I carry a total of 4 broad heads, 1 judo, 2 grouse arrows( home made tips) and 2 arrows with out tips. It pretty much ruins my day when I break or do not have a replacment arrow for stump shooting.

I have never needed more then 3 arrows for a big game animal but have shot as many as I could carry at grouse. I don't like to carry the arrows but sure enjoy letting them fly. et

[falcon]

I like a bow quiver because it is one less thing that I have to worry about. When I pick up my bow, everything is there. I always have a tab flipped around on my finger and four more in my pockets or pack somewhere.

I use a Great Northern quiver just cause it's a little lighter and quick to take off and put on.

Like rambler_wannabe, I carry three BH's and a judo or blunt. Other than small game, the extra is good for keeping stretched and confident.

If I shoot three, it's either a real good day or a real bad one.

[Kevin]

I like to carry 4 broadheads and 1 blunt as a minimum, but I've carried 3 and 1 blunt.

But then again, having a shortage of arrows to fire has never been a problem for me. My problem is taking enough shots. Most days I come back to camp with unshot arrows, except for my blunt.

Having resharpenable broadheads helps, as you can just file them and go.

[razorsharp]

I switched from a heavier bow quiver, with its metal L brackets that attach to limb bolts, to a smaller Boa that attaches to the limbs with quick release rubber straps. It only holds 4 arrows instead of the old 6.
For me the weight and balance is negligible and I like working the bow and arrows through the brush together rather than the bow and then the arrows that are on my back or side. I like them together when crawling too.

I know guys who have emptied quivers on animals for whatever reasons but I've never needed more than two so far.

A friend carries his arrows in a side quiver with one arrow on a single-arrow bow quiver, so he has the best of both worlds, I guess.

[Sawtooth]

Smoke,

I have a Selway bow quiver, and carry three broadhead tipped arrows and one with a Judo.

[rambler_wannabe]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Originally posted by falcon:
If I shoot three, it's either a real good day or a real bad one. </div></div>never had it be a good one, yet. /images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

[300wby]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Originally posted by rambler_wannabe:
I carry 3 broadheads and a blunt as a small game getter (misser) and practice stump shooter. </div></div>I plan on doing the exact same thing except instead of a blunt I'm using a Judo point.

[rambler_wannabe]

I carry that arrow upside down in the quiver so I don't grab it by mistake when watching the deer as I pull the arrow. The judo would snag my coat--wrecked a raincoat that way.

[elmbow]

Selway quivers, 4 BH's and a judo for hunting, reverse when stumping.

[PAboy]

I had a bad day with 4 arrows. One left at dark and nothing to show for it. Not one of prouder moments. I can't say that I would carry anymore that 4 BH and 1 judo.

[Smokepole]

Elmbow, just curious but when you're stumping, what's the 1 BH for? Is it for just in case you see a really, really big one that you don't want to let get away or is that how you split your firewood?

[rnd3789]

When I am using my Great Northern bow quiver I load to the max. 4 BH arrows and one Judo or blunt. ( rubber blunt if I am out west in rocky terrain. I even use the rubber grippers you can put on your outside most arrow to hold a sixth arrow.

I agree with what several have said about bow balnce and weight. As a matter of fact I would much rather shoot a bare bow as I do most of the time when tree stand hunting for white tail here in IN. Howver, when hunting out west for elk or up north for caribou I feel a bow quiver is best for many reasons.

I think the whole key to the balance and weight issue is practice. Many of us ( traditional ) bowhunters like to shoot a bare bow all summer and change to a bow quiver for the Fall hunting season. That is probably a mistake although I am guilty as most.

I have currently been shooting my bow bare out of a Double Bull blind in preparation for my antelope hunt later this month. When I get home from that I will put the bow quiver on and shoot every day untill I leave for my elk hunt in late Sept.

[elmbow]

Smokepole, that one BH is mostly wishful thinking that I may come across wily coyote or a fat grouse to fill the larder but I have on occasion been known to split some wood with my feathered shafts, on purpose of course!

[nightcrawler]

I don't take any arrows with me. When I see a good buck, I run back to camp and make one.

[Smokepole]

Then what do you do?

[one_elk]

four broadheads and two blunts so I can get that second grouse or a second shot at the first grouse......

[Bushcraft]

Ditto that.

[wyoelk]

four broadheads and a grouse thumper. The second grouse gets a broadhead. The third grouse gets to walk. The only time I got to send all four broadheads at an animal was some poor antelope when I first stated archery hunting years ago. When he had to raise his foot to keep from getting hit in the hoof on the fourth shot, I figured it was time to call it a day.

[Kevin]

Wyoelk, I think I set the Colo state record for missing antelope my first year bowhunting them. We had one buck we called the St. Christopher buck, because he'd come by at least once a day and watch arrows whiz past him as he moved away.

I even looked around, saw nothing, and stood up to shoot at a grouse, only to hear the sound of hooves barreling down at me at a high rate of speed. He'd come from the valley behind me at 50 mph, only to stop about 10' behind me. Safe as in his mother's womb, that buck was.

[wyoelk]

Antelope are great fun to bowhunt. That poor buck knew I was there but he must have been thirsty. He would keep one eye on me as he was drinking so that he would know the appropriate body part to move when the arrow was sent his way.

Thats bad when they know you are there but figure they are safe anyway. Looks like we both have added some humor to the days of a few goats.

[Yolla Bolly]

Six broadheads, one judo, one rubber blunt.

[beta male]

For whitetail deer hunting in Indiana, 3 arrows with BH and 1 judo tip for practice.