Carrying a crossbow in the field

DMc · Post by **DMc** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:30 am

For those of you who have to walk a ways to your hunting site with your crossbow, how do you carry it?

Tried an old leather rifle sling and it seemed pretty uncomfortable and awkward. For those of you who successfully use slings, which ones work the best?

Thanks.

Dave

groundpounder · Post by **groundpounder** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:58 am

I just use my Browning rifle sling and carry with limbs upward and crossbow not cocked. When getting in the thick use my opposite arm to curl the limb tip closer to my body so its a little more sleek to break through the brush.

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:01 am

For shorter walks I sling mine to the front butt high limbs down.....it is the most comfortable that I have found when carrying my tree stand~!

For longer hikes RJ has a great way to pack up and carry everything on your back......Not sure if RJ is busy packing or not?

Cheers,
Robin

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:07 am

We had a good thread on this once . . .about a year or so ago.

I like using a sling with the bow pointed up. However, another taller forum member liked the sling with the bow pointed down. Apparently size matters . . .again.

I am 5'9" and the bow pointed up works best for me. Mainly because if I try to carry it with the bow pointed down, the limbs hit too many small shrubs and briars. However, if you are tall, carrying with the bow pointed up, the limbs of the bow hit too many low hanging tree limbs. Your hunting area might change this depending on the brush/trees/briars you are walking through.

I just throw it over my right shoulder, uncocked and unloaded. Just like I carry my rifle. I do have the rope cocker on and hooked to the string. When I get to my stand, it's ready to cock.

Maybe I've gotten use to it because at first it seemed a little odd. Now, I know the angle I need to turn and such to make it down a path . . .I hardly think about it.

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:10 am

I get my daughter to cayy mine

Skarek · Post by **Skarek** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:19 am

I'm not a hunter (as it's illegal here), but when I walk in the woods with my bow I usually carry it on my sholder (bow behind my back, holding the stock). There is a grove in the stock that makes it quite comfortable. When the vegitation gets denser I usualy just tilt it so the bow becomes vertical.

saxman wrote:I get my daughter to cayy mine

Good solution Sax, time to get a daughter

mikej · Post by **mikej** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:07 pm

i use my remington rifle sling and sling it over my right shoulder just like a rifle with the limbs up

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:12 pm

Lay it over my shoulder in open fields, uncocked with cocker on the string. In both hands when bushwacking.

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:34 pm

saxman wrote:I get my daughter to cayy mine

Good one....only a couple of more years and I get to see if my son will carry mine or not~!

dutchhunter · Post by **dutchhunter** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:11 pm

with the GP mount a sling works very well .Before the mount i just layed it over my shoulder

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:30 pm

I use a wide nylon sling and carry it with the cocking rope in place ready to cock. Limbs up is most comfortable for me.

tracer · Post by **tracer** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:21 pm

I use the Excalibur cloth case. It has two straps on it so I can sling it over my shoulder, navigate through the bush nicely, keep debris and water/snow off the bow and when I'm ready to hunt, the case rolls up small enough to put in my bag or coat pocket. This way your bow will be legally cased for the walk in and out of your stand before and after legal hunting time.

raydaughety · Post by **raydaughety** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:37 pm

I use a "CLAW" sling that is usually on my .308 Browning.

bob1961 · Post by **bob1961** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:22 pm

i just bought a neoprene rifle sling from gander mountain that has a wide neoprene should strap at least 1/4" thick and real soft....i tried to find a picture and a link but it's not on there website, even by the item number off the receipt....i'll get a picture here shortly................bob

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DMc · Post by **DMc** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:30 pm

Thanks guys and gal. Some good helpful information as usual. I find this to be one of the more helpful sites I have been on. It probably says alot about down-to-earth people who understand the woods.

I do have the groundpounder mount on the Exocet and some of the suggestions here are along the lines I was thinking so will be trying them out.

Dave