The off season is a great time for bowhunters to assemble an emergency repair kit that can thwart some common in-the-field mishaps, and help ensure you’ll make the most of your hunting time this fall. Here are a few of the things I carry with me most every time I travel.
Spare Bow
After bowhunting for several decades, I’m still amazed at how few bowhunters pack a spare bow, especially on out-of-state hunts. Carrying a spare that’s been tuned for your current arrow/broadhead combo renders nearly all other emergency gear unnecessary, but more importantly, also ensures you will not miss any time afield if things go haywire with your primary rig. I use an airline-approved double bow case when I travel — removing included foam layers in favor of using hunting clothes as padding. Smart and efficient.
Shrink Fletch
Repairing damaged fletching, or building up a quick dozen arrows, has never been easier than with shrink-fletch products offered by New Archery Products and some other manufacturers. All feature a plastic tube to which is glued three plastic vanes. Various sizes and designs are available. Simply use a knife blade to scrape off any remnants of the previous damaged fletching, then slide on a new shrink fletch cartridge and dip the works into boiling water. In 10 seconds your arrow is ready to rock again. My kit always holds a three-pack.
Portable Bow Press
My home bow shop holds a full-size bow press, but when traveling I pack an ultra-compact portable press. This compact unit doesn’t take up much space and allows me to install peep sights or string silencers, or even change a bowstring (be sure to bring one) if necessary.
Allen Wrench Sets
I carry at least two of these lightweight, portable sets. One stays in my day pack and I’ll have another in my gear duffel just in case. I use them regularly to ensure my sights, quivers, rests and more remain locked down tight.
Extra string loop material/Lighters
I’ve been on several hunts where buddies have had loops fail. Thankfully it’s never happened to me, but if it does I’ll be ready. My kit includes a few lighters required for proper installation.
Sight pins and screws
Some of these are small, fragile and easily lost when adjusting sights/rests. Thwart Murphy by carrying a few extras.
Bowstring Wax
Thankfully I’ve never had a string get cut while hunting, but friends have had this unfortunate failure, and I have been frightened by the sight of my frayed and fuzzy bowstring halfway through a few backcountry elk hunts. Nothing helps your string last like regular applications of protective wax. I keep a tube in my pack at all times.
Smart Accessories
I also carry Kevlar thread and large needle or two to reattach buttons (carry a few spares) and mend cuts in outerwear, as well as some adhesives (Super Glue gel, two-part epoxy) that come in handy for a variety of gear fixes. Add some do-everything duct tape and extra batteries for headlamps and laser rangefinders, which have a nasty habit of powering down when you need them most.
More smart items include extra broadhead blades as well as a compact carbide sharpening tool that can touch up heads and knives. Also in my pack is a compact yet well-stocked first aid kit, and one of those compact, silver-lined heat-saving emergency bags in case of an unplanned overnight stay in the woods. Stay safe out there.
Spare Bow
After bowhunting for several decades, I’m still amazed at how few bowhunters pack a spare bow, especially on out-of-state hunts. Carrying a spare that’s been tuned for your current arrow/broadhead combo renders nearly all other emergency gear unnecessary, but more importantly, also ensures you will not miss any time afield if things go haywire with your primary rig. I use an airline-approved double bow case when I travel — removing included foam layers in favor of using hunting clothes as padding. Smart and efficient.
Shrink Fletch
Repairing damaged fletching, or building up a quick dozen arrows, has never been easier than with shrink-fletch products offered by New Archery Products and some other manufacturers. All feature a plastic tube to which is glued three plastic vanes. Various sizes and designs are available. Simply use a knife blade to scrape off any remnants of the previous damaged fletching, then slide on a new shrink fletch cartridge and dip the works into boiling water. In 10 seconds your arrow is ready to rock again. My kit always holds a three-pack.
Portable Bow Press
My home bow shop holds a full-size bow press, but when traveling I pack an ultra-compact portable press. This compact unit doesn’t take up much space and allows me to install peep sights or string silencers, or even change a bowstring (be sure to bring one) if necessary.
Allen Wrench Sets
I carry at least two of these lightweight, portable sets. One stays in my day pack and I’ll have another in my gear duffel just in case. I use them regularly to ensure my sights, quivers, rests and more remain locked down tight.
Extra string loop material/Lighters
I’ve been on several hunts where buddies have had loops fail. Thankfully it’s never happened to me, but if it does I’ll be ready. My kit includes a few lighters required for proper installation.
Sight pins and screws
Some of these are small, fragile and easily lost when adjusting sights/rests. Thwart Murphy by carrying a few extras.
Bowstring Wax
Thankfully I’ve never had a string get cut while hunting, but friends have had this unfortunate failure, and I have been frightened by the sight of my frayed and fuzzy bowstring halfway through a few backcountry elk hunts. Nothing helps your string last like regular applications of protective wax. I keep a tube in my pack at all times.
Smart Accessories
I also carry Kevlar thread and large needle or two to reattach buttons (carry a few spares) and mend cuts in outerwear, as well as some adhesives (Super Glue gel, two-part epoxy) that come in handy for a variety of gear fixes. Add some do-everything duct tape and extra batteries for headlamps and laser rangefinders, which have a nasty habit of powering down when you need them most.
More smart items include extra broadhead blades as well as a compact carbide sharpening tool that can touch up heads and knives. Also in my pack is a compact yet well-stocked first aid kit, and one of those compact, silver-lined heat-saving emergency bags in case of an unplanned overnight stay in the woods. Stay safe out there.
