What's in your quiver?

    Well, hmm... after a summer spent working on shooting form, concentration, some tackle tips and reading about some Hill longbow history,  it's time to think about fall.  That wonderful season where the air is crisp, the colors of nature brilliant, and the thrill of the chase beckons the hunter's heart.  It's time to assess the gear you'll take into the woods and fields as you roam, rove, and perhaps do some hunting.  Part of that gear-related thinking might be about the backquiver, and how it works in the woods.

    The Hill style backquiver is a really useful tool for the longbow enthusiast, and can be more than just an arrow holder if it's design is properly utilized to the fullest. Once the archer is accustomed to withdrawal of arrows in a fluid manner, it's time to get used to sliding it around, under the bow arm, to manage the arrows when going through trees and brush. All it takes is some practice and the willingness to learn a system.  But put in the time and your mind and body will learn where the arrows are by space awareness and will move accordingly to help avoid the obstacles.

     But now you're using the quiver and wonder how you're going to carry the extras needed when going afield.  This is the way I do it...

    Of course, the first item is arrows and I carry a few. Blunt arrows accompany broadhead arrows when big game hunting and if needed I can separate them by a little loop at the quiver mouth. But I like to carry enough arrows to be prepared for anything encountered afield. I never know if I might need a follow-up shot, or find a covey of grouse, or run into a self defense situation with a lion, bear or wolf. I have run into all three while hunting other game and fortunately the situations eased without having to shoot any arrows, but you never know... 

   In the dead space located at the upper part of the quiver bottom, I add a leather pouch that is attached to a leather insert, which rides in the quiver bottom. Under this insert, is a plastic bread sack used to cover my fletch in rainy weather, a plastic Ziploc bag to keep freshly shot grouse, or rabbit meat, and a length of aluminum foil to be used as an emergency fire base, a makeshift bowl or grilling platform.

     In the pouch at the quiver bottom I keep emergency items for safety and repair.... Fire starting items like a Bic lighter and Vaseline-soaked cotton balls, a whistle, needles and thread, whetstone, bandaids, a pocket knife, tweezers, pick, and shock cord.   In the string pouch I carry and extra bowstring, game tags and license, length of  tough thread to hold a tag to antlers or leg, and a sharpening steel. I carry a broadhead sharpening file in a slim pouch attached to the inside spine of the quiver body.

     With these items, I feel a little more prepared when roving or hunting afield and they don't take up much room or add much weight to the quiver or unbalance it for carrying.  These items are always with me, because if I'm hunting or shooting at all, I am wearing the quiver.

    For any other gear, I now prefer a haversack of some sort over any other pack system.  They hang on my side, allow easy access to gear contained within and stay out of the way while moving through the woods. I try to keep things light and simple, realizing I carry more gear with my simple approach into the woods than my archery forefathers would have ever done. 

  On a short hunt, no matter how far from camp or my vehicle, I may throw a sandwich into the bottom of the quiver along with an apple or granola bar... And I may also carry a grouse or rabbit back to camp whole, while dropped into the quiver. This quiver style gives me those options. A water bottle on my hip and cellphone for emergencies, carried in my pocket can complete my setup.

     Think about how you too can simplify how much gear you bring into the woods, and maybe where you can cut out the excess and just enjoy the simplicity of this old -fashioned way of hunting.. and always remember to

     Shoot straight...