Bows in the brush?

[Coastal_native]

Christmas came early for me this year.  I sold my dirt bike and used some of the money to purchase my first compound bow (the Diamond Iceman... after a lot of shopping around and finally taking the advice of Colockumelk).  Colockumelk has also been gracious enough to volunteer as my online archery instructor and advisor, however he lacks a certain level of what I call "westside toughness."  I've since emersed myself in education material and I can easily see myself becoming obsessed.  I've always enjoyed shooting compound bows, but even more so now that I have one of my own that I can shoot in my backyard whenever I want. 

So my question to anyone who might have some advice (besides Colockum) is...How do I protect my bow when I'm crawling, stumbling, falling, climbing through coastal lowland westside brush?  Is there such a thing as getting a bow too wet?

[robodad]

I don't think you can get too wet BUT !! when climbing through our thick brush patches make a serious effort to keep all the pinch points clear of the twigs and sticks leaves etc that will derail your string at the absolute worst time. Keep clear all the places where your string contacts the wheels or cams and also where the string slides together, the crosses and pinch points will collect bunches of crap and it sucks to quit for the week while you go find someone with a press to fit your string on and inspect everything else for damage. 

[Quackin_Archer]

Well. The only thing you can really do is just move slow, keep in mind you have a bow in your hand and keep your string waxed.

[Coastal_native]

Are Cam or Sight covers worth the money? or are those just more accessories that'll hang up on brush?

[JJB11B]

The other guys pretty much have it covered. Once you have gotten your bow soaked, treat it like a rifle and wipe it down with a gun rag so your metal stuff doesnt rust and wax your string

[JimmyHoffa]

Some people will carry the bow in a something similar to a pillow case.  I seem to remember back in the compound days that small stuff would fall into the wheels or wedge into the c-clips, but never really affected shooting.

[Miles]

Well. The only thing you can really do is just move slow, keep in mind you have a bow in your hand and keep your string waxed.

This is very good advice.  I forgot my wax one year in elk camp and crawling through the brush and bushes all week long just ruined my string.  Wax couldn't fix it by the time I got home.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Keep it in the case, and crawl around with a recurve with brushbuttons !! 
I hated trying to sneek through bushes when everything caught on something 
and some of the metalic "twang" when a limb would catch then release.
But then, the new bows might be different, have not carried a c-pound in 9 years...
Shorter axle to axle, more parralel limbs, all the other stuff they have done...
Congrats on a new bow, if I wasn't so attached to the K.I.S.S. theory, I would look at one myself, as I get a lot of 40 yard shots I dont take because my limit is 30....
But when you are in tight in the brush, 25 is perfect, unless you are in a vine maple patch..

[BULLBLASTER]

When it gets real thick I use my bow to push limbs and branches out of the way. Esspeciallyblackberrys or stickers. Hold my bow in front of me and go through as normal. The string wax advice is very important.
Bows are resiliant pieces of equipment and will take a beating and keep going! I have seen ALwine do some crazy things to bows and still kill with them...

[colockumelk]

Well first of all I can give you advice whenever you want and you will like it.   

Second of all this is what I use.  When I am traveling my bow is always in this sling.  It protects the string and the cams.  Best $18 I have ever spent.  The only time my bow is not in this sling is when I have seen something and I am stalking it, when calling for elk and I'm waiting for it to come to me.  Or if I am stopped somewhere watching a trail or taking a break.  It works great.  Easy to use and comes off in a second ready to use. 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Archery/Archery-Cases-Holders/Bow-Slings-Holsters%7C/pc/104791680/c/104693580/sc/104256180/i/103987080/Primos174-Bow-Sling/745620.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-archery-archery-cases-holders-bow-slings-holsters%2F_%2FN-1100050%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103987080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104791680%253Bcat104693580%253Bcat104256180&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104791680%3Bcat104693580%3Bcat104256180%3Bcat103987080

[Coastal_native]

Well first of all I can give you advice whenever you want and you will like it.   

Second of all this is what I use.  When I am traveling my bow is always in this sling.  It protects the string and the cams.  Best $18 I have ever spent.  The only time my bow is not in this sling is when I have seen something and I am stalking it, when calling for elk and I'm waiting for it to come to me.  Or if I am stopped somewhere watching a trail or taking a break.  It works great.  Easy to use and comes off in a second ready to use. 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Archery/Archery-Cases-Holders/Bow-Slings-Holsters%7C/pc/104791680/c/104693580/sc/104256180/i/103987080/Primos174-Bow-Sling/745620.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fhunting-archery-archery-cases-holders-bow-slings-holsters%2F_%2FN-1100050%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103987080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104791680%253Bcat104693580%253Bcat104256180&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104791680%3Bcat104693580%3Bcat104256180%3Bcat103987080

So, to clear things up, you're recommending that I use the following list of accessories to proctect my bow:

1. a bow sling

 

[PlateauNDN]

    Sounds like some good advice and better start ASAP on tackling that list before the season comes up.  Congrats on the new bow!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I perform every thing allready stated. Never had an isue. I dont baby my bow. Probably harder on it than most. It is a tool and i use it. I wont mention brand due to the fact that if everybody had it there would be to much competition in the field.

[pianoman9701]

The bow sling advice is good. I use one and it does what Colock says, protects the cams. Different bows, different care. Ask your dealer what the best way to care for your equipment in wet weather is. My Hoyt takes no lubrication. As a matter of fact, if I do lubricate, I can void my warrantee.

Take Colockum's other advice carefully with small amounts of salt. I've found that east side bow hunters are mostly afraid of being in the "real" forests and out in our wet weather. The thickness of our wetside forests scares them and gives them claustrophobia. Also, the size of our Rosies may give them diarrhea and nausea. 

[Coastal_native]

Take Colockum's other advice carefully with small amounts of salt. I've found that east side bow hunters are mostly afraid of being in the "real" forests and out in our wet weather. The thickness of our wetside forests scares them and gives them claustrophobia. Also, the size of our Rosies may give them diarrhea and nausea. 

Nice  :chuckle

[bloodhound]

Ive been hunting with a compound for about 15 years, never owned a sling, no cover for anything, and never had a problem with any of my bows. just keep it out the brush, keep it waxed. if i walk though heavy brush i hold it above me head or ill weave it through the brush in front of me as i walk making sure it doesn't hit any branches. i have seen by dad many times not care as he walked through bushes and pop out on the other side and i notice his quiver is missing, or he busted the pins off in his sight, or the fiber optic strand to the pin is busted out.

[Elk whack master]

Primos bow sling fast and easy, then when you need two hands to climb to where the elk are  your bow will be safe, and not hundreds of feet below you!! well worth the money. Have and extra string handy at home at least and and a compact bow press to put it on just in case your bow shop and your buddy that can do it for you are all gone when you need then. could really save your hunt! Good luckwith your archery adventures!!!

[Elk whack master]

Oh yeah a range fider comes in handy too. A allan wrench set to tighten anything that a might need tightened in the feild.

[Seabass]

You used the term " west side tough" and then wanted to know how to protect your bow? I have heard the term Montana tough or country strong but never west side tough.

[Coastal_native]

You used the term " west side tough" and then wanted to know how to protect your bow? I have heard the term Montana tough or country strong but never west side tough.

West side toughness can only be trully appreciated through experience. 

When the vegetation is so thick that you spend more time falling and rolling over brush than you do walking....when you can literally spend all morning trying to get a few hundred yards...when the rain is so hard and the brush is so thick that waterproof durable clothing is something that only exists in Narnia...when your wife is always complaining about fir needles, everygreen huck leaves, and moss showing up in the bed sheets and clogging up the washer machine...when your arms are so scared up from crab apple that you can't grow hair anymore...when "spot and stalk" is replaced with "stalk and hopefully spot"....

Those are just a few situatons that give a person westside toughness.

[bloodhound]

when you say to your buddy i don't want to pack anything out of that he ll hole, then see an animal and go in after it anyway. that is west side tough!

[pianoman9701]

when you say to your buddy i don't want to pack anything out of that he ll hole, then see an animal and go in after it anyway. that is west side tough!

This could turn into something like the Chuck Norris thread.[/i

When you're used to tying elk down so they don't slide down the hill while you're cutting them up, you might be hunting the wetside.

[billythekidrock]

You used the term " west side tough" and then wanted to know how to protect your bow? I have heard the term Montana tough or country strong but never west side tough.

West side toughness can only be trully appreciated through experience. 

When the vegetation is so thick that you spend more time falling and rolling over brush than you do walking....when you can literally spend all morning trying to get a few hundred yards...when the rain is so hard and the brush is so thick that waterproof durable clothing is something that only exists in Narnia...when your wife is always complaining about fir needles, everygreen huck leaves, and moss showing up in the bed sheets and clogging up the washer machine...when your arms are so scared up from crab apple that you can't grow hair anymore...when "spot and stalk" is replaced with "stalk and hopefully spot"....

Those are just a few situatons that give a person westside toughness.

When you have to explain to people that "it's not a rash on my arm, face, leg.....it's Devils Club.

When you walk a windfall 8 feet off the ground.....and the "brush" is still 8 feet over your head.

[bloodhound]

if you've ever had to pack a deer over more trees then around em, thats west side tough.

[foambeetle]

if you've ever considered the merits of an avalanche beacon as you drop into a nasty hole after an elk

[robodad]

When you climb onto a stump and there is enough room for both you and your buddy to set up a lawn chair and a cooler beside the 75' tree growing out of the center of it, you just might be huntin the west side !!

[bloodhound]

if you hear more animals then you see, thats west side tough!

[JLS]

You used the term " west side tough" and then wanted to know how to protect your bow? I have heard the term Montana tough or country strong but never west side tough.

West side toughness can only be trully appreciated through experience. 

When the vegetation is so thick that you spend more time falling and rolling over brush than you do walking....when you can literally spend all morning trying to get a few hundred yards...when the rain is so hard and the brush is so thick that waterproof durable clothing is something that only exists in Narnia...when your wife is always complaining about fir needles, everygreen huck leaves, and moss showing up in the bed sheets and clogging up the washer machine...when your arms are so scared up from crab apple that you can't grow hair anymore...when "spot and stalk" is replaced with "stalk and hopefully spot"....

Those are just a few situatons that give a person westside toughness.

Having lived in Grays Harbor as a kid, I'll say that it's got nothing on Northern Idaho when it comes to brush!

[Seabass]

You guys realize that there are a lot places in the west that have thick brush and big vertical drops. I took a couple coasties to Wyoming with me a few years ago and it took them 2 days to catch their breath.

[pianoman9701]

Try and have some fun. It lightens the load.

[BULLBLASTER]

There Is thick brush everywhere. But the my brush isthicker than yours.are always funny. Like my dad can beat up.your.dad!
The nastiest I.have been in has been a blackberry choked clearcut on westside. Those are hideous... tasty... but hideous to manouger through.
Just be careful working through brush and your bow.will be fine. They are.sturdy pieces of equipment.

[colockumelk]

JLS and Seabass don't worry all their talk is trying to compensate for their tiny 3pt (aka 2pt with eyeguards) German shephard sized deer and their monster 220" bull elk. 

[bloodhound]

You guys realize that there are a lot places in the west that have thick brush and big vertical drops. I took a couple coasties to Wyoming with me a few years ago and it took them 2 days to catch their breath.

taking guys used to 200' to 5000-10,000' yahh there gonna have some breathing issues!

[pianoman9701]

There Is thick brush everywhere. But the my brush isthicker than yours.are always funny. Like my dad can beat up.your.dad!
The nastiest I.have been in has been a blackberry choked clearcut on westside. Those are hideous... tasty... but hideous to manouger through.
Just be careful working through brush and your bow.will be fine. They are.sturdy pieces of equipment.

I hunted Winston in the late season. I was going downhill through some really thick reprod and started getting into the blackberries. At one point, I fell in a burrow that was completely covered and almost broke my leg. My arms and legs were really bleeding from all of the thorn rips. Later that day, we got stopped on a license check and when I handed the gamie my license, he saw the blood all over my hand and got curious really fast, even after I explained it got there from pushing through the blackberries. That thick stuff mixed with blackberries is the pits.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

There Is thick brush everywhere. But the my brush isthicker than yours.are always funny. Like my dad can beat up.your.dad!
The nastiest I.have been in has been a blackberry choked clearcut on westside. Those are hideous... tasty... but hideous to manouger through.
Just be careful working through brush and your bow.will be fine. They are.sturdy pieces of equipment.

I hunted Winston in the late season. I was going downhill through some really thick reprod and started getting into the blackberries. At one point, I fell in a burrow that was completely covered and almost broke my leg. My arms and legs were really bleeding from all of the thorn rips. Later that day, we got stopped on a license check and when I handed the gamie my license, he saw the blood all over my hand and got curious really fast, even after I explained it got there from pushing through the blackberries. That thick stuff mixed with blackberries is the pits.

Had a similar experience, man I hate blackberries !!
Also just does not seem like I tried hard enough, until I follow an "easy" trail down into a creek bottom, slip on the mud, reach out for something, and get a handful of Devils Club !

[huntndad]

Your bow is going to get wet, so make sure to take care of it and wax it up when you get home.  Accessories are what you need to worry about while hunting.  A quality sight with protected fibers is most important on my list.  I've had more fibers break than I can count.  Next, is a good quiver that will actually hold your arrows when crawling through the thick stuff.  My Tightspot quiver does a pretty good job at this, although I did lose one arrow this year.  I'm sure there are others that work well, but most of the cheap stuff will let you down. 
One last piece of advice is to always check your equipment after you take a hard fall, which you will.  Two years ago I fell face first and landed hard on my bow.  I did a quick check and everything looked fine.  The next morning I had an elk coming in so I nocked an arrow.  The elk never gave me a shot, which turned out to be a blessing because when I look at my arrow, it was just kind of dangling there, cracked right in the middle.  I proceeded to check the rest of my arrows, and 3 of the 6 were broke.

[yajsab]

All good suggestions already.  If the Iceman is like my Admiral, you should consider carrying a backup string and a big allen wrench to change the string.  Don't need a press.

[colockumelk]

All good suggestions already.  If the Iceman is like my Admiral, you should consider carrying a backup string and a big allen wrench to change the string.  Don't need a press.

The Iceman is your Admiral only it has a single cam system rather than the binary cam.