Backup Bow: Should You Buy One?

May 22, 2023

You’re going on the hunt of a lifetime or entering November with one specific buck in mind. What will you do if your bow or one of its components goes down? Is it time for a backup bow?

Some archery pro shops offer consignment bows. Shown here are used compounds on display at Schaffer Archery in Burnsville, Minnesota. These bows are inspected before offered to the public and then priced to sell. (Photo by Dave Maas)

I was roaming Idaho's mountains when I noticed it — my bowsight's scope was loose. That's weird, I thought as I wiggled it while trying to pinpoint the issue. That's when I noticed one of the bolts that attach it to the bracket was missing. Perhaps vibrations from shooting had loosened the bolt over time, and then it finally fell out somewhere up the mountain. Regardless, my morning was over because my bow was out of commission.

I had two options: I could drive 45 minutes to the nearest town and pray that the hardware store had a bolt to fit my sight. Or, I could simply pull out my backup bow, which was sighted in and ready to go. Obviously, I did the latter and was back hunting in no time. I even killed a mature cow elk with my backup compound on that hunt.

It was the first time I’d ever carried a backup bow on a hunting trip, and man was I glad I did. No, I hadn't blown a bowstring or cracked a limb, but picking up a bow that was ready to go was ultra-convenient. Further, my eyes were opened to the fact that equipment mishaps happen when we least expect them, and often at the most inopportune times.

Whether you have a dream hunting trip scheduled that you’ve finally saved up enough money to do, or you’re taking a week-long vacation from work in November to pursue rutting whitetails every waking second of daylight, having a backup bow ready to roll can redeem your hunt should something go south with your primary rig.

Ideally, a backup bow should be very similar to your primary bow in fit and feel. If it isn't the same make and model, at least the same make will be beneficial; it will feel similar to your primary rig. Regardless, go with all of the same accessories, if possible. The closer everything is to your first-string setup, the easier the transition to your second-string bow will be in the event of an unforeseen breakdown. Of course, I realize not everyone has the money to purchase two identical new bows decked with accessories.

If you choose not to spend the money to buy matching bows, peruse the used market to see if you can find something similar to your primary bow but for hundreds cheaper. If that's still too expensive, try shopping for an entry-level bow that you can afford. And if that's still too steep, lower your standards and look for any bow that is safe to shoot and can be set to your draw length.

If you have no money at all to put toward a backup bow and you have friends or family who hunt, ask around and see if anyone has an old dinosaur under their bed or hanging in their garage that they no longer use. You might have to replace the string/cables, and maybe it won't shoot accurately for you out to 40 yards like your primary bow. But, hopefully, you can be deadly with it at 25.

Once you have a backup bow, don't underestimate the importance of shooting it and staying familiar with it. That will keep your confidence high in the event you have to substitute it for your primary bow when an unforeseen breakdown strikes.

While this article is about backup bows, I can't finish without providing some alternatives that can help save your hunt from an equipment nosedive. While it can't solve every possible equipment failure, a portable bow press and extra bowstring-and-cable set are smart to have on hand. Don't forget loop material, serving thread and an extra peep sight. String-related issues are probably one of the more common breakdowns, and having the means to address the problem on the spot is priceless.

Newer Mathews bows are compatible with the Mathews S.A.S. (Stay Afield System), which gives you the ability to service the bow without a bow press. Most of APA Archery's bows have a built-in Tool Center, which includes a Cam Lock Pin, alleviating bowstring tension without a bow press. Finally, Elite Archery's Hunt Guarantee is a nice "insurance policy." If your Elite bow is damaged during your hunt, Elite will ship out an accessorized bow in your specs the following day so you can keep hunting.

This is a roundabout option, but for married folks, if your wife or kids want to shoot archery recreationally, it makes great sense to set them up with a widely adjustable bow such as the Diamond Alter, Mission Hammr or Bear Cruzer G3. These can adjust to fit virtually any archer, so should your primary bow go out of commission, you could borrow your wife's or kid's bow and adjust it to your specs and continue hunting until your primary bow is fixed.

Equipment malfunction or breakdown is a reality that can strike without warning. When it does, will you be ready to address the situation immediately so that you can keep hunting, or will you be at the mercy of waiting on a dealer to fix your primary bow?