Q.  Each year I do a lot of bowhunting near my home—primarily for whitetails out of treestands—but I’d also like to travel out West for elk and mule deer, which would probably mean backpacking in. In both cases, what kind of bow-servicing equipment would you suggest carrying along in my pack to be ready for the majority of in-the-field emergency repairs? Are there any things you’d suggest to help “bullet-proof” my setup (single-cam compound, drop-away rest, 5-pin fiber-optic sight) to guard against potential problems?

C.R., Michigan

Via E-mail

A.  Probably the best way to answer your question is to tell you what I do under similar circumstances. What I pack in terms of “bow servicing” equipment depends on how I travel en route to my hunting site. If I am traveling by car for the entire trip then I don’t hesitate to take along everything but the kitchen sink. I always carry a backup bow complete with quiver attached. That usually obviates any need for major equipment repairs, but I don’t take any chances that something unforeseen won’t happen. I have a toolbox full of appropriate tools, spare strings, string-making necessities, arrow rests, bolts, nuts, several types of adhesives, scissors, nocksets, sliders, string wax, points, inserts, a couple of portable bow presses, hex wrenches, knives, nock-setting pliers, tape, bobby pins, needles, a bow square, lubricants, and a host of other items that can help in making repairs of most every type. In addition I also have my small “travel by air” kit along which is part of my normal hunting gear. The toolbox only goes along when weight is no problem.

My “travel by air” emergency kit is packed in a fleece-compartmented bag that can be laid out flat in the bottom of my duffle bag, thus occupying minimal space. It contains several packages of spare broadheads, a minimal assortment of tools, hex wrenches, spare nocks, assorted adhesives, a homemade portable bow press, spare bowstring, string-making materials, a small pack of nuts and bolts, nocksets, and some Judo points.

Over the years I have always made most of my own equipment including some bows and arrows so I can usually handle any repair that comes up. I also shot instinctively for many years so I don’t worry about problems with a sight or release aid.

Norb Mullaney

Director of Bow Testing

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