Bow Quiver or Hip Quiver???

Triple C

Well-Known Member
For you trad shooters, which do you prefer? I switch back and forth between bow quiver and hip quiver. Right now I'm using the hip quiver. I like the ease of sitting in a stand with arrow nocked and bow lying across my lap or rail where the bow quiver would normally be positioned. Plus, the bow feels like a feather in my hand compared to when I use the bow quiver.

Back when I got reintroduced to archery, somewhere around 1989 or 1990, we had a local shop owned by one of the legends of modern day archery in GA - Dan Quillian. He ran a great shop, Archery Traditions, and sold all manner of bows but his personal preference was the longbow. He always used a hip quiver as he didn't want anything on his bow.

I've switched back and forth but this year am starting out with the same hip quiver I bought from him many years ago.
 
I like a bow quiver for quick access to arrows. I have used hip quivers in the past, and they always tend to get hung up on brush with moving or flip around the tree when trying to extract a follow up arrow if I (gasp) miss :). I also have a Cat Quiver (small one) attached to one of my packs which I really like as well. I also own a Cedar Ridge side quiver with full back board that is the best side quiver that I have ever used if you are sold on a side quiver. With bow quivers I like bolt on much more than slip on.
 
I like a bow quiver for quick access to arrows. I have used hip quivers in the past, and they always tend to get hung up on brush with moving or flip around the tree when trying to extract a follow up arrow if I (gasp) miss :). I also have a Cat Quiver (small one) attached to one of my packs which I really like as well. I also own a Cedar Ridge side quiver with full back board that is the best side quiver that I have ever used if you are sold on a side quiver. With bow quivers I like bolt on much more than slip on.
Just a few of my opinions. I have a lot of them I am told :).
 
I've used both. Prefer the hip quiver as I like shooting without anything on bow. With that said, I currently have one on the bow. The older bows were sometimes more stabilized with a quiver attached but don't think that is necessary with newer ones. I never carry more than 2 maybe 3 arrows, and the hip or back quiver just simpler. I've belly crawled on stalks before and easy to detach hip quiver and leave behind and bow mount quiver is a pain under those conditions. Problem? You leave the hip quiver laying somewhere while still hunting making the last leg of a stalk, and then can't find it. Hey, it happens.
 
I have been switching back and forth between a side quiver and a bow quiver. I am going back to the bow quiver this year. I like using a side quiver but I always have some type of pack and I just can't seem to ever get the quiver to stay put where I want it. If you go with a side quiver I highly recommend a Safari Tuff. That is what I used last year and was very pleased with it. I also have a Bowmate that is a great quiver just heavier. If you decide to go with a bow quiver check out Big Jim's they are the lightest that I have seen.
 
Bow quiver for me for several reasons.
I actually shoot a little better with a little more weight on my bow, but it could be because it's just what I'm used to.

I like having my bow and arrows as a unit. When I arrive at my tree, all I have to do is clip my bow and arrows onto the haul line and climb up. If I used a hip quiver, I'd also have it to deal with separately because I'd never climb with a hip full of broad heads.

Then, there's the "in-the-tree" issues. Sitting in the stand won't work well with a hip so it would need to be hung from the tree. Another hook to screw-in. Just something else to deal with and sometimes even in the way for shots toward the back of the tree. The more stuff hanging from the tree, the more chance that something will get in the way. With the arrows on the bow, I can quickly haul up and hang the entire unit easily and things are out of the way.
And sometimes seconds count when climbing into the stand. If the sounds of your approach to the stand are right, then deer sometimes actually come to check you out. Getting into the tree quickly and being ready for a shot is important. Fooling around with another piece of gear (hip quiver) just takes more time and movement.

Another thing...Judo arrows don't work well with a hip quiver. I always carry a judo-tipped arrow. They're good for the obvious use (small game, practice shots, etc) but they are also great for a better low-impact approach to stands. I constantly use my judo to flick twigs and other debris for quieter walking. The weight of a human foot on pristine, dry leaves is alarming to game. Using a judo to thin-out a spot to place my foot sound like squirrels or turkeys rooting around in the leaves...and not like a human trying to sneak when it's impossible to do so. I also use the judo to move rose or raspberry out of the way that would otherwise catch on my clothes. Moving stuff out of the way also leaves less human odor along the approach trail.
Sometimes, there's just no place to step without snapping twigs. I can flick them out of the way with the judo. A little low impact noise is far better than the snapping and crunching sounds of a human trying to sneak. I love my judo and they don't pull in/out of a hip quiver very well.
Yep, bow quiver for me.
 
Phheewww, what a topic- seems that every trad shooter has a rock solid preference, and they change every year! I've been around the horn: bow, side, back, hip, you name it. I had a Catquiver for years, and loved it, but for me, a Great Northern strap on bow quiver is hands down my favorite. Light, quiet, and east to attach/detach quickly and quietly, it's the best I've used.
 
I personally like Kwikee Kwiver. I like it because it comes off easy and I have an extra mount on the side of my climber for bow hunting to hook it to. That makes it easy if need another quick arrow.
 
Many years ago I shot my recurves with a quiver attached. During the next Summer (1968), I shot without it, and never went back to a bow with a quiver.
It's more trouble to maneuver with a hip quiver, but I mostly just slipped in, climbed a tree to one of my Chain On Stands, and hung it on the tree. Now, I've been grounded, so I plan to hunt with a crossbow from the ground. I'll mount my quiver on my pack, and set it within reach.
 
I used a side quiver this season. I have decided to go back to a bow quiver for next year. I will keep the side quiver for stump shooting and small game hunting.
 
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