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One of the most effective ways to defend yourself and guarantee yourself a steady supply of food when going on extending camping trips is to have a reliable bow and arrow. But there is a lot to take into account when finding the right bow for you and your survival needs, and with the number of bows available on the market, finding the perfect one for you can easily become overwhelming. Read on to learn about what to look for in bows and some of the best bows you can buy.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Survival Bow
Best Survival Bows Comparison Chart
Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Samick Sage  | ||
Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set  | ||
Spectre II Compact Takedown Bow  | ||
Southland Archery Supply SAS Spirit 62" Take Down Recurve Bow  | ||
Toparchery Archery 56" Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow  |
Can Any Bow Be Used for Survival?
While any effective bow can certainly be used to defend yourself in a dire circumstance, there are definitely some makes and models of bows that are better designed for survival purposes. Survival bows differ from regular recreational bows in a number of ways.
One type of bow is designed for simple target practice, and one bow is designed for keeping yourself alive. This is not to say that you cannot take a survival bow down to your shooting range and have a great time with it; of course you can.
Survival bows are designed for their portability, accuracy, speed, and ease of shooting, while regular bows are often designed for their power and their aesthetic appeal.
Survival bows can also be strong and gorgeously made – it is just that in the moment when a bear is charging at you, you may be a bit more concerned with how quickly you can defend yourself than with how fancy your bow looks.
How to Choose a Survival Bow
There are many factors you should take into consideration when choosing a good bow for survival purposes. We have broken out the main ones as follows:
Ease of Use
First and foremost, you want to make sure you are actually going to be able to shoot your bow when you need to. Most survival bows are designed to be less labor-intensive and typically require less advance archery knowledge. You are going to want one that is also easy to assemble and disassemble when necessary.
Shooting a bow (Source)
Weight
You are going to be carrying your survival bow around with you for potentially miles and miles of hard hiking – you need something that is not going to weigh you down too much. Often, survival bows are made of fiberglass and other substances that are extremely hardy yet also extremely light. You can explore bows that are made out of different combinations of materials as well – often bow limbs can be a mixture of fiberglass and wood, both of which are materials on the lighter side.
Accuracy
This is potentially the most important quality for any bow, but particularly one you are using either to gather your own food or defend yourself from harm. You want to make sure your bow shoots accurately, and there is nothing in the limbs, the string, or the riser that could compromise your ability to get an arrow right where you want it.
Review of the Best Survival Bows
Keep in mind what you have learned so far about the good qualities of survival bows – now, let’s look at some of the actual bows themselves.
1. Samick Sage
Pros
Cons
The Samick Sage is a greater starter bow for those who are new to archery and unfamiliar with some aspects of the sport. It is on the lighter side, meaning you may not get as sore after shooting a bow for the first time and using all those muscles you did not even know you had!
Additionally, its lighter weight makes it more portable than many other bows available. It is extremely quiet, so you do not have to worry about scaring off your target if you are using it for live hunting in the wilderness. Users report that the grip feels natural and it is easy to catch on to the fundamentals of archery when using the Samick Sage.
Bottom Line
The Samick Sage is a great starter bow for anyone interested in beginning to explore archery and find a good bow that you can easily carry along with you when camping out in the woods. If you eventually become more advanced in your archery skills and want to swap out a lighter limb for one that is heavier, make sure you calibrate your shooting to the new limb because sometimes accuracy is impacted when changing out limbs with this bow.
2. Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set
Pros
Cons
The Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set is designed by the same makers as those who produce the Samick Sage reviewed above, so you know you are getting good quality when you buy a Spyder. The Spyder bow set is even more beginner-friendly than the Sage.
It is easily assembled and quite lightweight, meaning it is simple for someone who is unfamiliar with archery to try out shooting a bow without needing to grapple with something more intense and inflexible.
This bow is also a fantastic choice for packing along when hiking, camping, or hunting – its lighter weight and smaller size make it easy to carry and overall a lot less bulky than other bows. But do not think its size is a compromise on its power – this bow is still deadly accurate and able to do some serious damage. You can rest assured knowing this bow will protect you but not wear you out in the process.
Bottom Line
The Southwest Archery Spyder Takedown Recurve Bow and Arrow Set is an awesome archery set from the reliable Spyder brand. Whether you are a new archer, someone who is looking for something small and light to haul on the hunt, or someone looking for a bow that’s easy to use in moments of quick self-defense, the Spyder will have you covered. The only drawback to this bow is some users report struggles with stringing it properly.
3. Spectre II Compact Takedown Bow
Pros
Cons
The Spectre II Compact Takedown Bow is a true gem in the world of camping and survival bows. It can actually be broken down easily into its composite pieces, and once the whole thing is dissembled, the riser, the limbs, the string, AND the arrows can all fit inside the provided quiver!
You would be hard pressed to find a bow more compact or convenient than the Spectre. In order to be broken down easily, the Spectre’s designers kept this bow pretty simple – and that has another added benefit in that you can use this bow for practically any style of archery.
Its versatility even extends to its handedness – ambidextrous users report being able to use the Spectre in both their left and right-handed stances. All in all, the Spectre is a great option that can fit in any camping pack.
Bottom Line
The Spectre II Compact Takedown Bow is a fantastic bow for bringing along on your camping and hiking trips. If you are looking for a bow that shoots well, is versatile, and is potentially the easiest bow to transport out of all other models, look no further than the Spectre. We would recommend wiping the bow down with a damp cloth when it first arrives and before any serious use to prevent getting splinters.
4. Southland Archery Supply SAS Spirit 62” Take Down Recurve Bow
Pros
Cons
The Southland Archery Supply SAS Spirit 62” Take Down Recurve Bow is possibly one of the most beautiful bows available on the market today. Do not let its beauty fool you, though – this bow can definitely get the job done!
Users report its sculpted wooden handle is easy to grip and draw, and its pretty white fiberglass limbs flex easily regardless of a user’s strength or ability. The string is made of genuine beaver fur, which guarantees one of the quietest shots you will ever make, making this bow an excellent choice for hunting.
Although it is easy to use, do not let that fool you into thinking this is just a beginner’s bow. Beginner archers will find this bow simple and approachable, but it is also a great option for those who are seeking a practice bow to try out different styles of archery and enhance their shooting skills.
Bottom Line
The Southland Archery Supply SAS Spirit 62” Take Down Recurve Bow is an awesome, gorgeous bow that may just cause you to fall in love at first sight. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this bow is also a great choice for both those new to archery and those seeking to develop their shot.
Some considerations to make – for completely new archers, the assembly instructions will likely not be helpful, and you will also need to buy your own arrow rest and sight for this beauty.
5. Toparchery Archery 56” Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow
Pros
Cons
The Toparchery Archery 56” Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow is a great recurve bow for hunting. This bow is probably better suited to users with more archery experience than it would be for beginners, especially those entirely new to the sport. This is not to say it is not easy to use – far from it.
The Toparchery Recurve has rubber grips on the riser, making it quick and easy to grab onto. It is well constructed and will last you a long time. If you are familiar and well-practiced in traditional archery, the Toparchery Recurve is your ideal bow for hunting or survival purposes.
It is specifically designed to be a survival bow and be a resource for you in situations where you have to think fast or provide your own sustenance in the wilderness.
Bottom Line
The Toparchery Archery 56” Takedown Hunting Recurve Bow is an awesome bow for those users with a little bit more experience in basic archery. Knowledge of bow construction and use is helpful when using the Toparchery Recurve, particularly when it comes to assembling it, as this bow does not come with a user’s manual and may require the purchase of additional items. With the speed, power, and accuracy the Toparchery Recurve provides, though, it will all be worth it in the end.
Conclusion
Survival bows are a great way to make sure you feel safe and protected while you are out hunting or camping. There are a variety of awesome survival bows available for you, and it is important to pick the right one for your own purposes. Take into account the bow’s weight, its accuracy, its structure, and its quality of design, and we guarantee you will end up with a bow that will leave you satisfied.