Carrying a crossbow cross-country puts the string at risk. This is especially true if you’re headed to a tree stand in the dark, where any branch can snag 
the string or cables and quickly ruin a much-anticipated hunt.
I had this problem compounded on a recent elk hunt in Wyoming, where I had to climb nearly an hour each morning in the dark through thick pine forests, over dead-falls, twisted tree tops, and other obstacles that threatened to damage my bow string.
I attached a LimbSaver sling to the Excalibur bow, which made carrying it over my shoulder very comfortable. But as I ducked under branches and squeezed between tree trunks, I could never know what was happening to the string over my shoulder. After one morning’s climb, I could see that the string was frayed from tree branch damage.
A partial solution was to re-wax my bow string with Limbsaver String Protectant, which reduced the risk of fraying.
Secondly, it occurred to me that my hunting jacket would fit over the bow, meaning that I could zip up the jacket with the sling exposed.
I used a Limbsaver Kodiak Lite compound bow sling made specifically for crossbows. Its wide, no-slip strap made the carry secure and comfortable. In this way, the entire bow-string, scope, and bolts were protected.
On two occasions, the brush was so thick that bolts tore lose from the bow-quiver and were lost in the darkness. Finally, I wanted to keep my outer jacket perspiration-free, and this method helped in the scent elimination quest as well. I found that the solution worked equally well with the bow cocked or relaxed, as shown in the accompanying image.
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