When it comes to survival planning, a bow and arrow is not usually at the top of many preppers’ lists. In fact, many times it’s an afterthought that is brought along, but due to its awkward size is left in the vehicle or at the bugout location. That is, until now. The Scout bow, from Survival Archery Systems (along with their entire line of takedown bows) offers a compact, fully functional bow that can be a virtual life saver in many survival situations. With the Scout in-hand, I had the opportunity to examine its construction, ease-of-assembly, and its performance, and I must say (spoiler alert) that it was both a fun and informative ride.

Examining the Survival Archery System Scout

The Scout, upon first look, is impressive. The bow was delivered disassembled into three pieces: the riser, made from aerospace grade T6 aluminum, and two limbs, constructed of high-quality composite material. The limb-retaining plate is composed of carbon fiber, while the included hardware utilizes marine-grade 316 stainless steel. A 16-strand B50 Dacron Endless loop string (60 inches), one brass nock set, one Velcro security strap, and a full owner’s manual was also included.

My first observation was the solidness of the parts. I’ve tested other bows in the past, and many looked like the real deal, but upon handling the parts, they were noticeably inferior in quality of materials and overall construction. The Scout was nothing like those others. Instead, this bow’s overall feel was that of quality craftsmanship with top tier materials to back it up. I definitely was liking the Scout before even taking my first shot. 

Ease of Assembly & Storage

Without a doubt, the biggest advantage the Scout has over other bows is its ability to “break down” into a compact, easily storable and carriable unit. For hunting, it makes gear hauling a sheer joy. For survival situations, it can go where larger or more difficult to disassemble bows can’t, including a backpack, emergency bag, or hidden from others in confined locations. The Scout doesn’t require any tools for assembly or break-down, which is advantageous when on the go. A lost tool, for other bows, would mean you would have to do without it, and when the you-know-what hits the fan, this could be severely life-threatening.

The Scout is especially designed for both right-handed and left-handed people. Just flip the limbs and you’re good to go with whichever hand is needed. Though the unit didn’t come with a carry bag, I had several options on hand to test this unit’s ease of storage and carry. Both my slim backpack and emergency-use duffle bag had no issues housing the Scout and it’s accessories. The weight (roughly 2.80 pounds) was not excessive or noticeable upon slinging the bags over my shoulder and carrying them for quite a distance into the nearby woods. 

Shooting the Scout

Just as I was amazed at the weight and solidness of the bow upon first handling, it was also quite noticeable upon shooting. It took a bit to get used to, but once I did, the arrows were flying and hitting their marks. The draw weight was perfect for me and the release was smooth. I shot first outdoors, which emulated a hunting excursion, as well as indoors at an archery range. The 3-D targets at the range were “taken down” with ease with the Scout. The worker at the indoor range was also amazed that my bow actually fit inside my backpack, something that he hand’t ever seen before.

Survival Archery Systems recommended to use 500 or 600 spine feather fletched arrows, which I did buy while waiting for my bow to arrive. They were ideal for my 45# bow. I would, though, highly recommend buying takedown arrows to complement your takedown bow. This way you will be able to carry and store your arrows (in takedown form) with your bow and not have to worry about a part of the arrows protruding from your bag. Survival Archery Systems does offer takedown arrows for sale on its website. 

Numerous Positives & a Minor Negative

The Scout is an amazing piece of outdoor gear. It can function as both a hunting weapon and a self-defense weapon if a worst case scenario comes your way. You can’t afford to put your trust into a bow that can snap, break, or is difficult to assemble or carry, and the Scout is no such bow. Made in the U.S., the craftsmanship and quality of materials is some of the best I’ve seen while reviewing bows of all types over the years. It offers a plethora of benefits for the user, with the only negative that I could find, and it’s a minor one at that, is the lack of a carrying bag for the bow when broken down.

While it does fit nicely in most backpacks and even a few larger sling bags on the market, a dedicated made-for-the-Scout bag would allow it to become its own unit inside my B.O.B. and easier to retrieve with one simple grab. Again, just a suggestion more than a full-scale drawback. With the unit affordably priced and available on SurvivalArcherySystems.com, I wouldn’t hesitate to acquire one or more of these compact wonders. 

Survival Archery System Scout Specs

• Bow Overall Length: 60 inches (strung), 22 inches (stored) 
• Arrow Speed: Up to 200 ft/s for 50#
• String Compatibility: B50 Dracon 166 strand endless loop 
• Maximum Draw Length: 31 inches 
• Draw Weight: 40#, 45#, 50#, 55#
• Arrows: Recommended 500 or 600 spine feather fletched arrow or SAS takedown arrows (not included)
• MSRP: $159.95