What would you need if you wanted to carry your arrows with you while bowhunting?
Well, with the overall length arrows have it would be awkward if it was not just right out dangerous to carry razor sharp, broadhead tipped arrows in your pockets the way gun hunters can carry their ammunition.

A bowhunting quiver is a necessity for safely carrying your broadhead tipped arrows. The type of quiver you use depends on the type of hunting you do and then, mainly on your personal preference. There has to be some consideration for the shooting style of the individual and most importantly the safety aspect of what the arrows are carried in.
Whatever your choice, safety should be uppermost in your mind while choosing the best quiver for you.

When selecting a hunting quiver there are four basic forms or styles to choose from:
The Quick-Detach Bow Quiver
The Hip Quiver
The Solid Mount Bow Quiver
The Back Quiver

The Quick-Detach Bow Quiver
The most popular type of quiver nowadays is the quick-detach bow quiver. These are for the most part solidly constructed but you should watch out for the ones that are noisy and rattle when shooting. Most bowhunters using this type of quiver will detatch it from the bow when sitting in a tree stand or blind while waiting for a shot. In this way the extra weight of the quiver and arrows is not on the bow if and when the shot presents itself. This quiver, like all others, should have a strong hood to securely hold the broadhead tipped arrows.
Most quick detach quivers have a sound dampening screw or some other attachment for that helps eliminate sound.
Shooting a quick detach quiver while it is attached to the bow, though safe, is not advisable. Most times noise will be a factor.
The added weight of the arrows and quiver, which on most quick detach quivers, is way off to the side will adversely affect how the bow shoots. It cants the bow awkwardly and if the bowhunter is not used to this situation, may find the arrow is not hitting the intended spot.
These, for the most part, are the least expensive if the quivers.

The Hip Quivers
Hip quivers are a favorite of many bowhunters. Most of these quivers are held by a belt attached to the waist of the bowhunter and they also attach to the lower thigh with a strap or string to hold them closely so they don't swing excessively as you move through the woods. These quivers have the added advantage of not weighing down the bow or the arms of the archer while carrying the bow or shooting it.
The best hip quivers are solid one-piece design that attach to or have a belt on them. They can easily be taken off when in a blind or tree stand. They must be solidly constructed so the broadhead sits in a solid hood that protects the bowhunter from accidental cuts.
Many of the hip quivers are now manufactured to hold the open on impact broadheads and have a second arrow clip to hold the arrow even more securely.
This type of quiver is easily detached and placed for easy access while hunting from a stand or blind.
Care must be taken to insure the hip quiver is properly attached so it doesn't swing around when the bowhunter is walking about while hunting or stalking game.
This type of quiver is in the medium range as to prices.

The Solid Mount Bow Quiver
Solid mounted bow quivers are some of the most reliable quivers made since they become part of the bow itself. These are the choice of many bowhunters out there who hunt for animals where there are many open spaces where the bowhunter can stalk game. As their name implies they are mounted solidly on the bow itself.
They hold the arrow closely to the bow so there is less of a canting effect on the bow with the arrows placed closer to the midline of the bow than with most quick-detach bow quivers even though it will still be affected to some degree.
With this type of quiver, if you need a second shot the arrow will be close to your hand for the quick second shot if needed. With the arrow securely held in the quiver attached to the bow there is no need to reach about to get an arrow.
With safety in mind make sure the top cap of the quiver completely covers the broadheads and the bottom part holds the arrows securely, but not too tightly so they can easily be withdrawn and placed on the bow for a shot.
This type of quiver will not rattle about like some of the cheaper brands of quick-detach quivers.
This type of quiver tend to be in the high to medium range where price is concerned.

The Back Quivers
For most Traditional bow hunters this is their favorite type of quiver. Most of these are made the traditional way, with leather or animal skin and have the fletching protruding at or over the archer's head for easy access to the arrow.
For more modern bowhunters who still like the traditional approach for their quiver there is also a back quiver. The one many modern bowhunters who use a back quiver have adopted and the one I use is the Cat Quiver.
Cat Quiver style back quivers are fully adjustable for different arrow lengths, comfortable on your back, and have ample room for up to 8 arrows. Cat Quivers are a backpack/quiver combination made in silent fleece fabric for quiet movement. The design places the quiver directly behind your back and head. Arrows are completely shielded and the different backpack sizes allow you to carry whatever you need in gear.
With the Cat Quiver, instead of the arrow over the shoulder arrow removal, you take your arrow out from behind the lower back, at the bottom of the quiver where the broadhead is located. Quivers of these types must be used with caution when using cut on contact design broadheads so the user is not injured by the broadhead when retrieving the arrow.
With open on impact (mechanical) broadheads the design of this quiver is great for easy removal of arrows and quick loading of an arrow on the bow.
There is no awkward excess weight on the bow to unbalance the shot. This is my personal favorite.
These tend to be the most expensive of the quiver types since most have a pack attached to the quiver frame.

How many arrows should a quiver hold?
Most quivers come with a capacity of between 4 and eight arrows. Although some hold 1 to 3 arrows these are not as popular as their bigger brothers. For the most part bowhunters carry whatever number of arrows they feel thoier own personal needs may be. You may be out in an area where there might be a need for a second or third arrow. Say you're hunting rabbits for example, you may require more arrows than if you were hunting out of a tree stand or blind for bear or deer where the chance of needing more than one arrow would be less. You may be lucky enough to be going to a place where you are able to harvest multiple big game animals of the same or different species in a single hunt therefore the need for more arrows in that particular situation.
I usually only carry four broadhead tipped arrows for big game hunting along with a Judo point tipped arrow for small game just in case the need arises.

Whatever type of quiver you choose, make sure it is safe and noise free. Nothing will upset you while in the hunting woods like a rattlin' quiver.

And remember:
Wait!!! The ethical shot may just present itself if you wait for it.
Wait!!! The recommended time before pursuing an arrow shot game animal.
Always check your equipment, be prepared and hunt safe.
The "best" broadhead is a razor sharp one.
Wear your fall restraint while hunting from an elevated stand.
Good hunting.

Ricky Comeau

"An archer wants to see how far away from the target he can get and still hit it.
A bowhunter wants to see how close he can get to his target before he shoots."
Dr. Mark Timney