I have thoroughly enjoyed my transition from compounds to trad and understand the Popular Mechanics trend dicussed today. However, I am a bowHunter and still want to increase my chance for a quick, ethical kill (in this case aid recovery). I have never shot a turkey with a bow, but realize it is a tall order, and thanks to some great vital pictures I found on this sight I feel comfortable in where to aim. So my question is: What experiences do any of you have? Is a tracker worth using or is it breaking into the popular mechancis ground-- "one more thing to fail" "non-trad" or more importantly "non effective" . I am still relying on my skill to make the shot and won't take a marginal one because the "magical" tracker will solve the problem of a bad shot. I just want to recover my kill, because I hear even a "dead" bird can cover a lot of ground. Plus I am on the edge of a suburban area and would like to keep a low profile on any tracking jobs. Thanks.
Do a search. Guru has some great posts on setting up and using string trackers.
Never tried one, but I was just looking through some back issues of Traditional Bowhunter magazine this evening and in the Apr/May 2007 issue there was an article on them by Guru (Curt Cabrera). I'm sure he could give you some good advice on them.
click here for String Tracker How To (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000094)
Hope this helps...a lot of stuff can be found under the "how to" section archives or doing a "search" function for all forums. Show us some pictures of your success!
thanks for the help. I usually use the search function but for some reason I guess I forgot this time. I was on line all day recovering from minor surgery so I guess I was a little out of it. Found Guru's post as well as other helpful ones. Good luck to all you turkey hunters. Still wouldn't mind hearing more tracker stories.
The string tracker is a valuable aid in retrieving turkeys. It's not majic or even high tec... predates compound bows by years.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas5.jpg)
I have lost turkeys even with the string tracker, so there is no guarentee, but it increases odds greatly, especially in thick areas where stricken birds might get to cover. (they will hide on ya!)
A mortally wounded bird usually doesn't go far, but might.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas6.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas7.jpg)
And another turkey hunting string tracker story (http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=065656#000000)
I've used them for years also. Have harvested pigs, turkey, and whitetail w/ a string attached. I have a hard time hunting anything in a steady rain w/out one and find them invaluable. I have of late made the transition to the Magnus BullHead when turkey hunting tho as I believe the kill zone is just as big when aiming at the head w/ a 3 + in/ broadhead rather than fist sized vital w/ a 1.25" head. With the "decapitator" style head it's an easy kill or miss. Shoot them in the body and the big head will break a few feathers, but will bounce off leavine the bird no worse for wear.
Just my $.02
I just ordered a new Widow handle to go with some extra limbs I have on hand and ordered it with a stablizer bushing expressly for the purpose of using a string tracker. Turkey hunting with a recutve has always been a challenge for me and if I am fortunate enough to connect, I want the best chance possible at recovering the bird. A number of people who are far more experienced than I have suggested that this is the best way to go in terms of set-up.
Claudia
I see no problems with using one.
i have lost several birds that probably wouldnt have been lost if i had been using one, i use one now. and loose less. The margin of error is great, i also agree with lowbow , i have bounced a bullhead of the wing butt and the bird was not hurt at all ( until my second shot that it is)