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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Jerry Russell on January 05, 2013, 07:41:00 PM

Title: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Jerry Russell on January 05, 2013, 07:41:00 PM
Recently we have posted a couple of our videos showing a string tracker in use on bear, hogs and deer. I have recieved a ton of request for information on the units so I threw together a little video on selection, set-up and use of the units for big-game. I have used the units for 25+ years for deer, bear, hogs and turkey and I love the things. For those with interest, I hope this helps you.

Jerry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDJzhCZ8k9A&feature=player_detailpage
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: cuboodle on January 05, 2013, 07:56:00 PM
Very well made and informative video
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: stabow on January 05, 2013, 09:26:00 PM
PM sent......stabow
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: bicster on January 05, 2013, 09:43:00 PM
Great video! I was wondering how those worked.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Jack Guard on January 05, 2013, 11:10:00 PM
Excellent Video.  

Well put together, well spoken, and you hit all the key topics.  Very informative also.    

Thanks so much for taking the time.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: azhunter on January 06, 2013, 01:26:00 AM
Very informative video.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Echo62 on January 06, 2013, 01:47:00 AM
Great video, very well done and informative. Thanks for sharing it.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: leatherneck on January 06, 2013, 07:33:00 AM
Funny this subject should come up. We have just been talking about these. Gives a color blind guy like myself more confidence when hunting alone, rain, etc.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: leatherneck on January 06, 2013, 07:45:00 AM
Great video!!!

Have you ever had any issues with the string breaking in this briars, pines, etc. ?
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Jerry Russell on January 06, 2013, 08:38:00 AM
The string is pretty tough. In open areas such as hardwoods, the string will go a very long way most of the time(150-200 yards). The record for me was a single lung shot deer that was shot strait down with no exit hole. That deer went well over 400 yards and never bled externally. We walked right to the deer in just a few minutes. In extreme thick areas which is the norm for us in our hog and bear hunts, You will most times get 70-120 yards which will get you to where the blood is flowing pretty well. The most important thing is that it gets you past the place where the animal begins to calm down and gives you the real direction that he is heading after that first mad dash following the shot. It is the shot that does not have an exit from a tree stand that will make you love these things.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Joshua Polland on January 06, 2013, 11:09:00 AM
Great video, thank you for taking the time to make it. I've been thinking of setting one up for turkey season, I'm sold. Leatherneck, you brought up a good point. My father is color blind as well and tracking a blood trail with him is pretty amusing to say the least. He's a good sport about all the ribbing my brother and I give him. He just reminds us how many more deer he's shot than us:)
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Lunar-Tic on January 06, 2013, 12:07:00 PM
Great idea for turkeys. Thanks for sharing, I never would have thought to remove some string before using. What if you shoot wood arrows, how would you go about attaching the string?
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: longbowben on January 06, 2013, 12:18:00 PM
Great video it cost us a hog last week because we didn't have one Read the thread Blood at the bacon strip.Thanks
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Guru on January 06, 2013, 01:12:00 PM
Nice video Jerry   :thumbsup:  

I've been using string-trackers for turkeys ever since I started hunting them with a bow.

I won't hunt turkeys without one, and will try to talk anyone that will listen to me not to hunt turks without one as well!

Are they foolproof?   No....nothing is....but I guarantee if you use one religiously, there will come a day that you're glad you did!

Lunar-tic,  I believe it says right on the packaging of the spools to remove some line before using.  

Also,  as for how to attach to wood arrows...check this link from the "how-to" forum here on TG. I did this a few years back....

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000094
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: MikeS on January 06, 2013, 01:14:00 PM
I am a firm believer in them also.  The first time I used one I hit a deer just before dark.  Almost immediately after I hit the deer it started to rain.  Any blood that was present was washed away.  I followed the string after dark for a long way, maybe 200 or more yards.  It was fully dark by then, when I finally came to the end of the string, and no deer!  I was bummed out, but went back in the morning to the end of the string.  Much to my releif the deer was only about 10 yards past the end of the string!  I probably would never have recovered that deer without the string tracker!  My son hit a bear this fall which did not bleed and we never recovered the bear.  He swears he had a perfect hit on the bear.  I convinced him he should be using a tracker from now on.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: NIGEL01 on January 06, 2013, 01:31:00 PM
I've used them with compounds in the past, and for bear I think it's a must.  But now shooting a 45-50# trad bow I had my doubts, this video really helped reassure me.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: kennyb on January 06, 2013, 02:32:00 PM
Great idea and very informative! Thanks for posting such an educational video! You got me thinking!! Lol

Kenny   :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Jerry Russell on January 06, 2013, 02:37:00 PM
Guys if you shoot wood arrows and there is any shaft bevel outside of your broadhead, just do a two wrap and then tie an improved clinch knot or any kind of clinching type knot. I did it for 15 years and never had a problem. I don't think I mentioned turkey hunting with a tracker but like Guru said, I will never shoot a turkey without one.
I am glad this helped some of you.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: leatherneck on January 06, 2013, 03:34:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Guru:
Nice video Jerry   :

I did this a few years back....

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000094  
Curt, I knew you did something like this. I told Ben before we went pig hunting that I thought you did a thread on mounting a light for hogs. Now I remember which thread you did. This is a great idea that can go from bow to bow.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: 59Alaskan on January 06, 2013, 03:57:00 PM
Great video!!  May look at this for turkey season!
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: COOCH on January 06, 2013, 04:00:00 PM
If your colorblind like me the string tracker is a god send.Great video.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: stabow on January 06, 2013, 05:13:00 PM
Guru thanks for the tip for wood arrows ......stabow
Good luck in Texas
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: on January 06, 2013, 08:52:00 PM
I have shot a bunch of hogs with a string tracker but not any deer. I have had a really bad hit hog run out over 1500' of line in south texas cactus/brush once before the line finally broke (I did not recover the hog because of the bad shot but I never would have gotten 1/4 of the way he went without the string tracker!).

Bisch
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: misfire on January 07, 2013, 09:44:00 AM
Excellent video. Thanks!
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Eric Krewson on January 07, 2013, 10:06:00 AM
I used one years ago that had a straightened fish hook that snapped on the arrow and held the line. The fish hook would stay embedded in the skin even if you had a pass through, worked pretty well.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: on January 07, 2013, 10:10:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Eric Krewson:
I used one years ago that had a straightened fish hook that snapped on the arrow and held the line. The fish hook would stay embedded in the skin even if you had a pass through, worked pretty well.
i remember those, never used it but i remember them.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Butternutz on January 07, 2013, 10:13:00 AM
Dang!! I didn't think those things were around anymore. Don
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: AMB on January 07, 2013, 11:47:00 AM
What is the longest shot you have killed an animal with the tracker?
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Jerry Russell on January 07, 2013, 02:32:00 PM
My personal long shot on a deer using the tracker was 31 yards but I would have to say that is pushing it a bit. That particular shot was a pass through. I have taken dozens of critters between 20-25 yards with no issues. When you take the time and set up the tracker unit right by pulling out the required 200' of line before you ever shoot it, I feel that most set-ups will have no loss of accuracy out to 20 or even 25 yards. This is something that must be tested for each bow/arrow combination.

I think the issue that some folks have with them stems from shooting them right out of the package without removing the 200' and then freaking out over arrow drop.  The spools are dirt cheap so removing 100 yards (only 1/8 of the line) is the way to ensure perfect flight.

It should be stated that if your effective shooting range exceeds your "string tracker" range after testing, just cut the line with the broadhead if the loger shot presents. It only takes a second. I am lucky in that I have absolute confidence in the unit out to where I feel confident on a practice range.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: shortstroke 91 on January 07, 2013, 06:24:00 PM
Anyone ever try these when shooting through a mesh window like on the double bulls?
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Missouri CK on January 07, 2013, 08:59:00 PM
I've played with a string tracker some over the years for turkey. I've always thought about using them on hogs but never tried. My only concern is mine makes a loud zinging sound when I shoot even with lots of string pulled out. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: Jerry Russell on January 08, 2013, 08:26:00 AM
Chris,
I have never had any issues with the noise produced by the tracker and spooked game. A 25 year history to base that on.

Shooting through the mesh of a blind also has been no issue. I will try to post up a video on a couple of long beards from last year shot through a mesh window. The string itself is designed to be very smooth and is a synthetic material. That is why it slips through the bush so well.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: ranger 3 on January 08, 2013, 10:35:00 AM
Great video Jerry, can you tell us about the camera you have on your bow? I have one like it and was trying to figure a way to put it on the bow.
Title: Re: Using a string tracker- a video
Post by: on January 08, 2013, 10:38:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Fireboss:
Chris,
I have never had any issues with the noise produced by the tracker and spooked game. A 25 year history to base that on.

Shooting through the mesh of a blind also has been no issue. I will try to post up a video on a couple of long beards from last year shot through a mesh window. The string itself is designed to be very smooth and is a synthetic material. That is why it slips through the bush so well.
I sure would like to see the video of shooting a string tracker through the mesh! That is the main reason I quit using mine. I figured there was no way it would work through mesh and all of my ground blinds have mesh in the windows,

Anxiously awaiting those videos!

Bisch