Question, I've never used any type of string tracker but I'm wondering about something specific.  It's not uncommon to blow an arrow through a deer and have it stick in the ground.   If that happens, what then happens to the arrow and string?  Does it have the strength to rip the arrow out of the ground and stay intact to do its job?

Actually a second question just came to mind.   Do you feel there is any disadvantage to not being able to retrieve the arrow after it goes through the deer begore you start tracking?  I don't know how much string is on one of these but I'm thinking that the main purpose of one of these is to help find a marginally hit animal since a well hit one shouldn't go all that far.  Trying to determine where the deer was hit often requires being able to look at, touch,  smell etc the arrow itself.   If the arrow by default stays with the deer then it won't be found until you find the deer.   If the deer is marginally hit and runs out all the string and drags it a couple hundred yards away AND you don't have the arrow to inspect it seems like it could almost be a disadvantage especially if the blood trail is also poor. .

Apologies if I'm sounding negative.   Just trying to think through the pros and cons of such a device.   As a pro, I'm thinking that even if you do make a bad hit having a bunch of brightly colored string pulled through the brush could still be an advantage and might be a lot easier to find than a minimal blood trail.   I hunt some river bottoms here in MO that have weeds over my head.  There's also a plant I only know as "rip-gut" which is a viney,  marsh loving tangled together spawn of Satan that can be anywhere from knee high to chest high and is a reddish rust color by November.   Blood barely shows up on it and when tall and thick a struggling deer going down kicking can easily be almost totally buried and hidden.   Once lost a pretty nice buck that way.

Anyway, definitely interested but would like to hear some thoughts.

P.s., haven't been on the page much in recent years so if this has all been talked about previously I apologize.

Roger, what are the specs on your Shrew Scout?  My idle curiosity may get me into trouble....again.   



Jason

Yup, count me in as a short bow fan these days since all of my shooting is done from a seated position because of health issues. I totally agree that some short bows are better shooters for me than others and also agree that shooting while seated is much different than the same while standing. Think one is more solid than the other meaning while standing your body has to balance itself whereas while seated it can relax more, especially with a backrest, which I have to use at all times. My current bow is a 54" longbow and my 60" Thunderhorn TD is hanging on the rack getting jealous. 

I used it this year hunting Ca bear but didn't find a willing subject to test it on. Switched to my muzzleloader, but had a heck of a time trying to keep the string tied to the patched round ball. 

Great idea, Norm. I found that the tape sometimes would catch on the string and pull several feet out. When I was calling for bears, I was doing a call set, moving, setting up again, etc. I ended up loosing quite a bit of string. Seems like the rubber band would be quick and not sticky. Very generous, but you don't need to send me one. I have one so I'll just steal your idea. Thanks!

Pic

Quote from: Pat B on November 19, 2025, 11:49:06 AMYears ago I worked for a tree service down on Hilton Head Island, SC. I was part of the ground crew. One day I tried on a pair of spurs got up the tree about 2 steps and missed the next one. That was the end of my tree climbing with spurs. 

I worked construction for many years as a general contractor, & subcontractor, and when things slowed down I worked for other companies doing a variety of things.

 One year we had a huge wind storm coming in with winds forecasted to be 60-70 mph in the valley here. On top of that, it had been pouring down rain for weeks before this making it a certainty that we were going to have a lot of trees come down in this storm.... Not having a lot going on for work at the time, I rolled the dice and reserved a mobile crane for a week with an operator.

When that storm hit, it was bad. Damn near shut the whole city down with trees down everywhere. Man did I hit the Jack pot on that one. I spent the whole week going from one house to the next removing trees that had fallen on houses for $1000 bucks a pop. That was only half of what the tree service companies were charging. But..... I had no branch clean up, and got all the firewood.... I spent 4 months cutting firewood after that storm and cut well over a 100 cords. I bought a small 2 ton dump bed truck for hauling wood and delivering firewood. During the clean up from that storm I did a lot of tree topping and tree removal. I had a guy working for me with climbing experience that showed me the ropes..... but.... I was in my late 30's at the time. Hell I don't even like climbing ladders anymore at age 70.   

I just had to change my bandage under the removable cast. Thought I'd share a pic of the 3 pins that are healing my thumb that got broke in 2 places.

    

I've had a bunch of short bows, but currently I am trying to master the ASL.  I hunted some places this fall with prickly ash and that multi floral crap and I for sure won't forget my clippers next time.

My all time favorite short bow was a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter-shoulda kept that one.

I do have a couple of 58" bows that will work if I go back to a shorter bow for a specific task. A Black Widow PFT and a Tall Tines.

In looking at the photo the PFT grip reminds of the CH a bit.