String trackers and turkeys

Msbow · February 07, 2015, 10:13:00 PM

I've been seeing these string trackers in turkey photos. I was wondering what y'all's thoughts were on using these for recovering turkeys? How does it work?
If you don't use these, what do you do to increase your chances of recovering a bird that's not hit with the perfect shot?

Chad Orde · February 08, 2015, 07:47:00 AM

I have heard great things about them, going to give it a try this year. I make custom leather gear so I'm making a sweet trad version. Also heard allot of guys use them on hogs and deer.

Bowwild · February 08, 2015, 09:19:00 AM

Some folks won't bow hunt turkey without them. I used them on bears in Ontario in the DIY days of the mid-80's.

Frankly, the only place I've seen to buy them is a turkey hunting website. It is one of the least user friendly websites I've ever tried to buy from. I started to do so twice and quit. They are simple rigs and I've wondered about cobbling one together and just buying replacement spools.

I don't know during which of my 24 moves I lost my original.

tracker12 · February 08, 2015, 09:20:00 AM

I picked one up at the end of last year. I have been testing it out and the flight does not seem to be affected. Guys that have used them for years swear by them.

old_goat2 · February 08, 2015, 09:25:00 AM

Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear, had them, not sure if it's on the web site but you can call or email them. Just a word to the wise, if you miss the turkey when using one, they don't help much;-) I tried them last year and missed first shot, anchored the bird second shot without it.

Gaff · February 08, 2015, 09:27:00 AM

GURU uses them when he hunts turkeys. i would think without one you'd be flirting with a lost bird..

Jayrod · February 08, 2015, 09:33:00 AM

I haven't used them but in the last 6 toms I have killed 1 flew 50 yds and i watched him fold up in mid air all other 5 didn't make it 25 yds from blind with good shots I am sure it's a good thing to invest in meaning the string tracker but I have never used one

Chad Orde · February 08, 2015, 12:14:00 PM

Here is the home bru I have been working on Tanned leather, dyed then stitched. I 'll try take a video of it when being shot. Its super steady even on long bow limbs, I'm going to play with a strap version next but dont know if I need to this way goes on and off in a couple seconds. Take some time to make but sure beats plastic.

Msbow · February 08, 2015, 12:48:00 PM

Chad Orde that's a pretty cool rig you've got there! do you just stuff the string in there? What kind of string? How do you attach the string to the arrow?
I think it was Guru's pics of some turkey kills that I saw the string tracker in. I dunno but seems like you could just use a bow fishing rig, but I don't own either so I have know idea if that would work or not...thanks guys for the info!!

mnbwhtr · February 08, 2015, 01:14:00 PM

The only way I hunt turkeys without them is to shoot Bullheads, then my backup arrow is a snuffer with the tracking string attached. With this system I've only lost two birds in over 20 years of hunting them.

maineac · February 08, 2015, 01:37:00 PM

Chad I like that. I don't think I will hunt turkeys with a bow again, until I get some sort of tracking device. Where do yo get the string spools? I think I cold handle the stitching of the device. How exactly do you make the attachment with the elastic to keep it from loosening over time as yo move around? Unless yo plan on marketing this and you are holding back on the design secrets.

LITTLEBIGMAN · February 08, 2015, 01:58:00 PM

here is a picture of my set up on my widow. String tracker with birds is the only way to go.

old_goat2 · February 08, 2015, 02:05:00 PM

If your not talented enough like me to make your own rig like the gentleman above you can attach the commercial model to your bow quiver hood. Just drill a hole very slightly smaller than the stud on the string tracker and thread it in then put a lock but on the stud inside the hood.

Chad Orde · February 08, 2015, 02:40:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Msbow:
Chad Orde that's a pretty cool rig you've got there! do you just stuff the string in there? What kind of string? How do you attach the string to the arrow?
I think it was Guru's pics of some turkey kills that I saw the string tracker in. I dunno but seems like you could just use a bow fishing rig, but I don't own either so I have know idea if that would work or not...thanks guys for the info!!

I buy the string the Original String Tracker uses and it is a spool the back wood cap pops out and slide in the spool like a shotgun shell.
Bow fishing rig only has maybe 25 yards or so of line and slow the arrow to much, this twine is super fine but high test.

Chad Orde · February 08, 2015, 02:52:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by maineac:
Chad I like that. I don't think I will hunt turkeys with a bow again, until I get some sort of tracking device. Where do yo get the string spools? I think I cold handle the stitching of the device. How exactly do you make the attachment with the elastic to keep it from loosening over time as yo move around? Unless yo plan on marketing this and you are holding back on the design secrets.

I buy the twine at a local shop it's not cheap like $9 a spool. The elastic shock cord is 3/16" and I make a loop on one end and then do a double loop over the string tracker and cinch it tight with a spring stop. Works fantastic! That said I'm playing with a strap version, I'll make some extras and throw them on the classifieds.

February 08, 2015, 06:27:00 PM

It is the best thing since sliced bread for turkey hunting! The string tracker has really upped my recovery rate on turkeys because I still have a way to locate the ones that get off in the brush. I will never turkey hunt again without the string tracker. It is that good!

If I am hunting from a blind, I use the tracker for deer hunting also. I shot 4 deer this season, all with a string tracker, and through netting in the blind window!

Bisch

Msbow · February 08, 2015, 07:14:00 PM

Bisch
Where did you get your string tracker? Have you ever had the string break? Have you lost a turkey while using a string tracker ??
Sorry about all the questions lol from what I've read they have been around for quite some time, but it's all new to me!!

AkDan · February 08, 2015, 07:21:00 PM

Same boat as bisch, I wont hunt them again without one! Lost a bird we thought was a good hit in NE a few years ago. Never again! There was enough cedar trees in that woods to make a guy go silly looking under everyone, we gave it heck for 2 days. zilch!

Can you loose a bird? Sure you can....but I'd bet you'll loose a LOT more without, without going to a guillotine style head.

there was some pretty good threads a couple years ago on this very subject, along with pics of how to mount/use them.

Guru · February 08, 2015, 08:52:00 PM

I did this a while back....I've been using one ever since I got serious about killing turkeys with my bow back in 2000...
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000094

Charlie Lamb · February 08, 2015, 08:56:00 PM

Can't recommend them enough.