has anyone ever....

ChuckC · October 23, 2008, 01:16:00 PM

used...Don't know what they are called, rabbit hair kinda thingies you wrap around the rear of the arrow, just forward of the nock so that you can see where you impact...

anyway. I am playing with smaller fletch ala Ashby / Adcock and like what I am experiencing, however, I find them harder to see downrange.

Has anyone used those...thingies.. on a small fletched arrow ? Do they affect flight ? Do they add to the noise factor ? Anyone ?
ChuckC

BobW · October 23, 2008, 01:58:00 PM

I prefer the feather ones instead (marabou).

They don't do a thing to flight, little if any noise, and really show your spot. Just don't be the first guy in the group to shoot at a 3-D outing......

TradPaul · October 23, 2008, 02:08:00 PM

Bob, thats funny...those are like a giant beacon of light..can i shoot with you

Pat B · October 23, 2008, 02:23:00 PM

I buy rabbit zonkers from a fly tying shop for tracers(rabbit fur cut into 1/4" strips). For about $1.50 you get enough for a couple of dozen arrows and in many different colors. I prefer white or chartreuse. I use fletch tape to install them but have used Duco, super glue and TiteBond wood glue. Pat

ChuckC · October 23, 2008, 02:30:00 PM

That's It ! those thingies.

So nobody feels that they add noise or flight problems? Seems a bit silly to go thru all the trouble of doing AA fletch and EFOC and all that stuff only to add something that puts back the sound / noise etc.

Bob do you make those marabou thingies or can you buy them ? wear ?

ChuckC

b.glass · October 23, 2008, 02:33:00 PM

They add NO noise to my arrow flight.

Bear Heart · October 23, 2008, 02:53:00 PM

Do they go behind your fletching?

Bob G · October 23, 2008, 03:10:00 PM

I have used the commercial ones, but it was years ago. They were made from rabbit as I remember (probably from Killdeer's) and they were really visable. I don't remember anything about the noise factor, or why I quit using them.

BobW · October 23, 2008, 03:27:00 PM

The ones I use are commercial made (Gateway). Come in packs of a dozen. Guys are saying you can get marabou and make your own for less by going to a craft store (Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics, etc.). I'm too lazy. Plus, someone needs to support the vendors - LOL. Two wraps of fletch tape, stick em, and go shoot. You may need to trim them down a bit if your eye is real tight to the shaft.

Just me, but I don't like the fur ones.

vermonster13 · October 23, 2008, 03:31:00 PM

They're called tracers.

wtpops · October 23, 2008, 03:40:00 PM

I would think that you would lose the advantage you get by going with the small fletch if you add the tracers

ChuckC · October 23, 2008, 07:38:00 PM

wt the way they are SUPPOSED to work is that the fur or feather is so light and fluffy that as soon as you release, they lay down on the arrow, out of the way. When the arrow hits anything, it has a sudden deceleration and the tracer opens up again, boinggg a bright circle to see where you hit. I have seen them work, and they do just that. I have never, however, used them myself and was wondering.

Thanks all
ChuckC

BobW · October 23, 2008, 09:48:00 PM

They won't do a thing in regard to robbing performance (unless you are doing that long distance stuff OL does)

acolobowhunter · October 24, 2008, 01:33:00 PM

We used them years ago. I don't remember why we quit using them. Suppose it was just another thing to repair on the arrows.
I do remember going to a 3D shoot and laying my bow down during lunch. When I came back all the fur tracers were gone. The grasshoppers were so bad they ate all them off. This is no joke.

After that year a new bred of furry grasshoppers mutated that area.