Trad Gang
Topic Archives => How To - Resources => Topic started by: Guru on January 27, 2009, 12:03:00 PM
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I did this a few years ago for TG, but removed it as I was also doing a more detailed article for TBM(it appeared in the Apr/May 2007).I've had countless requests to re-do it here and since I have the time today(sick little boy at home) and turkey season is right around the corner......here's the re-write.........
...I know some might think that string trackers don't have a place in trad bowhunting for turkeys. But why not do all you can to retrieve a bird when all doesn't go as planned. Believe me, just an inch off and you have a critter that is as hard to find as anything you'll ever hunt! Trackers are no guarantee, but if it helps just once it'll be worth it!
My purpose for this is to share how I attach the tracker unit to my bow, and the string to my arrow.
Since the tracker does nothing but hold the spool in place for the shot, I have found it doesn't have to be super rock solid on the bow. It's not like you're fighting a fish on the other end of the line.
First thing I do is drill a hole slightly smaller than the threaded bolt on the tracker unit in the leather(same with plastic) hood of my quiver...1/4" is about perfect. Drill the hole so it is level and in-line straight forward. This will help lessen drag on the arrow when shot.Which is not really an issue at turkey killin' range (5-20yds)......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to003.jpg)
Once you get the hole drilled,grab your tracker unit and force thread it into the hole. It'll be a little tough to get it started, but once it's started,just screw it in nice and straight. You just need to get it in far enough so you can see a couple threads showing on the inside. Now you can just screw it in and out anytime you need to. I usually put mine in at my first set-up of the day, and take it out at the end of the morning. Or, if I'm walking or riding a long way....in a Selway......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to004.jpg)
In a Great Northern......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to005.jpg)
Now that you have your tracker attached to your bow, it's time to attach the string to your arrow. You'll need some self-adhesive velcro for this. The hook part is all you'll need. Cut a piece about 3/8" wide and long enough(depending on the dia. of your arrow).....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to006.jpg)
Wrap it around the arrow right behind the broadhead. Make it so that the two ends just come together or just short of it. No need to overlap........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to007.jpg)
To attach the string, make a loop about 2" long in the string. Just double the string and and tie an overhand knot(note-I use the 30# string, the 17# that comes with the unit frays and breaks too easily)......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to008.jpg)
Now pull the string thru the loop so that you now have a loop that will cinch down on the arrow in the velcro......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to001.jpg)
I know some guys just wrap the string around the velcro a few times and call it good. But the first time you shoot thru a bird(won't happen too often) and the arrow is free on the other side of the turkey, it will spin and unwrap as the bird runs off. After it unwraps off the arrow, the string will eventually pull back thru the turkey and won't be much help if the bird goes much further...BAD DEAL!!
While moving between spots sometimes I just put the plug in the end of the unit...then spin the arrow toward the quiver so the string wraps around the arrow behind the velcro...then just slide it in the quiver. This way, I can be ready a little faster at my next set-up.......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtracker-arrowshow-to009.jpg)
String trackers are not for everyone(for whatever reason). But for anyone interested I hope this helps out a bit.....I will say this though...tracker or no tracker, there are few things more rewarding than taking a turkey with traditional equipment!!!!
Any questions...fire away.....
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Guru,
Where do you find the 30# line? I would like to have it for both turkeys and especially hogs.
Mike
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The only place I know that has it is :
turkeyhuntingsecrets.com
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Looked on their website. No Luck only have the 17#
MIke
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curt, good job, and keep the how-tos coming, i love them and know that i'm not the only one learning new or different ways to do things on here.
hope your lil one gets to feeling better.
sammy
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'scuse my dumbness, but once the Turkey is shot, does that mean you're attatched to the bird, (In the same sence that you're attatched to a fish when bowfishing) or does the line just run out of the tracker unit, leaving a long line to follow?
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I was wondering the same thing
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Originally posted by robtattoo:
'scuse my dumbness, but once the Turkey is shot, does that mean you're attatched to the bird, (In the same sence that you're attatched to a fish when bowfishing) or does the line just run out of the tracker unit, leaving a long line to follow?
You answered your own question bud ;)
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Ah, but which of the two answers I gave is the right one? ;) :D
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Originally posted by robtattoo:
or does the line just run out of the tracker unit, leaving a long line to follow?
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The 2nd one.... :saywhat:
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Here's how they work Rob...
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=065656#000000
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neat nice how to
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Thanks Curt! I just got a tracker and was scratching my big head as to how it goes on. :thumbsup:
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Thanks, Curt...I found out the hard way what its like tracking a turkey that's hit "an inch or so off". I still have the TBM with your article it.
I think tracking strings and turkeys were made for each other...
David
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Thanks Curt!
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Do You think this will work with a EFA quiver?
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Curt any tips for mounting to a bow without inserts or a bow quiver? Thanks...Mike
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Guru - very good idea. thanks, nice presentation.
Mooseman - 3rivers carries an rubber strap attachment point for a fishing reel that well also take a string tracker.
I sure think a string tracker is a good idea when hunting turkey.
rusty
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Bretto, Not sure,the EFA's are pretty soft leather....
MM76, Like Rusty said....3 Rivers and some others I'm sure carry rubber strap adapters from AMS and Great Northern that can easily be used on trad bows....
Last year I had Miss faith for a weekend of hunting and this is the set-up I used...An EFA quiver(that I didn't want to drill)with the AMS adapter...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/turkeys/turkeyhunt5-11012.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/turkeys/turkeyhunt5-11012.jpg)
or you can use a home-made tape on bracket a la Ferret...I'll get a pick of one I made for one bow I was gonna use.....
Thanx fellas...always glad to help :notworthy:
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Thanks trashwood and Guru. I forgot all about those brackets.
Guru, is there an advatange to mounting the string above, as opposed to underneath the arrow?
This should work out good. I shot a bird two years ago that took off running and I heard him flapping around on the ground, but we could not find him (he stopped moving by the time I got out of the blind). By luck we happened upon him in some pretty thick laurel by moving slowly in the direction he ran off. And you are right about no blood trail! Thanks for your help...Mike
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For those who have T/D. I simply drill a hole in T/D knob and super glue bushing in ...Ta Da!...pretty simple...I also hot glue leaves on for MoJo.
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i150/jmb1221/Antlerboltstringtracker.jpg)
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See, there's more than one way to skin a cat...nice Joey :thumbsup:
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Ed Blankenship, custom call maker, makes a wooden tab that goes under your limb bolt. a brass boss drilled into the wooden tab projects off the limb butt over the riser. works nice for take-downs
rusty
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What if you are shooting a takedown with belly mounted limbs :)
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The strap-on adapters will work for ya......
And on your earlier question...probably doesn't make a diff., but I figured it certainly doesn't hurt having it above the arrow to off set the drag a little. But like I mentioned earlier at close range, I've never noticed a diff. in a shot with or without the string attached...
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Curt : I just picked up two trackers to go on the table at JLMBH :0)
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neat idea!
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Here's the little home-made bracket I spoke of earlier....It's very easy to bend one up...and can be taped on and bent to fit about any bow....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtbracket004.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtbracket003.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtbracket002.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/TG%20stuff/stringtbracket001.jpg)
Great idea Drew :thumbsup:
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This is a winner guys, I hit a turkey hard two years ago, luckily I had followed Curt's advice and buildalong. I recovered that bird becuase of the string tracker........ :thumbsup:
David
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Wish I had my camera up and running... wife borrowed it and a half hour later I was cameraless.
:banghead:
Anyway... I made an adapter out of a T shaped flange I got at the hardware store. Covered it with leather and applied velcro to it. With a patch of velcro on the side of the bow I can put the tracker right next to my arrow and out of sight behind the bow.
Will try to figure out how to take some pics.
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Curt, that little bracket looks like the ticket there. I think I'm gonna be trying a tracker this year...Mike
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I have another way that people that don't use bow quivers should try. It is made with a 6" long piece of 2" wide elastic and a 12" long piece of 5/8" elastic and some Velcro. The pictures show it and how it fits on the bow.
I've used the spools like this for over twenty years now with no problems what so ever. All my hunting buddies use them as well. In stands where multiple shots are a possibility and you shoot something you can take the spool off, put it in a fork of a limb and add another spool and keep on hunting with out cutting the line. That way if they should run again, line will still play out.
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Walkway001.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Walkway001-1.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Walkway002.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Walkway003.jpg)
(http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x263/draco044/Walkway004.jpg)
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draco, that is a nifty little design. I like it...Mike
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Just bringing this up for someone that was asking about them...
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ttt
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Draco,
Do you have a pattern for that? That looks very simple and easy to operate -- always a plus in my book.
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How does a stringtracker affect shooting thru shoot-thru netting, or can you?
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This is thru the net.....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/KS07/th_Curtstriplecrownquest045.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v77/Guru39/KS07/?action=view¤t=Curtstriplecrownquest045.flv)
String just follows thru the hole created by the BH.....
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I was the camera man on this hunt and had the chance to film Curt shooting turkeys and deer through the netting and could not see were it effected the flight at all.
I have watched those shots over and over also frame for frame in slow motion and the tracker worked great. He has sold me on them thats for sure. ;) That was fun buddy I can't wait to do it again.
Tracy
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Guru, thanks for the info and nice shot on the deer. Trapper, nice camera work.
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can you still buy them string trackers i ve not seen them for sale for years wish i still had my old ones
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Sure can...