Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Msbow on February 07, 2015, 10:13:00 PM
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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GURU uses them when he hunts turkeys. i would think without one you'd be flirting with a lost bird..
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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
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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.
(http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o762/chadorde/imagejpg2_zps35275847.jpg) (http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/chadorde/media/imagejpg2_zps35275847.jpg.html) (http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/o762/chadorde/imagejpg1_zpsd7fb7164.jpg) (http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/chadorde/media/imagejpg1_zpsd7fb7164.jpg.html)
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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!!
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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.
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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.
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here is a picture of my set up on my widow. String tracker with birds is the only way to go.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/16474393682_5e4d7f58a5_z.jpg)
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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.
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Originally 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.
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Originally 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.
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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
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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!!
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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.
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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
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(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas5.jpg) (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/09springturkkansas6.jpg)
Can't recommend them enough.
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Thanks for the info everybody! I believe after reading everything y'all have said the string tracker is the way to go. Guru, that was a lot of great info in that thread you posted thanks for posting the link. You have been a lot of help. It would take along time for me to get over wounding or killing a bird and not recovering it.
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Never used one on my longbow but will be digging it out tonight to try and figure out a mounting system. Just been lucky finding the ones not hit good.
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Really like the one Chad made from leather.
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Originally posted by Longbow58:
Never used one on my longbow but will be digging it out tonight to try and figure out a mounting system. Just been lucky finding the ones not hit good.
If your longbow is a takedown, it is super easy! Just make one to go under your limb bolt like I did:
(http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/ss239/archeryrules/DSCF4920_zps022e2693.jpg) (http://s579.photobucket.com/user/archeryrules/media/DSCF4920_zps022e2693.jpg.html)
Bisch
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Originally posted by Msbow:
Thanks for the info everybody! I believe after reading everything y'all have said the string tracker is the way to go. Guru, that was a lot of great info in that thread you posted thanks for posting the link. You have been a lot of help. It would take along time for me to get over wounding or killing a bird and not recovering it.
I have had the string break lots of times on deer and pigs. Hardly ever on turkeys. Even when the string breaks, you still have enough to get you on the blood trail.Here is the thread I started on them:
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=140810#000000
One more piece of advice that I'm not sure has been mentioned: If you shoot a critter with the String Tracker and it gets out of your sight, DO NOT cut the string after it stops. Take the tracker unit off your bow, leave it on the ground, and track the animal. If for some reason the animal is not expired yet and you push it, you ewant to string to continue to peel out.
Bisch
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FYI- they became a somewhat popular in my circles in the late 70s/80s. If I recall correctly- the spools peeled off from the center. For a simple application and a backup if we got caught hunting in the rain- we would carry a spool that we wrapped with duct tape. This allowed the spool to act as the canister. We would then attach the spool to our risers with various means i.e.; Chad's bungee cord, velcro, tape.
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I always appreciate the talent of folks on here...some of the mounting techniques are remarkable.
However, they is always the other option like I do and just black tape the canister to the riser for turkey season. Works perfect. Attaches in a minute. And comes off in less time with no residual glue from the tape.
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Here is a picture of my "high performance" mount
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r153/djlois/trail%20cam/Turkey/WI%20Turkey%2014%2013.jpg)[/URL]
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That's some good advice Bisch! Can I keep using the same spool for multiple shots as long as I have enough string left on the same spool? It-m-grow are you talking about black electrical tape? I wonder if you can use those straps that 3 rivers sells to attach stabilizers to your bow? Does it matter if it's mounted above or below the arrow?
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Anyone know of the best place to obtain replacement spools?
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Originally posted by Msbow:
That's some good advice Bisch! Can I keep using the same spool for multiple shots as long as I have enough string left on the same spool? It-m-grow are you talking about black electrical tape? I wonder if you can use those straps that 3 rivers sells to attach stabilizers to your bow? Does it matter if it's mounted above or below the arrow?
Yup just black electrical tape. I have taped it above and below - both work. I prefer above, but on this bow (Centaur) the riser is too short to go above (or at least i don't want it in the site window). On a shrew, I tape it above.
I would think the strap on stabilizers things would work. I even have one, but don't use it.
It is just easier to keep the string holder and tape right in my call pouch. Tape it on and go.
Don't forget the string releases almost friction free (that's why it works so well) and thus it takes almost nothing to keep it secure to the bow. Equal and opposite reaction...
And yes...I have shot three birds with the last spool and still going.
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Same place I've always gotten them from....just no more #30 spools available anymore....I liked the #30...#17 works great too, just not quite as durable...
http://www.turkeyhuntingsecrets.com/store/store-recovery-gametracker-30spool.htm
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I used one 25 yrs ago on my compound. The string dragged so much, my arrow dropped a foot at target. Are you guys getting good flight with the tracker? I don't want to compensate any more for the string.
Now if I could only find where I put it.
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You want to keep the string secured while moving about. It comes out very easily and before you know it you look down and you've been laying down line.
In the mid-1980's we named a bear stand the "Bird Nest" because my buddy Jim has let his string get out on a couple of occasions. It was the orange stuff and very noticeable!
I used my tracker on one bear, but alas I missed the shot. It is a long story but I killed the bear.
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The strap on stabilizer bushing works great/Great Northern makes them and they are sold as Gadget adapters. They strap on with the same rubber straps as my great Northern quiver. The problem with arrow drop seems to occur with a new spool, once the center is shot out, or hollow, the arrow flight is not affected.
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You need to "loosen" the the spool before using it by rolling it between your hands.
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Will try rolling the spool to loosen it. I picked up my string tracker this summer at a garage sale, the guy had a Bitzenberger jig with RW clamp, and a straight clamp for $40. I looked around and found the string tracker laying on the table with what looked like a brand new spool in it for $5. I made a deal to buy the Bitzenberger for $40, if he threw in the string tracker for free.
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Kstout .. With a deal like that I've gotta start getting out to more garage sales!! I watched a video last night of a guy that pulled out the fist 100 or 200 feet of a new spool he said that just keep pulling it out till it gets loose then tie it to your arrow. He was tieing the string to the Broadhead adapter then he would tighten it back up. Now I dunno but it seems like the insert has potential to cut the line but I dunno.
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Originally posted by Msbow:
That's some good advice Bisch! Can I keep using the same spool for multiple shots as long as I have enough string left on the same spool? It-m-grow are you talking about black electrical tape? I wonder if you can use those straps that 3 rivers sells to attach stabilizers to your bow? Does it matter if it's mounted above or below the arrow?
Yes you can. I am cheap and use them all up. I had two shots on deer this season where the end of the line went screaming out of the cannister as the deer ran off!
As far as the line effecting arrow flight, you need to waste a bit of the line off a new spool. I pull out string from a new spool until the hole in the center is about the size of a #2 pencil. I have never had an issue with arrow flight using a string tracker.
I mount mine under my hand, and I tie to my arrow by just loosening the broadhead, wrapping around the ferrule a few times, then tightening the broadhead. I have never had a failure doing it this way. If you shoot wood arrows, Guru's attachment method with the velcro looks like the way to go!
The Gadget Adapters work fine. That is what I use if I was hunting with a one piece bow. I always put a small piece of cardboard under the bottom of the Gadget Adapter to make the angle better.
Bisch
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I personally wouldn't "roll the spool to loosen it up"....you take a great chance that the string will tangle on a shot. If you mess with the integrity of the spool, there is a far greater chance that the string may not come off clean and completely ruin a shot op.
All you have to do with a new spool is pull about twenty yards out and throw it away...then take a shot with it...and it's good to go.
With hunting weight arrows, at turkey shot distances, I've never seen any difference in arrow flight.
Out beyond 20yds, I'd say yes,it will effect it. But with turkey's and their small kill zone....I set my shots up for 7-12yds.
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I rigged Cade's bow up with a gadget adapter up above the arrow...
• (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/curt/Cademay4thgobbler001.JPG)
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Ordered my gadget adapter last night. Couldn't find my string tracker but a friend has a new one he never used and gave it to me. thanks for the great idea guys!
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So what I'm getting Bisch or Guru is mounting location on your bow is personnel preference? Just have to experiment?
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I know that I filmed Curt shoot a turkey with a string tracker out of Doublebull blind thru the netting and the way he has it mounted had zero effect on the arrow flight.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/blind7.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/blind7.jpg.html)
You can see the arrow about to bust him, It was a old blind and the windows were sewn in didn't have a choice. Later in the hunt he shot a monster doe too.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/blind9.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/blind9.jpg.html)
Again you can see the arrow and string and we watched both over and over in slow motion at home and the arrow flew perfect thru the netting. Monster doe!
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/blind6.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/blind6.jpg.html)
Tracy
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Originally posted by Longbow58:
So what I'm getting Bisch or Guru is mounting location on your bow is personnel preference? Just have to experiment?
I have heard a long time ago that it was better above. Don't know where I heard this or who told me. I originally tried mine above, and I could see it in my peripheral vision, and I did not like that. It messed up my aiming. I shoot a takedown bow now, so I moved it to the bottom limb bolt and mounted it with my homemade bracket. I have shot a ton of critters with it set up this way, almost all of them thru netting in ground blinds, and it works flawlessly.
Bisch
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That's good to know that it works both ways thru the netting, thanks Bisch :thumbsup:
Tracy
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Thanks Bisch
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Wow that is a big doe!! I would like to make my own like chad did, but I went on an ordered one with 3 replacement spools and a gadget adapter. I think this will get me started.
Thanks Guru for posting your turkey pics on another thread. I kept seeing string everywhere and noticed what I thought was a reel. I was wondering, what is this guy doing shooting turkeys with a bow fishing rig lol. Now I know about string trackers and I like anything that can help me recover animals.
Thanks a lot Bisch,Tracy,and everyone else that replied y'all have helped me out A LOT!!
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Just remember this: The String Tracker is a valuable tool. It will not save a bad shot, but will make a recovery much more possible on a good shot with a poor blood trail (if turkeys get out of sight, there is usually little to no blood trail).
Bisch
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Couldn't find my old tracker unit.
How long and wide is a new spool of string? I have some plastic canisters that will work perfectly, if the string fits.
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TooManyHobbies, that should have been my user name lol! I just bought a tracker and spools I haven't gotten it in mail yet but when I do I'll give you all the measurements. If nobody post them before I do.
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May have been asked, but the tracker is just good for that shot right? There is no way to re-spool you just clip it off and retie? Im intrigued had a lethally shot bird get air under his wings last year..into a cutover...no bueno
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Originally posted by huskyarcher:
May have been asked, but the tracker is just good for that shot right? There is no way to re-spool you just clip it off and retie? Im intrigued had a lethally shot bird get air under his wings last year..into a cutover...no bueno
Yes, once you take a shot, that used up line gets wadded up and thrown in the trash.
I have two and if I shoot a critter, but want to keep hunting for a while, I just take the first unit off the bow and lay it on the ground. NEVER cut your line off till after you confirm the animal is dead. If it moves any more you want the line still attached. I then put my second unit on my bow and hunt away till I am ready to go track the first one. I have done this (taken 2 critters on the same sit) several times!
Bisch
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I started using one a couple years ago. I use a string tracker on all the game I hunt. I'm color blind and cant see blood. Best thing I've ever done.
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Originally posted by Bisch:
Originally posted by huskyarcher:
[qb] May have been asked, but the tracker is just good for that shot right? There is no way to re-spool you just clip it off and retie? Im intrigued had a lethally shot bird get air under his wings last year..into a cutover...no bueno [/b]
Yes, once you take a shot, that used up line gets wadded up and thrown in the trash.
I have two and if I shoot a critter, but want to keep hunting for a while, I just take the first unit off the bow and lay it on the ground. NEVER cut your line off till after you confirm the
animal is dead. If it moves any more you want the line still attached. I then put my second unit on my bow and hunt away till I am ready to go track the first one. I have done this (taken 2 critters on the same sit)
That makes alot of sense! They seem relatively cheap which is a plus as well. Cant wait to give it a try!
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Oops messed up the reply with quote! That was Bisch 's knowledge above, not mine!
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I used the String Tracker for turkeys but never for deer. Think I will give it a try this fall. I had a liver shot last year that did not leave a drop of blood. He did not go far but I had to do a grid search to find him. Tracker would have saved me a lot of time. For rthe price I just broke down and bought a Gadget adaptor. Works like a charm and can be easily moved to different bows
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I am in the process of getting me a string tracker, what would you guys say the effective range is shooting with a string tracker?
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How they work with lower poundage bows? I've got an old grizzly that shoots great for me but it's only about 45#s.
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This is what I am using to connect mine to my Schafer silvertip. It is drilled for a kwikee quiver, so I am using a bracket for a bowfishing light, some hairbands, and putting the kwikee quiver bracket on top to mount it. Hope it works.
(http://i.imgur.com/NJrEoco.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/op4qCVb.jpg)
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I missed using one, second shot without it I connected and the bird went down in about twenty yards. I took a couple of practice shots and had good accuracy so I can't blame the tracker for my first shot being errant! There is a good video out there explaining how to set them up so they feed good on the shot. Basically you pull a ton of the string out till it starts pulling out of the spool easily before you try to shoot with it! I mounted mine to my quiver hood. Biggest COC broadhead you can tune to is my current philosophy and set your dekes up to get the Tom to strut with his butt to you and aim at his sphincter!
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I too will be using a string tracker this season. A friend from here on Tradgang sent two of them to me. My last two turkeys I shot convinced me I better start using them. The first one was a field edge setup. I miraculously called a bird in from the other end of a long field. Everything was going to plan but when he approached the decoys he sensed something wasn't right. He turned to walk away and I let him have it at about 10 yards. He was folded up and walking directly away when I let him have it with one of the BIG treesharks. I was astounded when he instantly took flight! As he was flying away I could see blood pouring out. He flew for a long ways into the woods. I found the bird but it was lucky that he happened to go down in mid flight in open woods. The next bird was really frustrating. He came in to the decoys and and I again shot him with a big treeshark. Perfectly broadside and a seemingly perfect hit. He was stumbling/falling and just barely making it into the woods when I last saw him. I waited 4 hours and went to look for him. I was positive he was dead just inside the woods where I last saw him. After 8 hours of tracking I was still empty handed. The woods the bird went into were extremely thick and I had absolutely know idea of which way he went once he got in the woods. I didn't feel too good about that. I'll be using a tracker this year.
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We used to get string from an electrical supply company the string was used by electricians to shoot through the conduit to pull wires through. It was center wound and I believe it was 30 lbs. We used a prescription pill bottle to hold the spool and taped it to the bow. That was back in the early 70s, we used them for tracking bears.
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(http://i.imgur.com/sj0F93j.jpg)
I think this will be my turkey setup this year. I've only used the string tracker once with a compound on a bear hunt.
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I use the 3 rivers adapter bracket and zip tie the canister to it on its side. Since I also have a strap on quiver, I usually attach it to the same side as the shelf. Works great if I can get the turkeys to cooperate.