String trackers dangerous?

[BillJ]

I've read several posts warning of the dangers of bowfishing without a slide, in order to prevent the arrow coming back and skewering the shooter.  What about string trackers?  Is the same thing possible?  I'd sure hate to have a broadhead come back at me!

I'm considering giving turkey hunting a try, and have been reading various posts about it.  String trackers look like a good idea if they won't kill me instead of the tom!  

BillJ

[vermonster13]

Give Guru a shout. He is a resident expert on them and can tell you all you need to know.

[Guru]

Bill, The string is nowhere near strong enough to have that happen. Bowfishing line is like 80-150# test. Tracker line is only avialable as far as I know 17# & 30#..... any hunting weight bow will be fine.....in my opinion  

[Kingstaken]

Got my string tracker in da mail two days ago after reading Guru's article...Turkeys beware as you will not be able to hide this year...  

[NDTerminator]

I tried one once back in the late 80's on a compound.  Forgot to take the cork out that held the string in, and I have no idea where that arrow went when I released.  For sure nowhere near the buck.

Cost me a darn good 4 point (8 point for you eastern boys)...

[Bob Palmer]

Had a bad bout with one in the mid 80's myself...shot at one of several bucks feeding in front of me...saw the arrow go low but was shocked as the tracker string started peeling out of the plastic housing...turns out a second buck ran through the string and it caught in his horns as he ran by! It broke fairly quickly but I spent a halfhour or so after dark picking up tracker string out of the farmers bean field!!! It did make finding the errant arrow a breeze though   !!!

[Doug Treat]

Guru, do you also hunt big game with them?  I lost a deer last year and was wishing I was using one.

[Bob Walker]

Another difference is that sometimes a fishing arrow is attached to a reel that must be set (button pushed) in order for it to free spool. If this is not done is's the same as shooting the arrow with a 2-3' string between the bow and arrow. The string tracker is only free spooling, that is unless it gets a tangle or you forget to uncork the hole...Sorry Jon, That's the kind of thing that happens to me too!

[Shawn Leonard]

Curt only uses it for Turkeys. I have used it as well and I agree with him. The line would break first before the arrow could come back on ya. Shawn

[the Ferret]

I've used them on whitetails, and black bear as well. get the 30# string. The 17# string is useless.

[Weekend Warrior]

I used a string tracker several years ago with a coumpound..nevr tried it with a traditional bow..

It kind of cool watching the line peal off after shooting a deer...very easy tracking if the line doesn't break..

[BUFF]

I am color blind. blood trails scare me to death. I have been using a Bow Bug for a couple of years now and have had very good luck with them.

 http://www.northamericanst.com/bowbug.htm

[Tajue17]

your kidding right?

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Curt,

Cool article. I've got three old string trackers collecting dust in the basement. Maybe I'll break one out for turkey seson this spring.

[macbow]

For you guys that have left over string tracker line. A good use is for trailing deer in the dark. tie it to a bush at the begining of the trail and have one guy feed it out as you progress. once you find the deer you can follow it back through swamps and fog, picking it up as you go. Saved us from staying over night in a swamp once.
Ron

[Guru]

Thanx Jason...go for it bud

[Buz-AL@work]

What article?  Sure would like to study up some. After going 1 for 2 last spring I realize I should order one.

Where do you get 'em?  I thought I saw a link to 'em on this thread a couple days ago.

[the Ferret]

Buz Guru had a nice piece on thenm in the last TBM I believe.

[Guru]

Buzz, You can all you need at turkeyhuntingsecrets.com...make sure you get the #30 string.....