How to recover arrows in the snow ?

[Chris Shelton]

you should check out a string tracker, IT-M-Grow said, I have never tried them, it would be like bowfishing, I just wondered what happened when the string ran out!

[smoke1953]

On our recent shoot in Wausau the guy I was shooting with had fashioned a deer horn hook at the end of his crafted stick to pull throught the snow to find our arrows.  He also had a not so fancy but effective hooked 1/4" metal rod with wood handle.  We found most of them however we had a better idea where to look when you're shooting at a stationary target.

[Muskoxman]

Hey Kris,
Yes the hare population is up in a lot of places in AK. As far as global warming, I've yet to see it, this winter is a little milder than the last couple but still good old winter. Us guys in Alaska were kinda banking on it, there was even bumper stickers going around "alaskans for global warming " . Actually what's supposed to happen in my area is to get colder and wetter.
 Great!

[Kris]

Thanks "Ox Man",

Targets of opportunity and a definite bonus to your hunting pleasure!  Enjoy it whilst the population is up...obviously you are!  Palmer is a beautiful part of the world...lucky you!  If we had nice, big, fat, juicy Snowshoes in S. Wisconsin I’d be out losing arrows as well.  Cottontails are fun too, but the increased coyote pop. of late has kept their numbers in check around here.

Keep up the fun!

Kris

[helo]

Some good ideas here, I have a Springer that when he is in the mood he will help find arrows but if he is not in the mood he is no help.

Labrador Retriever. Finds 'em every time.

[katie]

I wait for the snow to melt.  That is why I have 2 woodsman tipped arrows still out in the field.  5 inches of fresh snow on it's way.  Maybe I will get the arrows back for spring turkey, maybe....

[KentuckyTJ]

Are you using Flu-flu's?

[Jeff Strubberg]

I've been told a three or four inch piece of that cinnamon dental floss tied at the back edge of your feathers works.  Leaves a red line on the snow at the point of entry.

Never tried it myself, so take hearsay for what it's worth.

[Red Beastmaster]

I would be very reluctant to tie anything to the rear end of the arrow.

It could easily wrap itself around the bow string and snap the nock right back into your eye!

[Jeff Cooper]

John,
I live in Fairbanks and do alot of stumpshooting through the winter. One thing I have learned over the years is to NOT disturb the snow...very carefully walk into the area and you MUST find the entrance hole left by your arrow. Then it is a simple matter of checking perpendicular to the entrance about every 2 feet. ---+-----+-----+---+
This isn't 100%, but it has certainly saved me many arrows. Jeff

[TooManyHobbies]

Mark the spot and go back with a metal detector. (one of my other hobbies)

[blktail]

Lot of good ideas here. I too have lost quite a few arrows.

[Muskoxman]

Well I attached about 4 foot of yarn to the arrow right in front of the fletching. I laid the yarn over my bow arm when I shot. I could sure find the arrow but I think it affected arrow flight, or maybe I'm just shooting sucky today.

John

[Predator Man]

judo?

[Jock Whisky]

Go to the paint shop or hardware store and buy a long handled (18-24") paint roller handle for a 4" roller. I keep in in my back quiver for finding arrows. Just drag it thru the snow when you find the entrance hole. Chalk idea would really help find the hole.

JW

[Stone Knife]

Use junk arrows or make more.

[razorback]

I do the entrance hole location thing, but half the time the arrow seems to hit something under the snow and turn left. Doesn't have tomove far to really mess up a search pattern.

I was thinking of getting some type of string tracker thingy that turkey hunters use. Might be a little complicated for the number of shots taken while stumping.

[muley40]

I wait till spring to look for any arrows lost in the snow, combine that with shed hunting,

[David McLendon]

Snow's rarely an issue here but I have a lab that has a nose for cedar and will sniff out  a cedar arrow in short order. With carbon you just wait, but at least it won't be rotted or warped when you find it.