Tracers - Who uses them and why??

[Autumnarcher]

I started using tracer feathers on my shafts years ago for a bear hunt. I use white, with a white nock. when that arrow hit the bear, it looked like a golf ball on its side.

They weight nothing, do not effect arrow flight, and you see your arrow real well, especially those low light condition shots.

If they get wet, they matt up on the shaft, but dried out they will fluff up with a little coaxing.

I apply them by wrapping fletch tape around the shaft a few times, and then the tracer feather. I trim them round even with feathers.

I've tried a few colors, pink or white work best. If you use pink, expect to catch some flak from your buddies, but at least you'll know where your arrow went.

[Montauks]

I use them on my hunting arras, makes them much easier to see in flight, like the others posted, there rabbit "Zonkers" from the fly tying shop glued on with fletch tape then a dab of CA glue at the end where they meet.
   

[Pat B]

Rabbit zonkers are cheap and already stripped so your nose doesn't itch so bad when you install them. I have installed them with fletch tape, Duco cement and TBIII glue.  I tried marabou feathers but they were too long and fluffy for my liking. They do make good wind indicators though.

[katie]

Hmmm.  I think I may try this out for small game.  I tend to spend more time hunting my arrows then game  

[Ground Hunter]

Put 3, 5.5 inch floro-lime feathers on - you will not need a tracer!  H

[Dave Worden]

I like gold colored tracers.  They show up well on all colors or 3D targets and animals, but disappear on the yellow bull's eye on FITA targets.  At least I THINK they'll disappear.  It I ever hit a bull's eye, I'll let you know!

[Robert Miller]

If you do use them i would suggest not using them at a 3D archery shoot they become a target for everyone in the group to aim at especially if they are in the kill area.

[tippit]

I find that fletch tape & super glue has a tendency to peel off for me.  I lay down a thread base with my fly tying bobbin, tie in the end of the Zonker strip, take the tread back to the start of the base, wrap one turn of rabbit fur, and tie off with half hitches.  Then put some Hard as Nails (finger nail polish) on the end of the thread.  They have never come off and I've even replaced fletching feathers with the original rabbit tracer.

[metsastaja]

tippit any chance of a pic or two. I have never tied a fishing fly

[Over&Under]

Originally posted by tippit:
I find that fletch tape & super glue has a tendency to peel off for me.  I lay down a thread base with my fly tying bobbin, tie in the end of the Zonker strip, take the tread back to the start of the base, wrap one turn of rabbit fur, and tie off with half hitches.  Then put some Hard as Nails (finger nail polish) on the end of the thread.  They have never come off and I've even replaced fletching feathers with the original rabbit tracer.

Thanks Tippit!  I know exactly what your talking about!

Come to think of it, I need to tie a few flies anyway!