BowBug(game recovery system)
 

have useen this gadget? go tobowbug.com
and let's evaluate...

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

This has been on here two times before. It is probably one of the stupidest things I have ever seen. All it does is promote stupid shots.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Ya there was a big discussion on that before. I think if it worked it would be very useful. I think it depends on the hunter using it. I could see some people taking risky shots because of it, and I can see people who actually know how to hunt being able to use it in a situation where the weather turns bad or lack the of blood is in the equation.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

I believe it was the general opinion of the boards that the BowBug would promote unethical shots on animals, thus no one approved.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Its sounds like it was designed to aid in the retrieval of a downed animal, and pretty exspensive to boot.. I could see people buying it and using it in the means in which it was intended.as a back up just incase they could not retrieve a animal due to unforseen circumstances... but I could also see some slimy individuals buying it to do bad deeds with like whack a buck illigally and come back later to retrieve it.. But, believeing that the device would PROMOTE unetcial shots is goofy to say the least. Plain and simple if a person bought it for that use, there ethics were already screwed before they bought it>>>it would'nt be the device's falt, LOL!!!

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Wow, what a huge buck. Too bad it won't come in any farther. Oh well, I can just aim a little high and hit anywhere and wait till gun season to track it down and killingit.

Try telling me that won't happem.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

I wasn't trying to imply that it would be the devices fault at all, I'm not sure where you got that idea from.

I'll try to explain it this way, I'll show you two situations. Situation one is your average hunter, no BowBug. Situation two is another average Joe, only he dropped $200 on the BowBug before the season.

Situation 1:

"Man, that sure is a nice buck. He's coming this way. Wait, is thata doe behind him? I hope he doesn't notice. Oh no, he saw her. He's turning. He's only 30 yards away, but quartering away from me, and hard. I guess I'll have to let him walk."

The hunter passed on the shot because he knew it would be unethical and may end up with a wounded animal.

Situation 2:

"Man, that sure is a nice buck. He's coming this way. Wait, is that a doe behind him? I hope he doesn't notice. Oh no, he saw her. He's turning. He's only 30 yards away, but quartering away from me, and hard. I think I'll take the shot. Even if I make a bad shot, I've got this new BowBug gadget that'll help me find him."

The second hunter knew the shot was unethical, he knew he might wound the animal, and yet he took the shot anyhow since he had the BowBug.

Now I'm not trying to say that this is how all hunters are going to think, but it may make some hunters second guess a shot that they would have passed up without the BowBug. I don't agree with the device, but if you want to go out and spend $200 on one, by all means, go for it.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

I wouldn't buy it I feel that tracking my game is all part of the hunt, but their is always someone who will have to have it and try it just look at all the lost game post on this forum and every other forums. I am pretty sure this isn't the first time that this device was introduced to bowhunters (don't quote me) but didn't a product like this come out like over 15yrs ago and didn't make it mainstream?

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

You give me a 30 yard shot quartering away bow bug or not I,m going to bust his rib cage and exit the front leg or chest. There were the "click "group that thought it wasn,t a good thing but I for one thought it could be a very handy tool to add to ones fanny pack. I,m not going to buy one at that price but if someone did more power to them. I lost a nice buck one year with a 20 yard pass thru shot. The rains came and there was no trail I looked for days. Hmmm that bow bug would of came in real handy.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

My feelings are somewhat mixed on the issue. On one hand I think that anything which helps us more easily track and recover wounded game is a good thing...on the other hand I don't want an electronic device to take away the need for rudimentary tracking knowledge and skills.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Your own words bro.... you may not have meant it that way, but that is what you typed..

I agree with what your saying in a sense, yes some people will use it all wrong, but on the other hand there are people that will use it strickly as a back-up just incase they loose a blood trail or god forbid it starts to rain.. There are a lot of variables in bowhunting and some that are unforseen, like that small twig ot leaf that you didnt see....

You can hypothisize all you want on what people will and wont do, heck lets take it one step farther, I bet you carry a flashlight with you to the stand on evening hunts or morning hunts before daylight??? Can we blame the flashlight if people use it to light up a deer and put a arrow through it....

I 'll just agree to diaagree with your way of thinking...

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Just my personal opinion, but i as a bowhunter get just as much of a thrill out of taking up a blood trail and finding my game as i did the ethical shot i took. I know there are probably times i would have like to have had an extra edge, but i don't think i would use this product. If i get to the point where i feel i need more help, i'll just use my gun.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Who would want to carry that Big A$$ antenna into the woods with them anyhow?

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

I can just see 25 high tech rednecks walking around in the woods with their antennas out - could make for some good laughs ;)

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

That $200 device would have helped you locate your $20 arrow. If you blow through the animal the device will likely be attached to the arrow burried in the dirt behind where you hit it.

I have to agree as much as it disappoints me, IMO the bowbug will be the end cause of hunters makeing unethical choices in the woods. It's human nature to push the limits of what is possible.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Ok, is it just me, or does this thing look like it would just rip off the arrow?




Even if it did mange to stay intact, which I doubt, what if you get a pass through? And for $200, what a joke. But you know their are fools who will buy this.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

i agree with Wa hunter.

wouldn't the thing that you attach to the arrow affect the arrow flight? and possibly aid in the non ethical shots or should i say help cause them?

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

I'm not sure how many of you actually read anything about the product, but the device is supposed to stay in the animal whether you get a passthrough shot or not. That being the case, it won't matter if you've got a high KE setup or a low one, either way the BowBug stays in the animal. To me it seems it would mess with both the FOC and POI of the arrow.

If you notice the two prongs on the end of the BowBug, these would be what cause it to stick to the animal. It is rubber banded to the arrow so it comes off easy.

It seems that for $200 you're getting more disadvantages than advantages. I'd rather save the $200 and buy something I'll have more confidence in.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Good idea, start with some breath mints! [:'(][:'(]

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Although I can't see me using the the little "bugger", I have a feeling ifa person is going totake an unethical shot it isn't going to matter whether he is using this gadget or not.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Yeah I suppose if you're able to get within bow range and arrow a buck right before gun season opens. According to the website the battery lasts about 5 days.

I see this product as having a lot more practical application than promoting unethical behavior. I'll bet that the majority of bowhunters have lost or will lose an animal sometime in their career because they can't trail the animal.

Anybody can make a less than perfect shot and often for a variety of reasons following a blood trail can be difficult if not impossible.

RE: First Hand Experience
 

A guy who hunts the same patch of woods as me used one of these (I think it was a different brand but the same concept). The device has a barb on it so when the arrow passes through the device gets stuck at the point of impact. He said he successfully used it to recover a bear and I watched him use it to "assist" in tracking a deer.

He was hunting no more than 100 yards away from me on an afternoon hunt (didn't even know he was there) and I heard him shoot and hit a buck. When it got dark I got down as did he and I went over to see who was hunting near me. He told me he hit a buck but it was a little far back. I helped him track and the blood was scarce and their was signs of a gut shot. He said he would wait till morning to come look for him.

I was back in the general area the next day hunting and here he comes with this little device with a moveable antenna. It was late so I climbed down to help him track.

You basically walk a straight line and the antenna points in the general direction of where the tracking device is. It helped on a few occasions when we lost blood and helped to pick up the trail again. We ended up finding the buck bedded in some real thick cover. Now, would it have happened without the device? Probably yes, maybe not. The trail got real weak.

I for one would never buy this type of thing but I did witness it being used and it worked. Not a bad concept if used correctly. Just not my cup of tea.

That's all I got.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

My thoughts exactly.

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

150 yards average? How is that going to help?[:-]

RE: BowBug(game recovery system)
 

Bowbug = gimmick. (how profound).