I've been a trad guy since I put the compound down in 2015. After a brief fling with a Sage takedown I discovered the amazing world of vintage Bear recurves and have managed to snag a number of really decent used ones going back as far as 1964. Along with that came the love of building my own cedars and topping them with a simple two-blade Zwickey Eskimo. It just feels 'right' to me.
But since the season started I've been watching a number of YouTube trad hunt videos, and one thing that stands out is no matter the bow, almost everyone is shooting carbons with lighted nocks. And frankly, being able to see not only where the shot hits, but also where the arrow ends up, is quite intriguing, compared to my handmade cedars. Was it a complete miss or a total pass-thru? And how do you tell if you can't find the arrow? (unlighted nock)
But I'm wrestling with the question about whether to try this out, as turning away from technology (back to basics) is what brought me home to trad again in the first place. I realize the answer rests completely in my hands, but how do most of you feel about it? When is 'trad' no longer trad and what is your personal line in the sand?
Thanks.

I've hunted since 1965 and have used wood, fiberglass, aluminum and carbon arrows over the years and started using lighted nocks about 5 years ago. Now the only time I use wood is with my ASL. In low light settings in the woods I'll find that arrow I shot at an animal, so call me Benedict Arnold I don't care. 

Trad ( Traditional )  is old Indian word , means NO compounds !

I've never used lighted nocks but I wouldn't rule it out if I hunted in nasty, thick spots like hog or javelina country.


I think anything used to find an arrow after you've shot at an animal is OK. I use a reflective wrap on my arrows(pictured), I also use a string tracker when I'm turkey hunting. If I shoot at an animal, I want to find the animal dead or confirm a clean miss so I have no problem with any "tech" that will help me do that. Nothing trumps tracking skills but a little help never hurts.


Best of luck in whatever you decide and be happy with your decision.

"But since the season started I've been watching a number of YouTube trad hunt videos".

That's the problem right there. Everything was going along just fine until you saw some yahoos with the latest greatest whizbangs, and you think to yourself "maybe I need some of those".  Just look away, resist the urge, and remember that just because you can doesn't mean you should.

You can put lighted nocks on woodies.  I did.

Badlands, Somebody has to ask  How?

I've done it a few different ways and after a lot of fooling around, the easiest way I've found is the tophat method with the jig that 3 rivers sells.  Just use the Jig to drill a hole down the center of the nock end of the shaft, (the hole accomodates the battery of the lighted nock), glue the tophad adapter on and incert the nock. (it's important to get the right diameter lighted nocks to fit the tophad adapter).

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I've tried them years back but just don't find any love in them.  Happy with bright fletch.   

I don't use them, but I like them!  Never took the time to rig them up on aluminum or woods.
Shick

Yer still "trad" if yer bow ain't got wheels or cams.     

Quote from: Badlands on November 17, 2023, 10:32:04 AM
You can put lighted nocks on woodies.  I did.

I've heard of this being done, but thanks for showing the "how". I will be looking into this!

Bright orange fletch and bright cresting.  Suits me.

I've never tried lighted nocks personally, but I do remember more than one Youtuber saying that they use them so that the shot will show up better on camera. As far as being "traditional enough" I think we all have to draw those lines in our own head. Zwickey Eskimos are traditional to me, but a stone point guy may not agree.

After taking to Mr.Green, Somkin Joe and Bill on our up coming LTR hunt I am going to have a couple lighted Nocks and a string tracker.

Here is a video showing how to put lighted nocks on a wood shaft. https://youtu.be/gVgfPWmvLW4?si=cZo4OyqSWzurNVE5

Quote from: Hood on November 18, 2023, 12:21:30 PM
Here is a video showing how to put lighted nocks on a wood shaft. https://youtu.be/gVgfPWmvLW4?si=cZo4OyqSWzurNVE5

Thanks, fellers! I hear a new Winter Project calling my name!

Wouldn't use lighted nocks myself but that doesn't mean you shouldn't.
Jon

Sometimes I'll hunt in the rain, and when I do I use both a string tracker and a lighted nock. Neither will do anything to improve accuracy or make your shot easier in any way. But both improve the odds of a timely pre-coyote game recovery, especially in adverse conditions.