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Reflective Tape for marking blood trail / deer location

wardergy

New Member
Jan 15, 2020
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Can anyone recommend a manufacturer/model/color of reflective survey tape and a source? Looks like there is a lot of crap out there. I just want to rip off a few pieces (not adhesive) so I can retrace a path in the dark with my flashlight. Thanks.
 

Still Kicking

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jul 22, 2020
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Central Illinois
I use 3M adhesive backed and it is 3" X 6" I believe. I cut a 1" strip X 3" and wrap it around a wooden stick like a popsickle stick only wider called a craft stick. I put 20 in a bundle and wrap it with rubber bands. Stick them in the ground at an angle right at the blood sign at direction changes. Works for me.
 

raisins

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SH Member
Jan 17, 2019
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I just made a bunch of trail markers. For each one, I cut a 12" piece of this


then on each end of that I put 1.5" of this (wrapped a 3" piece around the end)


This stuff has good reviews but my adhesive backer wouldn't peel, so I stapled it (might have defective tape). In hindsight, since I'm using orange flagging anyway, I should've gone with a cheap/thinner silver reflective tape.

and then I put one of these in the middle of the orange flagging to attach to branch


Packs super small/light, works great (super visible day or night), but takes a time to make them
 

Sgt. Beardface

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 26, 2019
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D over Delaware
For blood trails I use the little clip on Allen orange reflective thingies. Use the twelve to mark my way forward then go back to the first and repeat. Keeps me from doubling back over myself, and easily removable on the way out.
 

Weldabeast

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SH Member
May 23, 2019
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Northeast Florida
For blood trails I use the little clip on Allen orange reflective thingies. Use the twelve to mark my way forward then go back to the first and repeat. Keeps me from doubling back over myself, and easily removable on the way out.
I use those also for that purpose.. I just thinking about it, I carry 3 forms of trail marking stuff....if u hunt public land and bounce around a lot I think it very useful to carry too much trail marking stuff...
 

Sgt. Beardface

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 26, 2019
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D over Delaware
I use those also for that purpose.. I just thinking about it, I carry 3 forms of trail marking stuff....if u hunt public land and bounce around a lot I think it very useful to carry too much trail marking stuff...
Haha. I completely agree. But I don't put anything permanent in. I use OnX to mark my scouted spots, and the trail that I want to walk, and I place the reflective clips when I walk in, and then remove them when I am walking out. I know this absolutely doesn't protect my spot, but somehow it gives me a peace of mind. It feels like I have a personal hunting spot...that probably 30 other guys are also hunting.
 

Weldabeast

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SH Member
May 23, 2019
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Northeast Florida
Haha. I completely agree. But I don't put anything permanent in. I use OnX to mark my scouted spots, and the trail that I want to walk, and I place the reflective clips when I walk in, and then remove them when I am walking out. I know this absolutely doesn't protect my spot, but somehow it gives me a peace of mind. It feels like I have a personal hunting spot...that probably 30 other guys are also hunting.
Same...hahaha

I use reflective paracord with a reflective vinyl wrap on the end to mark a temporary trail I'll take down on the way back in, the orange clip on 1s for blood, and also carry regular old flagging tape....i gotten turned around too many times and the 30 minute walk turned into hours long..funny how the log u used to crossing the creek or only easy way through super thick brush just disappear when the sun goes down
 

raisins

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Jan 17, 2019
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Same...hahaha

I use reflective paracord with a reflective vinyl wrap on the end to mark a temporary trail I'll take down on the way back in, the orange clip on 1s for blood, and also carry regular old flagging tape....i gotten turned around too many times and the 30 minute walk turned into hours long..funny how the log u used to crossing the creek or only easy way through super thick brush just disappear when the sun goes down

Link to the vinyl wrap? This would work good on blaze orange paracord, I think.
 

Weldabeast

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SH Member
May 23, 2019
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Northeast Florida
I don't have a link...my mother in law buys it to cut stickers on her plotter. The stuff I got come in a 3ftx6ft roll...maybe a little excessive

I would think any arrow wrap would work or the CEZ precut 1s they sell. Someone on hear researched and posted a link but I don't remember where
 

Weldabeast

Well-Known Member
SH Member
May 23, 2019
12,571
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Northeast Florida
Link to the vinyl wrap? This would work good on blaze orange paracord, I think.
 

Nutterbuster

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 12, 2017
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Where the skys are so blue!
What do u use for marking trail? U say u hunting thick swamps so I would assume u have a method to help from getting turned around
The last reflective tacks that I really relied upon have finally rusted out this year. Couldn't find them when I went to hunt opening day. Crossed that spot on memory, a GPS, and compass bearing. I have weaned myself off trail markers over the years.

As far as blood trails, I just use whatever I have. I usually mark first found blood with an arrow or piece of clothing. I'll use tp if I have it. I also will sometimes take a stick, strip the bark, and stick it in the ground as a temporary marker here and there if the trail is rough.
 

Vtbow

Well-Known Member
Mar 21, 2018
5,516
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If you;re talking tracking blood...Toilet paper......l alway carry half a roll of cheap biodegradable so Ican usae it to follow a trail, hang a small square in a tree, and just leave it. Its dissinegrated after first rain....

as far as little strips or tacks, bright eyes i think is hwat I have been using....the3y work well. The strips ar e nice is not so wooded areas like swamps...
 
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Scott F

Well-Known Member
Feb 15, 2015
766
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Tampa, Florida
LOCATION
Tampa, Florida
I wrap reflective tape around plastic drinking straws, then cut them into 1.5" strips.
Dental floss works great to hang them from branches and they can be seen from any angle with a headlamp.
 

kyler1945

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 4, 2016
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Willis, TX
LOCATION
Willis, TX
tent guylines usually have reflective cord wrapped into them now. Can buy a 50' section of that, cut into 6" lengths, tie overhand knot to make a loop, shove 20 in your pack, they weighnothing. Just hang on branch or whatever, pick up on way out.

If you want visible in daylight, buy orange color. If you want camo'd in daylight, buy green.

They make these as small as 1.5mm ish, and it's dirt cheap.

That said, I'd still use toilet paper. But if you're hell bent on reflective, this is the way to go.