Dog tracking question

[acearrow]

Just have a question for anyone in the know. How long after a deer has been shot can a dog be effective in tracking a deer. Buddy gut shot one today. He backed out and is going back in morning to track. He said he wanted to track before he tried to bring a dog in to track. Can a dog track the blood trail the next day? I don't know much about tracking so yall help educate me. It was the first deer he has ever shot with a bow and one of a lifetime. I would hate to see him not recover it.

[tex4k]

I think it will be tough, I've seen a couple of dogs that would/could but it's not the norm.
It's not a trail I would put a young or inexperienced dog on. In a situation like that we would use our lacy dog, he does much better at winding. Which is taking him downwind from the general area we suspected the deer went then let him work across the area into the wind, he's found several deer this way.

[Cuz]

My dog and I have tracked a many deer and hogs the next day. Tracked some the next night too, after an afternoon shot. If it's not too hot or wet a good dog shouldn't have a problem with tracking the next morning.



What county?

[tex4k]

My mistake first time I read it I was thinking you would be getting a dog out three days after the animal was shot. I still wouldn't be very enthusiastic about going out after he's been out there doing his looking but it is doable.

[k9trainer]

Do the dog a favor and don't let your buddy track it. You'll only hurt your chances

[bboswell]

Do the dog a favor and don't let your buddy track it. You'll only hurt your chances

This

[PYBUCK]

Go to the nearest water source and look around there if you can't find it, he could be close. Found many gut shot deer going to water

[wilcohunter]

Just have a question for anyone in the know. How long after a deer has been shot can a dog be effective in tracking a deer. Buddy gut shot one today. He backed out and is going back in morning to track. He said he wanted to track before he tried to bring a dog in to track. Can a dog track the blood trail the next day? I don't know much about tracking so yall help educate me. It was the first deer he has ever shot with a bow and one of a lifetime. I would hate to see him not recover it.

Call a dog....and good luck to your buddy

[AllyMay]

This

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[Sonnyboy]

Depends on dog and environment !! But they can track over 24 hrs

[Atfulldraw]

Short answer...it depends. The earlier the better, but I like tracking in the daytime much better than at night, so a day old trail is really no big deal.

Long answer, your buddy is likely to lead his lesson the hard way and it won't matter what we say.

[Horitexan]

Do the dog a favor and don't let your buddy track it. You'll only hurt your chances

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Every footprint your buddy puts on the ground makes it harder for the dog and reduces your chances of finding it, should you want to call a dog. If he just can not stand not to look himself, have him wear rubber boots, spray them and him down thoroughly and tuck pants into boots. Leave a s little scent as possible so dog will have easier time.

Honestly, I would just call a dog. Doesn't sound like he has the requisite knowledge to track the deer and if recovering it is important to him, a dog would be 100x more effective.

A good dog can track 48 hours or even later; but that's a REALLY good dog and handler. I'd get on the tracking dog list right now and start calling.

Good luck!

[blackjack001]

As already stated above, tell your buddy to stay out of the woods and call a dog. Gut shots are usually very difficult for a person to track by sight but often are fairly easy for a dog. The next day should not be a problem for a decent dog. Good luck.

[GarGuy]

There is no question he should have a dog on the way right now. If its really the deer of a lifetime he is just rapidly reducing his chances.

[mikeb1206]

Do the dog a favor and don't let your buddy track it. You'll only hurt your chances

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