Trackers' advice for those calling for a dog

[pyrobow]

I know there was something on here last year but I cannot find it.

I know what my advice is, I would like to know what others say. Also, now is a good time to refresh everyone's memory.

[pyrobow]

Ok, I am back so I will start.

1. Don't track it up. If you think might need a dog, back out as soon as possible. You can step on a small area and spread it as you walk. A dog may work through it, but the less disturbed area the better.
2. When you call the tracker he is going to want to know, where the animal was hit and with what, how did the animal react, what time, have you spent a bunch of time on the trail, what have you found at the shot site, blood? hair? Remember,legally in Texas you must have a blood trail to be able to use a dog.
3. When he gets there. Where was the animal standing, which direction did it leave and where was the last place you saw it.
4. when on the trail stay a ways behind the tracker. Occasionally the dog may have to loop back to sort the trail out.
5. No one carries a gun without the trackers approval. And absolutely NO One is to shoot over the dog. Also remember it is illegal to shoot a deer at night.
6. Stay back from the dog at initial recovery, some dogs are protective of their finds. Particularly do not run up to the deer or dog, it maybe seen as a act of aggression.

[Buff]

I would add.
If you can't find it the night before, call first thing the next morning not 3:00 the next afternoon.
Be honest with yourself and the tracker about the hit.
Bagley will find 90% of the gut shot deer but she won't find the ones that are hit in the brisket or across the back.
As said above.
Stay out of the way and stay quite.
Nothing bothers my dog as much as someone talking.
I give very few voice commands but if you make me talk to you, she thinks I'm talking to her.

[Dollie]

DIDDO!!! Please also remember that heat, wind and rain are our enemies. So we're likely to ask questions about that in your area as well. As much as you want to find that Trophy, you just have to suck it up and back out. It's taken some serious talkin' to some folks I've tracked for, but I was succesful in finding that Trophy the next morning. They are now friends, and understood fully why we did just that. Good Luck, and a Great Season to all of y'all.

[bubinga]

Good info, keep it coming.

[DOUBLE.A]

Just saw this. Great info. Gonna try my dog out this weekend and start putting her on some tracking jobs. She is a Lab/Shepard mix. She loves go chase, sniff and Chew. Always has something in her mouth Very energetic and loves to chase squirrels. I think she will be good at it. Do yal prefer a bell on the collar or a long leash?

[pyrobow]

I run a long lead. Not sure my beagle needs to take on a live wounded animal.

[pyrobow]

As Buff said be honest about the hit. This is not "hey let's call for a dog and see if we can get lucky"

[Skinny]

As Buff said be honest about the hit. This is not "hey let's call for a dog and see if we can get lucky"

You're getting paid, right?

[Atfulldraw]

You're getting paid, right?

I get what you are saying, but that's not it at all (for us anyway)

I want to set my dogs up for success.

every single time.

[pyrobow]

You're getting paid, right?

Not really. Tip and gas money. I do not do this for profit. I just love working my dog.

[Fishndude]

I get what you are saying, but that's not it at all (for us anyway)

I want to set my dogs up for success.

every single time.

So what you're saying is, if I tell you I hit lungs, you're coming. If I tell you I hit gut, you're not?

Serious question.

[Atfulldraw]

So what you're saying is, if I tell you I hit lungs, you're coming. If I tell you I hit gut, you're not?

Serious question.

no.

I'm going to assume you are lying anyhow!
It's one of the first things we teach when we give tracking seminars....

but for the record, we love a gut shot.....it's pretty much a chip shot because if you give it enough time to bed down (and maybe die) there is just a metric crap-TON of scent coming off of a gut shot.

We listen to the story.....was the deer a regular, where is the arrow, how much blood on the arrow, what did the deer do after the shot, we look at the shot angle from where it was shot back to the stand, we talk to their buddies that are there (and often the story changes from what the hunter told us on the phone).....

[pyrobow]

Not at all, gut shot is very recoverable. It just means giving the animal more time. it is more like a little white hair and a drop of blood. Given it is a judgement call. Best thing to do is call a good tracker and tell him everything you know. I will normally err in the direction of taking a poor track just in case.

[mikeb1206]

My advice would be as stated above, answer questions honestly.

I hate it when the story changes after we get there.