Trackers' advice for those calling for a dog

[pyrobow]

What atfulldraw said about setting the dog up for success. Is important. A dog very much wants to secede. I have had to pull mine off a trail after 700 yards, because of a property we could not enter. I hate doing that. They get their feelings hurt just like your kids do.

[pyrobow]

I wish I could show or describe what goes on, after recovery with my dog. It starts with super excitement, moves to apprehension and then to dejection. She has found her deer and then remembers we are going to take it away from her. If you look at the latest post I put in on the tracking post you will see her head laid down on the deer and she just glares at everyone.

[Dr. Evil]

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

You must be one of the few. I called a guy with a dog a couple years ago. His fee was $100 to show up, which I was told about after he came out. He lived 5 miles down the road. My fault, I should have asked first. We never found my deer. Searched for about 45 minutes, but dog never got on any sign. Won't do it again, that's for sure.

[Skinny]

I wasn't being a smart a with my question about getting paid, but I've seen plenty of hunters shoot a deer and not be exactly sure where they hit it...both bow and rifle. What if they say they don't have a clue where they hit it but found some blood?

[akey]

I wasn't being a smart a with my question about getting paid, but I've seen plenty of hunters shoot a deer and not be exactly sure where they hit it...both bow and rifle. What if they say they don't have a clue where they hit it but found some blood?

That would still fall under the category "tell the truth".

[huntingfanatic]

Let's just say at least tell the truth to the very best of your knowledge . I want me dog to succeed every time as well. Just because it's a bad shot doesn't mean I won't come. The flip side to that is that the guy will tell you "I made a great shot and swear to it then get mad when a good dog can't find the deer. Almost every deer I have called my dog off I told the hunter that deer is still alive and lo and behold the deer shows up on camera later on. My catahoula will almost wear himself out trailing and looking for a deer. I have almost gotten to where I recognize that " man he just ain't here look on his face" I totally trust my dog. If he doesnt find him he ain't dead. At least not yet.

[huntingfanatic]

Oh yeah and I second the part about being quiet. My dog will make sounds and neither is good but I need to be able to hear him from a distance. If he yips he has jumped the deer and running him. If he starts barking then he has bayed him or the deer is down but still alive and moving around. If he finds it dead my receiver shows he is still and treed.

[Skinny]

I understand. I admire what y'all do!

[parkchief100]

Let's just say at least tell the truth to the very best of your knowledge . I want me dog to succeed every time as well. Just because it's a bad shot doesn't mean I won't come. The flip side to that is that the guy will tell you "I made a great shot and swear to it then get mad when a good dog can't find the deer. Almost every deer I have called my dog off I told the hunter that deer is still alive and lo and behold the deer shows up on camera later on. My catahoula will almost wear himself out trailing and looking for a deer. I have almost gotten to where I recognize that " man he just ain't here look on his face" I totally trust my dog. If he doesnt find him he ain't dead. At least not yet.

Great info there! I use to work and train police narcotics K9's. They want to work, they want to please you and you want them to be successful! You have to trust your dog is a Great statement. I have seen many k9 handlers force their dogs into false alerts when nothing was there just because the officer wanted it to be. They didn't trust their dog and many of them ruined their dogs in the process!

[Buff]

You're getting paid, right?

I have only had one person pay me that I can remember.
If I have time to help, I'm proud to do it.

The one that did tickled me.
I drove about 90 miles, spent 4 hours tracking his buck through a 10 year old cut over until it crossed the river.

When I was packing up he asked what he owed me.
I told him to pay me what he thought would be fair.
He gave me $20.00

I go because I love to save the day.
Nobody could afford what I think my time is worth to do it.
With the obligation of the farm I only get to hunt a hand full of days each year.
If I spend a afternoon chasing a deer for someone.
Not only do I burn up diesel in my truck and put ware and Tare on my bum knee but it is a afternoon I don't get to hunt but I have never turned anyone down if they were within a hour of me

[Skinny]

That's admirable, Buff!

[Buff]

That's admirable, Buff!

There are few things a fellow can do more fulfilling than finding some kids deer for him or her.
Living in what is mostly pine timber, even a short blood trail can be tuff as the blood falls down in the pine straw.
Typical call

"Little Billy shot a deer this morning with grandpa's 30/30"
We saw it fall down but we can't find it
Bagley normally finds that deer in 10 minutes after we take up the track.

[Froggy]

I got a call last weekend. Young lady had shot her first deer on her first hunt on public land just at dark. They found the arrow intact about 50 yards from where she shot. It had only penetrated about 8 inches. I went out early Sunday morning.

There was white hair on the broad head. They showed me where they found the arrow. I made two small semi circles through the woods. Diesel let me know right away there was no blood to follow. When he hits a blood trail his tail winds up and he's off and running. Nothing. I spent less than 20 minutes looking. I told the folks there was no reason to waste time looking because that deer ain't dead.

They offered to pay me but I declined. Young couple hunting public land on a budget. Besides she was a cutie.

[pyrobow]

Buff, you Sir are the type of man I would like to meet.

[DOUBLE.A]

Great thread. I hope I get the hang of this. And my dog too of course. Lol.