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LIVE from the saddle 2023

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So I’m sitting this morning, and here comes 9 does. It was so foggy I only saw 2 at first. Usually up here they roll in small groups so I grabbed my bow and waited. They just kept piling out of the fog. The smaller ones would get close, but then I’d have the bigger ones looking at me. It went on like this for about 5-10 min. I’m waiting for a shot opportunity trying to avoid all the eyes when I see antlers coming in. Here in Pa they need to be 3 on one side, so I decided to be patient and lo and behold as the fog lifts and he gets closer I can see brow tines. He’s a decent little six. 40 min I waited to get a shot standing in the most uncomfortable position because they caught me leaning out to the side against a split in the tree. My feet and hands are starting to go numb from lack of movement.

finally I get an opportunity it I know I don’t have long because the doe saw me draw and we’re starting to bug out. I rush the shot, hear a pop so it was definitely a hit hit watch him go about 60 yards and loose him in some brush. He didn’t come out the other side so I was thinking he was down. I gave him 20-30 min while I slowly packed up got down and packed up my gear.

the doe were blowing and carrying on so I knew regardless my morning was done. I found my arrow and saw what could be a guy shot. I’m not really sure as I’ve never hit one like that before. I figured I’d head towards the truck to sit and wait longer (which was also the way he went). I found three spots of blood that looked like someone dumped a 6oz cup of blood on the ground.

The blood on my hands from the arrow and on the ground was bright red. As I worled
Towards the truck I saw a tail pop up and run off, not Bounding but just moving.

That was half an hour ago. I backed out to give him time and come to a local restaurant and grab breakfast.

I’ll give it one more shot in an hour or two if not I’ll be calling a tracker. Hopefully he’s down where I left him last b
 
I backed out for an hour, picked up blood and stopped when it got scarce, called a tracker and as I talked to him the fog lifted and I’ve been staring at a deer laying down for the past hour looking in rough shape but I can’t see if it’s him or not, regardless it’s still alive so I’m backing out and waiting a few hours
 
ketch22 said:
I backed out for an hour, picked up blood and stopped when it got scarce, called a tracker and as I talked to him the fog lifted and I’ve been staring at a deer laying down for the past hour looking in rough shape but I can’t see if it’s him or not, regardless it’s still alive so I’m backing out and waiting a few hours
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Hope you find him! Heck of a turn around from falling in the mud and such yesterday, good on you for sticking with it and for backing out and giving him time. Hope it all works out for you and looking forward to the grip and grin!
 
ketch22 said:
I backed out for an hour, picked up blood and stopped when it got scarce, called a tracker and as I talked to him the fog lifted and I’ve been staring at a deer laying down for the past hour looking in rough shape but I can’t see if it’s him or not, regardless it’s still alive so I’m backing out and waiting a few hours
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Mark that deer’s location! Could be your guy. Stay patient, sounds like you’re on the right track for intelligent decisions so far. Don’t rush a dog in there until you’re absolutely sure it’s necessary (a good tracker will have already told you as much) but it sounds like you have a dead/dying deer. Fingers crossed that one you saw laying down is yours, and fingers re-crossed that it’s curtains for him.
@ketch22 what’re your thoughts on shot placement at this point?
 
@ketch22 what did the arrow smell like? If it smelled gamey or foul you probably got gut and it could be 4 hours or 8. The last thing you want to do is push him. If you back out and stay out he’ll die and probably not move too far. The tracker I had said maybe 200-300 max and it’s an easy track for the dogs. Good luck!
 
At this point 2 would be 6.5 hours from when I shot him. I’m going to sneak back in at 2, if it’s still there and alive I’ll back out and call the tracker and set something up for the morning where I go in first and then call him and see if he can get up here. If it’s not there I’ll call the tracker and still try in the morning. If it’s dead obviously that’s a done deal.
 
Well after going to Wally World and buying a set of tasco 10x42’s, I snuck back to an overlook point and found that that deer is in fact NOT mine, he’s a spike and has another one with him.

I called the tracker and he said 8 hours should be plenty, he told me to back out and he’ll be here at 3:30.

question though, the site says no charge but tips appreciated, what do you think I should tip him? I was thinking 80-100 to cover gas, sound fair?
 
ketch22 said:
Well after going to Wally World and buying a set of tasco 10x42’s, I snuck back to an overlook point and found that that deer is in fact NOT mine, he’s a spike and has another one with him.

I called the tracker and he said 8 hours should be plenty, he told me to back out and he’ll be here at 3:30.

question though, the site says no charge but tips appreciated, what do you think I should tip him? I was thinking 80-100 to cover gas, sound fair?
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100 is in range of what I've seen talked about on Facebook tracking pages but I've been able to find all 3 of my deer so far. You could also probably ask him when he shows up, saying you've never called a dog and want to maintain the relationship, plan to tip/pay for gas if ya find it or not and, is 100 an average size tip and he will likely say yes. worst case he says no I usually get more and you say ok sorry 100 is all I got on me here ya go, I'll make it up next time. I think just asking up front before they do anything sets the tone that you're not there to waste his time, so hopefully he will try hard as well. Risk of the opposite but I'd default to trust unless there's a reason not to.
 
I paid 200 for one but it was middle of the night & a tough track …. Plus he held a light & visited while I quartered. Everyplace is different just ask him what makes him feel good about his time & working with you again. Having a guy that will be on call & give advice as well as track is worth something.
 
ketch22 said:
Well after going to Wally World and buying a set of tasco 10x42’s, I snuck back to an overlook point and found that that deer is in fact NOT mine, he’s a spike and has another one with him.

I called the tracker and he said 8 hours should be plenty, he told me to back out and he’ll be here at 3:30.

question though, the site says no charge but tips appreciated, what do you think I should tip him? I was thinking 80-100 to cover gas, sound fair?
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The guy that tracked mine onto private the other day worked for tips. I planned on giving him $100 if he found the deer. I know you're not paying for if the deer is found or not but that is what I had in mind. He didn't and wouldn't take any money. After offering him it several times he finally let me give him $40 for gas/time. He was out for about 1-1.5 hour so I thought it was fair.
 
thedutchtouch said:
100 is in range of what I've seen talked about on Facebook tracking pages but I've been able to find all 3 of my deer so far. You could also probably ask him when he shows up, saying you've never called a dog and want to maintain the relationship, plan to tip/pay for gas if ya find it or not and, is 100 an average size tip and he will likely say yes. worst case he says no I usually get more and you say ok sorry 100 is all I got on me here ya go, I'll make it up next time. I think just asking up front before they do anything sets the tone that you're not there to waste his time, so hopefully he will try hard as well. Risk of the opposite but I'd default to trust unless there's a reason not to.
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I agree with what you're saying. I think it is good to have a dog tracker that will come work when you need him. If he comes out and doesn't find your deer and you don't give him anything, he might not answer the phone or come track for you the next time. I wanted to give the guy something so he would next time.

If the track was hard, long, or if he has to finish the deer, size of the deer etc. that would all affect the amount I tip..
 
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