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My controversial view on tracking dogs
- Thread starter redsquirrel
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They were called string trackers and I still have one
Never used a dog but have only had one situation where one would have been helpful. Ended up bumping a deer several times until we lost blood and it crossed the property line. Lesson learned. If you find a bed just back out.
Hlzr
Active Member
Tracking experience is needed to have confidence but how is experience gained? With so many new hunters beginning there journey with no prior experience of any kind I think its up to the individual when and if he calls in the dog. If he has experienced hunters in his circle to help him make that decision then the dog should be called at the correct point, after all available tracking is exhausted. This topic brings to light the lack of experience of new hunters and responsibility we have to them, the animal, and the process of their transition into our sport.
I think you have a point... but it is better for the dog when people say 'just call a dog' and don't mess up the trail.
Here is probably a good option if you haven't had to do this on your own before.. if you thinks it's a bad hit. Back out. Call a tracker. Either follow him, and look at sign behind him, or once he is done, go back and follow the trail. Look for blood. Where it shows up. Learn to look at the sticks, leaves, and other places blood can show up. That way you can get a feel for what to look for. Don't just let him do his thing and not try to aquire any knowledge from it.
I think that's the best of both worlds. I will also always volunteer to help look for deer if I can. Free experience.
This is exactly what I did with the buck I shot last week. Called @Recoveringwithcurs and watched him and Riley work. I learned a lot.
Noonespecial
Well-Known Member
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I used one once on a deer I feel lived. Shot was way high back strap area. Waited 1 hour got down followed blood for 50 yards jumped it and watched him stand 60 yards away staring at me then snorted and ran off. After seeing this I realized he was definitely not fatally wounded. I decided to call a blood tracker that night and was able to find someone to come out the next morning just to make sure I was correct. He had a very young bloodhound who needed the training, never found anything after last blood. The dogs need real training as well. Also just because you are using a dog doesn’t mean you the hunter aren’t learning also. Many hunters have gained a lot of knowledge from seeing how a deer reacted after the hunter lost its track and where the dog found it. In the past the hunter was left with the unknown in those situations. Now that is gained knowledge for the next situation or information he can give to another hunter. Anything that can help you find a dead or wounded deer is always a positive.
DanielB89
Well-Known Member
While I agree 100% with your sentiment, I am a fan of them(am currently training my new dog to) and have learned that different people love different aspects of hunting and the outdoors in general. I have always been a huge fan of the process of hunting, the scouting, the stand hanging, etc, then the tracking, dragging, skinning, doing autopsies, etc. I have even fleshed a few hides along the way to make some wall art.
I have friends who like to go out with a heater in a box stand and hunt deer they've fed through the summer. My point to all this is I have learned that some people enjoy hunting aspects that I don't. Having a good friend of mine that owns several tracking dogs probably makes me biased towards them, but the one thing they're always going to ask is, "how far have you walked?". The reality is that the more pressure you put on the track, the harder the track is going to be on their dog.
I believe the biggest thing with finding deer is learning how to decipher when to call a dog or not. Again, I am biased as I LOVE to watch a dog work. I shoot deer that I watch drop and go get my dog. It has just grown to be one of the aspects I love!
Some skills that should grow with each kill is your ability to read the story the arrow is telling. I've shot many deer that I thought I "smoked" and then go down there to find gut matter on the arrow, etc. As you stated, at the end of the day it's really all about game recovery. Some people have no care to be the best tracker they can be, they just want the deer they shot. I have a much bigger problem with a low human effort with no animal called.
I hope you're doing well, Red!
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These were very popular for Turkey hunting with archery gear back in the day.They were called string trackers and I still have one
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Like most topics, this one seems to be taking sides to some extent as well. My interpretation of the original post wasn't so much about whether dogs should be used or not (they should when necessary.... that's an absolute) it is about the seeming disappearance of fieldcraft and woodcraft being replaced by technology and other means. Dogs have been used for centuries to assist man..... I love dogs and I truly believe they have a role in deer recovery. Anything that decreases wounding loss for hunters and hunting is a good thing for the sport and assures the non-hunting public that we as hunters will incorporate anything to ensure due diligence in game recovery from an ethical and moral standpoint. That just bodes well for all of us hunters. However, the hunter him or herself should also make sure they have given all aspects of the sport its due diligence as well. This means learning all about "The Second Hunt."
swampdonkey
Well-Known Member
Real deal hunters that actually possess woodsmanship by surprise, EARNING IT, are a dying breed. The increasing reliance on hunting dogs is just one product of this fact.
If you disagree you’re likely one of those i’m talking about. They didn’t even have tracking dogs when i got started. Heck, didn’t have internet, computers, Youtube, Onx, Trail Cams, cell phones, etc either wonder how we ever recovered deer or learned woodsmanship? Bunch of sissies out there nowadays to be honest who would likely be offended reading this comment.
If you disagree you’re likely one of those i’m talking about. They didn’t even have tracking dogs when i got started. Heck, didn’t have internet, computers, Youtube, Onx, Trail Cams, cell phones, etc either wonder how we ever recovered deer or learned woodsmanship? Bunch of sissies out there nowadays to be honest who would likely be offended reading this comment.
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Ahh, the old days...when hunters tracked game for their dogs because they were woodsman and better at it and just kept dogs around to gloat at them...see how much better I am than you...
swampdonkey
Well-Known Member
The discussion is about tracking wounded deer not pheasant hunting. In WI tracking wounded deer with dogs was unheard of in the 70s, 80s, and 90s as were all the other gadgets kiddos think they need now. The hunters back then were better woodsman for it, absolutely. Certainly moreso than the sissies today packing in 30lbs worth of “game changing” gadgets, running 6 cell cams to “scout”, and staring at their phones like zombies ignoring every bit of sign the deer have laid down for them while walking in because Onx is telling them to hunt in spot x over here.
Yeah, hunting was MUCH better back in those days. We knew how to actually hunt and most definitely knew how to find our game once we shot it no one needed a dog we bloodtrailed them. Heck, even without blood you can certainly track deer with tracks, turned over leaves, bent over cattails, busted branches, scuffed gravel, bits of hair, and plain old intimate knowledge of the layout of the land and the tendencies of wounded deer. You know, that thing called woodsmanship. But nowadays it’s “get a dog” after not seeing a drop of blood in 10 yards for a lot of folks, it’s an embarrassment to be frank.
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Plenty of deer were lost in the 70s, 80's and 90's just like today. Nothing has changed there.
To the topic, there is merit to learning woodsmanship and perseverance.
What you're describing though has more to do with generational change than dogs.
Noonespecial
Well-Known Member
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- Dec 10, 2019
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Forget the dogs I’m going to call you then! Hope you don’t mind wearing a leash some states make it mandatory.
100% spot on. I fully support the use of tracking dogs and as stated have used them myself. My opinion is that blood trailing is a skill all hunters need to know. You can find it yourself before you need to call a tracking dog or you can still give yourself a chance to find it if there is no tracking dog available. That is all I'm saying by starting this thread. It definitely wasn't intended as anything negative about tracking dogs and their skills.
Is tracking a skill? Yes
Have dogs been used for centuries to track game? Yes
Like the dreaded crossbow, technology, time, and changes in laws dictate changes in method. I do not believe hunters 40 years ago were that much better. Maybe some, but most just wanted meat on the table.…..don’t find a shot deer, shoot another one. Less LEO’s as well. Spotlighting was huge in rural communities. You’re lying to yourself if you think people were “better” a generation ago. There are a whole bunch more of us now and so much easier to “see” with instant information at our finger tips.
Calling a dog isn’t an “easy” button. They are a tool, and often a very smart one.
I made a comment in regards to individuals barely being hunters these days, let alone trackers. That has more to do with lack of mentors…not desire. Most give up before they know what they’ve been doing wrong because they have no one to tell them any different.
A few people need to step down off of the soap box. I could definitely see myself getting into tracking dogs later in life when my desire to sit in a tree begins to fade. Watching a good dog work his trade is magic. THAT is a way to teach and give back.
Have dogs been used for centuries to track game? Yes
Like the dreaded crossbow, technology, time, and changes in laws dictate changes in method. I do not believe hunters 40 years ago were that much better. Maybe some, but most just wanted meat on the table.…..don’t find a shot deer, shoot another one. Less LEO’s as well. Spotlighting was huge in rural communities. You’re lying to yourself if you think people were “better” a generation ago. There are a whole bunch more of us now and so much easier to “see” with instant information at our finger tips.
Calling a dog isn’t an “easy” button. They are a tool, and often a very smart one.
I made a comment in regards to individuals barely being hunters these days, let alone trackers. That has more to do with lack of mentors…not desire. Most give up before they know what they’ve been doing wrong because they have no one to tell them any different.
A few people need to step down off of the soap box. I could definitely see myself getting into tracking dogs later in life when my desire to sit in a tree begins to fade. Watching a good dog work his trade is magic. THAT is a way to teach and give back.
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