Can I Use A Dog To Track Wounded Deer?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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It’s downright heartbreaking. That’s why many hunters use dogs to track the animal after they’ve done the front work. Dogs have 225-300 million smell receptors, depending on breed, (compared to humans- which have 5 million!) and

given the right training and proper motivation, can even track a wounded deer the next day.

How long after a shot can a dog track a deer?

In most cases, I like to wait

at least twelve hours

before going in to look for a deer. Weather is always a factor. Sometimes I make the decision to put my dogs on a trail earlier, but for the most part, waiting at least twelve hours is best whether it is a gun shot, a one-lung hit or a shoulder hit.

How do you train a dog to track a wounded deer?

Leave a deer liver or leg at the end of the trail for them to find. You can also add larger pools of blood by taking a squirt bottle and adding more scent and blood along the way. Make sure you’re walking around all over the trail after you’ve set it. Weave in and out through the entire area you’re training.

How much does it cost to track a deer with a dog?

My services are set up to be very reasonable for the average hunter, but time and travel play a role in tracking costs. Tracks within 30 miles of Monett, MO —

$50 to show, $50 recovery fee if deer is found

. Tracks between 31-60 miles of Monett, MO — $100 to show, $50 recovery fee if deer is found.

Can any dog track a deer?

Minor explains that

any dog that hunts using its nose to follow a scent can be trained as a deer-tracking dog

. Also there’s a growing number of trainers with tracking dogs in each state that hunters can call on to help them find their wounded deer, and a list of these people often can be found in Facebook groups.

What dogs are used to track deer?

  • Blackmouth Curs.
  • Dachsund.
  • Labrador.
  • German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • Bloodhound.
  • Beagle.
  • Bavarian Mountain Hound.
  • Blue Lacy.

Can you train a German shepherd to track deer?

They are very intelligent dogs, and

they can learn to track deer if you teach them correctly

. Training your German Shepherd in tracking, trailing, and hunting is not something you can do over a few days or a week. It is a time-consuming process that will need more than just one hour of your day.

How do you track a wounded deer?

If you can’t find a blood trail,

go back to where the deer was standing when you shot and look for blood there

. Once you find blood, blood color will help determine where you hit the deer and provide a visible trail for recovering the animal. Bright, pink, frothy blood with bubbles indicates a lung shot.

How do you start a dog tracking blood?

Can dogs track deer after rain?


Some dogs are even able to track after heavy rains

it is always better to call as soon as possible but if you can not get a tracking dog until it has been over 12 hrs then do not worry.

Can you track a deer after it rains?


You should be able to follow tracks in wet leaves without any blood if it is fresh rain and you know where the deer was standing

.

Can dogs smell deer blood?

The ability to smell is critical for a blood trailing dog. Not every trail will be the red carpet of blood we all hope for. Often, there is very little blood.

The dog has to be able to discern the scent of a wounded deer from other deer and follow that scent wherever it goes.

How do you train a bloodhound to track deer?

Give your pup a moment to sniff the training smell, then take him over to the general area in which you made the scent trails. Let him wander around on his own until he finds the trail and then allow him to follow it to the end. Be sure to praise him and treat him each time he gets it right.

Can you use dogs to track deer in Ohio?


Leashed dogs may be used to track wounded deer

. Possess shotshells containing shot during any deer gun season. Deer hunters may not possess shotshells.

Can you train a GSP to track blood?


Yes it is possible to train a GSP to blood track

, you do not want to confuse the dog by tracking deer scent. .

Can dachshunds track deer?


Dachshunds are the preferred blood tracking dog in the United States

, said Gohlke, treasurer of United Blood Trackers, which helps to train blood tracking dogs and connects hunters with people who own tracking dogs. Nix is a ten-year-old dachshund that finds wounded deer for hunters. Image: Larry Gohlke.

Are pitbulls good tracking dogs?

Pit bulls are primarily used as bay and catch dogs in the world of hunting, but

they can definitely handle additional skills, such as tracking or retrieving, with some good training

.

Can any dog be a blood tracking dog?

Anywhere to the west of that line in the contiguous U.S., using tracking dogs is illegal,

except for limited use in California

(blood tracking dogs are allowed in Alaska and Hawaii). Almost any state to the east of the line allows some form of blood tracking with dogs.

Are beagles good for tracking wounded deer?

Beagles are bred to tongue on the trail, and unlike a dachshund, a Lab or a curdog

they will open while tracking a wounded deer

.

Can labs track deer?

Labrador Retrievers: Labs are the most popular breed in the United States, and

generally have the nose and intelligence to track a deer

.

How do you train a hound dog to track?

  1. Start Early in the Morning. To teach scenting a track, you need some treats and a grassy area, such as a baseball field or park. …
  2. Create a Treat Track. Have your dog sit or lie down and stay. …
  3. Command Your Dog to Find the Treats. …
  4. Start Increasing the Length of the Track.

Are GSD good hunting dogs?

While there are several dogs bred solely for hunting and are usually the first options,

German Shepherds can be good hunting dogs

. It may take more time to train them in certain subcategories of hunting, they’re naturally obedient dogs and have the potential to become a loyal and faithful hunting companion.

How do you track a deer without a blood trail?


Take a look at bedding areas

If you are familiar with any bedding areas around your hunting location, those are good locations to check to see if the deer has made its way there. Wounded deer like to head where they feel safe, and bedding areas are a sure bet for that.

How do you track a deer when the blood trail stops?

The Eleventh-Hour Search

A good place to start searching is where the blood trail ends.

Using a zigzag pattern is very beneficial and lets you to cover the area extensively

. In the direction the deer was traveling, move to the left for a short distance and then back to the right.

How long should you wait to track a deer?

While opinions vary, it’s generally accepted that a heart shot deer can be recovered right away, double lung shot deer can be tracked within 30 to 90 minutes, a single lung or liver hit deer should likely be given closer to 4 to 6 hours, and a gut hit deer should be given 8 to 12 or more hours. Downsides of Waiting?

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.