Tracking a deer, whether in snow or on bare ground, involves careful observation and analysis of the deer's signs. Here’s how to approach each scenario:
Tracking in Snow.
Identify the Tracks: Look for hoof prints in the snow. Buck tracks are generally larger and more rounded compared to doe tracks. The size and shape of the tracks can provide clues about the buck’s age and health.
Examine the Track Pattern: Determine the direction the buck is moving. Tracks will show the path it has taken. Note any patterns in the track spacing, which can indicate the buck's gait and speed.
Look for Additional Signs: Check for other signs like droppings, rubs, or scrapes near the tracks. These can help confirm the presence of a buck and provide more information about its behavior.
Assess the Track Depth: Deep consistent tracks might indicate a heavier buck or fresh snow, while shallow or irregular tracks might suggest an older track or a lighter buck.
Follow the Track: Move cautiously and keep an eye on the surrounding environment for any changes or disturbances. Snow can make tracking easier as it reveals a clear path.
Evaluate the Terrain: Understand the terrain the buck is moving through. Snow can make it easier to spot tracks but can also obscure other signs. Pay attention to changes in elevation or cover that might influence the buck’s movement.
Tracking on Bare Ground.
Find the Tracks: Look for disturbed soil or impressions in the ground where the buck has walked. Buck tracks on bare ground can be harder to distinguish compared to those in snow.
Analyze the Tracks: Look for the size, shape, and depth of the tracks. Bucks will leave deeper and larger impressions compared to does. Also, check for any drag marks or broken vegetation that might indicate the buck's weight.
Check for Signposts: Look for rubs (bark stripped from trees) and scrapes (areas where the buck has scraped the ground with its hooves). These signs can indicate the buck’s presence and its activity.
Observe the Track Pattern: Similar to tracking in snow, follow the pattern of tracks to determine the buck's movement direction. Pay attention to the spacing and alignment of the tracks.
Look for Additional Clues: On bare ground, other signs like droppings, urine stains, and disturbed vegetation can help you confirm the buck’s presence and behavior.
Consider the Weather: Bare ground tracking can be influenced by weather conditions such as rain or wind, which can obscure tracks. In such cases, look for other signs like fresh rubs or droppings.
General Tips for Both Scenarios:
Stay Stealthy: Move quietly and carefully to avoid spooking the buck or disturbing the area.
Be Patient: Tracking can be a slow process. Take your time to observe and analyze the signs.
Know the Terrain: Familiarize yourself with the area and understand how the terrain might affect the buck’s movement and behavior. By paying close attention to these details, you can increase your chances of successfully tracking a buck whether in snow or on bare ground.
Tracking a wounded deer requires patience, careful observation, and a methodical approach.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to tracking a wounded deer:
1. Assess the Situation Before Tracking: Review the Shot: Consider where you hit the deer (e.g., vital organs, leg, or non-lethal areas). This will guide your tracking strategy. Wait Before Tracking: Allow some time for the deer to settle before you start tracking. This can help reduce the risk of spooking the deer further. Typically, waiting 30 minutes to an hour is advised for a lung shot, while a longer wait is recommended for gut shots (up to 4-6 hours).
2. Begin the Track Finding
The First Signs: Start at the Point of Impact: Look for blood, hair, or any other sign where the deer was hit. Blood Color and Type: The color and consistency of the blood can indicate the severity and type of the wound: Bright Red Blood: Indicates a lung or heart shot. Dark Red Blood: Indicates a liver shot. Greenish or Foul-smelling Blood: Indicates a gut shot. Bone Fragments: Suggests a shoulder or leg shot. Track the Blood Trail: Follow the blood trail carefully. Note the amount and frequency of blood spots. Sparse Blood: May indicate a non-lethal hit or a long trail. Heavy Blood: Suggests a vital hit and usually means the deer is not far.
Other Signs:
Deer Signs: Look for other signs such as broken branches, disturbed vegetation, or drag marks where the deer might have stumbled or dragged itself.
3. Follow the Trail Tracking Techniques: Follow the Blood: Continue following the blood trail. Pay attention to the direction and try to stay on the trail as accurately as possible. Observe the Terrain: Deer often move in certain patterns based on terrain. They may head for water, thicker cover, or higher ground. Identify Track Patterns: Look for tracks or prints in the ground that show the deer’s path. Wounded deer may have a noticeable limp or irregular stride. Signs of the Deer’s Condition: Behavioral Clues: Watch for signs of distress, such as the deer lying down, or signs of struggling. Disrupted Vegetation: Broken twigs or bent grass can indicate where the deer has moved or rested.
4. Manage Tracking Challenges
Dealing with Poor Visibility: Low Light Conditions: Use a flashlight or headlamp to help see blood or tracks.
Dark or Dense Areas:
Look for other signs like disturbed leaves or branches.
Handling Difficult Terrain:
Navigate Obstacles:
Be prepared to traverse difficult terrain such as thick brush, steep slopes, or water crossings.
Use Tools:
Consider using a tracking stick or GPS device to help navigate and keep track of your progress.
5. Make the Recovery Confirming the Deer’s Location:
Find the Deer:
Continue tracking until you find the deer. Pay attention to signs of a final resting place, like an accumulation of blood or a bedded down area.
Verify the Deer:
Before approaching, ensure the deer is dead to avoid spooking or injury.
Check for signs of breathing or movement. Handling the Deer:
Ensure Safety:
Approach the deer cautiously to ensure it is dead and to avoid any sudden movements.
Field Dressing:
Once confirmed, field dress the deer to cool the meat and prevent spoilage.
Document the Hunt:
Record Details:
Take note of the shot placement, tracking conditions, and any other observations for future reference and improvement.
6. Learn and Reflect Evaluate the Hunt: Review the Experience: Analyze the tracking process, shot placement, and recovery to learn and improve future tracking skills. Prepare for Next Time: Use the experience to refine your approach and strategies for tracking wounded deer in the future. By following these detailed steps, you can effectively track and recover a wounded deer, ensuring a successful and ethical hunt.
Conclusion
1. Assess the Situation Before You Start Tracking: Analyze the Shot Placement: Understand the impact of the shot: Lung or Heart Shot: Usually results in a quicker kill with significant blood loss. The deer might move more rapidly and cover a greater distance. Liver Shot: Typically slower kill, often resulting in a more prolonged tracking job. Gut Shot: Often requires the longest wait as it can take hours for the deer to succumb. The trail may be less bloody but can include more unpleasant signs like stomach contents. Wait Time: Lung Shot: Wait 30 minutes to an hour to give the deer time to settle and expire. Liver Shot: Wait 3-4 hours before tracking to ensure the deer is dead. Gut Shot: Wait 4-6 hours, or even longer if the terrain allows, to ensure minimal gut contents are pushed out and the deer has expired.
2. Begin the Track Initial Search: Point of Impact: Locate where the deer was hit. Look for: Blood Pools: Blood around the impact site can give you a sense of the deer’s initial condition. Hair: Different types of hair indicate different hits. For example, short, coarse hair might suggest a shoulder hit, while long, fine hair might indicate a gut shot. Blood Trail Characteristics: Bright Red Blood: Indicates a lung or heart shot, often with frothy bubbles. Look for a trail of this type for faster recovery. Dark Red Blood: Indicates liver hit, usually thicker and more gelatinous. May suggest a longer recovery. Greenish or Foul-Smelling Blood: Indicates a gut shot. The trail might be sporadic and mixed with stomach contents. Additional Signs: Broken Vegetation: Look for signs like broken branches or crushed plants that the deer may have pushed through. Tracks and Drag Marks: Identify any tracks showing the deer’s movement or signs of dragging, indicating a serious injury.
3. Follow the Trail Tracking Techniques: Blood Trail: Follow the blood from spot to spot. Intervals: Check the distance between blood spots. A consistent trail suggests the deer is moving steadily, while gaps could mean the deer is lying down or slowed. Trail Markers: If blood becomes sparse, look for other signs like disturbed ground or broken vegetation. Terrain and Behavior: Deer Behavior: A wounded deer may move to water or thick cover. Adjust your tracking to these likely destinations. Elevations and Cover: Consider the terrain features. Deer often move to areas that provide cover or water, so anticipate these in your tracking. Clues to the Deer’s Condition: Behavioral Indicators: Signs like a heavy blood trail or a deer's bed (where it might have rested) can indicate a more serious injury. Disturbed Vegetation: A bed or area where the deer has rested might show blood spots or other signs of struggle.
4. Manage Tracking Challenges Visibility Issues: Low Light: Use a flashlight or headlamp, but avoid bright lights that might scare the deer away. Use red filters if available to minimize spooking. Obstructions: In dense woods, look for blood spots or tracks on the edges of clearings or along trails where visibility might be better. Dealing with Terrain: Crossing Water: If the deer crosses water, the trail may be disrupted. Look for signs where the deer exited the water. Dense Brush: Push through carefully, making sure to check for blood on low branches or other signs of the deer’s passage.
5. Make the Recovery Confirming the Deer’s Location: Final Approach: Move cautiously towards the deer. Check for signs of breathing or movement from a distance before approaching. Ensure the Deer is Dead: Approach the deer from behind to avoid any sudden reactions. Confirm death by checking for vital signs. Field Dressing: Field Dressing: Begin by cutting a slit along the belly to remove internal organs. This helps cool the meat and prevents spoilage. Be mindful of not puncturing the stomach or intestines.6. Learn and Reflect Post-Recovery Analysis: Evaluate the Tracking: Reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Consider the effectiveness of your wait time, tracking methods, and any changes you could make. Document the Hunt: Keep a record of the shot placement, tracking conditions, and any insights gained. This helps improve future tracking and hunting strategies. By meticulously following these detailed steps, you can improve your chances of successfully tracking and recovering a wounded deer, ensuring an ethical and effective hunt.
