Great idea for a thread MG. This is one of the most over-looked aspects of hunting, yet it is one of the most important.
Last year my tracking skills and perseverance were tested when I shot a large buck. As the shot set forth, the buck turned causing the arrow to lodge in the near shoulder. At first there was little amounts of blood, and then it became a lot for a short ways.
Using techniques you described about turned over leaves, and small ruffled leaves we were able to track them and mere specks (pindrops) of blood that spanned out for over 300 yards. On the third day, blood was too dry to discern by eye, so we resorted to a trick, many might not know about. Hydrogen Peroxide, when sprayed on blood, causes it to bubble and foam up white. This helped us track his movements through a thicket we could only crawl through. We found where he had entered and then exited and then reentered this tangle of thorns and branches. Unfortunately on the fourth day, after tedious grid searching through this impenetrable thicket, and surrounding hardwoods, I called the search off. Knowing what type of hit you had helps you to figure on when and how to track a deer as well.
Its something all hunters should know. A great book about it is by ??? Trout Jr. I will have to find out the name of the author and book later, but it is a great read, and really covers all aspects of game recovery.
Good job Mystic![up]
By the way, if any of you on here ever have trouble finding a deer this season, or any season, let us know on here. There are many on here with YEARS of experience, and there is no shame in asking for help from a good woodsman. Afterall, it could save the loss of an animal![up] I know Ive recruited the help of people who know more than I more than once over the years!
Last year my tracking skills and perseverance were tested when I shot a large buck. As the shot set forth, the buck turned causing the arrow to lodge in the near shoulder. At first there was little amounts of blood, and then it became a lot for a short ways.
Using techniques you described about turned over leaves, and small ruffled leaves we were able to track them and mere specks (pindrops) of blood that spanned out for over 300 yards. On the third day, blood was too dry to discern by eye, so we resorted to a trick, many might not know about. Hydrogen Peroxide, when sprayed on blood, causes it to bubble and foam up white. This helped us track his movements through a thicket we could only crawl through. We found where he had entered and then exited and then reentered this tangle of thorns and branches. Unfortunately on the fourth day, after tedious grid searching through this impenetrable thicket, and surrounding hardwoods, I called the search off. Knowing what type of hit you had helps you to figure on when and how to track a deer as well.
Its something all hunters should know. A great book about it is by ??? Trout Jr. I will have to find out the name of the author and book later, but it is a great read, and really covers all aspects of game recovery.
Good job Mystic![up]
By the way, if any of you on here ever have trouble finding a deer this season, or any season, let us know on here. There are many on here with YEARS of experience, and there is no shame in asking for help from a good woodsman. Afterall, it could save the loss of an animal![up] I know Ive recruited the help of people who know more than I more than once over the years!
