Let's talk deer tracking dogs.

[Ugly pumpkin]

I wound up with 2 wild hounds this spring.
They are now a year old and I'm trying to get them tuned up to find deer for hunters. And it is currently deer season.
Anyone else into this?
Thoughts?
Bacon?
Feelings?

 

[Will12785]

There are some clubs in NY that you can call to come out with deer tracking dogs. Ive never had any experience with them though.

 

[Aggie06]

Seems like there are a ton advertised in TX now. It’s become one of the popular things to do.most ask hunters for pieces of hide, tail, blood, etc. to train their dogs during the off season. Not sure how CWD has affected that though.

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

There are some clubs in NY that you can call to come out with deer tracking dogs. Ive never had any experience with them though.

I have no plans to join any groups or clubs at this point.

Seems like there are a ton advertised in TX now. It’s become one of the popular things to do.most ask hunters for pieces of hide, tail, blood, etc. to train their dogs during the off season. Not sure how CWD has affected that though.

I grabbed a pair of lower legs from a deer my bud shot. Been dragging them around and what not. Then I put the pups on the trail and they go to work. I think it's popular because it works so good.
Not a hunter I know is concerned about cwd. I don't even know of anyone getting their deer tested.

 

[Aggie06]

I grabbed a pair of lower legs from a deer my bud shot. Been dragging them around and what not. Then I put the pups on the trail and they go to work. I think it's popular because it works so good.
Not a hunter I know is concerned about cwd. I don't even know of anyone getting their deer tested.

It seems to be a bigger deal in TX, and a point of contention, because of high fenced places and breeding facilities transporting deer. I know some states don’t allow transport of carcasses from CWD areas to non-CWD areas.

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

I hear ya. I've been keeping track of it. I hunt in one of the worst hit counties in Michigan.
No transporting certain parts of the deer, no baiting, free check stations. The works.
Thing is, noone could give a fuck less about it except the DNR.

It seems to be a bigger deal in TX, and a point of contention, because of high fenced places and breeding facilities transporting deer. I know some states don’t allow transport of carcasses from CWD areas to non-CWD areas.

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

I'm having 2 problems right now getting the hounds on a real track.
1. They are unproven and young.
2. It's bow season here and hunters are very protective of their prized hunting spot.

Gun season opens on the 15th. I think the calls will pick up then.

Thoughts?

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

In my experience it’s usually the bow hunters that need the tracking dogs.

I agree that people aren’t likely to call you to retrieve lost animals if your dogs aren’t experienced. Friends might give it a shot but that’s it.

As far as training them, I’ve always seen people use deer blood. If you’re just dragging around legs it seems they are likely to turn into “deer dogs” rather than tracking dogs.

 

[Aggie06]

Post on local hunting forums/Facebook pages. Say you’re trying to train your dogs and will track for free if you want to get them out and working.

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

In my experience it’s usually the bow hunters that need the tracking dogs.

I agree. At least 2 lost in my small circle so far.

I agree that people aren’t likely to call you to retrieve lost animals if your dogs aren’t experienced. Friends might give it a shot but that’s it.

I'm only reaching out to hunting friends. And their fellows.

As far as training them, I’ve always seen people use deer blood. If you’re just dragging around legs it seems they are likely to turn into “deer dogs” rather than tracking dogs.

I think given the choice i would use both in conjunction. Have you seen many dogs trained with deer blood?

What do you think about that?

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

Post on local hunting forums/Facebook pages. Say you’re trying to train your dogs and will track for free if you want to get them out and working.

This and greatlakes are the only social media I do. I put the word out that we'll track for free until they have a couple under their belt.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

I haven’t watched any tracking dogs actually being trained, I’ve just heard they use blood and assumed the same. In the spot where the deer was shot, there might have been a dozen others passing through in the last 24 hours, especially at night.

With a hounds propensity to chase live game, I’d think you’d want them to key in on the smell of a wounded deer rather than just following the trail of a healthy deer into its bedding area, jumping it, and chasing it for the next 2 hours.

I searched on another site and this book was highly recommended. I just ordered one myself. My lab is about 13 now so another dog will be in our future at some point and I figure I might as well train it to blood trail, especially since my kids will be hunting in a few years.

https://www.born-to-track.com/book/order-info.htm

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

I haven’t watched any tracking dogs actually being trained, I’ve just heard they use blood and assumed the same. In the spot where the deer was shot, there might have been a dozen others passing through in the last 24 hours, especially at night.

With a hounds propensity to chase live game, I’d think you’d want them to key in on the smell of a wounded deer rather than just following the trail of a healthy deer into its bedding area, jumping it, and chasing it for the next 2 hours.

I searched on another site and this book was highly recommended. I just ordered one myself. My lab is about 13 now so another dog will be in our future at some point and I figure I might as well train it to blood trail, especially since my kids will be hunting in a few years.

https://www.born-to-track.com/book/order-info.htm

I hear what you say and agree.
My over confidence in them is so great that I believe they will excel in all tracking jobs.

 

[Ugly pumpkin]

I'll check out those books.