Introduction
Trailing dogs have been used to track wounded deer for centuries. They are dogs that are specially trained to follow the scent trail and blood droplets of an injured deer. The origins of using trailing dogs for deer hunting can be traced back to Europe, where hunters utilized hounds to locate and retrieve game that had fled after being shot with arrows or primitive firearms (History of Deer Tracking Dogs).
Today, trailing dogs are an invaluable asset to ethical hunters. They allow hunters to recover deer that have run off and died after being hit. This helps avoid wasting game meat and reduces suffering. The highly trained dogs can pick up faint scent trails and tiny specks of blood to find a deer, even hours after it was initially shot.
Popular Breeds
Some of the most popular and effective breeds for tracking deer include:
Bloodhounds – Often considered one of the best tracking dogs, bloodhounds have an incredible sense of smell and can follow a trail for miles. Their loose, wrinkled skin helps trap scents. Bloodhounds are determined and focused when on the trail. [1]
Bavarian Mountain Dogs – These powerful dogs have great endurance and a strong hunting instinct. Their weather-resistant coat allows them to track in tough terrain and conditions. Bavarian Mountain Dogs are intelligent and eager to please. [3]
Rhodesian Ridgebacks – Originally bred to hunt lions in Africa, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are tenacious and focused trackers. They can track wounded big game for miles based on sparse scent trails. Their short coat resists burrs and debris. [2]
Labrador Retrievers – Prized as hunting dogs, Labrador Retrievers have an excellent nose and high energy. They are eager trackers and easily trained. Their friendly nature makes them great in the field. Labs have water-resistant coats. [1]
Advantages of Using Trailing Dogs When Hunting Deer
Using trained trailing dogs offers several key advantages for deer hunters:
Help Locate Wounded Deer
One of the top reasons hunters use trailing dogs is to help find and recover deer that have been wounded but not immediately recovered. As noted on DeerSearch.org, “The most obvious benefits in using dogs are in searching the woods for wounded deer … Obviously, hunters should not rely entirely on dogs for trailing deer. In many cases, an experienced tracker can do as well or better than a dog.” However, dogs can often pick up scents and follow trails that are difficult for humans to detect (https://deersearch.org/using-dogs-to-track-wounded-deer/).
Prevent Loss of Game
By using a skilled tracking dog, hunters are much more likely to recover an animal that has been wounded but not immediately retrieved. This prevents unnecessary loss of game and waste. As Southeast Whitetail notes, “A trained, skilled dog establishes obedience. You can assist neighbors and fellow hunters recover their deer” (https://southeastwhitetail.com/2021/07/22/deer-tracking-dog/).
Aid Ethical Harvest
Ethical hunters strive for quick, humane kills and want to avoid wounding an animal they cannot recover. Using a tracking dog helps ensure the animal is recovered and not left to suffer. The Game & Fish Magazine writes “His current game dog is a perfect example of how a trained tracker makes the most of hunters’ opportunities. The dog has helped recover dozens of big game animals that otherwise would have been lost” (https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/tracking-dog-can-be-hunters-best-friend/482757).
Training
Training a deer tracking dog starts early, typically as a puppy. The key is imprinting the dog on deer blood and scent. This allows the dog to later distinguish and follow the blood trail of a specific deer after it’s been shot by a hunter.
A common technique is to expose puppies to deer blood, deer hair, and deer antlers. Letting them play with and get familiar with these scents. Some trainers will drag deer parts on ropes and let puppies follow the trail. Others will hide deer antlers and reward the puppy when it finds them. This imprints the scent and gives them practice tracking.
As the dog matures, the tracking can become more advanced. Trainers will simulate deer blood trails by dragging deer scent on ropes through fields and forests. They can make the trails longer, add turns and obstacles, and reward the dog upon successfully completing the track. This builds the dog’s ability to follow an actual deer’s blood trail in the field during a real hunt. Consistent, repetitive training is key [1].
During the Hunt
When using trailing dogs during a deer hunt, their key purpose is to help track and recover deer that have been hit but not immediately recovered by the hunter. Oftentimes when a hunter takes a shot, the deer may run off even if fatally hit. Without a dog, it can be extremely difficult for the hunter to locate the deer, as there may only be a sparse blood trail to follow through dense brush.
This is where a skilled trailing dog shines. Once the hunter takes a shot, the dog can be put on the “blood trail” to track and locate the deer. The dog’s superior sense of smell allows it to detect even minute drops of blood and tiny scent particles. It will methodically work through the terrain, nose to the ground, pursuing the trail until the deer is found. A good trailing dog will not give up easily and can work through all kinds of weather and ground conditions to recover the deer.
When the dog gets within close proximity of the deer, it may change its behavior to indicate it is near – for example, becoming more excited, focused, or agitated. The hunter then knows the deer must be very close. At this point, the hunter takes over, cautiously approaching and securing the deer while keeping the dog under control. The dog’s ability to find the deer, even hours after the shot and hundreds of yards away, makes it an extremely valuable hunting partner for consistent recovery of downed deer.
Considerations
When using trailing dogs for deer hunting, there are some important considerations to keep in mind for the best chance of success:
Only allow trained dogs to track wounded deer. Dogs need proper obedience training and experience tracking deer before being relied upon during an actual hunt. Untrained dogs may be easily distracted or not committed to staying on the blood trail (source).
Keep dogs focused solely on the task. Dogs should be focused on the blood trail rather than socializing with other dogs or people. Maintain their attention through encouragement and rewards to keep them tracking (source).
Use a leash for control. Keep dogs on a 30-50 foot tracking lead. This allows the handler to maintain control of the dog and keep them from wandering off the trail (source). The lead also aids communication between the handler and the dog.
Success Rates
Recovery rates for deer shot by hunters are significantly higher when using trained trailing dogs compared to not using dogs. According to a study by Ruth et al. cited on Deer Search, trained trailing dogs increased the recovery rate of wounded deer to 15-20% compared to not using dogs. Butler, a professional tracker cited in Game & Fish Magazine, reported a 49% recovery rate using dogs. Other professional trackers with dogs typically see 30-35% recovery rates according to High Caliber Blood Tracking. The statistics clearly show that using trained trailing dogs significantly improves the chances of recovering wounded deer compared to not using dogs.
Costs
The costs associated with owning and using trailing dogs for deer hunting can vary widely depending on several factors. Some of the main costs to consider are:
Purchase/Adoption Fees
The initial cost to purchase or adopt a trained trailing dog can range from $2,000-$5,000 or more depending on the breed, age, training level and breeder/seller [1]. Some dogs may be available for lower adoption fees through shelters or rescue organizations.
Training
Professional training for a trailing dog typically costs $600-$1,200 for basic obedience and introduction to scent tracking. More advanced trailing and recovery training can cost $2,000 or more over several months. Ongoing periodic training is also recommended to maintain skills.[2]
Veterinary Care
Annual vet visits, vaccines, preventatives like flea/tick/heartworm medication, and any injury/illness costs may range from $200-$800 per year. Emergency care for injuries can cost much more.
Gear
Necessary gear like a tracking harness, long tracking lead, and reflective vest can cost $100-$300. Replacement gear/supplies will be needed over time as well.
Ethics
When hunting deer with dogs, it’s important to maintain ethical practices. This includes ensuring clean, effective harvests and avoiding wounded game. According to https://www.orionhunters.org/post/going-to-the-dogs, hunters have an ethical obligation to make every reasonable effort to retrieve downed game. Using well-trained trailing dogs is an effective way to improve recovery rates. The dogs’ superior sense of smell helps locate wounded deer that may have run quite a distance from the original shot location. This allows the hunter to humanely dispatch the deer, preventing prolonged suffering.
It’s also ethical for hunters using dogs to only take clear, close shots that are likely to drop the deer quickly. As https://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/editorial/deermanagement_naw_debate_1009/263851 explains, poor marksmanship can lead to extended chases by the dogs, exhausting the deer. Responsible hunters must sharpen their shooting skills and avoid taking risky shots at running deer. Overall, hunters who use trailing dogs should prioritize ethics by doing everything possible to minimize wounded game.
Conclusion
In summary, trailing dogs can be an effective tool for deer hunting when used properly. Selecting the right breed tailored to your specific needs, adequately training the dogs, and adhering to ethical hunting practices are key to success. Trailing dogs allow hunters to track wounded deer that may otherwise be lost. Their advanced sense of smell and tracking abilities aid in recovering downed deer in dense terrain. However, hunters must be mindful to use dogs humanely and avoid exhausting deer unnecessarily. With proper use, trailing dogs can improve recovery rates and reduce waste in the sport of deer hunting.
Overall, trailing dogs provide advantages to hunters who invest the time needed to train them properly. By partnering with canines bred and prepared for the task, hunters can more ethically harvest deer while enjoying the special bond between man and dog.