Nope, I'm not the guide, but these tips were in Whitetail Hunting Strategies this month. Figured I'd post em...it couldn't hurt.

Jim Perkins has guided hunters at a number of commercial lodges the past 15 seasons. During that time he estimates he's taken part in over 1,500 blood trails. Here are Jim's recommendations and observations:

-The most common mistake huntes make is following a deer too soon after it was shot or spooking it when they leave their stand.

-If undisturbed, 99% of fatally hit deer bed down at least once within 150 yards.

-If you're bowhunting and your arrow has blood on only one side of the shaft and one or two fletchings it is likely a flesh wound. Any cavity hit will completely cover the arrow with blood.

-A blood trail that spans more than 250 yrds before the deer beds down usually results in a lost animal.

-Trackers commonly bring too many people along to help. Only one person should track while others quietly hang back watching and listening.

-Where tracking dogs are legal, a good one is worth its weight in gold.

-In Jim's experience, 75% of all wounded deer that aren't found will recover completely.

January 2003-Whitetail Hunting Strategies


Peace Through Strength