Great Info Rob
Everything Rob said is dead one. I would like to add a Few additional key things you must account for...
1. Ground conditions:
-Is it fall with blowing leaves?
-Is the ground covered with snow?
•Is the snow hard iced snow or fluffy fresh snow?
-Is the ground wet?
2. Weather: This is simply so key in tracking. Ok you shot a deer. Like Rob said... WAIT TO TRACK IT. DO NOT push it. However, you really have to think about weather and ground conditions.
Windy with leaves? Well what do you think it's going to do with bloody leaves?
Fluffy snow with wind? Your blood trail may get covered up.
Rain? Bye bye blood.
Hard snow no wind... heaven for tracking.
By all means don't rush a track job. All I'm saying is that with each track comes a different challenge. Knowing what your getting into before you start could make or break finding your deer.
Best of luck,
OhioHunter
"No such thing as a bad day hunting"